Label: Arhoolie Records.
Release Date: 1996.
Recording Time: 48 minutes.
Release Info: Studio Recording, ARH00101.
Recording Date: 1960s.
Styles: Country Blues, Blues Revival, Delta Blues, Modern Delta Blues, Regional Blues.
The origins of the blues can be found in the grooves of this fine budget-priced sampler, which includes performances from Mississippi Fred McDowell ("Frisco Line"), the Black Ace ("Drink On, Little Girl"), Bukka White ("Columbus Mississippi Blues") and Big Joe Williams ("Brother James"). ~ Jason Ankeny
This collection of 1960s-era country blues music was released in 1996 as part of Arhoolie's "American Masters Budget Series." Country blues is primarily an acoustic guitar form of the blues, mixing blues elements with country and folk music. The raspy sounds of guitar and harmonica reflect the origins of the genre. The album features individual selections from artists such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Snooks Eaglin, and Big Joe Williams. Liner notes include a list of each track's original album. (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings)
Credits: Smoky Babe - performer, primary artist; Black Ace - composer, performer, primary artist; Robert Brown - composer; Dix Bruce - artwork, design, photo restoration; R.L. Burnside - composer, performer, primary artist; Tom Diamant - editing, producer; K.C. Douglas - composer, performer, primary artist; Ford Eaglin - composer; Snooks Eaglin - performer, primary artist; Jesse Fuller - composer, performer, primary artist; Lightnin' Hopkins - composer, performer, primary artist; John Jackson - composer, performer, primary artist; Melvin "Lil' Son" Jackson - composer; Mance Lipscomb - composer, performer, primary artist; Mississippi Fred McDowell - composer, performer, primary artist; Wayne Pope - art direction, cover design; Doctor Ross - composer, performer, primary artist; Chris Strachwitz - editing, photography, producer; Bukka White - composer, performer, primary artist; Big Joe Williams - composer, performer, primary artist; Robert Pete Williams - composer, performer, primary artist.
Tracks: 1) Frisco Line - Fred McDowell; 2) Have You Ever Loved A Woman - Lightnin' Hopkins; 3) Going Down in Georgia on a Horn - John Jackson; 4) Cairo Blues - Lil' Son Jackson; 5) 'Bout A Spoonful - Mance Lipscomb; 6) Drink On Little Girl - Black Ace; 7) Country Boy Down In New Orleans - Snooks Eaglin; 8) Columbus Mississippi Blues - Bukka White; 9) Shake 'Em on Down - Dr. Ross; 10) Just Tippin' In - Robert Pete Williams; 11) Hump In My Back - Jesse Fuller; 12) Brother James - Big Joe Williams; 13) I'm Broke and I'm Hungry - Smoky Babe; 14) Poor Black Mattie - R.L. Burnside; 15) Mercury Blues - K.C. Douglas.