Release Date: November 13, 2001.
Recording Time: 43 minutes.
Release Info: Compilation (302 061 161 2) Live Recording, Reissue.
Styles: Country Blues, Louisiana Blues.
A date of significant historic value, these field recordings took place in Angola State Penitentiary featuring solo performances usually accompanied by six- or 12-string guitar. There is even a full-band performance featuring Cyprien Huston & the Cool Cats. 20 to Life adds an interesting twist to most prison recordings from the same time period. Those tunes, sang on the chain gang, tended to be call and response, usually featuring the human voice as the lone instrument. These laments are of a more lyrically personal statement with a haunting nature. The musicianship is intricate in its simplicity. Another fine reissue from the Fuel 2000 label. ~ Al Campbell
Credits: Harry Oster - Recorded By, Liner Notes.
Personnel: Hogman Maxey - Vocals, Guitar (1); A. C. Craig - Guitar, John Henry Jackson - Vocals, Guitar (2); Otis Webster - Guitar, Vocals (3) Guitar Welch - Guitar, Vocals (4); Guitar Welch - Guitar, J. Butcher* - Vocals, Harmonica (5); Hogman Maxey - Guitar, Vocals (6); Guitar Welch - Guitar, Vocals (7); Hogman Maxey - Guitar, Vocals (8); Otis Webster - Guitar, Vocals (9); John Henry Jackson - Vocals, Guitar (10); Otis Webster - Guitar, Vocals (11); Guitar Welch - Guitar, Vocals (12); Edward Davenport - Alto Saxophone, Junior Jones - Drums, Philip Armour - Lead Guitar, Cyprien Huston - Lead Vocals, Robert C. Milton - Performer, Fred Hollingsworth - Rhythm Guitar, Arthur Williams - Tenor Saxophone (13).
Tracklist:
01. Duckin' And Dodgin' - Hogman Maxey
02. My Baby Got To Go - John Henry Jackson
03. Penitentiary Blues - Otis Webster
04. Lonesome Blues - Guitar Welch
05. They'll Miss Me When I'm Gone - Jesse Butcher
06. Rock Me Mama - Hogman Maxey
07. Boll Weevil Blues - Guitar Welch
08. Hard Headed Woman - Hogman Maxey
09. Standing At The Greyhound Bus Station - Otis Webster
10. Tell Me Pretty Baby - John Henry Jackson
11. Ball And Chain For Me - Otis Webster
12. Bad Luck Blues - Guitar Welch
13. Goin' Home To My Old Used To Be - The Cool Cats
All tracks recorded at Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola.