Release Date: April 15, 2008.
Recording Time: 485 minutes.
Recording Date: 1962 - 1980's.
Release Info: Compilation (FP1114-2), Box Set (7-CD).
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Chicago Blues, Country Blues, Delta Blues, East Coast Blues, Electric Blues, Field Recording, Gospel, Harmonica Blues, Hill Country Blues, Interview, Memphis Blues, Piedmont Blues.
This box set compiles the first 45 volumes of Fat Possum Records' series "The George Mitchell Collection," each volume originally released on 7" vinyl, plus a bonus disc. Includes 48-page booklet.
* * * * *
As a high school senior in 1962, George Mitchell began wandering Memphis back alleys and the rural roads of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi in search of the blues. He found them all right, as evidenced by this 7-CD collection of recordings spanning 20 years and including a few familiar names like R.L. Burnside, Robert Nighthawk, and Big Joe Williams, as well as dozens of virtual unknowns. Don't call Mitchell a folklorist, however. In lively liner notes, Sam Sweet derides the field – John and Alan Lomax in particular – as "frosty, insular, uptight types." He contends that Mitchell "radiated warmth and eccentricity" and thus connected with bluesmen he recorded because of his generosity of spirit and a shared Southern culture. Purists offended by Burnside's rocking electro-infused collaborations with Jon Spencer and Kid Rock in the 1990s will no doubt prefer the four dirty Delta originals included here, the first-ever recordings of the Mississippi bluesman. Mitchell's recollections of the sessions are often hilarious and always honest. He remembers the one-string-bass- and kazoo-playing Dewey Corley, recorded 1967 in Memphis, as "a crotchety old motherfucker, very irritable." Cecil Barfield, also recorded that same year in Albany, Ga., provides four standout cuts highlighted by his hypnotizing if barely decipherable swampy howl. Excellent sides of Precious Bryant, Rosa Lee Hill, and Jessie Mae Hemphill are among the only known recordings of black female guitarists from the South in the 1960s. Percussion is generally limited to stomping of feet, and children playing and friendly chatter are par for the background on these intimate sessions. Clocking in at more than eight hours and 174 tracks, the collection might be overkill for the casual fan, but for the serious collector, The George Mitchell Collection comes available as 45 7-inches. ~ Thomas Fawcett
Seven discs. Each approximately 60 min. Sound is good. People of a certain age will understand the next question. In days gone by,did you ever go into your favorite record store,wander into the blues section,and come upon an album released on a low-no budget label,buy it,and come away mesmerized? That's the feeling you get from this wonderful collection put out by Fat Possum Records. This is like striking it rich or finding the holy grail. A look at the song titles and artists will give you some idea of the treasures found inside. For the most part,the recordings were done in the late 60's. There are exceptions,but that's irrelevant,because this music flows seamlessly from one artist to the next. Recorded on a reel to reel recorder and one microphone,this is magic. Magic because Mitchell had the time and inclination to search out these people,get to know them and then record their music. Sometimes you get the feeling these forgotten men and women are singing to show just what they are capable of. Other times its to tell a story from long ago. But this is honest music presented without frills,just what you would hope and expect. To single out anyone in this collection would be a disservice to the others. When you consider the price,this is an even better deal. The accompanying booklet is very informative. There is a section devoted to Mitchell and how he came to record these treasures. However,the real treasures are the short biographies and Mitchell's recollections about these men and women. Be aware that disc seven,a bonus disc,has no notes in the booklet. The only thing that would have been a bit better is the box itself could have been a bit more substantial-a minor quibble. All the people here accompany themselves on guitar and sometimes other instruments,but the focus is squarely on the unpretentious vocals. For anyone who enjoys country blues and thought those days are past-check this out-you won't be sorry. After hearing this package,and the individual albums by different people recorded by Mitchell,I would like to think,and hope,he would release anything else of this caliber he has hidden away. For this is music that's deserving of a wider audience-hopefully I have started that and you,too,will feel the same. ~ Stuart Jefferson
Credits: John Henry Barbee - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Cecil Barfield - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Michael Bloomfield - Concert Producer; Precious Bryant - Primary Artist; Jim Bunkley - Primary Artist; R.L. Burnside - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Charlie Burse - Guitar (Tenor), Primary Artist, Vocals; George Henry Bussey - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Joe Calicott - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Como Fife & Drum Band - Primary Artist; Ira "Tiny" Coney - Primary Artist; Dewey Corley - Kazoo, Primary Artist, Vocal Ad-Libs; James "Thunderbird" Davis - Guitar, Primary Artist; Norman Dayron - Engineer; William Diamond - Primary Artist; Robert Diggs - Guitar, Harmonica, Primary Artist, Vocals; Sleepy John Estes - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Georgia Fife and Drum Band - Primary Artist; Jessie Clarence Gorman - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Bud Grant - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Eddie Harris - Primary Artist; Eddie Bill Harris - Guitar, Vocals; Jimmy Lee Harris - Primary Artist; Jimmy T. Harris - Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals; Jessie Mae Hemphill - Primary Artist, Vocals; Rosa Lee Hill - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Eddie Hodge - Primary Artist; George Hollis - Primary Artist; Buddy Hubbard - Primary Artist; Dorothy Johnson - Vocals (Background); Robert Johnson - Primary Artist; Robert F. Johnson - Guitar, Vocals; Shirley Johnson - Vocals (Background); James "Famous" Jones - Drums; Furry Lewis - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Robert Longstreet - Harmonica, Primary Artist, Vocals; Albert Macon - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Sara Mae - Primary Artist; Maxwell Street Jimmy - Primary Artist; Mississippi Fred McDowell - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Abe McNeil - Primary Artist; Walter Miller - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; George Mitchell - Primary Artist; Buddy Moss - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Robert Nighthawk - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Green Paschal - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Pettis Sisters - Primary Artist; Leon Pinson - Primary Artist; Willie Rockomo - Primary Artist; Roll & Tumble - Primary Artist; Clifford Scott - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Will Shade - Primary Artist; James Shorter - Primary Artist, Vocals; Houston Stackhouse - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Houston Stovall - Primary Artist; Napoleon Strickland - Fife; Sam Sweet - Liner Notes; Lonzie Thomas - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Robert Thomas - Primary Artist; Otha Turner - Primary Artist; Otha Turner & the Afrossippi Allstars - Guitar, Vocals; Tom Turner - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Bruce Upshaw - Primary Artist; Jesse Vortis - Primary Artist; J.W. Warren - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Bud White - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Big Joe Williams - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Jimmy Lee Williams - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals; Teddy Williams - Primary Artist; Johnny Woods - Guitar, Harmonica, Primary Artist, Vocals; John Lee Ziegler - Guitar, Primary Artist, Vocals.
Tracklist.
Disc One: Volumes 1-7
Vol. 1: Cecil Barfield
01. Lucy Mae Blues - Cecil Barfield
02. I Woke Up Crying - Cecil Barfield
03. Love Blues - Cecil Barfield–
04. I Told You Not To Do That - Cecil Barfield
Vol. 2: Buddy Moss
05. In The Evening - Buddy Moss
06. Hey Lawdy Mama - Buddy Moss
07. Thousand Woman Blues - Buddy Moss
08. Blue Shadow Falling - Buddy Moss
09. Cold Rainy Day - Buddy Moss
10. Amy - Buddy Moss
Vol. 3: Leon Pinson
11. Motherless Child - Leon Pinson
12. Hush, Somebody Is Calling My Name - Leon Pinson
13. What God Can Do - Leon Pinson
14. He'll Understand And Say Well Done - Leon Pinson
Vol. 4: Houston Stackhouse
15. Big Road Blues - Houston Stackhouse
16. Cool Water Blues - Houston Stackhouse
17. Big Fat Mama Blues - Houston Stackhouse
18. Take A Little Walk With Me - Houston Stackhouse
Vol. 5: Big Joe Williams
19. Everyone Got A Woman - Big Joe Williams
20. What She Need With A Rooster - Big Joe Williams
21. Sink Or Swim - Big Joe Williams
22. Prison Bound - Big Joe Williams
Vol. 6: John Lee Ziegler
23. Who's Gonna Be Your Man - John Lee Ziegler
24. If I Lose Let Me Lose - John Lee Ziegler
Vol. 7: Othar Turner
25. Black Woman - Othar Turner
26. Bumble Bee - Othar Turner
Disc Two: Volumes 8-14
Vol. 8: Lonzie Thomas
01. Rabbit On A Log - Lonzie Thomas
02. Raise A Ruckus Tonight - Lonzie Thomas
03. My Three Women - Lonzie Thomas
04. Red Cross Store - Lonzie Thomas
Vol. 9: Sleepy John Estes
05. Rats In The Kitchen - Sleepy John Estes
06. Special Agent - Sleepy John Estes
07. Trying To See - Sleepy John Estes
08. Mail Man Blues - Sleepy John Estes
Vol. 10: Teddy Williams
09. Down Home Blues - Teddy Williams
10. Catfish Blues - Teddy Williams
11. Black Mattie - Teddy Williams
12. Sun Don't Shine - Teddy Williams
Vol. 11: Teddy Williams
13. Trouble Brought Me Down - Teddy Williams
14. My Lord - Green Paschal
15. Mother Is Dead - Green Paschal
16. Lay My Burden Down - Green Paschal
17. Your Close Friend - Green Paschal
18. I'm Going To Leave It In The Hands Of The Lord - Green Paschal
Vol. 12: William "Do-Boy" Diamond
19. Hard Time Blues - William "Do-Boy" Diamond
20. Just Want To Talk To You - William "Do-Boy" Diamond
Vol. 13: Dewey Corley & Walter Miller
21. Just A Dream I Got On My Mind - Dewey Corley & Walter Miller
22. Memphis Is A Wonderful City - Dewey Corley & Walter Miller
23. Down To Arkansas - Dewey Corley & Walter Miller
Vol. 14: Bud Grant
24. Rock Me Mama - Bud Grant
25. Freight Train Blues - Bud Grant
26. So Sweet - Bud Grant
27. Bud Grant's Grunt - Bud Grant
Disc Three: Volumes 15-22
Vol. 15: Bud White
01. Go Ahead On - Bud White
02. You've Been Gone So Long - Bud White
03. White Horses - Bud White
Vol. 16: George Henry Bussey
04. When I'm Sober I'm Drunk Blues - George Henry Bussey
05. Mean Mistreater - George Henry Bussey
06. Blues Around My Bed - George Henry Bussey
07. Looking For My Woman - George Henry Bussey
Vol. 17: Jim Bunkley
08. Old Red #2 - Jim Bunkley
09. Jack Of Diamonds - Jim Bunkley
10. Them Greasy Greens - Jim Bunkley
11. Rocking Chair - Jim Bunkley
Vol. 18: Tom Turner
12. Old Breakdown - Tom Turner
13. Drop Down Mama #1 - Tom Turner
Vol. 19: James Shorter
14. Search Me Lord - James Shorter
15. My Mother Died And Left Me - James Shorter
16. Consolation - James Shorter
17. Home Going - James Shorter
Vol. 20: Abe McNeil
18. Better Than Myself - Abe McNeil
19. Steady Rollin' Man - Abe McNeil
20. Drink Drink Drink - Abe McNeil
Vol. 21: Joe Callicott
21. Country Blues - Joe Callicott
22. River Blues - Joe Callicott
Vol. 22: Johnny Woods
23. 3 O'Clock In The Morning - Johnny Woods
24. I's Be Troubled - Johnny Woods
Disc Four: Volumes 23-29
Vol. 23: Robert Diggs
01. Someday Baby - Robert Diggs
02. Racehorse Charleston - Robert Diggs
03. Done Lost My Health - Robert Diggs
04. Drive Your Car - Robert Diggs
Vol. 24: Cliff Scott
05. Woke Up This Morning - Cliff Scott
06. Long Wavy Hair - Cliff Scott
07. Please Come Home - Cliff Scott
08. Pole Pattin' - Cliff Scott
Vol. 25: Jimmy Lee Harris
09. I Wanna Ramble - Jimmy Lee Harris
10. Sitting Here Looking 1000 Miles Away - Jimmy Lee Harris
Vol. 26: R.L. Burnside
11. Just Like A Bird Without A Feather - R.L. Burnside
12. Skinny Woman - R.L. Burnside
13. Goin' Down South - R.L. Burnside
14. Poor Black Mattie - R.L. Burnside
Vol. 27: Robert "Nighthawk" Johnson
15. Hold My Body Down - Robert "Nighthawk" Johnson
16. Trying To Make It Home - Robert "Nighthawk" Johnson
17. Precious Lord - Robert "Nighthawk" Johnson
18. He'll Make A Way - Robert "Nighthawk" Johnson
Vol. 28: Robert Longstreet
19. Sugar Mama - Robert Longstreet
20. Black Gal - Robert Longstreet
21. Sloppy Drunk - Robert Longstreet
22. Decoration Day - Robert Longstreet
Vol. 29: Fred McDowell
23. Shake 'Em On Down - Fred McDowell
24. Mama Says I'm Crazy - Fred McDowell
Disc Five: Volumes 30-38
Vol. 30: John Henry Barbee
01. That Ain't It - John Henry Barbee
02. Gonna Lose Your Mind - John Henry Barbee
Vol. 31: Albert Macon & Robert Thomas
03. Flat Foot Boogie - Albert Macon & Robert Thomas
04. Mama Can I Lay It Down - Albert Macon & Robert Thomas
05. How Can You Do It - Albert Macon & Robert Thomas
Vol. 32: Jessie Clarence Gorman
06. John Henry - Jessie Clarence Gorman
07. Goin' Up To The Country #1 - Jessie Clarence Gorman
08. Goin' Up To The Country #2 - Jessie Clarence Gorman
Vol. 33: Will Shade
09. Dirty Dozens - Will Shade
10. Won't You Send Me John - Will Shade
11. Wine Headed Man - Will Shade
12. K. C. Blues - Will Shade
Vol. 34: Georgia Fife & Drum Band
13. Every Time I Come Around - Georgia Fife & Drum Band
14. J. W.'s Special - Georgia Fife & Drum Band
15. Old Hen Cackle - Georgia Fife & Drum Band
16. Buck Dance - Georgia Fife & Drum Band
Vol. 35: Como Fife & Drum Band
17. Hey Freddie - Como Fife & Drum Band
18. Late In The Evening - Como Fife & Drum Band
19. Punky Tony - Como Fife & Drum Band
20. Shimmy She Wa - Como Fife & Drum Band
Vol. 36: Maxwell Street Jimmy
21. You Got Reap What You Sow - Maxwell Street Jimmy
22. Everything's Gonna Be Alright - Maxwell Street Jimmy
Vol. 37: Precious Bryant
23. That's The Way The Good Thing Go - Precious Bryant
24. Georgia Buck - Precious Bryant
25. When The Saints Go Marching In - Precious Bryant
Vol. 38: Rosa Lee Hill
26. Pork & Beans - Rosa Lee Hill
27. Count The Days I'm Gone - Rosa Lee Hill
28. Roll & Tumble - Rosa Lee Hill
29. Bullying Well - Rosa Lee Hill
Disc Six: Volumes 39-45
Vol. 39: Furry Lewis
01. Good Morning Judge - Furry Lewis
02. Furry Lewis' Careless Love - Furry Lewis
Vol. 40: Jimmy Lee Williams
03. What Make Grandpa Love Grandma So - Jimmy Lee Williams
04. Have You Ever Seen Peaches - Jimmy Lee Williams
Vol. 41: J.W. Warren
05. Hoboing Into Hollywood - J.W. Warren
06. Sundown Blues - J.W. Warren
07. Rabbit On A Log - J.W. Warren
08. You're Gonna Miss Me - J.W. Warren
Vol. 42: Eddie Harris
09. House On The Hill - Eddie Harris
10. I Have To Love Somebody - Eddie Harris
Vol. 43: James Davis
11. Old Country Rock #1 - James Davis
12. Instrumental #1 - James Davis
13. Who Stole The Lock Off The Henhouse Door? - James Davis
14. Instrumental #4 - James Davis
Vol. 44: Robert Nighthawk
15. Canned Heat - Robert Nighthawk
16. Nighthawk Boogie - Robert Nighthawk
17. Down By The Woodshed - Robert Nighthawk
Vol. 45: Jessie Mae Hemphill
18. Home Going - Jessie Mae Hemphill
19. I Want To Be Ready - Jessie Mae Hemphill
20. Interview - Jessie Mae Hemphill
Disc Seven: Bonus Disc
01. Miss Maybelle - Jessie Lee Vortis
02. When My Baby Got On Board - Jessie Lee Vortis
03. Them Greasy Greens #1 - George Hollis
04. Rock And Roll To Milledgeville - George Hollis
05. Black Rat Swing - Willie Rockomo
06. Tease Me Baby #2 - Bruce Upshaw & Willie Rockomo
07. Someday Baby #1 - Bruce Upshaw
08. Wonder Why My Baby Treat Me So Bad - Bruce Upshaw
09. Rosa Lee - Bruce Upshaw
10. I Got A Woman - Buddy Hubbard
11. So Sweet - Buddy Hubbard
12. You're Gonna Miss Me - Ira "Tiny" Coney
13. Mamie - Ira "Tiny" Coney
14. I'm So Lonesome - Ira "Tiny" Coney
15. Blood Red River - Eddie Hodge
16. Sitting On Top Of The World - Eddie Hodge
17. Glory Hallelujah - Eddie Hodge
18. Jesus Is Coming Back To Me - Pettis Sisters
19. Bound For Zion - Pettis Sisters
20. You Told Me Baby - Houston Stovall & Sara Mae Stovall
21. Sweet As An Apple On A Tree - Houston Stovall & Sara Mae Stovall
22. Juke #2 - Houston Stovall & Sara Mae Stovall
23. Woke Up This Morning - Houston Stovall & Sara Mae Stovall
24. Tell Me You Love Me - Houston Stovall & Sara Mae Stovall
Recording Information:
1-01 to 1-04 recorded in Albany, Georgia, 1976.
1-05 to 1-10 recorded in Atlanta, Georgia, 1963.
1-11 to 1-14 recorded in Cleveland, Mississippi, September 18, 1967.
1-15 to 1-18 recorded in Dundee, Mississippi, August 28, 1967.
1-19 to 1-22 recorded live at The Fickle Pickle, Chicago, Illinois, 1963.
1-23 to 1-24 recorded in Kathleen, GA, late 1978.
1-25 to 1-26 recorded in Como, Mississippi, August 24, 1967.
2-01 to 2-04 recorded in Lee County, Alabama, early 1980s.
2-05 to 2-08 recorded in Brownsville, Tennessee, 1962.
2-09 to 2-12 recorded in Canton, Mississippi, September 16, 1967.
2-13 to 2-18 recorded in Talbotton, Georgia, 1969.
2-19 to 2-20 recorded in Canton, Mississippi, September 15, 1967.
2-21 to 2-23 recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, summer 1967.
2-24 to 2-27 recorded in Thomaston, Georgia, spring 1969.
3-01 to 3-03 recorded in Richland, Georgia, February 2, 1969.
3-04 to 3-07 recorded in Waverly Hall, Georgia, 1969.
3-08 to 3-11 recorded in Geneva, Georgia, 1969.
3-12 to 3-13 recorded in Columbus, Mississippi, September 6, 1967.
3-14 to 3-17 recorded in Senatobia, Mississippi, August 2, 1967.
3-18 to 3-19 recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, 1962.
3-20 recorded in Friar's Point, Mississippi, summer 1967.
3-21 to 3-22 recorded in Nesbit, Mississippi, September 1, 1967.
3-23 to 3-24 recorded in Senatobia, Mississippi, August 26, 1967.
4-01 to 4-04 recorded in Friar's Point, Mississippi, summer 1967.
4-05 to 4-08 recorded in Draneville, Georgia, March 24, 1969.
4-09 to 4-10 recorded in Phenix City, Alabama, early 1980s.
4-11 to 4-14 recorded in Coldwater, Mississippi, August 24, 1967.
4-15 to 4-18 recorded in Skene, Mississippi, July 2, 1969.
4-19 to 4-22 recorded in Starkville, Mississippi, summer 1967.
4-23 to 4-24 recorded in Senatobia, Mississippi, August 26, 1967.
5-01 to 5-02 recorded live at The Fickle Pickle, Chicago, Illinois, 1963.
5-03 to 5-05 recorded in Macon County (Society Hill), Alabama, early 1980s.
5-06 to 5-08 recorded in Thomaston, Georgia, spring 1969.
5-09 to 5-12 recorded in Memphis, Tennesee, 1962.
5-13 to 5-16 recorded in Waverly Hall, Georgia, 1969.
5-17 to 5-20 recorded in Como, Mississippi, summer 1967.
5-21 to 5-22 recorded live at The Fickle Pickle, Chicago, Illinois, 1963.
5-23 to 5-25 recorded in Waverly Hall, Georgia, 1969.
5-26 to 5-29 recorded in Como, Mississippi, August 23, 1967.
6-01 to 6-02 recorded in Memphis, Tennesee, 1962.
6-03 to 6-04 recorded in Porlan, Georgia, 1977.
6-05 to 6-08 recorded in Ariton, Alabama, 1981-1982.
6-09 to 6-10 recorded in Phenix City, Alabama, early 1980s.
6-11 to 6-14 recorded in Henderson, Georgia, late 1970s.
6-15 to 6-17 recorded live in Dundee, Mississippi, August 28, 1967.
6-18 to 6-20 recorded in Dundee, Mississippi, August 1967.