Release Date: 2009.
Release Info: 504 CD 42, CD, Compilation.
Series: The Larry Borenstein Collection - Volume 13
Stovall was born in Tylertown, Mississippi, United States, in 1907, the youngest of eleven children (thus his nickname "Babe"). He learned to play the guitar by the age of eight, and his guitar playing style was influenced by Tommy Johnson, whom he had met in Mississippi around 1930. In 1964, he relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he entertained on the streets, and in cafes and galleries of the French Quarter. Stovall frequently took young white musicians under his wing as apprentice performers, teaching them traditional country blues songs and guitar techniques. He variously played his guitar at the back of his neck, and hollered his song lyrics loudly for all in the vicinity to hear. In 1964 he recorded an album for Verve, titled Babe Stovall (which was re-released in 1990 on CD), and undertook more recordings in 1966, released as The Babe Stovall Story. His later work with Bob West resulted in The Old Ace: Mississippi Blues & Religious Songs, which was released on Arcola (2003). He was credited by some as the character inspiration behind Jerry Jeff Walker’s, "Mr. Bojangles".
Stovall played on the college circuit, in addition to being the regular musician at the Dream Castel Bar on Frenchmen Street, and The Quarum club in New Orleans.
Personnel: Babe Stovall – guitar, vocals; Tom Stovall – mandolin (track 8); Godson Philips – banjo (tracks 9-19); Sylvester Handy – string bass (tracks 9-19).
Tracklist:
- 01. Going Away To Wear You Off My Mind
- 02. Do Lord
- 03. Big Road Blues
- 04. C C Rider
- 05. I Ain't Gonna Be Your Dog No More
- 06. Trouble In Mind
- 07. I Ain't Gonna Be Here Long
- 08. Careless Love
- 09. I'm G'wine To New Orleans (Candy Man)
- 10. Good Morning Blues
- 11. Don't You Want To Go
- 12. Tell Me Brown Eyes
- 13. Time Is Winding Up
- 14. Coal Black Mare
- 15. Salty Dog
- 16. Corrina Corrina
- 17. If I Could Only Hear My Mother Pray Again
- 18. Woman Blues
- 19. Careless Love
Tracks 2, 6, 7 previously unissued. All other tracks previously issued on Flyright or/and Verve.