Release Date: April 18, 2008.
Recording Time: 9 minutes.
Recording Date: 1962 - 1967.
Recording Location: Memphis, Tennessee, 1962 & Friar's Point, Mississippi, Summer 1967.
Release Info: blm 020 Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM (3 track 7 inch single used US 2008 VG+/VG).
Format: Originally released as a limited edition, multi-track 7" vinyl EP operating at 33 ⅓ rpm.
The George Mitchell Collection Vol. 20 is a specific entry in the highly regarded archival series dedicated to Southern blues field recordings captured by musicologist George Mitchell.
Abe McNeil sounds good in G position in standard tuning, sort of like he started with Tommy McClennan's licks in that position and kept going. Robert Diggs' singing and playing on "Drink, Drink, Drink" are excellent.
Volume 20 of 45 volume collection... The George Mitchell Collection... The music on each of these 7″ records represents the best of the hundreds of hours of field recordings George Mitchell undertook over two decades.
Credits: Arranged by - Abe McNeil (tracks: A, B1); Body Percussion (Hambone Hand), Handclaps (Clapping) - Abe McNeil (tracks: B2); Co-producer (Uncredited - George Mitchell 7" Series Produced by) - Bruce Watson, Matthew Johnson; Lacquer Cut by - WG; Photography by (Uncredited) - George Mitchell; Recorded by - George Mitchell; Songwriter - Robert Diggs (tracks: B2), Traditional (tracks: A, B1); Vocals, Guitar - Abe McNeil (tracks: A, B1); Vocals, Harmonica - Robert Diggs (tracks: B2).
Tracklist:
- A1. Better Than Myself [04:15] ... G (tuning / position); Aflat+ (pitch)
- B1. Steady Rollin' Man [02:30] ... G (tuning / position); Aflat+ (pitch)
- B2. Drink Drink Drink [02:20] ... Cross harp (tuning / position); E (pitch)
Tracks A1 & B1 recorded in Memphis, TN in 1962 (Abe McNeil - vocals and guitar).
Track B2 recorded in Friar's Point, MS, summer 1967 (Robert Diggs - vocals and harmonica, Abe McNeil - hambone hand and clapping).
"Better Than Myself" & "Steady Rollin' Man" traditional arranged by Abe McNeil, "Drink Drink Drink" by Robert Diggs. Recorded by George Mitchell.