Blues in the Mississippi Night [1991 Ryko]

• Artist: Various Artists
• Release Date: July 13, 1991
• Total Time: 19:36
• Type: Collection (various artists), Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Blues

Review

Blues in the Mississippi Night is a classic of a different sort. Recorded by venerable folklorist Alan Lomax on a one-celled Presto disc recorder one Sunday afternoon in 1948, it captures the music and talk of three old bluesmen: guitarist Big Bill Broonzy, piano player Memphis Slim, and blues harpist Sonny Boy Williamson, all born and raised in the Mississippi delta. The three share memories and trade songs about the perils of love and poverty and the harsh challenges of life in the Mississippi work camps. While the music the three bluesmen make (all three play on the first track, "Life Is Like That," and support each other in different combinations on a couple other tracks, including the classic "Stackalee") is affecting and fine, the real strength of this recording is the conversational interplay between the three men as they share their reminiscences. Lomax uses field recordings to illustrate some of the points raised by the three bluesmen, including a lined hymn recorded at a Baptist church in Greenville, MS, and a trio of work songs ("O'Berta," "Murderer's Home," and "Don't You Hear Po' Mother Callin'?") recorded at the dreaded and infamous Parchman Farm, a work camp for black prisoners. More of a compelling and historical document than a collection of blues songs, Blues in the Mississippi Night deserves an audience and is recommended for those with more than a casual interest in Delta blues. Like all the Alan Lomax reissues on Rounder, the liner notes are extensive. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Life Is Like That	Memphis Slim, Alan Lomax	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:53)
Long Meter Hymn		Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(1:07)
I Can Hear My Name A-Ringin'	Sonny Boy Williamson	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(3:35)
Ratty Section	Memphis Slim, Alan Lomax	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(:10)
I'm Going to Memphis	Peter Chatman	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(:11)
Have You Ever Been to Nashville	Alan Lomax, Peter Chatman	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(1:20)
Bama's Staggerlee	Alan Lomax	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:20)
Oh 'Berta	Alan Lomax, Dew	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(1:33)
Murderer's Home	Alan Lomax	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(:45)
Don't You Hear Your Poor Mother Calling	Alan Lomax, Dew	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(1:20)
Slow Lonesome Blues	Peter Chatman	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(1:11)
Another Man Done Gone	Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax, Vera Hall, Ruby Pickens Tartt	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(:45)
Fast Boogie	Peter Chatman	Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson	(2:26)

Credits

Alan Lomax (Producer), Alan Lomax (Mixing), Matthew Barton (Biographical Notes), Alan Lomax (Photography), Matthew Barton (Editing), Big Bill Broonzy (Vocals), Sonny Boy Williamson (Performer), Big Bill Broonzy (Guitar), Dr. Toby Mountain (Mastering), Steven Jurgensmeyer (Design), Memphis Slim (Performer), Chris Strachwitz (Photography), Alan Lomax (Engineer), Dr. Toby Mountain (Digital Mastering), Big Bill Broonzy (Performer), Alan Lomax (Liner Notes), Matthew Barton (Liner Notes), Alan Lomax (Liner Note Art)