King of the 12-String Guitar

• Artist: Leadbelly
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1991
• Total Time: 56:39
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Blues

Review

Although Huddie Ledbetter had recorded for the Library of Congress while still in jail in 1933, King of the 12-String Guitar contains some of the music from his earliest commercial recording date, only five months after getting out of prison for the second (and final) time. The majority of the material (other than the first four numbers) consists of alternate takes and previously unissued performances, although some of the numbers were formerly out on LPs by Folkways or Biograph. The music (ranging from blues to folk music) is highly recommended both to veteran collectors (who otherwise probably do not have most of these cuts) and to those just discovering the legendary and unique musician. Forty-six at the time, Leadbelly's powerful voice and his work on 12-string guitar are consistently memorable. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Packin' Trunk Blues	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(2:59)
Becky Deam, She Was a Gamblin' Gal	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:06)
Honey, I'm All out and Down	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:15)
Four Day Worry Blues	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:08)
Roberta, Pt. 1 [Alternate Take][#]	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:02)
Roberta, Pt. 2 [Alternate Take][#]	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:06)
Death Letter Blues, Pt. 1 [Alternate Take][#]	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:00)
Death Letter Blues, Pt. 2 [Alternate Take][#]	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:13)
Kansas City Papa [Alternate Take][#]	Leadbelly	Leadbelly	(3:11)
Fort Worth and Dallas Blues [Alternate Take][#]	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:03)
You Don't Know My Mind [#]	Leadbelly	Leadbelly	(3:05)
Ox Drivin' Blues [#]	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(2:56)
Daddy I'm Coming Back to You [#]	Leadbelly	Leadbelly	(2:51)
Shorty George [#]	Leadbelly, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(3:08)
Yellow Jacket [#]	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax	Leadbelly	(2:56)
T.B. Blues [#]	Victoria Spivey	Leadbelly	(3:12)
Pigmeat	Leadbelly	Leadbelly	(3:19)
My Baby Left Me	Leadbelly, Alan Lomax, John A. Lomax	Leadbelly	(2:53)

Credits

Leadbelly (Vocals), Leadbelly (Guitar (12 String)), Leadbelly (Main Performer), Steven Berkowitz (Coordination), Michael Berniker (Coordination), Mark Wilder (Remastering), Lawrence Cohn (Producer), Lawrence Cohn (Liner Notes), Penny Armstrong (Coordination), Howard Fritzson (Art Direction), Pete Cenedella (Package Coordinator)