Skip James – The Complete 1931 Sessions
COMPILATION
Vocals, Guitar, Piano – Nehemiah "Skip" James
Written by Nehemiah "Skip" James (all tracks except A7 and B4), Leroy Carr (A7)
B4 is a traditional song arranged by Nehemiah "Skip" James
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Record Technology Incorporated
Label : ORG Music
Original Label : Matchbox Records
Recorded for Paramount in Grafton, Wisconsin, February 1931
Produced by Andrew Rossiter
Remastered by Dave Gardner & Nick Townsend at Infrasonic Mastering
Liner notes by author Larry Jaffee
Originally released in 1982
Reissued in November 2022
Tracks:
Side A:
- Devil Got My Woman
- If You Haven't Any Hay Get On Down The Road
- Hard Luck Child
- Drunken Spree
- Little Cow And Calf Is Gonna Die Blues
- Be Ready When He Comes
- How Long "Buck"
- I'm So Glad
- Cherry Ball Blues
Side B:
- Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues
- 22-20 Blues
- 4 O'Clock Blues
- Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader
- Yola My Blues Away
- What Am I To Do Blues
- Special Rider Blues
- Illinois Blues
- Cypress Grove Blues
Reviews:
“Skip James estimated that he recorded 26 sides for the Paramount label in 1931, but no one has ever turned up more than the 18 songs on this disc in any form. This was the first comprehensive collection of James' early music, showcasing his piano playing as well as his skills with a guitar, and was essential listening in the 1980s. However, the collection was only partly successful on a technical level. Paramount had been notorious for using the poorest and cheapest materials in its pressings and later junked its masters. Based on surviving production 78s, the quality of this release therefore left a lot to be desired even from a historical point of view. Yazoo later upgraded and retitled the collection when better sources and transferring techniques became available (see The Complete Early Recordings of Skip James).” AllMusic Review by Bruce Eder
Ratings :
AllMusic 4.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.78 / 5