"The music on this record is my attempt to explore and further the american acoustic guitar. I have four sources for the musics here presented: Bulgarian music for rhythmic modes and ideas, also modulation of melodic modes and harmonies; Hindustani for subtle melodic graces and ideas of variation, fahey for the conception of the art; Bartok for modal harmonies analogous to conventional western harmony, and treatment of themes." (Suni McGrath, cover notes)
In my view, Fahey, Basho & McGrath are something of a holy trinity for american primitive solo guitar. Among them, McGrath is easily the least well-known. Cornflower Suite is his outstanding first LP. This is a fresh vinyl rip by yours truly. Enjoy.
Suni McGrath - Cornflower Suite (1969 -- Adelphi, AD1002S)
"It is almost axiomatic that religion finds its most eloquent expression in the lives of those peoples who are systematically exploited and whose greatest hopes lie in the promise of a future life free of injustice." (Richard Spottswood, cover notes)
1971 LP collection of pre-war gospel perfections. With the recent cultural enthusiasm for all things "American Primitive", most, if not all, of these cuts have since resurfaced in various collections from the likes of Document, Dust-To-Digital (+), Revenant etc. This record still stands as a crucial artifact, and the depth & power of its music no doubt speaks for itself. If you don't know it, Mother's Prayer is just astounding. Dick Spottswood pens the cover notes, here. As a personal rule, I will immediately grip anything that has that fellow's name on it. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Enjoy.
Cotton Top Mountain Sanctified Singers (featuring Frankie Half-Pint Jaxon and Punch Miller) - Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn - She's Coming 'Round The Mountain
Blind Willie Johnson - The Soul Of A Man - Take Your Stand
Blind Mamie Forehand & A.C. Forehand - Wouldn't Mind Dying If Dying Was All - Mothers Prayer - I'm So Glad Today, Today
Laura Henton - He's Coming Soon
Blind Willie McTell - We Got To Meet Death One Day - Ain't It Grand To Be A Christian - Lay Some Flowers On My Grave
Arizona Dranes - He Is My Story - I Shall Wear A Crown
Edward W. Clayborn - Jesus Will Make It Allright
Rooseveldt Graves & Brother - I'll Be Rested (When The Roll Is Called) - Wake Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus)
"Guitarist Loren Connors was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1949. Best known as a composer and improviser, Connors has issued over 50 guitar records on his own imprints (Daggett, St. Joan, Black Label) since the late 1970s and over two dozen on other labels across the globe. He has recorded under the names Guitar Roberts, Loren Mattei, Loren MazzaCane Connors and other variations. Connors' singular adpation of the blues is a distinct personal vision combining the Delta bottleneck sound and the ancestral blues voice (appearing as distortion, baying hounds or multi-tracked guitar), with hauntingly unexpected sounds..." (fvrec)
"It was on [the Bluesmaster] recordings that [Loren Connors] first played with his future wife Suzanne Langille. Together they performed Langille-adapted traditionals and gospel standards, slowing them "down to a crawl." Two albums were released on his own St. Joan label under the moniker Guitar Roberts with Suzanne Langille, entitled BLUESMASTER 1 and BLUESMASTER 2...
In her spare and "deeply considered" arrangements for these songs, Suzanne allows all the room necessary for their collective personality to shine through, making for truly timeless performances. These recordings were Suzanne's first to be released publicly. They showed a singer who was unafraid to push herself to lay claim to these folk tunes and make them her own, particularizing them with her own experience and thus imbuing them with a rare vitality. These recordings layed the groundwork for the work they would later do on the albums COME NIGHT, THE ENCHANTED FOREST, LET THE DARKNESS FALL and with their new group Haunted House." (source)
Bluesmaster 2 is a live set from Connors and Langille's Dome Room Concert of August 26, 1988. It was released on vinyl in an approximate edition of 200-300 copies. Some of these tracks were sourced for an eventual Connors/Langille 1987-1989 collection on Secretly Canadian. This is yet another rare specimen of fine of " exploratory guitar" recently lent to me by my pal David. Muchas gracias, amigo. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly. Enjoy.
"...[A] few guitarists took the flame [John Fahey] had lit and brought it to new places, discovering new territories for the guitar just as he had. One of those was Peter Finger. With about 85 pounds of technique in his namesakes, this man could play the shit out of the guitar. And such a restless spirit, continually challenging himself and looking for new sounds to draw out of the guitar" (Wrath of the Grapevine)
The excellent first LP from German-born guitarist Peter Finger, recorded for Kicking Mule Records when he was just 19. Teutonic or not, I'm inclined to file this one under the banner of "American Primitive", as his bottleneck sound is lyrical & authentic. Then again, authentic is a mighty loaded word, so let's just settle on honest. Finger plays it honest, with a cadence and expressive flair unbothered by plain virtuosity. Not too Windham Hill either. Big thanks to David H for putting this one on my plate. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.
A1 Blues For The Rhine 3:00
A2 Rattlesnake Shake 1:46
A3 Newborn Yet To Come 2:23
A4 The Fox Hunt 1:32
A5 Homecoming 1:25
A6 Dancing In The Streets 2:05
A7 Barn Dance 1:48
A8 Night Falls While The Day Breaks 3:58
B1 Told You So 2:11
B2 Desert Trot 3:09
B3 Tribute To Jellyroll Baker 1:20
B4 Karen's Blues 2:00
B5 Second Love 3:02
B6 Hard Road To The Left 1:58
B7 Transeuropean Express 1:55
B8 Don't Cry For You Baby 2:40
"In the early 1960s, Mike Stewart adopted the professional name of Backwards Sam Firk. "My dad used to call me Backwards Sam because my initials are MAS," he explained. He recorded for the private label of the eccentric Maryland record collector Joe Bussard in the early 60s, on his own, with John Fahey and in impromptu groups.
Mike's pseudonym came to wider notice in the late 1960s when he was associated with Gene Rosenthal's Adelphi Records, an independent Blues label based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The first item in its catalog was his album "The True Blues & Gospel of Backwards Sam Firk," consisting of scrupulous interpretations of repertoire learned from Mississippi John Hurt, Bo Carter, Big Bill Broonzy and other Blues masters of the 1920s and 30s" (Myspace)
The woefully out-of-print 1968 debut LP from Mike Stewart, aka Backwards Sam Firk. This was first release for DC/Maryland's classic Adelphi Records label. Firk's fingerpicking prowess is considerable. The legendary John Hurt's pacing and influence rings through loud & clear on a good many of these renditions. I must admit I tend to prefer the instrumentals, here. I also encourage folks to pursue Sam Firk's mid-60s work with Joe Bussard and John Fahey on Fonotone Records of Frederick, MD. And if you ever find yourself out that way, I'd also recommed you pay visit to Bussard's favorite burger spot: Barbara Fritchies. That place has flavor to spare. Just sayin'. Enjoy the Backwards Sam, friends.....
A1 I'm Glad Blues 1:57 A2 East St. Louis Dry Land Blues 2:30 A3 Hey Hey Hey 3:05 A4 Cigarette 1:51 A5 Candy Man Blues 3:31 A6 If You Don't Want Me That Freight Train Whistle's Gonna Blow, Momma 2:12 A7 Old Reliable One-Way Gal 3:21 A8 Be Ready When He Comes 1:54 B1 Old Country Dump 2:50 B2 Get Back Old Devil 2:14 B3 Poor Boy, Long Ways From Home 3:28 B4 West Side Blues 2:19 B5 I Be's Troubled 3:53 B6 Babe's Piece 2:51 B7 Fixin' To Die 2:44 B8 The Unbroken Circle 1:59
Here's a rare and coveted early CD-R from brilliant American Primitive guitarist, Jack Rose. (R.I.P.)
First edition limited to 60 numbered copies and packaged in slimline [CD single style] jewel case. The second edition of 60 numbered copies were packaged in regular size jewel cases. Recorded live at the Salle de Bain. Mastered at Parlor West.
1 Teoc 2:57 2 Gage Blues 3:11 3 Old Country Rock (Bill Moore) 1:51 4 Buckdancer's Choice (Sam Mcgee) 2:23 5 Knoxville Blues (Sam Mcgee) 3:29 6 Flirtin' With The Undertaker 3:05
