Skip James
Skip James was born in Bentonia, Mississippi. He recorded for the first time at Paramount Records in Grafton, Wisconsin.
His first recording formed the basis of his reputation as a musician. He recorded “Killin Floor Blues” and “Devil Got My Woman” in Grafton.
The recordings in Grafton were influenced by the bluesmen that came before and these recordings, in turn, influenced much of the music that came later.
Just as James was becoming successful, the Great Depression struck. Record sales plummeted and James had to find other employment.
Skip Jame’s father was a minister and James took the position of Choir Director in his father’s church. He later becomae both a Baptist and Methodist minister.
James did not record anything for the next thirty years. It is reported that he did perform from time to time.
He was rediscovered in a hospital in Tunica, Mississippi by John Fahey, Bill Barth and Henry Vestine.
Son House was rediscovered at approximately the same time
These rediscoveries are said to have initiated te the “blues revival.” in America.
In 1964, James and other rediscovered performers appeared at the Newport Folk Festival.
He recorded for several labels toward the end of his life and died in Philadelphia in 1969.
James was not covered as much as many of the rediscovered artists but the band Cream recorded “I’m So Glad” as did the group Deep Purple. In 2007 Dion DiMucci recorded the album “Son of Skip James.”
Since his death, some of James 1931 recordings have become more available and some recordings that were done post rediscovery are now on compact disc.
It has been said that James rhyhms and guitar styles had more in common with the East Coast Peidmont Blues than with the Delta Blues of Mississippi
He is buried with his wife in Philadelphia.
Comments
Tell me what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
