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SCRAPPER BLACKWELL HARD TIME BLUES
CD Released:2003
Label:Acrobat
Format:Flac
Francis "Scrapper" Blackwell was one of Robert Johnson's primary inspirations. Born in February 1903 in Indianapolis to parents of African and Cherokee ancestry, he developed his blues guitar technique during the 1920s while specializing in the distribution of bootleg liquor. Hard Time Blues covers a timeline from 1928 to 1935 with eight solo Blackwell performances followed by ten duets with pianist Leroy Carr. Hard Time Blues is laid out as if to emphasize the powerful presence of Blackwell as a soloist alongside his famous collaborations with Carr. This 18-track survey may serve as an introduction to the work of both men, with Blackwell's contributions standing out as distinct from the shadow of his famous colleague. Note that the rhythmically hypnotic "Trouble Blues," originally released as flipsides of a Vocalion 78 rpm record, is here presented as tracks one and eight, almost as if to "bookend" Blackwell's solo portion of the proceedings, like the soundtrack to a short film with opening and closing credits. "Kokomo Blues" was covered by Kokomo Arnold and then famously converted into "Sweet Home Chicago" by Robert Johnson
One of the key figures in the growth of urban Blues music, Blackwell is known primarily as the guitar accompanist to one of the most popular and prolific recording stars of the pre-war era - Leroy Carr. Under his own name he recorded less than 40 titles between 1923 and 1935 several of which are featured here along with duets with Carr.
1. Trouble Blues (Pt. 1) 3:04
2. Blue Day Blues 2:48
3. Penal Farm Blues 3:23
4. Hard Time Blues 2:51
5. Back Door Blues 2:51
6. Kokomo Blues 3:04
7. Down South Blues 2:59
8. Trouble Blues (Pt. 2) 3:01
9. How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone? 2:55
10. I Believe I'll Make A Change 3:03
11. Big Four Blues 3:04
12. It's Too Short 2:58
13. Midnight Hour Blues
14. Mean Mistreater Mama 3:
15. Blues Night Blues 2:57
16. Barrelhouse Woman 2:54
17. Rocks In My Bed 3:12
18. Tight Time Blues 2:56
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