DELTA BLUES/ Volume 2

DELTA BLUES/ Volume 2

Second volume of our Delta Blues series starts with the great underrated Lane Hardin (1897-1975). Born in Kentucky, Hardin made a living mostly outside music, holding a restaurant in Saint Louis or as a longshoreman on the PacificCoast. He anyway managed to record several times, first in 1935 during an odd Chicago session, then twice in Los Angeles, the 1951 tracks staying unissued until Bruce Bromberg and Frank Scott unearthed them for their classic "Anthology of the blues series". Not really a Delta blues stylist, Lane is nevertheless a great country blues artist who could have made more records if he had been re-discovered on time.

Banjoist and singer Lucius Smith (1881-1980) recorded before and after the war for the Lomaxes, generally with Sid Hemphill (grandfather of Jessie Mae Hemphill). The three tracks here feature him solo. He was a living legend around Senatobia (Ms) when I visited him in 1979.

John Dudley (c. 1899-1963) recorded only for Lomax while an inmate at Parchman's Penitentiary. His tracks are stunning and he appears as a great traditional Delta blues stylist. He also could have been a major artist if, once free, he would have toured Europe and recorded albums.

Guitarist/singer Miles Pratcher (1895-1964) was also a discovery of Shirley Collins and Alan Lomax. He was a friend and neighbor of Fred McDowell.

W.C. Clay (1927-?) was from Jonestown, a small town in the heart of the Delta. He moved to Helena (Ark) where he became a member of the famous King Biscuit Show alongside Sonny Boy Williamson/Rice Miller. He was also recorded later in life by researcher Louis Guida (cf: Living Blues # 32)