Arhoolie

Arhoolie
	Artist Title: Label: Format: Price:	Clifton Chenier Ain't No Need of Cryin' (Every Day is the Same) / Paper in My Shoe Arhoolie 45rpm 7" $5
Two numbers from Clifton Chenier’s Sings the Blues album, with the King of Zydeco offering some sage advice to those down-and-out at the end of the trailride on the A-side and lifting spirits again with a cover of Boozoo Chavis’ classic “Paper in My Shoe” on the flip.
	Artist: Title: Label: Format: Price:	Hackberry Ramblers Turtle Tail / Madame Saustin Arhoolie 45 RPM 7" $5
The Hackberry Ramblers have been dishing out wonderful Cajun music to a grateful public for longer than most of us have been alive. This single has two French Cajun numbers: one uptempo dance tune + one mournful waltz = two more reasons to give thanks for Louisiana. (Note that the label says both of these cuts are from the Hackberry's self-titled Arhoolie LP.)
	Artist: Title: Label: Format: Price:	Roosevelt Holts Roosevelt Holts and His Friends Arhoolie LP $16
Roosevelt Holts was born in 1905 near Tylertown, Mississippi, and he took up the guitar when he was in his mid-twenties. He started to get serious about music in the late 1930s, when he and Tommy Johnson used to run together, playing in and around Jackson, MS. During this period he also played with Ishmon Bracey, Johnnie Temple, Bubba Brown, and One Legged Sam Norwood. Holts eventually settled in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and was first recorded in the mid-'60s by David Evans, who was conducting research on Tommy Johnson at the time. Holts was still artistically potent and cut a very scarce 45 as well an excellent solo acoustic LP for Blue Horizon. To my ears, this set of recordings from 1969-'70 (also made by Evans) is even better. By this time Holts had switched to an electric guitar and gave his music a bit more bite. His accompanists also livened up the proceedings, such as on "Leaving this Town, Won't be Back Till Fall," where Holts and mandolinist Herb Quinn give the traditional form a more modern treatment. Holts' "friends" also contribute some superb tracks, such as a fun, raggedy tale of "Drinking and Stinking" from Boogie Bill Webb and a beautiful, airy spiritual courtesy of the light touch of Blind Pete Burrell. This material hasn't made it to CD, so vinyl is the only way to get it. These are original, sealed copies. Track listing: Roosevelt Holts and Calvin Davis - Barrelhouse Blues Roosevelt Holts - Packing Up Her Trunk to Leave Esau Weary - Bogalusa Boogie Roosevelt Holts - I'll Catch the Train and Ride Esau Weary - Big Leg Woman Roosevelt Holts and Herb Quinn - Leaving this Town, Won't be Back Till Fall Boogie Bill Webb and Roosevelt Holts - Maggie Campbell Blues Boogie Bill Webb, Roosevelt Holts, and Robert Rucker - Drinking and Stinking Eli Owens - Railroad Blues Eli Owens - Memphis Mail Blind Pete Burrell - I'll Fly Away
	Artist: Title: Label: Format: Price:	Larry O'Williams That's My Girl / Hear Me Calling Baby Arhoolie 45 RPM 7" $5
I haven't been able to find out much about Mr. Larry O'Williams, but one source suggests that he was a Texan and that this cool two-sider was cut roundabout 1966. The A-side is a hard electric blues slowburner with sharp cuts of electric guitar, while the flip is a feel good soul tune on the surface but with a threatening undercurrent of goin' to get his shotgun if his woman messes around on him. His only record? Tell me more!
	Artist Title: Label: Format: Price:	Big Mama Thornton Swing it on Home / My Heavy Load Arhoolie 45 RPM 7" $5
"Swing it on Home" is a great piano blues stomper, while "My Heavy Load" features Big Mama digging deep into a slow number, accompanied only by Mississippi Fred McDowell on acoustic guitar. (Note that the label says both of these cuts are from the Big Mama Thornton in Europe LP on Arhoolie.)