Flyright

Flyright
	Artist Title: Label: Format: Price:	Various Artists Georgia Blues Today Flyright LP $15
Georgia Blues Today is a killer compilation that spotlights four distinctive and under-recognized Georgia blues musicians who were recorded by George Mitchell in the late '70s. Cecil Barfield, who was known as William Robertson when this record was issued, has a unique take on country blues - particularly in his moaning, somewhat nasal singing style - which was sometimes almost as inscrutable as Charley Patton. Jimmy Lee Williams you may have heard on his very fine but somewhat overlooked collection released on Fat Possum. His blues is warm and inviting, which you might expect from a singer who is requesting that you hoot your belly. John Lee Ziegler delivers some stunning high and lonesome blues, somewhat in the vein of Blind Pete Burrell or perhaps Robert Pete Williams' treatments of spirituals, accompanied by Rufus Jones' nice spoon work. Of particular interest to me is James Davis, who played a barely-recorded instrumental blues style known as "drum music" and/or "Georgia drumbeat". The drumming seems to be in the tradition of fife-and-drum bands from the region, with James' electric guitar taking the lead with snaky riffs. Anyone who has an affinity for the more rocking northern Mississippi-style blues will probably find plenty to love in Mr. Davis' music. This LP has been out-of-print for many years and it took me quite a while to find an affordable copy. Luckily, I found a batch of them when I finally scored, and I'm very glad to be able to offer it to you here. Track listing: William Robertson (a.k.a. Cecil Barfield) - Love Blues William Robertson (a.k.a. Cecil Barfield) - Baby Please Don't Go James Davis - Old Country Book John Lee Ziegler - Poor Boy John Lee Ziegler - John Henry Jimmy Lee Williams - Hoot Your Belly and Give Your Backbone Ease Jimmy Lee Williams - Shortening Bread John Lee Ziegler - Used to be Mine but Look Who Got Her Now James Davis - James' Boogie William Robertson (a.k.a. Cecil Barfield) - My Babe William Robertson (a.k.a. Cecil Barfield) - Hoochie Coochie Wagon John Lee Ziegler - If I Lose Let Me Lose James Davis - Good Morning Little Schoolgirl