In Sleepy John’s Time- The Country Blues of Sleepy John Estes

Click on the headline to link to a YouTube film clip of Sleepy John Estes performining his classic Drop Down Mama.

CD Review

The Legend Of Sleepy John Estes, Sleepy John Estes, Delmark, 1993

I have spent considerable time in this space detailing the musical careers of a number of old time, mainly black, country blues musicians especially, like the artist under review, Sleepy John Estes, those who were “discovered” during the folk revival of the 1960s. Not everyone got the publicity of the likes of Mississippi John Hurt, Son House and Skip James, but they at least got some well-deserved notice on “discovery.” Or, really the word should be rediscovery because most of them, like Sleepy John, had had musical careers back in the day. But you get the point.

That said, I have remarked elsewhere that some of these two-career stalwarts also had two musical voices. I always like to bring up the example of Mississippi John Hurt. If you hear him (and you should do so) on a recording from the late 1920s like you can with “Spike Driver’s Blues” (his version of the traditional “John Henry”) on Harry Smith famous “Anthology of American Folk Music” where he is both dexterous on the guitar and velvety-voiced on the lyrics and melody and then check out a folk revival production where his guitar is still smoothly worked but his voice had become raspy (although very serviceable) you will see what I mean. The same holds true for Sleepy John. But here is the kicker. In both cases they still give us that very deeply-rooted passionate voice in telling in song the lives of woe they have led and the music they have made.

Thus, as with Mississippi John, the only question left is what are the stick outs you should pay special attention to: “Divin’ Duck Blues,” the much covered, especially by Geoff Muldaur of the old Jim Kweskin Jug Band, “Drop Down Mama,” “Milk Cow Blues,” and the mournful and heartfelt spiritual-driven “I’ve Been Well Warned.

Once More Into The Time Capsule, Part Three- The New York Folk Revival Scene in the Early 1960’s-Taj Mahal

Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Taj Mahal performing John Hurt's "Candy Man". John would be proud.

CD Review

Washington Square Memoirs: The Great Urban Folk Revival Boom, 1950-1970, various artists, 3CD set, Rhino Records, 2001

Except for the reference to the origins of the talent brought to the city the same comments apply for this CD.Rather than repeat information that is readily available in the booklet and on the discs I’ll finish up here with some recommendations of songs that I believe that you should be sure to listen to:


Disc Three: Phil Ochs on “I Ain’t Marching Anymore”, Richard &Mimi Farina on “Pack Up Your Sorrows”, John Hammond on “Drop Down Mama”, Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band on “Rag Mama”, John Denver on “Bells Of Rhymney”, Gordon Lightfoot on "Early Morning Rain”, Eric Andersen on “Thirsty Boots”, Tim Hardin on “Reason To Believe”, Richie Havens on “Just Like A Woman”, Judy Collins on “Suzanne”, Tim Buckley on “Once I Was”, Tom Rush on “The Circle Game”, Taj Mahal on “Candy Man”, Loudon Wainwright III on “School Days”and Arlo Guthrie on “The Motorcycle Song”

Taj Mahal on “Candy Man”. Taj covering old John Hurt’s salacious tune. That’s the ticket. Taj will be getting a more extensive review later when I look at his work in greater depth. Enough here to say this man knows the roots of his music, the blues, and expands and contracts his work from that perspective.


"Mississippi John Hurt Candy Man lyrics"

Well all you ladies gather 'round
That good sweet candy man's in town
It's the candy man
It's the candy man

He likes a stick of candy just nine inch long
He sells as fast a hog can chew his corn
It's the candy man
It's the candy man

All heard what sister Johnson said
She always takes a candy stick to bed
It's the candy man
It's the candy man

Don't stand close to the candy man
He'll leave a big candy stick in your hand
It's the candy man
It's the candy man

He sold some candy to sister Bad
The very next day she took all he had
It's the candy man
It's the candy man

If you try his candy, good friend of mine,
you sure will want it for a long long time
It's the candy man
It's the candy man

His stick candy don't melt away
It just gets better, so the ladies say
It's the candy man
It's the candy man