On the Road Again (CD - 1970)

Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee in October 7 & 10, 1969.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel: Furry Lewis (vocals, guitar); Bukka White (vocals, guitar); Gus Cannon (vocals, banjo); Dewey Corley (kazoo).

Audio Mixer: Gene Rosenthal.

Liner Note Author: Denise Tapp.

Recording information: Memphis, TN (10/07/1969/10/10/1969).

Photographers: Gene Rosenthal; Jim Marshall .

This 1969 recording captures a relaxed blues session of Furry Lewis, Bukka White, and Gus Cannon that is full of warmth and gentle humor. These unwound acoustic tunes are sung and played neither for dancing to nor for damning you, but instead capture a mood akin to early-evening song swapping among these old-time gentlemen of country/folk blues. The elder of the group, Cannon (of Cannon's Jug Stompers), sings two tunes here -- "Lela," and "Goin' Back (to Memphis, TN)" -- while his uniquely tuned banjo accompanies him on a few more. White's playing is Mississippi Delta slide all over his National guitar, and his voice is a gruff box that straightens just a little for the kind teasing in "Give Me an Old Lady." The majority of the tracks come from Lewis, whose fuzz-edged voice delivers in a close, familiar manner that comes off as an unassuming performance for a couple of friends. On the Road Again is an endearing bit of kicking-back by some seminal bluesmen. ~ Joslyn Layne minimize