Song:Devil Got My Woman
Album:Complete Recorded Works (1931)
Nehemiah "Skip" James was a legendary blues artist who recorded in the early 30s and disappeared until being rediscovered in the early 60s. He was born June 9, 1902 in Bentonia, MS. His father was a bootlegger and preacher. James started playing organ as a teen. He spent most of the 20s as a labourer working on road construction throughout Mississippi. James' big break came when he auditioned for record store owner and talent scout H.C. Speir. Speir got James a contract with Paramount Records and James went to Grafton, WI to record. Those are the recordings on this CD from Document Records. They didn't sell at the time but are considered very influential blues recordings similar to Robert Johnson's recordings. James quit performing to become choir director in his father's church. James lived in obscurity until he was found in a hospital in Tunica, MS in 1964. Along with Son House, his performance at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival launched the blues revival. James recorded a few albums and he made some money when Cream covered his song I'm So Glad. Skip James died on Oct. 3, 1969 at age 67 and his legend has grown significantly ever since. Here's Skip James performing Devil Got My Woman at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival.
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