Skip James
To guitarist John Fahey, who rediscovered him in a Tunica, Mississippi, hospital in 1964, Skip James was “a cipher,” or “the Sphinx.” Until he emerged from the mists of time at the height of the folk revival, James was one of the most enticing of great bluesmen. He had vanished, seemingly without a trace, after recording a mere 18 sides in 1931; those records were unsurpassed in their cryptic beauty and power, and some influenced the music of the genre’s towering mythic figure, Robert Johnson.
Even today, one listens to James’ recordings, issued by the long-defunct Paramount label, and marvels at their brilliance. He was one of the few bluesmen of his day to demonstrate equal ability and... Read More
- City Of Origin:
- Bentonia, Mississippi, United States
- Genre:
- Blues, Delta Blues
- Birthdate:
- 06/09/1902
- Death date:
- 10/03/1969
