Jessie Mae Hemphill Albums (5)
'Get Right Blues'
Release Date 3/9/2004
Tracks 15
Label Inside Sounds
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What The Critics Say
Until a stroke sidelined her in 1993, Jessie Mae Hemphill may well have been the most accomplished and versatile of the North Mississippi folk-blues musicians who emerged in the early 1980s with a stripped down, primal version of jook blues that was (and is) at stylistic odds with most of the contemporary blues scene (not that Hemphill and company had suddenly started playing this way, just that the rest of the world finally caught up with it). Hemphill, whose grandfather was the legendary Sid Hemphill who recorded some pretty wild and wooly fife and drum-styled classics for Alan Lomax in 1942 and 1959, has a hands-on understanding of the various folk forms of her native hill country, and her soulful, vibrant music is a thing apart. Assembled by folklorist Dr. David Evans, Get Right Blues collects 15 previously unreleased recordings cut by Hemphill in 1979, 1984 and 1985, and the range of blues and spirituals presented here is impressive and inspiring. Part boogie, part folk-gospel revival, part history lesson, this collection doesn't contain a single lame track, and it's amazing that none of these have been released before, since everything here is a stunner. From the ramshackle "Streamline Train" (Hemphill's version of "Mystery Train") that opens the disc through a pair of raw, atmospheric diddley bow pieces ("Little Rooster Reel," "Get Right, Church") and a hushed solo take on Memphis Minnie's "Honey Bee," Hemphill brings a ragged, perfect sense of urgency and soul to everything she touches. Even now, unable to play guitar because of her stroke, Jessie Mae Hemphill can still stun a crowd with just her voice and a foot tambourine. She is indeed a national treasure, and Get Right Blues makes a wonderful introduction to this amazing musician. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Jessie Mae Hemphill suffered a stroke years ago and can no longer play guitar. That doesn't mean she can't gather up some of her friends and fellow musicians for one blues-based boogie tune after another. This two-disc set, which was also released in conjunction with a DVD, begins with the marching drums of "Fife & Drum Intro" that is part African tribal rhythm and part Scottish marching percussion. Her voice still has power, though, even when telling various stories with an inviting, down-home manner. "We're all here and God blessed us all to see another pretty beautiful day," she says to open up "Lay My Boogie Down." The low and slow-building tempo has Hemphill giving it her all despite not having the power in her voice she once did. It's the soul in the performance that far outweighs any rasp or weakness, backed by harmonica, drums and slide guitar. This wholesome style is what listeners should expect throughout on the deliberate, toe-tapping blues sway of "Nobody's Fault but Mine," and the ensuing "Old Time Religion" as Hemphill gives a hearty chuckle before it. Recorded in a barn, the party atmosphere is quite audible on the gospel-tinged "Saints Go Marching In," with its subtle bassline, backing vocals and handclaps. Perhaps the highlight of disc one is the percussion-heavy "Little Sally Walker." The slower, almost dirge-like "I Shall Not Be Moved" is also quite poignant despite Hemphill sounding out of harmony with the music at times. One good boogie though is the pleasing "This Little Light of Mine." Disc two has some longer songs including "God Is Good to Me" and the marathon "Treat Me Right," both of which Hemphill finds her footing in early with great results. Almost as good is Ruthie Foster's performance on "Runaway Soul." But the highlight is the toe-tapping Dylanesque "I'm Going Home" that ambles along nicely. ~ Jason MacNeil, All Music Guide
'Mississippi Blues Festival'
Release Date 1/13/2004
Tracks 12
Label Black & Blue
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A live set recorded March 19, 1986 in Paris, France, Mississippi Blues Festival includes seven tracks by North Mississippi folk-blues artist Jessie Mae Hemphill followed by five tracks by Hezekiah & the House Rockers. Hemphill plays her trademark ragged, modal North Mississippi juke joint guitar style, and is joined by folklorist Dave Evans on guitar and Hezekiah Early on drums on three cuts, including a wonderfully ramshackle and fiery version of "Streamline Train," Hemphill's interpretation of Junior Parker's "Mystery Train." Early leads his band through five fairly generic blues rockers to close the disc, but the band's unusual instrumentation keeps things interesting, since one seldom hears a trombone (played by Pee Wee Whittaker) featured so prominently in a juke setting. Truthfully, the trombone takes some getting used to, but Early is a capable singer (Whittaker also shares the singing chores) and a wonderfully loose-as-a-goose drummer, so the set works in spite of some pitch problems. Hardly essential, Mississippi Blues Festival will be best appreciated by serious fans of the North Mississippi blues style looking to round out their collections. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This compact disc reissue gathers up all the original tracks from Jessie Mae's 1980 debut album for the French Vogue label along with four remixed bonus tracks, all seeing their first domestic release. Recorded by folklorist Dr. David Evans (who also contributes second guitar on 13 of the 15 tracks here) in various locales around Memphis and Mississippi, the music stays down-home and primal throughout. There's a strong sense of rhythm that permeates this record, whether it comes from the fife and drum-derived percussion work of Calvin Jackson and Joe Hicks or simply Jessie Mae's own foot-operated tambourine driving the beat home. Highlights include "Jessie's Boogie" and "Standing In My Doorway Crying" (both sides of her first 45 single, underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts), "Honey Bee," "Boogie Side of the Road," "Crawdad Hole," "Lovin' In the Moonlight," "Married Man Blues" and the title track. The blues, real and raw. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Feelin' Good was the first album Jessie Mae Hemphill released in the United States and it differs from its predecessor She-Wolf in that it captures her at her rawest. Half of the record features her supported only by a rhythm guitar and drums, while the other half has Hemphill wailing away at her guitar and percussion simultaneously. The result is hypnotic, mesmerizing record that successfully updates Delta blues, making the covers sound as fresh as the originals. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide
