The First Recordings

by Mississippi Fred McDowell

The First Recordings cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 1 January 1997
  • Label: Rounder Records
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 50:04
  • Community rating: 4.4/5 from 1 rating

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Alan Lomax recorded Fred McDowell at his home in Como, Mississippi, in September 1959, the first recordings the farmer and guitarist ever made, assisted on the trip by Shirley Collins. Fourteen tracks capture his bottleneck slide playing in stereo, with Miles Pratcher adding second guitar on three songs and McDowell's wife Annie Mae among the backing singers.

Genres

Descriptors: traditional, acoustic, soulful, rhythmic, male-vocals

Tracklist

  1. Going Down The River (4:20)
  2. 61 Highway (3:11)
  3. Wished I Was In Heaven Sitting Down (2:11)
  4. When The Train Comes Along (2:51)
  5. Shake 'Em On Down (2:45)
  6. Worried Mind (3:35)
  7. Woke Up This Morning With My Mind On Jesus (3:18)
  8. You Done Told Everybody (6:10)
  9. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning (3:11)
  10. What's The Matter Now? (4:58)
  11. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl (2:58)
  12. I Want Jesus To Walk With Me (3:08)
  13. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning - Instrumental (0:38)
  14. You're Gonna Be Sorry (6:43)

Credits

  • Fred McDowell - primary artist, acoustic guitar, vocals
  • Fanny Davis - kazoo [comb]
  • Alan Lomax - producer, recorded by, recording
  • Shirley Collins - recorded by [assistant], recording
  • Anna L. Chairetakis - compilation producer
  • Jeffrey A. Greenberg - compilation producer
  • Steve Rosenthal - engineer [sound restoration / mastering producer]
  • Phil Klum - mastered by

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