Although
Williams
takes lead vocals on eight of the 26 songs on this disc, and plays his distinctive guitar throughout, it's billed to
Big Joe Williams & Friends
since the majority of the tracks feature other Mississippi singers on vocals.
was trying to bring other singers from his region to the attention of folklorist/
Arhoolie
owner
Chris Strachwitz
; most of this CD was recorded by
Strachwitz
in May 1971 in Crawford, MS, although seven songs were done at a Mississippi radio station a few months earlier. Because of
' oft-secondary role, it would have to be considered a secondary item in the
' catalog, but it's still pretty solid Mississippi country blues. The performances are pretty tight and focused, and the guitar work good, especially the slide. None of the other singers --
Austen Pete
(who also plays second guitar behind
),
John "Shortstuff" Macon
(who plays what's listed on the sleeve as "rattling" guitar),
Glover Lee Connor
, and
Amelia Johnson
-- are as arresting as
, but none are bad. The fidelity on the
-recorded material is good; the quality of the material done at the radio station is less clear, but not hard to listen to.
recorded
"Baby Please Don't Go"
several times, but the one here is certainly good and a highlight of the disc. ~ Richie Unterberger