Name: The Complete 1931 Sessions
Brand: Skip James

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

OGIC2245.1

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2023-03-03

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

711574931217

Total Cap

Artist

Skip James

Genre US

Blues / Gospel

Label US

ORG Music

Blues and gospel singer and songwriter, Skip James, was known for his distinctive falsetto vocals and minor-key guitar sound. Born on June 21, 1902 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, James was raised on the Woodbine plantation just outside Betonia. Inspired by musicians Henry Stuckey and Rich Griffin at a young age, he taught himself piano and developed his guitar style after learning from Stuckey. In 1931, James signed a contract with Paramount Records and recorded several songs. However, due to his newfound religion as a Baptist minister's son, he refused further recording opportunities.
In 1948, James attempted to resume his blues career but struggled to find success in the changing blues landscape of Mississippi. He eventually disappeared from the music scene until being rediscovered in 1964 by Bill Barth, John Fahey, and Henry Vestine. Despite battling cancer and constant pain during this time period, James made a comeback with performances at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964. He released albums with various record companies such as Vanguard Records.
During the last years of his life spent in Philadelphia with his third wife, James faced financial difficulties until receiving recognition for his songwriting credits through the group Cream's recording of "I'm So Glad." In 1992, he was posthumously inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.

Skip James was a Delta blues artist from Mississippi. Known for his career during the Great Depression and subsequent decades, he was "rediscovered" and became much more widely recognized during the 1960's when he was in very poor health nearing the end of his life. His playing style was primarily in a minor key, featuring complex fingerpicking.

The Complete 1931 Sessions

Music US