Blues Artists

Nehemiah “Skip” James (1902- 3 October 1969) was born near Bentonia, Mississippi. He recorded for Paramount Records in 1931 but then disappeared from public view until 1964, when he was located in Tunica County, Mississippi by John Fahey, Bill Barth and Henry Vestine.

Skip James’ I’m So Glad was recorded by Cream on the Fresh Cream album, released in 1966. The Cream recording revived interest in Skip James and he toured until his death from cancer in 1969. Apart from Cream, Skip James music has been covered by Deep Purple, Derek Trucks Band, Rory Block, Beck, Big Sugar and Lucinda Williams.

Here are some websites with more information on Skip James:

Here is a video of Cream performing Skip James’ I’m So Glad at the Royal Albert Hall on 26 November 1968:

Here is a video of Cream performing I’m So Glad at Royal Albert Hall in May 2005:

Here is Skip James’ 1931 original recording of I’m So Glad for Paramount Records:

Here are some videos of Skip James performing in the 1960’s”:

Crow Jane

Crow Jane, recorded in 1967

Devil Got My Woman

Devil Got My Woman, recorded in 1966

Hard Times Killing Floor Blues

Hard Times Killing Floor Blues, performed at American Folk Blues Festival, Cologne, Germany, 9 August 1967

Here’s Chris Thomas King covering Hard Times Killing Floor Blues in 2012:

I’m So Glad

Here is a video of Cream performing I’m So Glad at Royal Albert Hall in May 2005:

 

Mountain Jack

Instructional Videos on Skip James

Here’s an excerpt from a Guitar Workshop DVD on Guitar of Skip James:

Here another video on Skip James guitar style from Acoustic Guitar magazine:

Recommended Recordings
CD cover, Legends of Country Blues, on JSP Records, features the complete early recordings of Son House, Skip James, Bukka White,
CD cover, Legends of Country Blues, on JSP Records, features the complete early recordings of Son House, Skip James, Bukka White, Tommy Johnson and Ishmon Bracey

Legends of Country Blues – this 5 CD set from JSP Records contains the complete early recordings of Skip James along with the complete early recordings of Son House and Bukka White and the complete recordings of Tommy Johnson and Ishmon Bracey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mississippi Blues Trail

The Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Nehemiah “Skip” James is in Bentonia, Mississippi:

Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Nehemiah "Skip" James, Bentonia, Yazoo County, Mississippi
Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Nehemiah “Skip” James, Bentonia, Yazoo County, Mississippi

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