Josh White - Empty Bed Blues '1962

Tracks list

Empty Bed Blues was Josh Whites farewell recording for Elektra, the record label
that helped (re)introduce him to the mainstream during the height of the 60s
folk revival. To look at the sexy — and risqué for 1962 —
cover, one would think that half of the tunes, stately renditions of gospel
songs, wouldnt be at home on the album. But considering that the ribald,
innuendo-laden first side is belied by Whites silky voice and mellifluous
guitar, he almost makes the juke-joint rave-ups sound like show tunes. Given his
role as elder statesmen of acoustic blues, youd be forgiven for thinking that
White didnt need to be rediscovered as such, but sadly he did. Although
considering this album, reinvented might be a better word. From the man who
popularized Strange Fruit — perhaps the saddest, most poignant protest
song ever — one wouldnt necessarily expect such explicit sex songs.
Whether its a tune like the title track or Backwater Blues, White reaches back
to the lowdown, alpha-male origins of the blues, but comes off a little too much
like a cabaret entertainer. His playing retains the delicate precision that
found him oft-imitated, and the backing, mostly by just Bill Lee on upright
bass, is always tasteful. Still, its a mellow set, and one partly done with a
wink — considering it was among the last albums that White made before he
died. It seems too minstrely of an end for someone whos scope and influence on
modern blues cant be overstated. ~ Alex Stimmel

Tracklist:
1.01 - Josh White - Empty Bed Blues (3:20) 
1.02 - Josh White - Mother on That Train (3:45) 
1.03 - Josh White - Bottle Up and Go (2:27) 
1.04 - Josh White - Backwater Blues (5:51) 
1.05 - Josh White - Baby Baby Blues (5:31) 
1.06 - Josh White - Lord Have Mercy (4:02) 
1.07 - Josh White - Home in That Rock (2:39) 
1.08 - Josh White - Paul and Silas (2:30) 
1.09 - Josh White - His Eye Is on the Sparrow (5:28) 
1.10 - Josh White - That Suits Me (2:46)

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