Burnside's blues are a hidden treasure
By JAMES SCHUYLER
Scene Music Critic
Although now still playing at the age of 73, R.L. Burnside's music did not receive much attention at all till his signing with Fat Possum records in the early 90s. Although he has been playing pure delta blues since the 50s, his music never really escaped the poor Mississippi town that he himself was born in. Burnside's music is a rarity in the music community because it is pure; he plays delta blues the way t was meant to be played, straight out of hell.
Burnside's voice is colored by obvious years of smoking, drinking and story telling. He sings of things that make most men cry with a little bit of a smile. Much of Burnside's music now is coined punk blues because it is not the melancholic type of blues that most be people think of. He sings of pain and loss but only to spit in its face.
Recently Adelphi Records released a collection of songs from a 1967 recording session which showcases the talents and style of Burnside in his youth. My Black Name A-Ringin' is a treasure of real blues from the hilltops of Mississippi containing both original material and arrangements of traditional blues songs. While Burn-side's music has changed somewhat significantly over the years, the original songs on this album reflect the some of the best of his music.
Of special note on this album are the title track, "My Black Name A-Ringin'," and Burnside's arrangement of the traditional "Catfish Blues," which has probably been played by everyone who has ever considered themselves blues artists even in a remote sense such as Jimi Hendrix. "Nine Days in Jail" gives the listener a clear idea of how Burnside's sound has evolved.
However, much of the deep hearted and very real blues of R.L. Burnside has been bastardized in the last release off of Fat Possum Records, Come On In. On that album tracks from Burnside classic songs were sampled in an attempt by the record company to make a dance album similar to the style of Beck. This album destroys the pure form of Burnside's music.
Unfortunately, there are a number of other artists such as R.L Burnside who have not as of yet been given the attention in the music industry that they deserve. These artist's music are treasures waiting to be discovered.
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, February 22, 2000
