b. January 12th, 1904 in Rossville (Tennessee)
d. July 3rd, 1972 in Memphis (Tennessee)
THE FIRST RECORDINGS
Rounder
DOWN HOME BLUES
JSP
THE ALAN LOMAX RECORDINGS
Soul Jam
September 1959
Né dans le Tennessee dans une famille de fermiers, il joue de la guitare dès ses 14 ans dans les rues ou lors de fêtes locales autour de Rossville. Il habite Memphis puis le Mississippi mais se fixe définitivement à Como vers 1940. Fred partage son temps entre la musique et son métier de fermier. Il épouse Annie Mae Collins. Il est découvert en 1959 par les musicologues Alan Lomax et sa compagne la chanteuse britannique Shirley Collins. On l'a souvent affublé du surnom "Mississippi" qu'il n'aimait pas. Dans ces premiers enregistrements, on remarque déjà sa voix passionnée, son superbe jeu de guitare au bottleneck répétitif et excitant. Parfois accompagné de son voisin Miles Pratcher, il livre des morceaux de pur Delta Blues : "I'm going down the river", "61 highway", "You done told everybody", "Keep your lamp trimmed and burning", "What's the matter now", "Good morning little schoolgirl", "Been drinkin' water out of a hollow log". Certains titres paraissent d'abord sur des anthologies Atlantic ("Sounds of the south", "Roots of the blues", "Blues roll on").
Born in Tennessee into a farming family, he started playing guitar when he was 14 on the streets or at local parties around Rossville. He lived in Memphis then Mississippi but settled permanently in Como around 1940. Fred divided his time between music and his job as a farmer. He marries Annie Mae Collins. He was discovered in 1959 by musicologists Alan Lomax and his partner the british singer Shirley Collins. He was often given the nickname "Mississippi" which he did not like. In these first recordings, we can already notice his passionate voice, his superb guitar playing with repetitive and exciting bottleneck. Sometimes accompanied by his neighbor Miles Pratcher, he delivers pure Delta Blues tracks : "I'm going down the river", "61 highway", "You done told everybody", "Keep your lamp trimmed and burning", "What's the matter now", "Good morning little schoolgirl", "Been drinkin' water out of a hollow log". Some titles first appeared on some Atlantic anthologies ("Sounds of the south", "Roots of the blues", "Blues roll on").
HIS FIRST RECORDINGS FOLLOWING REDISCOVERY
Heritage
FRED MCDOWELL
Flyright
FRED MCCDOWELL
Rounder
April 1962
Gravé en deux jours au domicile de Fred à Como par Dick & Louisa Spottswood. On trouve ici une somptueuse version de "Shake 'em on down" mais aussi "Done left here", "Write me a few lines", "Trouble everywhere I go", "Red Cross store blues", "Kokomo blues", "Highway 61". Une superbe tranche de Delta Blues brut et puissant. Malheureusement, ces remarquables bandes ne seront pas publiées avant 1982 sur le label Heritage puis rééditées en CD en 1989 grâce à Flyright.
Recorded in two days at Fred's home in Como by Dick & Louisa Spottswood. We find here a sumptuous version of "Shake 'em on down" but also "Done left here", "Write me a few lines", "Trouble everywhere I go", "Red Cross store blues", "Kokomo blues", "Highway 61". A superb slice of raw and powerful Delta Blues. Unfortunately, these remarkable tapes will not be released before 1982 on the Heritage label and then reissued on CD in 1989 thanks to Flyright.
MY HOME IS IN THE DELTA
Testament
GOING DOWN SOUTH
Polydor
November 1963 / February 1964
Après Alan Lomax, Dick Spottswood, c'est Pete Welding qui vient enregistrer Fred Mac Dowell chez lui. Deux séances sont ici rassemblées, l'une organisée en novembre 1963, l'autre en février 1964. Un peu moins intense que les séances précédentes. La seconde séance est consacrée à des spirituals et gospels chantés par Fred et Annie.
After Alan Lomax, Dick Spottswood, it's Pete Welding who comes to record Fred Mac Dowell in his hometown. Two sessions are gathered together here, one organized in november 1963, the other in february 1964. A little less intense than the previous sessions. The second session is devoted to spirituals and gospels sung by Fred and Annie.
THE SOUND OF THE DELTA
Testament
February 1964
Deux morceaux inédits issus des séances Testament.
Two unreleased tracks from the Testament sessions.
DELTA BLUES
Arhoolie
YOU GOTTA MOVE
Arhoolie
February 1964
Grâce à Chris Strachwitz - gérant du label Arhoolie - Fred Mac Dowell enregistra ses meilleures faces. Les deux hommes développèrent d'ailleurs une réelle amitié. Fred est ici au sommet de sa verve et de son inspiration. Son jeu de bottleneck virtuose fait merveille sur l'ensemble du programme : "Louise", "Mama don't allow", "Kokomo blues", "Shake 'em on down", "That's alright". Un des fleurons du Delta Blues indispensable à toute collection Blues sérieuse.
Thanks to Chris Strachwitz - manager of the Arhoolie label - Fred Mac Dowell recorded his best sides. The two men also developed a real friendship. Fred is here at the height of his verve and his inspiration. His virtuoso bottleneck playing works wonders on the whole program : "Louise", "Mama don't allow", "Kokomo blues", "Shake 'em on down", "That's alright". One of the flagships of the Delta Blues essential to any serious Blues collection.
BAD LUCK 'N TROUBLE
Arhoolie
February 1964
On trouve dans cette anthologie l'excellent "Fred's rambling blues".
We find in this anthology the excellent "Fred's rambling blues".
GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOLGIRL
Arhoolie
February 1964 / March - July 1965
Ce CD rassemble plusieurs séances supervisées par Chris Strachwitz en 1964 et 1965. Il est partagé entre Blues et Gospels dans lesquels Fred est rejoint par sa femme Annie Mae et les membres de sa congrégation religieuse. Quelques joyaux comme "Fred's rambling blues", "Don't look for me on sunday", "I walked all the way from East St Louis", "Red Cross store blues", "Gravel road blues". Côté Gospel, il faut écouter les versions pleine de ferveur de "I wish I was in heaven sitting down", "You got to move", "Keep your lamp trimmed and burning".
This CD gathers together several sessions supervised by Chris Strachwitz in 1964 and 1965. It is shared between Blues and Gospels in which Fred is joined by his wife Annie Mae and members of his religious congregation. Some gems like "Fred's rambling blues", "Don't look for me on sunday", "I walked all the way from East St Louis", "Red Cross store blues", "Gravel road blues". On the Gospel side, you have to listen to the fervent versions of "I wish I was in heaven sitting down", "You got to move", "Keep your lamp trimmed and burning".
KEEP YOUR LAMP TRIMMED AND BURNING
Arhoolie
February 1964 / March - July 1965 / June - August 1969
FRIENDS OF OLD TIME MUSIC
Folkways
Mid 1960's
Dans ce coffret, on trouve deux superbes morceaux en public de Fred Mac Dowell : "Going down to the river" et "Write me a few of your lines". Ces deux titres semblent avoir été enregistrés live à New York mais la date est restée inconnue.
In this box, we find two superb live tracks of Fred Mac Dowell : "Going down to the river" and "Write me a few of your lines". These two titles seem to have been recorded live in New York but the date remains unknown.
THE BLUES AT NEWPORT 1964 vol.1
Vanguard
TRADITIONAL MUSIC AT NEWPORT 1964 vol.1
Vanguard
Fontana
NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL : THE EVENING CONCERTS vol.3
Vanguard
Fontana
July 1964
L'importance du Newport Folk Festival dans le blues revival est fondamental. En effet, le jeune public blanc friand de folk-blues s'y retrouvait en masse. De nombreux bluesmen s'y produisaient et trouvaient là un nouveau public enthousiaste. L'affiche de cette édition de 1964, outre "Sleepy" John Estes, comporte les noms prestigieux de "Mississippi" John Hurt, Fred Mac Dowell, Robert Pete Williams, Skip James, Reverend Robert Wilkins et d'autres. Fred délivre de superbes lectures de "Lord I'm going down south", "Highway 61" et "Louise".
The importance of the Newport Folk Festival in blues revival is fundamental. Indeed, young white audience was fond of folk-blues and come to see those concerts. Many bluesmen performed there and found there a new enthusiastic audience. The 1964 edition, in addition to Fred Mac Dowell, includes prestigious names "Mississippi" John Hurt, "Sleepy" John Estes, Robert Pete Williams, Skip James, Reverend Robert Wilkins and others. Fred delivers superb readings of "Lord I'm going down south", "Highway 61" and "Louise".
THE BEST OF FRED MCDOWELL
Arhoolie
July 1965
Dans cette compilation, on trouve une prise live inédite de "Shake 'em on down" et "Louise" capturée à Berkeley par Chris Strachwitz.
In this compilation, we find an unreleased live take of "Shake 'em on down" and "Louise" captured in Berkeley by Chris Strachwitz.
HEAR ME HOWLING
Arhoolie
July 1965
FRED MCDOWELL & HIS BLUES BOYS
Arhoolie
THIS AIN'T NO ROCK 'N ROLL
Arhoolie
July 1965 / August 1969
On trouve dans ce LP un titre de juillet 1965 ("Big stars falling") mais surtout une séance dans laquelle, pour une fois, Fred Mac Dowell est accompagné d'un petit combo : Mike Russo (guitare), John Kahn (basse) et Bob Jones (batterie). Leur support donne un surcroit de puissance et d'inspiration et permet à Fred de se concentrer sur son jeu de bottleneck. On trouve de superbes moments comme "Levee camp blues", "Dankin's farm", "You ain't treatin' me right". Cette séance est reprise dans le CD "This ain't no Rock 'n Roll".
We find in this LP a title from july 1965 ("Big stars falling") but above all a session in which, for once, Fred Mac Dowell is accompanied by a small combo : Mike Russo (guitar), John Kahn (bass) and Bob Jones (drums). Their support gives added power and inspiration and allows Fred to concentrate on his bottleneck playing. We find great moments like "Levee camp blues", "Dankin's farm", "You ain't treatin' me right". This session is included in the CD "This ain't no Rock 'n Roll".
AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL '65
Fontana
L+R
October 1965
Invité à participer à la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival organisée par les allemands Horst Lippmann et Fritz Rau, Fred Mac Dowell traverse l'océan atlantique pour se produire sur le sol européen pour la première fois. On trouve dans ce disque une belle version de "Highway 61" issu de l'album studio prévu pour l'occasion.
Invited to participate in the American Folk Blues Festival tour organized by germans Horst Lippmann and Fritz Rau, Fred Mac Dowell crosses the atlantic ocean to perform on European ground for the first time. We find in this program a beautiful version of "Highway 61" from the studio album planned for the occasion.
THE LOST BLUES TAPES
ACT
October 1965
Autre morceau de la séance studio de l'American Folk Blues Festival de 1965 : une excellente version de "Got a letter this morning".
Another track from the 1965 American Folk Blues Festival studio session : an excellent version of "Got a letter this morning".
THE AMERICAN FOLK BLUES FESTIVAL 1962 - 1966 vol.1
Hip-O
October 1965
COTTON COUNTRY BLUES
Polydor
MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUES
Black Lion
MISSISSIPPI BLUES
Black Lion
Orbis
December 1965
Séance organisée à Como chez Fred Mac Dowell par le producteur anglais Alan Bates. Bien qu'intéressante et méritant l'écoute, elle ne possède pourtant pas l'intensité des faces Arhoolie. On note que l'édition du CD Orbis propose cinq titres inédits supplémentaires provenant de la même séance (dont "Germany blues" qui raconte son voyage en Europe).
Session organized in Como at Fred Mac Dowell's home by the english producer Alan Bates. Although interesting and worth listening to, it does not yet possess the intensity of Arhoolie sides. We note that the edition of the Orbis CD offers five additional unreleased tracks from the same session (including "Germany blues" which tells about his trip to Europe).
AMAZING GRACE
Testament
February 1966
Gravé à Chicago par Pete Welding et Norman Dayron, cet album est entièrement tourné vers les spirituals. Fred Mac Dowell accompagne sa femme Annie Mae et leur congrégation religieuse. Belle ferveur et conviction dans leur chant. Un disque intéressant à conseiller avant tout aux amateurs de spirituals.
Engraved in Chicago by Pete Welding and Norman Dayron, this album is entirely focused on spirituals. Fred Mac Dowell accompanies his wife Annie Mae and their religious congregation. Beautiful fervor and conviction in their song. An interesting record to recommend above all to fans of spirituals.
BOTTLENECK BLUES
Testament
February 1966
Deux morceaux issus des séances Testament de février 1966 : "Six white horses" et "Wouldn't mind dying".
Two pieces from the Testament sessions of february 1966 : "Six white horses" and "Wouldn't mind dying".
DOWN HOME SLIDE
Testament
February 1966
Deux pièces religieuses inédites de Fred Mac Dowell dont une en compagnie de sa femme Annie Mae.
Two unreleased religious tracks by Fred Mac Dowell including one with his wife Annie Mae.
LEVEE CAMP BLUES
Testament
Original Jazz
February 1966 / March 1968
Il y a deux titres inédits datant de la séance de février 1966. Les autres titres proviennent d'une séance de mars 1968, produite par Pete Welding et enregistrée à Los Angeles. De très beaux moments comme "Let me lay down in your cool iron bed", "My baby don't treat me like humankind", "Dark clouds a rising".
There are two unissued tracks from the february 1966 session. The other titles come from a march 1968 session, produced by Pete Welding and recorded at Los Angeles. Very beautiful moments like "Let me lay down in your cool iron bed", "My baby don't treat me like humankind", "Dark clouds a rising".
LONG WAY FROM HOME
Milestone
November 1966
Cet album fut enregistré à l'Université de Californie à Los Angeles par Pete Welding et David Evans. Nombreux airs traditionnels et folkloriques avec cet excellent jeu de guitare au bottleneck.
This album was recorded at the University of California in Los Angeles by Pete Welding and David Evans. Many traditional and folk tunes with this excellent guitar with bottleneck playing.
COME AND FOUND YOU GONE
Devil Down
August 1967
Ce CD regroupe les enregistrements réalisées par l'ethnomusicologue William Ferris au domicile d'Annie et Fred Mac Dowell à Como. On trouve toujours cette verve, cette puissance brute et primale, et ce bottleneck ravageur. "Shake 'em on down", "Letter from Hot Springs", "Baby please don't go", "Come and found you gone" figurent parmi les meilleurs moments de ce programme très consistant. Sur certains morceaux, Fred est accompagné de l'harmoniciste Napoleon Strickland (son excellent morceau solo "The boogie").
This CD brings together recordings made by ethnomusicologist William Ferris at the home of Annie and Fred Mac Dowell in Como. We always find this verve, this raw, primal power, and that devastating bottleneck. "Shake 'em on down", "Letter from Hot Springs", "Baby please don't go", "Come and found you gone" are among the best moments of this very consistent program. On some tracks, Fred is accompanied by harmonica player Napoleon Strickland (his excellent solo piece "The boogie").
EIGHT YEARS RAMBLIN'
Revival
Barclay
FRED MCDOWELL & JOHNNY WOODS
Rounder
MAMA SAYS I'M CRAZY
Fat Possum
August 1967
L'ethnomusicologue George Mitchell se rendit également à Senatobia (juste à côté de Como où réside Fred) pour enregistrer Fred Mac Dowell. Il l'associe avec son ami harmoniciste Johnny Woods qui chante également. Les deux bluesmen offrent une superbe séance de blues brut et rythmique, très excitant. Un contenu puissant avec des moments remarquables : "Goin' away", "Mama says I'm crazy", "Standing at the backdoor", "Long haired Doney", "My babe", "Scratch my back". Il faut être circonspect car les différentes éditions LP et CD ne possèdent pas tout à fait les mêmes tracklists.
Ethnomusicologist George Mitchell also traveled to Senatobia (just outside Como where Fred resides) to record Fred Mac Dowell. He associates him with his friend harmonica player Johnny Woods who also sings. The two bluesmen offer a superb and very exciting session of raw and rhythmic blues. Powerful content with noteworthy moments : "Goin' away", "Mama says I'm crazy", "Standing at the backdoor", "Long haired Doney", "My babe", "Scratch my back". You have to be careful because the different LP and CD issues do not have quite the same tracklists.
THIS AIN'T NO ROCK 'N ROLL
Arhoolie
March 1968
Sur ce CD, il y a la séance issue du LP "Fred Mac Dowell & His Blues Boys" dans lequel le bluesman était accompagné d'un petit combo électrique. Mais on trouve aussi une superbe séance du même genre capturée au domicile de Chris Strachwitz en mars 1968. Pour celle-ci, Fred joue avec l'appui du batteur Steve Francis sur un titre. Blues brut, puissant, âpre et surtout excitant. Quelques beaux moments comme "Mama says I'm crazy", "I wonder what I have done wrong", "Going away won't be gone long".
On this CD, there is the session from the LP "Fred Mac Dowell & His Blues Boys" in which the bluesman was accompanied by a small electric combo. But we find also a superb session of the same kind captured at the home of Chris Strachwitz in march 1968. For this one, Fred plays with the support of drummer Steve Francis on one title. Raw, powerful, harsh and above all exciting blues. Some beautiful moments like "Mama says I'm crazy", "I wonder what I have done wrong", "Going away won't be gone long".
WHEN I LAY MY BURDEN DOWN
Biograph
Collectables
February 1969
Sympathique séance acoustique captée au domicile de Fred en février 1969. Le répertoire reste similaire mais moins intense. Il y a deux titres qui n'étaient pas parus dans le LP original mais dans l'anthologie "This old world's in a hell of a fix". En revanche, on peut les trouver dans les rééditions CD.
Nice acoustic session captured at Fred's home in february 1969. The repertoire remains similar but less intense. There are two titles that were not released in the original LP but in the anthology "This old world's in a hell of a fix". However, they can be found in CD reissues.
IN LONDON vol.1
Transatlantic
Sire
March 1969
IN LONDON vol.2
Transatlantic
FRED MCDOWELL
Everest
March 1969
Seconde venue en Europe au début de l'année 1969 pour Fred Mac Dowell invité par la National Blues Association. Le disque est produit par Mike Raven. Fred est en forme au bottleneck et délivre un bon opus de Delta Blues même si les titres qu'il joue ont tous été mieux rendus par ailleurs.
Second coming to Europe at the beginning of 1969 for Fred Mac Dowell invited by the National Blues Association. The record is produced by Mike Raven. Fred is in good shape on bottleneck and delivers a good Delta Blues opus even if the titles he plays have all been better rendered elsewhere.
STANDING AT THE BURYING GROUND
Red Lightnin'
Sequel
LIVE AT THE MAYFAIR HOTEL
Zillion
March 1969
Grâce à la National Blues Association, Fred participe à une tournée de 28 dates dans toute l'Angleterre. Dans ce disque est capturé un de ces concerts (au Mayfair Hotel de Londres). On entend une très belle version de "61 Highway", "Standing at the burying ground", "Write me a few of your lines" et un morceau avec la chanteuse anglaise Jo Ann Kelly ("When I lay my burden down"). Dans les versions CD, on peut apprécier cinq morceaux supplémentaires (ils avaient aussi été publiés dans l'anthologie Red Lightnin' "A dose of double dynamite").
Thanks to the National Blues Association, Fred is on a 28 dates tour throughout England. In this disc is captured one of these concerts (at the Mayfair Hotel in London). We hear a very nice version of "61 Highway", "Standing at the burying ground", "Write me a few of your lines" and a song with the english singer Jo Ann Kelly ("When I lay my burden down"). In the CD versions, we can enjoy five additional tracks (they had also been published in the Red Lightnin' anthology "A dose of double dynamite").
MEMPHIS SWAMP JAM
Blue Thumb
MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUES JAM vol.1
Arhoolie
June 1969
Cette séance informelle fut gravée par Chris Strachwitz au moment du Memphis Blues Festival. Certains morceaux avec le concours de son ami harmoniciste Johnny Woods ("Shake 'em on down"). Il y a deux titres supplémentaires de Fred - seul - dans la réédition CD.
This informal session was recorded by Chris Strachwitz at the time of the Memphis Blues Festival. Some tracks with the help of his harmonica friend Johnny Woods ("Shake 'em on down"). There are two additional tracks from Fred - alone - in the CD reissue.
ANN ARBOR BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL vol.1
Third Man
August 1969
Une version du traditionnel "John Henry" sur la scène du fameux festival d'Ann Arbor.
A version of the traditional "John Henry" on stage at the famous Ann Arbor festival.
I DO NOT PLAY NO ROCK'N ROLL
Capitol
September or November 1969
Produit par Tommy Couch aux studios Malaco de Jackson (Mississippi), Fred Mac Dowell est ici accompagné de Jerry Puckett (basse) et Dulin Lancaster (batterie). Du Delta Blues brut et puissant diablement efficace et intense comme "Baby please don't go", "Kokomo me baby", "Red Cross store", "61 Highway", "Jesus is on the mainline". La discographie officielle mentionne la date de septembre 1969 mais certaines notes de livrets donnent une date d'enregistrement en novembre 1969.
Produced by Tommy Couch at Malaco Studios in Jackson (Mississippi), Fred Mac Dowell is here accompanied by Jerry Puckett (bass) and Dulin Lancaster (drums). Raw and powerful Delta Blues devilishly efficient and intense like on "Baby please don't go", "Kokomo me baby", "Red Cross store", "61 Highway", "Jesus is on the mainline". Official discography mentions the date of september 1969 but some booklets notes give a recording date in november 1969.
MISSISSIPPI FRED MCDOWELL 1904 - 1972
Just Sunshine
Xtra
SOMEBODY KEEPS CALLIN' ME
Antilles
I DO NOT PLAY NO ROCK'N ROLL
Capitol
September or November 1969
Suite de la séance produite par Tommy Couch et parue sur un LP Just Sunshine. Encore des moments très intenses comme "Someday", "Write me a few of your lines", "Drop down mama", "My baby she gonna jump and shout". On note que le LP Antilles comporte trois titres inédits supplémentaires.
Continuation of the session produced by Tommy Couch and released on a Just Sunshine LP. Still very intense moments like "Someday", "Write me a few of your lines", "Drop down mama", "My baby she gonna jump and shout". We note that the LP Antilles includes three additional unreleased tracks.
GENUINE MISSISSIPPI BLUES
Ace
End 1960's
Une version de "Baby please don't go" gravée par Fred Mac Dowell avec l'assistance probable de l'harmoniciste Johnny Woods (peut être enregistrée pendant les séances Capitol).
A version of "Baby please don't go" recorded by Fred Mac Dowell with the probable assistance of harmonica player Johnny Woods (may be recorded during Capitol sessions).
LIVE 1971
Rockbeat
April 1971
LIVE IN NEW YORK
Oblivion
SHAKE 'EM ON DOWN
Tomato
Charly
LIVE AT THE GASLIGHT
Grapeshop Media
November 1971
Concert à New York avec le bassiste Tom Pomposello au Gaslight Cafe. Ce disque intéressant a connu un nombre important de rééditions diverses et plus ou moins complètes. Fred joue son répertoire habituel : "Shake 'em on down", "Someday baby", "White lightnin'", "You got to move".
Concert in New York with bassist Tom Pomposello at Gaslight Cafe. This interesting album has seen a large number of various and more or less complete reissues. Fred plays his usual repertoire : "Shake 'em on down", "Someday baby", "White lightnin'", "You got to move".
LIVE AT THE GASLIGHT
Grapeshop Media
November 1971
Seconde partie du même concert de New York. Quelques bons moments dans ce programme plutôt classique comme "Goin' to the river", "61 Highway", "Red Cross store", "Good morning little schoolgirl".
Second part of the same New York concert. Some good moments in this rather classic program like "Goin' to the river", "61 Highway", "Red Cross store", "Good morning little schoolgirl".