Tampa Red - 'Voice Of the Blues'

 

 

Tampa Red was a prolific musician who made almost four hundred recordings under his own name between 1928 and 1960, as well as hundreds more accompanying other artists.  In his early days, he specialized in hokum, collaborating with pianist Georgia Tom on the hugely influential 'Tight Like That', 'Uncle Bud' and 'Let Me Play With Your Poodle'.

In the 1930s, Red's recordings tended towards sentimental pop ballads, and it was also the time when his kazoo blowing became a feature on most releases.  This collection focuses on Red's more solid blues performances. 'Grievin' And Worryin' Blues', 'Hard Road Blues', and 'Poor Little Fellow Blues' (erroneously titled 'This Ain't No Place For Me' in the track listings) are good examples of the latter, with Red's guitar well to the fore.

Tampa Red was also known as 'The Guitar Wizard', justifiably, as his beautifully controlled slide playing on guitar solos such as 'Moanin' Heart', 'Prison Bound', and the much-anthologized 'Boogie Woogie Dance' well illustrate.  By 1940 Tampa had switched to the electric guitar, and numbers like 'I Want To Swing' and 'She Loves Just Right' testify that his virtuosity on that instrument was as great as ever. His lyrical abilities are also well displayed in this collection.

All in all, this is probably my favorite collection from Tampa Red, one of the most influential musicians in the history of the music.

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