Spider John Koerner - March 1963

Styles : Folk Blues, Acoustic Blues

Released : 2010

Lable : Nero's Neptune Records

01 - Interview

02 - Duncan & Brady

03 - Southbound Train
04 - Hangman
05 - Rock Me

06 - Too Bad Blues

07 - Guitar Fools
08 - Creepy John
09 - You've Got To Be Careful
10 - Interview Anectdote
11 - Good Time Charlie

12 - Ramblin' Blues

13 - Untitled Instrumental [Edited]

Here's a real piece of roots music history. Koerner (and bandmates Dave Ray and Tony Glover) were key figures in the American blues/folk revival of the early '60s. In the middle of creating the seminal Blues, Rags & Hollers album with that trio, Koerner taped a show for a Milwaukee radio show in March 1963. That long-lost recording surfaces here in abbreviated but un-retouched form; it's certainly not a polished recording or performance, but it captures Koerner's very proficient acoustic guitar work and passionate vocals nicely. Koerner is famed as the man who introduced a young Bob Dylan to the 12-string guitar, and has been cited as an influence on Beck. Led Zeppelin fans may recognize the traditional "Hangman" as that band's "Gallows Pole," but most of the songs are Koerner originals. The talkin' blues and field hollers vocal approach of Koerner may sound a little dated now, but this is a fascinating aural document.

original CD from sussex