Tribute

Tribute CD Press Release

2010-07-06T13:57:00.001-07:00

FROM THE DESK OF MAGNOLIA RECORDING COMPANY!

Magnolia Recording Company is pleased to announce the September 28, 2010 release of Tom Feldmann & the Get-Rites’ new album Tribute: the gospel sides of Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Fred McDowell, Charley Patton, Washington Phillips, Blind Willie Johnson, Robert Wilkins, Booker White, Dock Reed and Son House.

“After fourteen years of original compositions,” says Tom Feldmann, “I felt it was time to pay tribute to my roots.”

Minnesota native Tom Feldmann picked up the guitar at age 17 after hearing the pioneers of acoustic blues and states, “John Lee Hooker taught me how to strum, and Muddy Waters taught me how to slide.” But it is evident, based on Feldmann’s own work, that Jesus Christ gives him reason to sing, so it comes as no surprise that he chose to pay homage to a remnant of the artists that shaped him musically through the gospel sides they recorded.

Though rooted in traditional music, Tom Feldmann is not a traditionalist and Tribute is no mere carbon copy of the original recordings, a fact he attributes to the contribution of band mates Jed Staack (drums), Paul Liebenow (upright bass), and Jed Germond (pedal steel), who have played an integral role in creating their own unique brand of gospel blues-roots Americana that has been praised by Dirty Linen, Blues Revue, Blues Matters, fRoots, and other leading publications.

Recorded in Analog at Underwood Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Feldmann’s longtime record producer, Mark Thomas Stockert (Brian Setzer, Danny Michel), added just the right touch by bringing in the warmth of 2-inch tape to Feldmann & the Get-Rites’ modern backwoods blues sound. The result is one heck of an old school, slide guitar glory fest that classic and contemporary blues and gospel music fans will surely delight in.

"It is my intention," continues Feldmann, "to help preserve this musical heritage for future generations."

Tom Feldmann will be touring solo in promotion of Tribute, carrying on the tradition of solo acoustic blues by standing poised as a positive voice with songs of hope in a time when negativity bombards us continually. In the words of the great Lightnin’ Hopkins, “Now is the needed time.”

For more about Tom Feldmann & the Get-Rites, visit tomfeldmann.com.

For press-related inquiries or to set up an interview with Tom Feldmann, contact info@magnoliarecording.com

Live So God Can Use You

2010-07-06T13:56:00.001-07:00

- Muddy Waters

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals
Paul Liebenow - Upright Bass
Jed Staack - Drums

Lyrics

Why don't you live so, God can use you, anywhere, anytime
Why don't you live so, God can use you, anywhere, anytime

Why don't you talk so, God can use you, anywhere, anytime
Why don't you talk so, God can use you, anywhere, anytime

Why don't you moan so, God can use you, anywhere, anytime
Why don't you moan so, God can use you, anywhere, anytime

Why don't you live so, God can use you, anywhere, anytime

------------------------------------------------

Born McKinley Morganfield in Issaquena County, Mississippi in 1913 or 1914 or 1915, depending on who's telling the story. His fondness for playing in mud earned him the nickname "Muddy" at an early age, which he later changed to Muddy Waters.

By the age of seventeen he was playing the guitar at parties emulating Son House and Robert Johnson. He moved to Chicago in 1940 and returned to Mississippi one year later.

In 1941 folklorist Alan Lomax arrived in Mississippi to record various country blues musicians for the Library of Congress, Muddy was one of the musicians. Lomax returned again in 1942 and the sessions have been compiled on the The Complete Plantation Recordings release

These historic field recordings contain Muddy's earliest recorded works, some previously unreleased material, 4 interviews and several rare photos.

In 1943, Muddy moved back to Chicago. He got his first electric guitar in 1945, recorded for Columbia in 1946 and later that year for Chess. In 1948 Muddy's tunes,"I Can't Be Satisfied", "I Feel Like Going Home" and "Rolling Stone" became big hits and the rest is history.

Muddy Waters died in his sleep at his home in Westmont, Illinois on April 30, 1983 .

More info on Muddy Waters

Needed Time

2010-07-02T11:43:00.001-07:00

- Lightnin' Hopkins

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Paul Liebenow - Upright Bass

Jed Staack - Drums

Lyrics

Jesus won't you come round here

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

I'm down on my knees and praying

Down on my knees and praying

I'm down on my knees and praying

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

Even if you don't stay long

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

Jesus won't you come round here

Now is the needed time

Oh, now is the needed time

Now is the needed time

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This is a very rare side of Lightnin' Hopkins, in all of my searching I've yet to come across another gospel song recorded by him.

Recorded in 1950, Needed Time appears only on a few of the slew of "re-issues" that have been compiled, most notably Jake Head Boogie and Lightnin Hopkins Sings the Blues. It was also used extensively on the 1972 film "Sounder" starring Cicely Tyson.

Born, Sam Hopkins in Centerville, Texas in 1912, Hopkins was immersed in the sounds of the blues and he developed a deeper appreciation at the age of 8 when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic. He went on to learn from his older (somewhat distant) cousin, country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander.

He was discovered in in 1946 by Lola Anne Cullum from the Los Angeles based record label, Aladdin Records and recorded 12 tracks with pianist Wilson Smith. An Aladdin Records executive decided the pair needed more dynamism in their names and dubbed Hopkins "Lightnin'" and Wilson "Thunder".

Hopkins rarely performed outside Texas until the 1960's, however he recorded prolifically throughout his career. It is estimated that he recorded between 800 and 1000 songs and is credited as recording more albums than any other bluesman.

Hopkins died of esophageal cancer in Houston in 1982 at the age of 69. A statue of Hopkins stands in Crockett, Texas.

More info on Lightnin' Hopkins

The Lord Will Make A Way

2010-07-02T11:35:00.003-07:00

- Fred McDowell

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Paul Liebenow - Upright Bass

Jed Staack - Drums

Lyrics

I know the Lord will make a way. Oh yes He will

The Lord is my shepherd, the Lord is my guide, everthing I need, the Lord supplies

I know the Lord will make a way . Oh yes He will

I have a Savior that I can tell my troubles to

When I don’t know just what to do

I go to God in secret prayer and I just leave my burdens there

I know the Lord will make a way. Oh yes He will

The Lord is my shepherd, the Lord is my guide, everthing I need, the Lord supplies

I know the Lord will make a way . Oh yes He will

------------------------------------------------

Fred McDowell was born in 1904 in Tennessee, moved to Memphis in 1926 and finally settled in Como, MS in 1940 or 1941 where he worked steadily as a farmer.

He was first recorded in 1959 by Alan Lomax and Shirley Collins and actually may be considered the first of the bluesmen from the North Mississippi region to achieve widespread recognition for his work.

"I Know the Lord Will Make A Way" was recorded twice. One appears on Amazing Grace, a record made with members of his church, Hunter's Chapel, and another version appears on My Home is in the Delta.

They are different versions. My Home is in the Delta, released in 1964, has McDowell's wife, Annie Mae taking the vocals while Fred accompanies on slide guitar. The version on Amazing Grace, released in 1966, is Fred solo on vocals/guitar and he allows the slide guitar to finish off the verses rather than sing them, a common technique of McDowell's.

One reason I like McDowell is that he mixed spirituals and the blues together on his recordings and in his live performances. Never denouncing or denying one or the other.

Fred McDowell, more commonly known as Mississippi Fred McDowell, died of cancer in 1972.

More info on Mississippi Fred McDowell

Lord I'm Discouraged

2010-07-02T11:35:00.001-07:00

- Charley Patton

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Lyrics

Sometimes I get discouraged and think my works in vain

But the Holy Spirit whispers, and revives my soul again

There'll be glory, wondrous glory when we reach that other shore

There'll be glory, wondrous glory, praising Jesus evermore

I'm on my way to glory, to that happy land so fair

I'll soon reside with God's army, with the Saints of God up there

There'll be glory, wondrous glory when we reach that other shore

There'll be glory, wondrous glory, praising Jesus evermore

Fight on you Christian soldiers with faith, hope and love

And when the battle is over he will take you home above

There'll be glory, wondrous glory when we reach that other shore

There'll be glory, wondrous glory, praising Jesus evermore

------------------------------------------------

Charley Patton is considered the "Father" or "King" of Delta Blues. It is said that he learned to play from Henry Sloan at the legendary Dockery Plantation, "the place where the blues was born."

"Lord I'm Discouraged" recorded for Paramount in 1929, was taken from Rev. Edward Clayborn's song "There'll Be Glory" released a few years earlier, and appears on many of the available Charley Patton discs. All versions of the song are the same. I have it from the collection put together by Yazoo Records called King of the Delta Blues.

Although defined or "confined" as a Delta blues legend, Patton was a "jack-of-all-trades". His repertoire consisted of white hillbilly songs, nineteenth century ballads, spirituals, minstrel songs and country dance music.

His songs were much more than just the usual songs of woman trouble. He played topical songs about the current natural disasters, sang about the injustices in a racist society, and poured out his own intensely personal experiences.

He only recorded 3 times, 2x in 1929 and again in 1930. He was born in Mississippi most likely in 1891 and died in 1934.

More info on Charley Patton

Leave It There

2010-07-02T11:33:00.001-07:00

- Washington Phillips

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Jed Germond - Pedal Steel

Paul Liebenow - Upright Bass

Jed Staack - Drums

Lyrics

If this world from you withhold of its silver and its gold and you have to live on meager fare

Just remember, in His Word, how He fed the little bird

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

If your body suffers pain and your health you can't regain And your soul is almost sinking in despair

Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

Leave it there, leave it there

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail

Don't forget that God in Heaven answers prayer

He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on

And your body bends beneath the weight of care

He will never leave you then, He'll go with you to the end

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

Leave it there, leave it there

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there

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"Leave It There" was adapted from the version that appears on Storefront & Street Corner Gospel.

It was originally titled "Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave it There" written by Charles A. Tindley, the "Grandfather of Gospel Music" (my favorite songwriter), but I shortened the title.

Washington Phillips is a curious character who only recorded 18 songs between 1927 and 1929. He recorded 1 other Tindley song besides this one, "What Are They Doing in Heaven Today".

He was what they called a "jack-leg preacher". He didn't have a church, so he roamed the town looking for someplace to preach.

There has been much debate as to what instrument Phillips played, most agreed that it was a Dolceola, but it was widely speculated that his instrument was entirely home-made. With no photo of Phillips there was no settling the debate, but one such photo was recently found and it appears that what he did was re-configure two fretless Zithers, to expand the range of both the melody and accompaniment sections.

Born in Texas in 1880, he died at the age of 74 after suffering head injuries from a fall down the stairs at the welfare office.

More info on Washington Phillips

It's Nobody's Fault But Mine

2010-07-02T11:31:00.001-07:00

- Blind Willie Johnson

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Lyrics

It's nobody's fault but mine

Nobody's fault but mine

If I die and my soul be lost

Nobody's fault but mine

I have a bible in my home

If I don't read it my soul be lost

Nobody's fault but mine

It's nobody's fault but mine

Nobody's fault but mine

If I die and my soul be lost

Nobody's fault but mine

My mother she taught me how to pray

Mother she taught me how to pray

If I don't pray and my soul be lost

Nobody's fault but mine

It's nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine

If I die and my soul be lost

Nobody's fault but mine

------------------------------------------------

Willie Johnson was born January 22, 1897 in Texas. When he was five, he told his father he wanted to be a preacher, and then made himself a cigar box guitar.

Johnson was not born blind but how he became blind is unknown. While Johnson's lyrics of all of his songs were religious, his music drew from both sacred and blues traditions.

He made 30 commercial recordings in five separate sessions for Columbia Records from 1927–1930. On 14 of his recordings he is accompanied by his first wife, Willie B Harris or an as-yet-unidentified female singer.

"Nobody's Fault But Mine" is a tremendously popular and much covered song. I learned it from the Soul of a Man disc put out in 2004.

Interesting note: Johnson's "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was the Ground" was included on the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space with the Voyager spacecraft in 1977.

Johnson remained poor until the end of his life, preaching and singing in the streets of Beaumont, Texas to anyone who would listen.

In 1945, his home burned to the ground. With nowhere else to go, Johnson lived in the burned ruins of his home, sleeping on a wet bed. He lived like this until he contracted pneumonia two weeks later, and died.

More info on Blind Willie Johnson

Stand Your Test in Judgment

2010-07-02T11:30:00.001-07:00

- Robert Wilkins

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Paul Liebenow - Upright Bass

Jed Staack - Drums

Lyrics

You've got to stand your test in judgement
Stand it for yourself
Ain't nobody else can stand it for you

You've got to stand it for yourself

You've got to stand your test in judgement
Stand it for yourself
Ain't nobody else can stand it for you
You've got to stand it for yourself

You've got to know Jesus as your savior
You'e got to know him for yourself

Ain't nobody else can know him for you

You've got to know him for yourself

You've got to stand your test in judgement
Stand it for yourself
Ain't no one else can stand it for you

You've got to stand it for yourself

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"You've Got To Stand Your Test In Judgment" appears on Remember Me.

Robert Wilkins was born on January 16, 1896 in Hernando, MS, just south of Memphis. He worked in Memphis during the 1920s at the same time as Furry Lewis, Memphis Minnie (whom he claimed to have tutored), and Son House.

During the 20s and 30s, Robert Timothy Wilkins performed as Tim Wilkins and was one of the most popular blues artists associated with Memphis' infamous, Beale Street.

Alarmed by fighting at a party where he was playing, he deserted secular music in the 1930's and took up the twin careers of herbalist and minister in the Church of God in Christ, and began playing gospel music with a blues feel as the "Reverend" Robert Wilkins.

During the 1960s blues revival the "Reverend" Robert Wilkins was "rediscovered" by blues enthusiasts Dick and Louisa Spottswood, making appearances at folk festivals and recording his gospel blues for a new audience.

Robert Wilkins died on May 26, 1987 in Memphis at the age of 91.

More info on Robert Wilkins

I Am In The Heavenly Way

2010-07-02T11:28:00.001-07:00

- Booker White (aka Bukka White)

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Lyrics

I am in the heavenly way

Travelin' on from day to day
And I'll sing the weary long
Oh the joy, I'm movin' home

Oh the joy, the joy, the joy
The wonderful joy, I'm movin' home
Oh the joy, praise joy. The peace and joy, I'm goin' on
Heaven I sing this song
An I'm movin' home

Oh the joy, great joy, of rollin' home

And I sing a wonderful song

Oh, I sing a wonderful song
Oh, the joy, the joy, the joy
The peace and joy, of movin' home
Oh, the joy, praise joy, I'm rollin' home

And at last when day is done
And they crown a heavenly one

I will sing a wonderful song

Oh the joy, I'm movin' home

Oh the joy, the joy, the joy
The peace and joy, of movin' home
Oh the joy, free joy, of rollin' home

Heaven I sang this song

An I'm movin' home
The joy, sweet joy, of rollin' home

I am in a heavenly way
Travelin' on from day to day

And I'll sing the weary long

Oh the joy, I'm movin' home

------------------------------------------------

Booker White was born on November 12, 1906 (although his headstone says 1909) near Houston, Mississippi. He first recorded in Memphis for Victor Records in 1930. Big Bill Broonzy landed him a session for ARC in Chicago in 1937 and while serving time in 1939 at Parchman Farm penitentiary for shooting a man, he recorded for folklorist John Lomax. The few songs he recorded around this time became his most well-known.

I Am In The Heavenly Way was first recorded on May 26, 1930 but was redone years later after his "rediscovery". I first heard this song on the Masters Of The Delta Blues: The Friends Of Charlie Patton CD which is his earlier version. The lyrics were difficult to make out, so I went to his later, slower version from the Bukka White: Revisited disc.

During the 1930's Booker hoboed around, worked as a professional boxer in Chicago and as a Negro League pitcher with the Birmingham Black Cats. Until John Fahey and Ed Denson tracked him down in 1963, it was assumed that Booker was dead. Just a few months after his rediscovery, White was recording again and playing the Coffee House/Folk Festival circuit.

Booker White died in February 1977 from cancer, at the age of 70, in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1990 he was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame along with Blind Blake and Lonnie Johnson.

An interesting side note: Booker White was cousin to Riley B. King, otherwise known as B.B. King. Booker reportedly gave B.B. King his first guitar.

More info on Booker White

I'm Going Home

2010-07-02T11:27:00.002-07:00

- Dock Reed

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Jed Germond - Pedal Steel

Paul Liebenow - Upright Bass

Jed Staack - Drums

Lyrics

I’m going home on the morning train (3x)

If you don’t see me you will hear me sing (3x)

All of my sin was taken away, taken away (3x)

Just about the time I thought I was lost (3x)

The dungeon was shooken and my chains fell off (3x)

All of my sin was taken away, taken away (3x)

Up on the cross at Calvary (3x)

Jesus died that we may be free (3x)

All of our sin is taken away, taken away (3x)

------------------------------------------------

"I'm Going Home on the Morning Train" appears on Negro Folk Music of Alabama, Vol. 5: Spirituals.

Dock Reed sang. No accompaniment, just vocal, making this song both fun and challenging because I had to create the music for it. I took a few liberties.

#1 - I sing all the lines 3x, not just the first.

#2 - I changed the last verse

Reed's last verse was:

Sister Mary wore, three lengths of chain
Sister Mary wore, three lengths of chain
Sister Mary wore, three lenghts of chain and every link was my Jesus name
All of my sin is taken away, taken away

I changd it to:

Up on the cross at Calvary (3x)
Jesus died that we may be free (3x)
All of our sin is taken away, taken away (3x)

I wanted to give the reason for why Reed sings ,"All of my sin is taken away".

Dock Reed was an Alabama farmer who is noted as being deeply religious and never sang any "sinful" songs. He was often called upon to lead songs in church's and in the homes of neighbors.

He was 60 years old when he recorded the songs for this album, which was released in 1950. Reed's cousin, Vera Ward Hall joined him on most of the songs and he is usually overshadowed by her fame, due to Hall's large body of work recorded for the Library Of Congress.

Not much is known of Reed. Both Reed and Hall were first recorded by John Lomax in 1937 and Reed continued to record through the 1950's, appearing on several Library Of Congress anthology albums.

I can't locate a date of birth, but since he was 60 at the recording of this release in 1950, one would place his birth somwhere in the late 1890's.

More info on Dock Reed

This Little Light Of Mine

2010-07-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

- Son House

Tom Feldmann - National Reso-Phonic guitar/vocals

Lyrics

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

------------------------------------------------

Born Eddie James House Jr. just outside of Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1902. He was determined to be a Baptist preacher and by the age of 15 began his preaching "career".

In his mid 20's, House was attracted to the blues and taught himself to play guitar. At some point he stopped preaching and began playing alongside Charlie Patton and Willie Brown.

He spent time in the Mississippi State Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, in 1928 and 1929 after killing a man in self defense.

Son House first recorded for Paramount Records in 1930 and later for Alan Lomax in 1941 and 1942. There are only a handful of gospel songs recorded by House and "This Little Light of Mine" appears on 3 discs, Son House Revisited, Live at the Gaslight Cafe, 1965, and Delta Blues and Spirituals.

All are the same version, except on Delta Blues and Spirituals where House sings and does not play guitar (although on the link, the track they have is different from the track on the disc).

Fading from public view, Son House moved to Rochester, NY to work for the New York Central Railroad until the folk/blues revival of the 1960s when, after a long search, Son House was "re-discovered" in 1964.

Ill health plagued his later years and in 1974 he retired once again, and later moved to Detroit, Michigan. Son House died in 1988 from cancer of the larynx.

More info on Son House