Blind James Campbell & his Nashville Street Band / Arhoolie LP-1015

Description

Arhoolie LP 1015
This is an original shrink wrapped vinyl record from the LP era of which we have limited quantities.

Recorded by Chris Strachwitz in Nashville, Tenn., in 1962 and 1963.

Blind as the result of an industrial work accident, James Campbell (1906–1981) became an itinerant guitarist/singer leading a street band in Nashville from the 1930s into the 1960s. Campbell’s repertoire was a mix of blues, country, jazz, old-time popular, minstrel, skiffle, and jug band music. In the early 1960s, Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz recorded Campbell and his Friendly Five in Campbell’s living room. What the band lacked in musical polish, they made up for with spirit, authenticity, and vitality. This collection contains music from both recording sessions and features Beauford Clay on violin.

“…Today, over 30 years later, as I listen to these tapes again, I find that this rough and somewhat chaotic African-American country band had a spirit, authenticity and vitality seldom, if ever, evident among Nashville’s legions of slick and polished super stars. There are some rough starts and they are not always playing in tune, but I think this band is absolutely unique and deserves to have their remarkable blend of black and white American roots music represented on a record.”
– Chris Strachwitz, 1995

James Campbell: vocals & guitar
Beauford Clay: fiddle & banjo
Bell Ray: fiddle; guitar and vocals
George Bell: trumpet
Ralph Robinson: tuba

Tracklist:

For an interview with Blind James Campbell, photos and more go to:

Blind James Campbell Interview