Mississippi Sheiks Tribute
“Things About Comin’ My Way”
Featured Artists:
The North Mississippi Allstars – Ndidi Onukwulu – Bruce Cockburn – Oh Susanna with Van Dyke Parks – The Carolina Chocolate Drops – Danny Barnes – Jim Byrnes – Bill Frisell – Madeleine Peyroux – Kelly Joe Phelps – Steve Dawson – Geoff Muldaur and The Texas Sheiks – Del Rey – Bob Brozman – The Sojourners – Robin Holcomb.
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“This is not music for the faint of heart…”
The songs come down to us from a world long gone, a world gone wrong where broken hearted murderers rubbed shoulders with wife stealing preachers.
Between 1930 and 1935, Sam, Lonnie and Armenter Chatman, the three sons of slaves who along with Walter Vinson made up the core of “The Mississippi Sheiks”, created some of the most memorable blues rants and square dance hollers ever conjured up.
Their sound was indefinable – part country and part apocalyptic blues filtered through yearning fiddle and gut bucket guitar – and by the time their race was run, The Mississippi Sheiks had redefined what a string band could do.
Though they only were together for five years, they produced nearly a hundred singles and toured the United States selling millions of records, leaving behind a body of work that still resonates in today’s world.
It is this music that Vancouver songwriter, musician and producer Steve Dawson has been obsessed with for many years, and the Mississippi Sheiks Tribute represents the fruition of a long time dream:
“I was never interested in recreating the music. It’s more of a conversation and exchange with the originals that I had in mind. So, when I started this project, I was looking for good interpreters who could capture the essence of the songs in a kind of portrait. I wanted to work with people who could celebrate the music and the songs”.
Whether you’re new to the music of The Mississippi Sheiks or have been dreaming of a tribute like this for years, music doesn’t get any better than this. Listen and you won’t be disappointed.
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“I knowed the Mississippi Sheiks. Yessir. Walked ten miles to see them play. They was high-time.. makin’ them good records, man.”
Muddy Waters
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