Furry Lewis & Mississippi Joe Callicott - The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions

Now-deceased pre-Depression bluesmen play it again

It’s often assumed that Mike Vernon’s Blue Horizon concentrated on the Fleetwood Macs and Chicken Shacks of this world. Yet, while visiting the States in 1968, Vernon chanced upon the only just rediscovered talents of Lewis and Callicott at the Memphis Country Blues Festival. He persuaded the duo, both originally active in the 20s, to reprise their acts in the city’s Ardent studios. These tracks have now been digitally brushed up, with 10 previously unreleased takes added to them, forming a double-disc set of interest to any serious blues scholar. Callicott escapes the attention of most blues encyclopedias, perhaps because his relaxed delivery is more akin to the likes of Mississippi John Hurt than the gritty Delta style. His tracks often stretch to six minutes, but don’t outstay their welcome, with their yelps, intimate asides and mid-song conversation. The Only downside is that Callicott’s trademark track, Love Me Baby Blues (covered by Ry Cooder as France Chance), is absent. Lewis is the better-known of the pair, thanks to the patronage of The Rolling Stones and Joni Mitchell. His slide guitar contrasts well with Callicott’s deft fingerpicking. The 13 selections (two previously unreleased) include his most famous song, Judge Harsh Blues (aka Good Morning Judge). A most enjoyable pairing.

Sony | BMG 88697041792

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
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