Washboard Sam - She Belongs To The Devil: An Anthology 1936-47

Yes, yes, “Where’s me washboard?” and such…

The washboard is so primitive it makes the humble triangle look like a church organ. Washboard Sam used one because he couldn’t afford a guitar, but how he had the patience to play it through a decade of recordings without succumbing to a pricier, more versatile instrument is one of those mysteries that are as integral to the blues as bad luck and 12-bar progressions.

Faced with such a limited, rattley sound, Sam relied on other musicians’ backing, and he sure knew how to pick them. On the various sessions you’ll find piano from Roosevelt Sykes and Memphis Slim, bass from Willie Dixon and, most prominently, Sam’s half-brother Big Bill Broonzy on guitar.

Unusually for a bluesman, Sam often did his best singing when backed by sax or clarinet. On 1937’s Easy Ridin’ Mama the ensemble stretch out while the reedy clarinet wraps itself around Sam’s warm voice, while on the 1942 sessions Frank Owens’ alto provides a woozy counterpoint to Sam’s often funny lyrics.

Unsurprisingly the washboard lends itself best to uptempo numbers where Sam’s flailing knuckles make it sound like a faraway drum kit: (Mama) Don’t ’Low a perfect example of the propulsive energy the small band whip up when they want to.

Acrobat | ADDCD 3049

Reviewed by Mat Croft
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