Going Back to Crawford

by Big Joe Williams

Overview

Although Williams takes lead vocals on eight of the 26 songs on this disc, and plays his distinctive guitar throughout, it's billed to Big Joe Williams & Friends since the majority of the tracks feature other Mississippi singers on vocals. Williams was trying to bring other singers from his region to the attention of folklorist/Arhoolie owner Chris Strachwitz; most of this CD was recorded by Strachwitz in May 1971 in Crawford, MS, although seven songs were done at a Mississippi radio station a few months earlier. Because of Williams' oft-secondary role, it would have to be considered a secondary item in the Williams' catalog, but it's still pretty solid Mississippi country blues. The performances are pretty tight and focused, and the guitar work good, especially the slide. None of the other singers -- Austen Pete (who also plays second guitar behind Williams), John "Shortstuff" Macon (who plays what's listed on the sleeve as "rattling" guitar), Glover Lee Connor, and Amelia Johnson -- are as arresting as Williams, but none are bad. The fidelity on the Strachwitz-recorded material is good; the quality of the material done at the radio station is less clear, but not hard to listen to. Williams recorded "Baby Please Don't Go" several times, but the one here is certainly good and a highlight of the disc. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	05/18/1999
Label:	Arhoolie
UPC:	0096297901526
Rank:	85062

Tracks

1. Back Home Blues  - Big Joe Williams
2. Baby Please Don't Go  - Big Joe Williams
3. Saturday Night Women  - Big Joe Williams
4. Been in Crawford Too Long  - Big Joe Williams  - Glover Lee Conner  -  Williams
5. Sugar Diabetes Blues  - Big Joe Williams
6. Run Here Jailer with the Key  - Big Joe Williams  - Austin Pete  -  Williams
7. Take Me Out of the Bottom  - Big Joe Williams
8. Bird Nest  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
9. Corrina  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
10. I Walked All Night Long  - Big Joe Williams  - Austin Pete  -  Williams
11. Sugar on the Bottom  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
12. Bad Luck  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
13. Checkin' Out  - Big Joe Williams  - Amelia Johnson  -  Williams
14. My Last Girl-Don't Treat Her Wrong!  - Big Joe Williams  - Amelia Johnson  -  Williams
15. Can't Listen No More  - Big Joe Williams  - Amelia Johnson  -  Williams
16. Don't Stay Long  - Big Joe Williams  - Amelia Johnson  -  Williams
17. I'm Wild About My Jelly Roll  - Big Joe Williams  - Austin Pete  -  Williams
18. Moanin' 'Fo Day  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
19. I'm Leavin' This Town  - Big Joe Williams
20. I Don't Know Why  - Big Joe Williams  - Glover Connor  -  Williams
21. My Baby Stopped Drinking Water  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
22. Good Times Here, Better Down the Road  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
23. Shake It Enough for Me  - Big Joe Williams
24. Mary Frances  - Big Joe Williams
25. My Baby Don't Stand No Foolin'  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams
26. She Have Broken My Heart  - Big Joe Williams  - John "Shortstuff" Macon  -  Williams

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Big Joe Williams   Primary Artist
Big Joe Williams & Friends   Primary Artist
Glover Lee Conner   Featured Artist
Glover Connor   Featured Artist
Austin Pete   Featured Artist
Amelia Johnson   Featured Artist
John "Shortstuff" Macon   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Chris Strachwitz   Engineer
Big Joe Williams   Composer