Search - K.C. Douglas :: Mercury Blues

Mercury Blues

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 06/06/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Approximately 74 min. Sound is good-typical Arhoolie recording. K.C. Douglas passed away in 1975,but his blues live on with this fine collection. Douglas played low-down country blues. No matter if he was backed by a small group(here it's Richard Riggins-harmonica,Ron Thompson-guitar,and Jim Marshall-drums)or simply accompanying himself on guitar,his Mississippi up-bringing shone through all his material. Settling in Oakland,California Douglas began playing blues throughout the area. Composing most of the tracks on this album,the only true "hit" record Douglas had was Mercury Blues-recorded by both the Steve Miller Band and David Lindley. However,it rose to new heights when the track was recorded by the country singer Alan Jackson! There are fourteen tracks where Douglas is accompanied by the above mentioned group. The other eight tracks are Douglas alone or with a bit of harmonica in the background. This package includes all the tracks from a previous Arhoolie album plus an even dozen unreleased tracks,all fine indeed. With his Mississippi-country guitar and his lived-in voice,Douglas is someone that everyone who likes unpretentious hill-country style blues should consider purchasing."