Search - Scrapper Blackwell :: Mr Scrapper's Blues

Part of the Acoustic Blues Bible

B. D. Tutt | 07/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This amazing CD is an acoustic blues masterpiece!Scrapper Blackwell played back-up guitar to Leroy Carr's blues piano for years, and honed a creative unique Piedmont style that is a joy to experience. This solo Scrapper album, cleanly recorded by modern equipment, showcases the guitar masterwork that frequently was buried under the piano in many of Scrapper's early recordings with Leroy. Scrapper Blackwell is a musician's musician - it is amazing to hear Scrapper's version of "Nobody Knows You When Your Down and Out" which was copied virtually note-for-note by Eric Clapton!!!Scrapper is one of the creators of Blues guitar, and this CD is an exceptionally fine, listenable example of his work....One of my favorite disks in my large blues collection. Give this a listen - you won't regret it!!!!"

Mr. Scrapper's best post-war performance

Harry Symvoulidis | Greece | 01/09/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Francis "Scrapper" Blackwell was not only one of the legendary pre-war virtouosos - who, as Leroy Carr's guitarist, essentially defined what is now called "urban blues" - but a capable singer-songwriter, too. In this album he essentialy re-visited some of his pre-war material (e.g. "Penal Farm Blues", his first 78rpm single) and managed to create an album which, I think, should be included in every collection that prouds to have gone deep into the blues.



Although age had by then left visible signs on Blackwell's voice, he is at least moving singing "Goin' Where The Monon Crosses The Yellow Dog", and also in moments like "Little Boy Blue" or "Shady Lane". But, although these are good reasons to buy this album themselves, the most stunning performance comes when he covers "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out". Blackwell sings this song in such a way that only a person who has lived situations exactly as those mentioned in the lyrics could have, managing to overshadow in emotion even the impressive "Empress of the Blues" Bessie Smith, who had originally sung it during Depression time. Don't miss this out, is one of the 100 best blues songs ever recorded!"