Search - Washboard Sam :: Swinging the Blues 1935-1947

Washout Sam

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 01/24/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Born in Arkansas in 1910, Robert Brown, a.k.a. Washboard Sam, settled in Chicago in 1932, where he pioneered a musical style eventually known as "Chicago blues." Sam recorded for RCA's BLUEBIRD label exclusively. The album WASHBOARD SAM (1935-1947) is an attempt to showcase that recording career.



After World War II ended, records by older artists like Washboard Sam, Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red were generally ignored. The next blues generation (Muddy Waters, Lightning Hopkins, B.B. King, etc.) was what was selling. In 1947, Sam decided to pack up his washboard and retire from the music business. He became a policeman, a career interrupted briefly for some 1953-'54 recording sessions. Washboard Sam died of heart failure two years after a 1964 European tour.



What was potentially an interesting exploration of a unique singer and songwriter's work is badly marred by the condition of the 78 sides used for these transfers. Except for track #2, all this material was in desperate need of filtering and lathe suppression. Record surface condition here varies from poor to deplorable. Sadly, this Washboard Sam album is a complete washout.



TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 53:59"