(Arthur "Sam" Jackson)
(4CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Over the years he learned to play a wide range of music and became a versatile entertainer who danced, told bawdy stories, and performed tricks by playing several harmonicas at once. While traveling in the multitude of medicine shows that employed him for much of his life, Peg played with the likes of Pink Anderson and Elmon "Shorty."
During later tours of the festivals and blues clubs circuit, he played with Rufe Johnson, Sugar Blue and Louisiana Red when he wasn't performing solo. He returned to Jonesville near the end of his life and passed away on October 27, 1977.
"Early In The Morning," is Labor Records re-release of Peg Leg Sam's last
recording. Consisting mainly of traditional blues and gospel, this is the
classic, laid back, "front porch blues."
Louisiana Red, provides guitar accompaniment on seven of the ten songs
and lends his powerful voice to "Going Train Blues." His restrained guitar
playing gives Peg Leg Sam the space to proceed with his old-fashioned,
country brand of delivery wherein his harmonica and voice answer and play
off each other. "Dog Chase," (recorded elsewhere as "Peg's Fox Chase") is
a prime example of this interplay.
A highlight of the CD is "Strollin," where Sam's vocal inflection is
reminiscent of Joe Callicott. Other traditional blues songs in this set
list are "John Henry," "Mr. Ditty Wa Ditty," "Poor Boy," and the title
track, "Early In the Morning."
The variety of his influences is evident by the inclusion to his set of a
"western" song titled, "Navaho Trail." A regular part of his repertoire,
his personality assumes ownership of this and all the songs he plays. Also
included are the gospel songs, "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho," and "I
Got a Home," his mother, a church organist, would've no doubt been happy
about that.
The coda of a long lifetime of travel, "Early In The Morning" is a prime
example of the type of music one might have encountered at a traveling
medicine show. Containing a variety of music from piedmont blues to
gospel, delta blues to western, the versatile Peg plays it all. The sound
quality is great and the mix is good.
Red plays the consummate sideman and
allows Peg to take the reins and entertain us the old fashioned way. His
performance may not be quite as energetic as earlier recordings but his
individual personality still shines brightly and this CD is very
enjoyable.
Originally recorded in 1975 at Minot Sound Studios, White Plains, N.Y.,
"Early In The Morning" was engineered by Ron Carran and produced by Kent
Cooper and Heiner Stadler.