(James D. "Shakey Jake" Harris)
DISCOGRAPHY 1958-2024 (16EP/LP/CD)
BIOGRAPHY
James D. Harris was born in Earle, Arkansas, and relocated with his
family to Chicago, Illinois, at the age of seven. He played in several
Chicago blues ensembles in the late 1940s. He also worked as a mechanic
and as a professional gambler (his nickname came from a dice players'
expression, "shake 'em").
His debut recording was the single "Call Me if You Need Me", backed with
"Roll Your Moneymaker", released by Artistic Records in 1958, featuring
Magic Sam and Syl Johnson on guitar and produced by Willie Dixon. Harris
was not paid for the session, but he won $700 shooting craps with label
owner Eli Toscano.
In 1960, Bluesville Records teamed Harris with the jazz musicians Jack
McDuff and Bill Jennings for the album Good Times. His later recording of
Mouth Harp Blues returned to a more traditional blues style. Harris toured
and was part of the American Folk Blues Festival tour in 1962.
Throughout the 1960s Harris and Sam appeared regularly in concert
together around Chicago. Harris's patronage of younger musicians helped
secure Luther Allison's recording debut. Harris moved on in the late
1960s, recording with Allison in Los Angeles on Further On up the Road. He
also played with other harmonica players, such as William Clarke.
Harris subsequently recorded for World Pacific. He also owned a nightclub
and a record label, but ill health eventually led him to return to
Arkansas, where he died, at the age of 68, on March 2, 1990.
(Wikipedia)
NEW!
1983-The Key Won't Fit @FLAC24+
2024-Complete Studio Recordings @320