Reviewed by Tony May

Huddie Ledbetter's mighty voice and vicious 12-string guitar technique captured by Alan Lomax's classic 1939-43 Library Of Congress Recordings. A man who knew the hardship and injustice of the rural Southern Black population in the early 20th century, his feelings emerged in powerful versions of spirituals, blues, work songs and children's songs. Listen to him moan the old traditional gospel song "O Mary Don't You Weep" to hear his empathy with God's suffering people back then. On the title track his guitar dances all over the place as he wails the story of doom and tragedy. All 19 tracks contain raw, swampy music, some rumbles like "Take This Hammer" learned during his time, probably unjustly, spent suffering the harsh Texas prison system. Here's a man who sings from his heart and guts, a real man, an oppressed man from a very different time but still a valid, powerful form of music.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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