R.L. Burnside, criticised by some blues purists because of his "noisy" Fat Possum releases, was a welcome anomaly in the world of blues. Even so, he was a traditional Mississippi bluesman, trained by Mississippi Fred McDowell. He drew inspiration from Muddy and Elmore, but only by reaching for their spirits, not by trying to match their guitar solos. His world were the juke joints of Mississippi, his style was sloppy blues groove, more or less like John Lee Hookers guitar style, playing the same groove over and over, and with a mumbling vocal delivery. He got well known nationally (and internationally) when former New York Times critic Robert Palmer picked him up. Burnside made one excellent solo record, named "Too Bad Jim". I won't talk about his partnership with punker Jon Spencer, but the album "A Ass Pocket of Whiskey" is a nice one, allthough the incomprehensible shouting sometimes makes the album difficult to listen to. Worth searching for is also "R.L Plays and Sings the Mississippi Delta Blues", released on the smaller Swingmaster label, if you can find it. With these three records, you'll have a nice collection of Robert Lee's contributions to the blues. Shake 'Em on Down guys, meanwhile I'll replace the Ass Pocket of Whiskey by a glass of fine brandy. See ya next week!

Too Bad Jim - Fat Possum/Capricorn 1994
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey - Matador 1996
R.L Plays and Sings the Mississippi Delta Blues - Swingmaster 1980

Video - R.L. Burnside - Just Like A Woman

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