Mississippi
Fred McDowell was born in 1904 in Rossville, a small town in Tennessee just east of
Memphis. He was orphaned as a youngster and after living with relatives for
a while, he took to the road as a travelling musician. By the 1920's he was
playing on street corners around the Memphis area and he eventually settled
in Como, Mississippi. For most of his life he split his time between farming
during the week and performing at parties and picnics, and on the streets,
at the weekends. His guitar playing, which was very percussive and 'delta
style', was influenced by Charlie Patton and
Son House. In 1959, and still
only performing part time, he was found by folklorist Alan Lomax who
recorded him, the songs being released by the Atlantic label. Nevertheless
McDowell continued in a part time vein for a further five years until he was
signed up by Arhoolie Records in 1964. He became
an immediate success and was in great demand on the American college and
folk festival circuit of the mid sixties, and also travelled to Europe. He
also became a major influence on younger artists, Bonnie Raitt in
particular, and the Rolling Stones covered his "You Got to Move" on their
1971 album 'Sticky Fingers'. Ironically McDowell's most popular album
was probably "I Do Not Play No Rock and Roll" on which he played electric
guitar for the first time in the studio. After a short illness Mississippi
Fred McDowell died in July 1972.
playing on street corners around the Memphis area and he eventually settled
in Como, Mississippi. For most of his life he split his time between farming
during the week and performing at parties and picnics, and on the streets,
at the weekends. His guitar playing, which was very percussive and 'delta
style', was influenced by