Lindsay Hannon (vocals/ukulele)
Parchman Penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm on recordings by Mose Allison, John Mayall and others, is operational to this day and it was Lindsay's theme for tonight.
The Mississippi prison not only served as an incarceration (and execution) centre but its inmates were also employed to pick cotton thus saving on labour costs. Slavery may have been abolished, but not in this part of Mississippi. One assumes things are different today although, judging by the current climate in America I'm not so sure...
As always, Lindsay was a mine of information behind the songs and where they came from - her voice may be totally different from the smooth jazz chops we know and love, but they are also tailor-made for the blues, work songs and field-hollers she sings on these weekly sessions. Close your eyes and you would have sworn she'd done 10 to 15 on Unit 29.
Mattie Mae Thomas' 1939 recording of Dangerous Blues; "Bama" Stuart's I'm Going Home, Big Boy, I'm Going Home; Old Dollar Mamie and, to finish off the all too short session, Lindsay accompanied herself on ukulele for a number associated with Janis Joplin, Stealin'.
Let's hope Lindsay's parole continues next week.
Lance.
No comments :
Post a Comment