Fred McDowell I Do Not Play No Rock 'N' Roll: Complete Sessions CD

Recorded in 1970. Includes liner notes by Pete Welding and Bonnie Raitt.

This reissue of the original Capitol landmark from 1969 adds ten tunes. The performance is classic and retains all of its spiky edginess. Even though blues purists griped because it was the first recording where the previously acoustic McDowell played electric guitar, his lines are so stark, spare, and jagged that the fullness and volume the instrument provides works perfectly with his hardcore Delta approach. McDowell is in wonderful voice and exuberant spirits throughout, spinning lively stories on the nine-minute "Everybody's Down on Me," where he doesn't start playing guitar or singing until four minutes into the track. The raconteur expresses, as well as explains, the album's title on the opening version of Big Joe Williams' "Baby Please Don't Go," the session's only cover. The rhythm section that caused such commotion on the album's initial release remains ensconced in the background, and the drummer's contributions are so subtle as to be almost inaudible. This keeps the focus on McDowell, whose guitar work is stunning, complex, and emotionally moving. He spins quicksilver slide runs that echo and answer his sung lines like he's been plugged in all his life. Smoother and less abrasive than some of the Fat Possum artists that first appeared in the '90s, McDowell nonetheless exudes frightening power when he hits his stride on the jagged "61 Highway" and his version of "The Train I Ride," complete with chugging chords and "Mystery Train" verses. A perfect place to learn about Mississippi Fred McDowell since it includes both "Kokomo Me Baby" and "You Got to Move," two of his most popular tracks. I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll is an essential part of any Delta blues lover's collection. ~ Hal Horowitz

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Recorded at Malaco Studios, Jackson, Mississippi in September 1969. Originally released on Capitol (SM-409). Includes liner notes by Bill Dahl.

Personnel includes: Mississippi Fred McDowell (vocals, electric guitar); Jerry Puckett (bass); Dulin Lancaster (drums).

Reissue producer: Len Fico.

Personnel: Mississippi Fred McDowell (vocals, guitar).Q (7/96, p.142) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...A master of many skills, McDowell was a magical performer, a thrilling bottleneck guitar player and a canny improviser with a penchant for plucking floating verses and weaving them into his performances. A true giant of his genre."
Living Blues (p.72) - "[T]his album is an often-overlooked classic in electric blues."
Living Blues (3-4/02, p.78) - "...His talents and charm shine through....the album features the original 9 songs with 5 bonus tracks tacked on the end..."