Hard Time Killin' Floor isn't the first Skip James collection, and one could bet it will not be the last. But Hard Time Killin' Floor makes a pretty good argument for itself: the hour-and-six-minute album holds all of James' early work, and it's been remastered. James' soulful vocal style, like Robert Johnson's, has often been noted, but his quick picking style is also distinctive. "I'm So Glad" is performed at an up-tempo, breakneck pace, and the finger work will leave the listener dizzy. The title cut, on the other hand, has a slow, lazy quality, with the blue notes of the guitar matching the singer's mournful cry. James was somewhat unique among blues guitarists in that he also played piano. His spunky gospel style is on full display on songs like "How Long Buck" and the bizarrely titled "Little Cow and Calf Is Gonna Die Blues." Of course Hard Time Killin' Floor wouldn't be complete without "Devil Got My Woman," the same song that would bring down the house at the Newport Folk Festival some 30 years later. The sound quality of these recordings, it should be noted, is a bit rough. This isn't a criticism; just something that should be noted for blues fans unfamiliar with the minefield of re-recording old songs from rare 78s. Yazoo and its engineers have made the best of a difficult situation, and for that, blues fans will be grateful. Interestingly, Yazoo, having extra room at the end of the CD, added four songs by another blues great, Son House. While the pairing might seem a bit odd, who'd complain about having four early Son House songs for free? Not this reviewer. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Recorded in 1964. Includes liner notes by Brett J. Bonner.
Includes 4 bonus tracks by Son House.
Solo performer: Skip James (vocals, guitar)
Audio Remasterer: Richard Nevins.
Liner Note Authors: Don Kent; Stephen Calt; Stefan Grossman.
Award WinnerLiving Blues (Sept.-Oct./92, p.65) - "..Skip James's prewar recordings will always represent the primary focus of his magnificent Delta legacy, but this disc is pretty remarkable in it own right.."
(*) MP3 for this song is from a different CD. Listen to the sound sample to be sure this is the version you're looking for.
Hard Time Killin' Floor Review
Hard Time Killin' Floor Music Reviews
Guidelines Remember to focus your comments on Skip James - Hard Time Killin' Floor CD. Check our review guidelines for specific details regarding customer review policy.
To submit your review, please fill out the above form and click "Submit Review." A staff member will then verify your review meets our guidelines. Upon approval, your review will be published within a few days.
Please do not use this form to comment on web site errors or for order related questions. If you have concerns of this nature, please contact customer service by filling out this form.
Purchase Hard Time Killin' Floor CD
Customers Who Buy Hard Time Killin' Floor CD Purchase:
Share this Product