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[hpr037]
Originally released in 1959, re-released in 1995 and then out-of-print for 14 years - the legendary recording of Screamin' White Jefferson's only-known officially recorded album is once again available in a 50th anniversary edition. Remastered from vinyl acetate since the master tapes were destroyed many years ago, this second reissue will introduce a whole new generation of blues fans onto Screamin' White Jefferson. "It gives me goosebumps", quoted original session producer Bucky Westsmith, "to know that the public can actually hear what everyone could only talk about before". Reissue producer Lee Rosevere, who oversaw the remastering with Bucky said it was "...a terrific experience to be able to make Canadian blues history all over again. Especially now, we can bring his music and legacy to a whole new world via the internet, where before all we had was word-of-mouth." The album features 10 tracks in the same running order as the record, kept in the same glorious mono quality, and while the years have been generous with surface scratches, the quality is not nearly as important as the historical significance. Legendary for his live appearances in the early days of the Canadian blues scene, Screamin' was never caught on tape until a 19-year old Westsmith traveled to rural Saskatchewan in 1959, armed with a tape recorder, a bottle of haystack wine and a dream. He found his hero, and recorded Screamin' White Jefferson playing his guitar and singing (or screamin') in his rented barn. Some of the many highlights include the gut-wrenching sorrow of “I Got's Me A Woman”, the poetic "What I Don't Get", the bone-chillin' realism of "Hey Mr. Prison Guard" and the selfless greed of Screamin's signature song "Gin Pig" that makes you thirsty just listening to it. "It's always been a classic from start to finish", claims Westsmith. "A record that truly defines Screamin' as a unique chapter in not just Canadian blues history, but music history." the technical details: Happy Puppy Records is making the album available in two ways: 1) Digital-download priced at $5.00 at bandcamp - available in high-quality 320 kbps mp3s, lossless FLAC and more formats including full-size artwork for custom printing. 2) High-quality CD-R burned on demand at 4x speed, complete with full artwork in a jewel case for $10 (shipping & Handling included).
Click the title for mp3 samples
1. I Got's Me A Woman
released November 28, 2009
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