Skip James – Today!

A voice returns

When Skip James records Today! in New York in January 1966, his first records are already 35 years old. He sang and played for Paramount in Grafton, Wisconsin, in 1931. In June 1964, John Fahey, Bill Barth and Henry Vestine found him in a hospital in Tunica. That same summer he appeared at the Newport Folk Festival.

Today! preserves part of this late return to recording. James sings and plays guitar and piano, performing almost entirely alone. The instrumentation directs attention to the relationship between a voice and its instrument, and to a musician whose repertoire has survived across decades.

Skip James and Russ Savakus

Only “How Long” introduces a second musician: Russ Savakus on bass. A member of New York’s studio scene, Savakus also recorded with Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. His contribution here is limited to this one song, written by Leroy Carr. The other eleven selections are credited to James.

James’ musical language combines singing, guitar figures and piano playing. His frequent use of open D-minor tuning is a characteristic of his guitar style. Listen for the way a recurring instrumental figure supports a vocal phrase, and for the moments when the two move independently. This music has little need for a large ensemble.

Six songs, 35 years apart

Six selections revisit songs James recorded in 1931, including “Special Rider Blues”, “Cypress Grove”, “Drunken Spree” and “I’m So Glad”. These new performances sit alongside “Washington D.C. Hospital Center Blues”, associated with his later hospital stay. Older songs and more recent experiences meet within a single programme.

Later in 1966, Cream record “I’m So Glad” for Fresh Cream. Anyone familiar with that rock interpretation can turn here to the songwriter’s own performance. Rediscovering a familiar melody in a different musical language is part of the invitation this album offers.

Bluesville edition ACONC 744

This Bluesville Acoustic Sounds Series reissue contains the twelve tracks from the 1966 Vanguard album. Matthew Lutthans handles mastering at The Mastering Lab. Craft describes the process as analogue mastering from the original master tapes. The 180-gram LP runs at 33⅓ RPM and is pressed at Quality Record Pressings.

A tip-on jacket and an obi featuring a text by Scott Billington complete the presentation. It is a carefully prepared route into a record that places one musician and his songs at its centre. Skip James’ Today! is a separate album from Mississippi John Hurt’s release of the same name.

You order from Michael 45 in Germany. We arrange the US import and ship from Hilden. Editions not yet in stock ship after arrival.

Musicians

Participants and documented credit status. Track references correspond to the tracklist.

• Skip Jamesvocals, guitar, pianoParticipation: Album personnel
• Russ SavakusbassParticipation: B1

Personnel: Skip James – vocals, guitar, piano (all twelve tracks; piano on selected tracks only); Russ Savakus – bass (B1 “How Long” only). Recorded January 9–10, 1966, at Vanguard Studios, New York. Composer: Skip James, except B1 (Leroy Carr). Liner notes: Bruce Jackson. This edition (2024): mastering and lacquer cutting by Matthew Lutthans (The Mastering Lab); obi notes by Scott Billington; pressed at QRP. Producer and recording engineer of the original session not documented.