Furry Lewis

Walter E. “Furry” Lewis (1893–1981), was a Mississippi-born, Memphis-bred guitarist and singer whose early fame was based on his 1927 recordings for the Victor label. When the Depression ended most of the recording in the South, Furry took a job as a laborer for the city of Memphis. He lived in musical obscurity until he was “re-discovered” by producer Sam Charters in the late 1950s. Lewis’s version of “John Henry” is a powerful example of early southern blues. This collection also includes Lewis’s oral history of his early days as a bluesman, as well as the story of his musical education in several styles of blues guitar.

The liner notes include a discography of Lewis’s early recordings.

Track Listing

101	Longing Blues	Furry Lewis	02:42
102	John Henry	Furry Lewis	04:51
103	I Will Turn Your Money Green	Furry Lewis	04:41
104	Early Recording Career	Furry Lewis	01:46
105	Pearlee Blues	Furry Lewis	04:08
201	Judge Boushay Blues	Furry Lewis	03:42
202	I'm Going to Brownsville	Furry Lewis	03:20
203	The Medicine Shows	Furry Lewis	02:57
204	Casey Jones	Furry Lewis	02:58
205	East St. Louis Blues	Furry Lewis	04:25