Blues by Jazz Gillum: Singing and Playing His Harmonica

An influential figure in the growth of the Southern blues tradition, William “Jazz” Gillum (1904–1966) had the kind of life from which the blues spring. Orphaned, starved, threatened, shot at, beaten, and discriminated against, Gillum’s style, as heard throughout this recording—and as described in the liner notes—is unsurprisingly “sometimes harsh, sometimes poetic, with its expressive delayed beat and strong rhythm, and its bitterness tinged with nostalgia.” He is joined on this album by Arbee Stidham (vocals and guitar) and Memphis Slim (organ and piano), associates from his early professional jobs in Chicago in the 1930s.

Liner notes include song lyrics and a biography of Gillum, who lived and sang the blues his whole life.

Track Listing

101	The Race of the Jim Lee and the Katy Adam Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	02:31
102	A Small Town They Call Bessemer Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	03:08
103	Walkin' the Blues Away Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	03:03
104	My Last Letter Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	03:47
105	Key to the Highway Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	02:58
106	Harmonica Boogie Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	01:06
201	I Wonder Why Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	02:58
202	You've Got To Reap Just What You Sow Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	02:18
203	Let It Be Me Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	02:11
204	I'll Always Remember You Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	03:02
205	You’ve Got to Meet Me Halfway Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	02:35
206	Gillum Blues Jazz Gillum, Arbee Stidham, Memphis Slim	02:17