Country Blues and Ditties

American Piedmont blues musician and songster John Jackson (1924–2002) lived in suburban Washington, DC, most of his adult life, supporting his wife and family by working as a grave digger. Jackson’s musical influences included both black and white blues, folk, and country musicians. Although a shy individual, his distinctive guitar style and musical repertoire got him invitations to play at local house parties. “Discovered” in the early 1960s, Jackson recorded three albums for Arhoolie between 1965 and 1969; this collection contains material from those recordings. Jackson was named a National Heritage Fellow in 1986.

Track Listing

101	Diddy Wa Diddy John Jackson	02:45
102	Matchbox Blues John Jackson	03:00
103	Roll on Buddy John Jackson	02:01
104	T. B. Blues John Jackson	02:20
105	Guitar Rag John Jackson	02:30
106	Railroad Bill John Jackson	02:38
107	Waiting for a Train John Jackson	03:05
108	Cindy John Jackson	02:10
109	Steamboat Whistle John Jackson	02:56
110	I'll Step Aside John Jackson	02:40
111	John's Guitar Boogie John Jackson	03:11
112	Brown Skin Mama John Jackson	03:27
113	Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning John Jackson	02:04
114	Screaming and Crying John Jackson	02:40
115	He's in the Jailhouse Now John Jackson	03:52
116	Red Sea Blues John Jackson	03:09
117	Kneel at the Cross John Jackson	02:37
118	Going Up North John Jackson	02:03
119	Lay Down My Old Guitar John Jackson	03:04
120	Too Tight John Jackson	02:49
121	Just a Closer Walk with Thee John Jackson	03:45
122	Deep in the Bottom Blues John Jackson	03:04
123	That'll Never Happen No More John Jackson	03:31
124	I'm A Bad, Bad Man John Jackson	03:06
125	Why I Quit Playing Guitar John Jackson	01:41