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Encore: Unheard Recordings of Bahamian Guitar and Singing

Joseph Spence
Encore: Unheard Recordings of Bahamian Guitar and Singing

Encore is a new album produced from previously unheard archival recordings by the legendary Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence, made in 1965 at the height of his career. Spence’s radically innovative guitar style transformed elements of Bahamian traditional music into adventurous, joyful improvisations and influenced players worldwide. His powerful singing stemmed directly from the rhyming tradition created by Bahamian sponge fishermen early in the 20th century. The music is punctuated by Spence’s unique, sometimes otherworldly vocalizations including humming, short bursts of lyrics, and near-scat singing. Some of the recordings include singing by Spence’s sister Edith Pinder and her family members Raymond and Geneva Pinder. Producer Peter K. Siegel captured these performances at Spence’s only New York concert, at the performer’s cottage in Nassau, Bahamas, and at Siegel’s apartment in Manhattan.

Track Listing

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101
Won't That Be A Happy Time? Joseph Spence 01:16
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102
Out on the Rolling Sea Joseph Spence 03:08
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103
Down By the Riverside Joseph Spence 03:18
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104
Bimini Gal Joseph Spence 02:41
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105
The Crow Joseph Spence 03:05
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106
In Times Like This Joseph Spence 01:49
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107
Death and the Woman Joseph Spence 02:28
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108
Give Me that Old Time Religion Joseph Spence 02:32
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109
Run Come See Jerusalem Joseph Spence 03:31
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110
Brown Skin Girl Joseph Spence 02:16
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111
The Glory of Love Joseph Spence 02:42
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112
Great God What Do I See and Hear? Joseph Spence 02:37
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113
That Glad Reunion Day Joseph Spence 02:59