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

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