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 | 1:16 | |
102
|
Out on the Rolling Sea | Joseph Spence | 3:08 | |
103
|
Down By the Riverside | Joseph Spence | 3:18 | |
104
|
Bimini Gal | Joseph Spence | 2:41 | |
105
|
The Crow | Joseph Spence | 3:05 | |
106
|
In Times Like This | Joseph Spence | 1:49 | |
107
|
Death and the Woman | Joseph Spence | 2:28 | |
108
|
Give Me that Old Time Religion | Joseph Spence | 2:32 | |
109
|
Run Come See Jerusalem | Joseph Spence | 3:31 | |
110
|
Brown Skin Girl | Joseph Spence | 2:16 | |
111
|
The Glory of Love | Joseph Spence | 2:42 | |
112
|
Great God What Do I See and Hear? | Joseph Spence | 2:37 | |
113
|
That Glad Reunion Day | Joseph Spence | 2:59 |