Texas Songster

Mance Lipscomb, the first musician recorded by Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz, considered himself to be a “songster” rather than a “blues singer.” A songster is roughly defined as a wandering musician of the type that first appeared in the late 19th century in the southern United States. It is fitting, therefore, that his first album was titled “Texas Songster.” Lipscomb’s repertoire covers the spectrum of old-time American folk music and includes his version of “Ella Speed,” “Sugar Babe,” “Going to Louisiana,” “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” and “Ain’t It Hard.”

Track Listing

101	Sugar Babe Mance Lipscomb	02:06
102	Going Down Slow Mance Lipscomb	03:07
103	Freddie Mance Lipscomb	02:42
104	Jack O' Diamonds Mance Lipscomb	04:05
105	Baby Please Don't Go Mance Lipscomb	01:47
106	One Thin Dime Mance Lipscomb	02:59
107	Shake, Shake, Mama Mance Lipscomb	02:54
108	Ella Speed Mance Lipscomb	02:36
109	Mama Don't Allow Mance Lipscomb	02:26
110	Ain't It Hard Mance Lipscomb	03:16
111	‘Bout a Spoonful Mance Lipscomb	03:27
112	Take Me Back Babe Mance Lipscomb	01:59
113	Rag in G Mance Lipscomb	02:02
114	Big Boss Man Mance Lipscomb	03:09
115	You Gonna Quit Me Mance Lipscomb	02:38
116	Blues in G Mance Lipscomb	04:11
117	Mama, Don't Dog Me Mance Lipscomb	03:23
118	Willie Poor Boy Mance Lipscomb	03:02
119	Tell Me Where You Stayed Last Night Mance Lipscomb	02:48
120	Knocking Down Windows Mance Lipscomb	02:25
121	Nobody’s Fault but Mine Mance Lipscomb	01:27
122	Motherless Children Mance Lipscomb	02:41