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Poor Bob's Blues

Robert Pete Williams
Poor Bob's Blues
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Buy CD $22.98
Buy CD $22.98
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Download $19.98
Download $19.98
Serving a life sentence for murder, blues singer Robert Pete Williams (1914 – 1980) was “discovered” by folklorist Dr. Harry Oster in 1956 and was included on the Angola Prisoners’ Blues recording (ARH00419). As a result of the recording and efforts by Oster, Williams was paroled in 1959. Subsequently pardoned by the Louisiana governor, Williams was able to travel and perform at blues festivals in the US and Europe. His personal, idiosyncratic style has often been likened to that of an African musician over that of an African American musician from the South. This CD contains music from two albums recorded by Oster in the late 1950s. Allmusic.com notes that it serves as a perfect introduction to the music of a truly one-of-a-kind bluesman.

Track Listing

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101
My Mind Wandering Around (acapella) Robert Pete Williams 5:57
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102
Cane Cut Man Robert Pete Williams 5:12
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103
My Daddy Was A Hoodoo Man Robert Pete Williams 4:45
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104
No More Sweet Potatoes Robert Pete Williams 4:33
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105
Poor Bob's Blues Robert Pete Williams 3:58
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106
Cows Love Music Robert Pete Williams 4:40
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107
Can't Yo-Yo No More Robert Pete Williams 5:17
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108
Shake, Shake Baby Robert Pete Williams 4:44
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109
Lord, I Done You Wrong Robert Pete Williams 3:12
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110
Been Mistreated So Long Robert Pete Williams 3:52
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201
Things All Wrong With Me Robert Pete Williams 6:46
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202
Matchbox Blues Robert Pete Williams 5:42
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203
Sad News From Korea Robert Pete Williams 4:38
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204
What A Shape I'm In Robert Pete Williams 5:25
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205
Poor Boy, Long Way From Home Robert Pete Williams 4:13
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206
Out All Night Long Robert Pete Williams 4:14
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207
Crying Won't Make Me Stay Robert Pete Williams 5:50
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208
All Out And Down Robert Pete Williams 3:51
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209
Tom And Old Master (story) Robert Pete Williams 9:16
Arhoolie Records

Album Info

Catalog Number

ARH00511

Year(s) Released

2004

Recording Location(s)

Louisiana; Iowa

Label/Collection

Arhoolie Records

Genre(s)

African American Music; Blues

Country(s)

United States

Culture Group(s)

African American

Instrument(s)

Guitar; Vocals

Credit(s)

Harry Oster - Recorder
 Chris Strachwitz - Editor, Photographer (Cover)
 Erik Keilholtz - Editor
 Elijah Wald - Liner Notes
 Paul Oliver - Photographer
Download Liner Notes