Search - Blind Willie Mctell :: Last Session

Fascinating, but not for 1st-time listeners

David W. Stoesz | Seattle, WA United States | 12/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This fascinating 1956 recording finds Willie sitting on a stool in a pawn shop near the end of his life, drunkenly reminiscing about his life and music, and playing tunes dating back to WWI. He is not quite as sharp as you will find him on my personal favorite Blind Willie Mctell recording, the 1949 session released under the name "Atlanta 12 String" (two tracks from that later session are included here). He hesitates and slurs his way through his classic "Kill it Kid," and his phrasing elsewhere also lacks his characteristic precision. But what makes this recording a must for anyone who has fallen uder the spell of Willie McTell--a monumentally underappreciated musician and protean virtuoso of American musical forms from ragtime to country--is the glimpse it gives into his character and life. He plays a tune from his days with a traveling Plantation show in 1918, a country tune, and whatever else strikes his fancy. And for me the imperfections only make the record more vivid, almost as if you are sitting in the room with Willie, sharing his bottle of corn whiskey and watching his wrinkled old hands fly over his battered old 12-string. I recommend you start with one his other records and get this when you have become a full-fledged member of the cult of Willie."

Legacy of Blues

David W. Stoesz | 07/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is a real gift and time piece of it's era. McTell was a true genius of the acoustic 12-string. His life story of "blind man goes off to see the world" is incredible enough in it's own rite. The fact that his recording career was stymied by an early "opportunity" to record with Lomax which spawned a deep distrust of record producers makes the existance of this recording all the more significant. Rediscovered in the 50's as a street musician, his vocal qualities and technical skills were as good or better than his early recordings. His music links country blues, urban blues, gospel, and white audiances of the time. Politically incorrect lyrics tell it all. It's great to see this recording on a CD!"

Hey,Blind Willie,One More Song For The Road

R. Webb | u.s.a. | 07/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blind Willie McTell was in his prime best on this last session recording from 1956 and could'nt have been more laid back telling stories to these classic songs as your right there in the tavern with him,listening to his fine singing and extraordinary twelve string guitar playing while you're slugging down gin,and as you're listening maybe Willie does stumble a word or two,who cares,after all,Willie McTell is a legend of the blues as you can hear on this OBC cd song after song,Blind Willie McTell went out with a loud bang,the songs speak for themselves,"Baby,It Must Be Love","The Dyin' Crapshooter's Blues","Don't Forget It","Kill It Kid","Salty Dog","A To Z Blues",Willie McTell essential. excellent audio"