Search - Jessie Mae Hemphill :: Feelin' Good

HILL COUNTRY BLUES AT ITS FINEST

dreschrode | 07/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jessie Mae Hemphill hails from the North Missisipi hill country and grew up in a famous musical family that no doubt nurtured her great talents. Her grandfather was none other than Sid Hemphill, the "drum and fife" master who was recorded by the Library of Congress half a century ago. This album (Jessie's second) is strictly hill country blues, although Jessie's "drum and fife" playing can be enjoyed in the "Deep Blues" documentary. Her soulful and often melancholic voice rides above tight, rhythmic and skillful guitar playing, with clever use of percussion and bottleneck guitar. The pace varies from the frenetic "tell me you love me" to the mule-plodding "go back to your used to be". Other North Missisipians such as Fred MacDowell and R. L. Burnside may have gone on to become more famous blues musicians than this lady, but none have a voice as sweet as Jessie Mae's. But it is frustrating that Jessie Mae has recorded so little material, with only two full albums, some live cuts on blues compilations and a recent "greatest hits" package to her name. Following a stroke, Jessie no longer plays the guitar, although I understand she can still be heard singing gospel songs in North Missisipi and in nearby Memphis, Tennessee."

Rockin' Fun

Brian D. Hackert | Peterborough, NH | 10/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great blues party music to which you you can't help pat your feet and shake your hips. The first six tracks feature complementary second guitar by musicologist David Evans, who once taught a University Of Memphis course on Merle Haggard, and drums by R.L. Boyce. Among those, "Tell Me You Love Me" is a wonderful rendering of soul music coated in traditional delta blues. Playing guitar and percussion one-person band style, Jessie Me rocks out on the other ten tunes with some of the most rhythmically hypnotic blues you're likely to ever hear."

Dem dirty blues

Clyde. | Lenexa, Kansas | 04/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jesse Mae Hemphill ain't no wannabe she's the real deal, the kind of blues singer you hear in the joints with dried blood on the floor. The place yOU go too hear authentic gut-bucket blues, no cross over pap from Ms Hemphill. This and other Jesse Mae recordings are a must for anyone SERIOUS about the blues."