Texas Songster

Mance Lipscomb | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 30, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arhoolie Records
• ASIN: B0000001FH
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,169 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #64 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Texas Blues

Editorial Reviews

From Grove Press Guide to Blues on CD

On a disc compressing most of two old Arhoolie records, the sexagenarian Lone Star State sharecropper is more sure of himself singing and fingerpicking his guitar for Chris Strachwitz's tape recorder in his home in 1960 than he is performing for Berkeley coffeehouse hangers-on four years later. Not surprisingly, emotion best governs those performances of blues, ballads, and popular songs in his parlor. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Texas Sharecropper, December 17, 2005

By 

Jeff Melvin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Texas Songster (Audio CD)

This is THE DEFINITIVE acoustic Texas blues album. It was recorded in 1960 by Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz in the Navasota, Texas home of Mance Lipscomb. The raw, clear production on this album perfectly captures the emotive and rhythmic qualities of the Songster's "Texas dead-thumb" style and laid-back, yet powerful vocals. It is evident that Strachwitz was able to put Lipscomb at ease during the sessions, resulting in a natural, flowing quality that contrasts well with the heavy downbeat rhythm of the guitar. He effortlessly transitions through various blues, rags, and ballads. Lipscomb was a fairly prolific writer in terms of blues musicians. You will notice his original couplets spread throughout the album, including within the traditional songs. This album is an absolute MUST HAVE for every acoustic blues fan.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the real deal, February 24, 2001

By 

Webley Webster (Hillsborough, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Texas Songster (Audio CD)

If you like Mississippi John Hurt and Reverend Gary Davis, do NOT pass this one by. Lipscomb is a great singer and fingerpicker in the "songster" tradition. He is bluesier than Hurt (his straight blues have a heavy dose of Lightnin' Hopkins in them) but every bit as warm and tuneful. I bought this three months ago and it's still in heavy rotation.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An National Treasure, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Texas Songster (Audio CD)

If you're searching for blues as a collector, don't miss this. Mance and his music is a national treasure. Listen to this and then listen to some of today's "blues" masters like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc. and then you'll know where they got their mojo from.