I Do Not Play No Rock 'N' Roll [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Fred McDowell

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 30, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 30, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00005R8DP
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #166,901 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
By the time acoustic blues master Mississippi Fred McDowell finally plugged in for the first time, something this recording captures, his songs were already a major part of the emerging blues-rock scene of the late 1960s. The slide-guitar genius was a Delta blues purist of the first degree who ignored all else, even while serving as a significant influence on a new generation of blues players. His influence endures, and his music, in its original form, remains riveting. The best example is the timeless classic "You Got to Move," covered by the Rolling Stones in a surprisingly faithful rendition on 1971's Sticky Fingers and radically reconfigured by adventurous jazz diva Cassandra Wilson three decades later on Belly of the Sun. Both versions are excellent, but McDowell's original, saturated with searing sincerity and electrifying licks, is better. In similar style, McDowell demonstrates the inspiration behind "Kokomo Me Baby" (popularized by his protégé Bonnie Raitt), "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl," and "Baby Please Don't Go," all core material of the modern blues-rock repertoire. All have since been done in different styles, but none have been done better. If you're looking for the real roots of modern blues and you haven't explored McDowell's ragged but righteous creations, you need to immediately redefine your search and hear his inspirational source music firsthand. --Michael Point

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, but not the author of "Kokomo", April 27, 2004

By	TW (Austin Texas) - See all my reviews

Before I nitpick about Amazon's official review, I'd like to say this is one of the finest blues albums ever.

That said, Michael Point obviously hasn't listened to much of the early blues, or he'd have realized that Big Joe Williams sang "Baby Please Don't Go" in the 30's, Leroy Carr wrote "Kokomo Blues" (later "appropriated" by Robert Johnson and turned into "Sweet Home Chicago") and there's a very compelling argument that Gary Davis wrote "You Got to Move."

The blues, however, is an artform of cliche's, the forerunner of sampling, and Mississippi Fred does great justice to every song he covers. My favorite tracks are both of the ones he speaks on and "Red Cross Store," which is a jam and a half!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Classic, March 16, 2002

By	Robert A. Wells (Winston-Salem, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This has been one of my favorite albums since it came out in 1969. It moves me as much today as the very first time that I heard it. It never grows old for me. This is a true classic album. There is no other like it in the world. Mississippi Fred McDowell is the man. This is the album.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real slide guitar blues !, January 18, 2002

By	Dawn Camp (Lake Wales,FL) - See all my reviews

Mississippi Fred McDowell is one of the masters of slide guitar. He has never received the credit he deserves but those who have heard will never forget him. This CD I have on a album and I have looked for the CD for years and Iam so glad its finally here. When listening to Fred McDowell you must put yourself back in time and listen close, he is all by himself playing he doesn't need a band. Its hard to believe one man can make so much rhythm. Fred McDowell is what the blues is all about, and there is no one who comes close to his original, distinctive style.