Mercury Blues (1998)

About this title: Spare electric blues from 1973-74 with a juke-joint feel, including a version of "Mercury Blues," tcovered by Steve Miller and Alan Jackson. Originally released on LP on Arhoolie 1073, the CD reissue adds a dozen previously unissued bonus cuts, taken from sessions in 1960, 1963, 1973, and 1974. It's competent but unexceptional country-blues with added electricity and a rhythm section, and pretty similar-sounding most of the way through. "I'm Gonna Build Me a Web," the 1963 track, stands out here as the piano and sax add some needed texture; the three 1960 songs are solo acoustic performances. ... read more

Tracks:

1. Mercury Blues [Douglas]
2. My Mind's Going Back to 1929 [Douglas]
3. Catfish Blues [Douglas]
4. High Water Rising [Douglas]
5. Woke up This Morning [Douglas]
6. Somebody Done Stole My Gal [Douglas]
7. Fanny Lou [Douglas]
8. I Don't Want No Woman to Love Me [Douglas]
9. Married Woman Blues [Douglas]
10. Black Cat Bone [Douglas]
11. Good Looking Women [Douglas]
12. Richard's Ride [Douglas]
13. Hear Me Howling [Douglas]
14. I'm Gonna Build Me a Web [Douglas]
15. Make Your Coffee [Douglas]
16. Night Shirt Blues [Douglas]
17. Canned Heat [Douglas]
18. Your Crying Won't Make Me Stay [Douglas]
19. Country Girl [Douglas]
20. Black Cat Bone [Douglas]
21. Good Looking Women [Douglas]
22. Fanny Lou [Douglas]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.