Topic: They should have recorded in the 20s and 30s, but didn't

[outfidel]

I'm thinking of country blues artists who were the right age, had the chops and had the repertoire to record in the 1920s and 30s -- but due to luck or circumstance, didn't get the chance until later in life.

Mance Lipscomb
Elizabeth Cotten
Bill Williams

Others?

[Lastfirstface]

Shirley Griffith, Babe Stovall, Henry "Rufe" Johnson

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I would nominate Ike Zinnerman, Jesse Logan, Arnold Schultz.  Thanks for the interesting topic idea, outfidel.
All best,
Johnm

[outfidel]

Thanks John.

I'll add Lesley Riddle to the list.

[Blues Vintage]

Johnny Shines?

[Mr.OMuck]

Almost the whole Prestige Bluesville roster and most of George Mitchell's folks.

[Johnm]

Just thinking of players I discovered in the course of finding tunes for the Miller's Breakdown thread who were older people when they were recorded in the '60s or '70s and who had not recorded as young musicians:
   * Mott Willis
   * Eddie Bowles
   * Myrt Holmes (Babe Stovall's brother)
All best,
Johnm

[oddenda]

I'd slot Peg Leg Sam in there
and, though he did one session, Willie Walker
William Brown (Lomax guy) "Mississippi Blues"

pbl

[eric]

Hayes McMullen

[outfidel]

Pink Anderson

[DBdust]

Fred McDowell?

[lindy]

I think Arthur Crudup fits the bill.

I also want to add Hacksaw Harney to this list, but checking Stefan Wirz's discography website, it looks like he played backup on 8 sides in 1927 as part of a duet named "Pet and Can." That is, Pet and Can played backup together to whoever it was whose name the song was recorded under.

But no recordings as a solo artist until much much later.

[outfidel]

Etta Baker (b. 1913), possibly?

[oddenda]

Blind Willie McTell's friend, Blind Lloyd... he couldn't be bothered at the time.

pbl

[banjochris]

I think Arthur Crudup fits the bill.

I also want to add Hacksaw Harney to this list, but checking Stefan Wirz's discography website, it looks like he played backup on 8 sides in 1927 as part of a duet named "Pet and Can." That is, Pet and Can played backup together to whoever it was whose name the song was recorded under.

Pearl Dickson - "Little Rock Blues" and "Twelve Pound Daddy" -- a great record, and the Walter Rhodes "Crowing Rooster" and "Leaving Home Blues," not so great, plus 2 unissued sides by each.