Joseph Spence – Bahaman Folk Guitar: Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 1 (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Joseph Spence – Bahaman Folk Guitar: Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 1 (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 33:53 minutes | 253 MB | Genre: Blues
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Recorded in 1958 and released on the Folkways label in 1959, this album introduced American listeners to Joseph Spence’s unique guitar and vocal styles. These field recordings by musicologist Sam Charters capture Spence in a relaxed, expansive mood—only one of the six selections in the set is under five minutes in length. Spence’s guitar style was due in part to the D tuning of his bass string, which produced a lower bass sound. Whereas many critics have called Spence’s vocal style unorthodox, they have found his guitar playing spontaneous and iconic. Some music critics have gone so far as to refer to him as the “Thelonious Monk of folk guitar.”

The vinyl reissue of Music of the Bahamas, Volume 1 includes Sam Charters’ liner notes. This reissue is part of Folkways Records’ 70th anniversary celebration series, revisiting some of the most iconic and influential albums released on the record label.

Tracklist:

1-1. Joseph Spence – Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer (06:02)
1-2. Joseph Spence – There Will Be a Happy Meeting in Glory (06:07)
1-3. Joseph Spence – Brownskin Gal (05:13)
1-4. Joseph Spence – I’m Going to Live That Life (06:26)
1-5. Joseph Spence – Face to Face That I Shall Know Him (04:31)
1-6. Joseph Spence – Jump in the Line (05:32)

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