Chimpin' the Blues

by Robert Crumb, Jerry Zolten

Overview

While Robert Crumb is most famous as the single most influential artist in the history of underground comics, he's also known as a record collector and serious fan of vintage jazz and blues, freely acknowledging he has no interest in anything recorded after 1936. Jerry Zolten, a well-respected music historian and professor at Penn State University, is a fellow record collector who is friendly with Crumb, and in 2003 the artist was a guest on Zolten's radio show on Penn State's radio station WPSU-FM. Chimpin' the Blues preserves 60 minutes from Zolten's show, with Zolten and Crumb playing some of their favorite rare 78s from the '20s and '30s and discussing the music and the people who made it. The music featured here is an eclectic and engaging sampling of early blues and jazz, from the joyous bounce of "Washboard Cut-Out" by Bobbie Leecan's Need-More Band and the insouciant jug-band sounds of "Walk Right In" by Cannon's Jug Stompers to the gospel fervor of "I'll Just Stand and Wring My Hands and Cry" by Rev. J.C. Burnett and Congregation and the spectral blues of "Down on Me" by Eddie Head and Family. The presence of Robert Crumb will probably lure in a few people who might otherwise ignore this album, and fans of his curmudgeonly wit will enjoy what he has to say about the records he spins, while his knowledge of this music is truly impressive. But the music is the real star of Chimpin' the Blues, and the 11 rare sides presented here are genuinely exciting and satisfying stuff for fans of vintage blues. ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	12/10/2013
Label:	East River Records
UPC:	0852665454786
Rank:	63909

Tracks

1. Chimpin' Intro
2. Texas and Pacific Blues
3. Chimpin' One
4. Warm Wipe Stomp
5. Chimpin' Two
6. Down On Me
7. I'll Just Stand and Wring My Hands and Cry
8. Chimpin Three
9. Washboard Cut-Out
10. Chimpin Four
11. Humming Blues
12. Chimpin' Five
13. Rolling Log Blues
14. Chimpin' Six
15. How You Want Your Rolling Done?
16. Guenene Tini
17. Chimpin' Seven
18. Walk Right In
19. Chimpin' Eight
20. Last Kind Words
21. Chimpin' Outro

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jerry Zolten   Primary Artist
Robert Crumb   Primary Artist
Lottie Kimbrough   Primary Artist
Rev. J.C. Burnett   Primary Artist
Joe Linthecome   Primary Artist
Louie Lasky   Primary Artist
Mississippi Jook Band   Primary Artist
Geeshie Wiley   Primary Artist
Eddie Head and His Family   Primary Artist
Frenchy's String Band   Primary Artist
Reverend J.C. Burnett and Congregation   Primary Artist
Joe Linthcombe   Primary Artist
Bobbie Leecan's Need-More Band   Primary Artist
Cheikha Tetma   Primary Artist
Macon Ed   Primary Artist
Cecil Scott & His Bright Boys   Primary Artist
Congregation   Primary Artist
Tampa Joe   Primary Artist
Cannon's Jug Stompers   Primary Artist
Lawd Lawd Lawd   Featured Artist
Thomas Waller   Featured Artist,Organ
Odette Jackson   Vocals,Featured Artist
Sister Ethel Grainger   Vocals,Featured Artist
Skippy Wippy   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

John Heneghan   Producer,Digital Remastering
Robert Crumb   Cover Art
Jerry Zolten   Liner Notes