Skip James

Biography

Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James was born on June 9, 1902, on the Whitehead Plantation near Bentonia, Mississippi. His early life was marked by musical exposure, with his father being a blues guitarist and his mother arranging for him to study piano. James began learning guitar in 1917 under the influence of Henry Stuckey, adopting a unique open D-minor tuning and a haunting falsetto voice. In 1931, James recorded eighteen songs for Paramount Records, including "Devil Got My Woman" and "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues," but these sold poorly during the Great Depression. He then became a Baptist minister and gospel singer, returning to blues in the 1960s after being rediscovered by enthusiasts like John Fahey. James's music is characterized by its dark, minor-key sound and intricate fingerpicking technique, influencing generations of musicians. Despite his late recognition, James's legacy as a seminal blues figure is profound, with his songs being covered by artists like Cream and Rory Block. He passed away on October 3, 1969, in Philadelphia, and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1992.

Fun Facts

• Skip James was known for his unique guitar tuning and falsetto vocals, which contributed to his haunting sound.
• He learned the open D-minor tuning from Henry Stuckey, who acquired it from Bahamian soldiers during World War I.
• James's music was influential in the blues revival of the 1960s, despite his initial reluctance to return to performing.
• He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1992, recognizing his significant contribution to the blues genre.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Henry Stuckey - Mentor and stylistic influence (None recorded, but taught James the open D-minor tuning) [Early 20th century]

Key Collaborators

• John Fahey - Rediscovery and promotion (None directly, but facilitated James's return to music) [1964]

Artists Influenced

• Robert Johnson - Influence on songwriting style (Johnson's "Hell Hound on My Trail" and "32-20 Blues") [1930s]
• Cream - Covered James's song "I'm So Glad" (Cream's version of "I'm So Glad") [1960s]
• Rory Block - Covered James's songs (Various blues albums) [Late 20th century]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues (Blues From The Delta)
2. I'm So Glad (Blues From The Delta)
3. Devil Got My Woman (Walkin' Blues)
4. Washington D.C. Hospital Center Blues (Blues From The Delta)
5. Devil Got My Woman (I'd Rather Be The Devil: The Legendary 1931 Session)
6. Devil Got My Woman (Devil Got My Woman)
7. Devil Got My Woman (Legends Of Country Blues: The Complete Pre-War Recordings Of Skip James (Disc A))
8. Crow Jane (Skip James Live Vol. 2 Bloomington 1968 Part 1)
9. Crow Jane (Blues From The Delta)
10. Cypress Grove Blues (50 YEARS Mississippi Blues in Bentonia)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia