SKIP JAMES: Crow Jane

WIKIPEDIA: Nehemiah Curtis “Skip” James (June 9,^[1] 1902 – October 3, 1969^[2]) was an American Delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter, born in Bentonia, Mississippi, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His guitar playing is noted for its dark, minor sound, played in an open D-minor tuning with an intricate fingerpicking technique. James first recorded for Paramount Records in 1931, but these recordings sold poorly due to the Great Depression, and he drifted into obscurity. After a long absence from the public eye, James was “rediscovered” in 1964 by three blues enthusiasts, helping further the blues and folk music revival of the 1950s and early 60s. He is hailed as “one of the seminal figures of the blues.”^[3] James was known to be an aloof and moody person.^[9] “Skip James, you never knew. Skip could be sunshine, or thunder and lightning depending on his whim of the moment” commented Dick Spottswood on James’s personality.^[9] He seldom socialized with other bluesmen and fans. Like John Fahey, James loathed the so-called “folkie” scene of the 1960s. He held a high regard for his own work and was reluctant to share musical ideas with other performers. Though the lyrical content of some of his songs led to the characterization of James as a misogynist, he remained with his wife Lorenzo (niece of Mississippi John Hurt) until his death. He is buried with his wife at a private cemetery (Merion Memorial Park) just outside of Philadelphia in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. MORE