electricity

I love Jimmy Murphy. This record was cut in 1951, and it went nowhere. Jimmy Murphy either prefigured the rockabilly combination of country and traditional blues or he was the last holdover of the American Folk Music era as anthologized by Harry Smith. Or both. He was a true individual. And no matter what he cut -- and he cut for several labels through the fifties -- it didn't sell. He was out of step with his era.

I first heard "Electricity" when Joe Bussard played it for me in his legendary basement in Frederick, MD. Bussard is the most formidable collector of Old Time American music, and he informed me I was about to hear the last good record cut in "Trashville". He put this on, cranked the volume, and this pulled out of the speakers like a train going too fast. The first thing I thought of was Gitfiddle Jim's "Paddlin' Madeline Blues".



I only found up recently Gitfiddle Jim was Kokomo Arnold.

Apparently, Bussard changes his mind about which Murphy record is the best. Another time, he played "Hub Cap" and gave that one his endorsement. For this film crew, he chooses yet another.



Murphy was rediscovered shortly before his death in 1981 and cut a great album for Sugar Hill. He still had his fastball. He never was able to give up his day job, but I don't think it hurt his mjusic any. Listening to "Electricity", he was clearly a man who knew something about tradition but nothing about formulas.

Thankfully.