Track Listing

1. Richmond Blues
2. Going to the River
3. Keep Your Hands Off My Baby
4. Black Rat Swing
5. Mamie
6. Crow Jane
7. Dog Days of August
8. John Henry
9. Pigmeat Crave
10. Prison Bound Blues
11. Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
12. Careless Love
13. Great Change
14. Reno Factor
15. Step It Up and Go

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #103896 in Music
• Released on: 2008-07-29
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
In Richmond Blues, guitarist-singer John Cephas and his harmonica-player partner Phil Wiggins personify the century-old blues sound of the Piedmont, the Appalachian foothills running from Richmond to Atlanta. Drawing from roots of ragtime, ballads, country, old-time string band, rhythm and blues, and more, Richmond Blues is a musical roadmap of the Virginia Piedmont tradition. While Cephas calls it "part of my heritage, part of my soul," their sound is at the same time distinctly modern, a kind of "urban acoustic blues." 32-page booklet with extensive notes and photos, 16 tracks, 65 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Another great release from Smithsonian Folkways
I didn't have any trouble with the CD that the other reviewer had - the issue must have been isolated/random. The music on this release is a fine example of Piedmont Blues. Acoustic, jocular, nimble, thoughtful, and honest. Just guitar, harmonica, and the ragged-but-right sound of John Cephas singin' the blues.

Pickin' Out The Blues..
A brand new 2008 release of the blues, RICHMOND BLUES,Cephas and Wiggins record tight and polished material here on this sixteen track compilation from Smithsonian Folkways - the top-notch album distributor always reliable in releasing rare blues ,folk,and ol' timey, always superb sound, and thick booklets,just like the Bear Family. John Cephas with clean, distinctive guitar licks and good solid vocals ,Wiggins' sure-fire harp,maybe the best harp ever,both men play these tunes the way the blues are meant to be, played their own way,listen to the rendition of JOHN HENRY, CARELESS LOVE,or ,STEP IT UP AND GO,the album states that the sound could be almost modern ,I'd say Cephas and Wiggins are pure ,true ,country acoustic blues, done in the old fashion way,worth a spin.

Stripped down simplicity that's great to listen to.
I've become hooked on this brand of Piedmont Blues, having bought all the C&W albums I can find. Richmond Blues is a gem of an album. This album is definitely not over-produced, but it's not raw, just seasoned right by a wonderful mix of guitar, harmonica, and wonderfully mellowed vocals.