One of the true “street musicians” of his day, Jesse Fuller (1896-1976) was best known as a “one man band” in the Bay Area. He never made a living as a musician, usually paying the bills by working in shipyards, railroads and the steelworks, but he wrote material that influenced artist like Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan,as his songs had a bona fide streak in them, most notably the famous “San Francisco Bay Blues.” Songs from his four albums are culled together on this two disc 43 song collection, and you get a feel of walking the streets and catching a show right on the sidewalk.
Fuller played harmonica, guitar and a foot driven bass-thing called a “Fotdella” which is used on these songs. Most of the songs open up with Fuller telling a story, and his voice is reminiscent of vintage Walter Huston, with a back porch troubadour feel on “Railroad Worksong,” Leavin’ Memphis Frisco Bound” and shuffling along on “Hark From The Tomb.” He gives a street corner gospel on “ I’m Going to Meet My Mother” , feels at home on the spiritual “In That Great Land” and shows his jazz bonafides on the two stepper “Runnin’ Wild” while making his guitar sound like a calliope on the instrumental “Guitar Blues.” All that’s missing is a hat to throw a quarter into.