Today, the slide guitar is fairly ubiquitous, but every one that plays that thing owes a debt to Hudson Whittaker, aka “Tampa Red”, whose prolific output is displayed on the 5 disc, 121 song anthology. Like all of the greats, Tampa Red has that “one note” quality, in that after hearing just one pick from his strings, you can tell immediately who’s fingers they are.
Obviously, Red is found in a wide variety of settings, ranging from piano and guitar duets Georgia Tom Dorsey as on “It’s Tight Light That” and “Train Time Blues” or with Bill O’Bryant for “Black Hearted Blues” to larger ensembles like his Chicago Five that also features Red on the kazoo numerous times, such as on “All Night Long” and “Cheatin’ On Me”. Red’s voice has a rich, flexible and rural feel, always with a dash of with, as on “She’s Got The Best In Town” with pianist Blind John Davis.
Up through the 30s, the sound stays fairly constant, sounding like a two stepping ragtime outfit at times. Things loose up during the 40s as a drummer is added for swinging pieces like “It’s A Brand New Boogie” and “I Know My Baby Loves Me”. The 50s have him in an almost R&B atmosphere that works surprisingly well as on “I’ll Never Let You Go” and “Look-A There, Look-A Here” with a vocal ensemble. His best known pieces, such as “How Long, Low Long Blues”, “Crying Won’t Help You”, “It Hurts Me Too/When Things Go Wrong With You” and “Don’t You Lie To Me” are guested by the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson, Joe Williams and Big Macaeo Merriweather, making this a timeless collection of rural atmospheres. Learn some licks from the master!