LEADBELLY : PICK A BALE OF COTTON [1945]

Υπάρχουν ηχογραφήσεις του κλασικού νέγρικου work song μεταγενέστερες, όπως επίσης και προγενέστερες. Καμία όμως, στ’ αυτιά μου τουλάχιστον, δεν μπορεί να συγκριθεί με την ερμηνεία του Leadbelly από τα 1945. Η τραχύτητα και το …industrial feeling του τραγουδιού περιφρονούν κυριολεκτικά το χρόνο.

There are later recordings of this classic Negro work song, as well as earlier ones. But none, in my ears, can be compared to
Leadbelly’s interpretation from 1945. The roughness and the …industrial feeling of the song make it absolutely timeless.

Oh, Lawdy, pick a bale a cotton
Oh, Lawdy, pick a bale a day
You got a jump down, turn around
Pick a bale a cotton
Got a jump down, turn around
Pick a bale a day
Me an’ my partner can
Pick a bale a cotton
Me an’ my partner can
Pick a bale a day
Had a little woman could
Pick a bale a cotton
Had a little woman could
Pick a bale a day
Went to Corsicana to
Pick a bale a cotton
Went to Corsicana to
Pick a bale a day
I b’lieve to my soul I can
Pick a bale a cotton
I b’lieve to my soul I can
Pick a bale a day


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3 Comments

  1. Resa June 4, 2021 at 12:56 am

    I have few words for this fabulous song. It is revealing, honest and a harsh piece of history.
    When Leadbelly recorded this, he did not have the right to vote, sit at the front of a bus or anywhere near white people.
    Le sniff!

    Reply
    1. Oannes June 4, 2021 at 8:42 pm

      Amen! Thank you Resa. Leadbelly is my favorite blues man of all time.

      Reply
      1. Resa June 4, 2021 at 11:29 pm

        I love him! He is the real deal.

        Reply

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