RARE 78 RPM BARBECUE BOB (MOTHERLESS CHILE BLUES) WOW

$

76

Hi and welcome to my auction up for bid we have an:

Columbia Records

14299D ("Race" Series)

BARBEQUE BOB (R.HICKS) - MOTHERLESS CHILE BLUES/ THINKIN' FUNNY BLUES

W145132

(RELEASE DATE)   November 5, 1927 !!!!!

VERY RARE!!!!

1923-late 30s   14299D ("Race" Series Records)

In 1923, the Columbia numbering system was entirely changed. Instead of a 4-digit number with an A prefix, numbers were given a D suffix; there were no prefixed zeros as there had been in the 1908 series. [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]. This series had reached 1000D in 1927, 2000D in 1929, 3000D in 1927, and 3176D when the D-series was terminated in 1937 (though some of the last numbers were of performances recorded much earlier).

A different set of numbers, but still with the D suffix, was given to "race" records (the term used in those days for records by and aimed at African Americans). These started in the 13000s in 1923[26], but after only reaching 13007D the numbers skipped to 14000D [27]. Country and western singles were numbered in the 15000D series [28], and this series was a very short one, not getting beyond 15782. There was also a "Hawaiian" series in the 40000's[29], used only from 1929 to 1931.

Early life:

He was born in Walnut Grove, Georgia. He and his brother, Charlie Hicks, together with Curley Weaver, were taught how to

play the guitar by Curley's mother, Savannah "Dip" Weaver. Bob began playing the 6-string guitar but picked up the

12-string guitar after moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 1923-1924. He became one of the prominent performers of the newly

developing Atlanta blues style. In Atlanta, Hicks worked a variety of jobs, playing music on the side. While working at Tidwells' Barbecue in a north

Atlanta suburb, Hicks came to the attention of Columbia Records talent scout Dan Hornsby. Hornsby recorded him and

decided to use Hicks's job as a gimmick, having him pose in chef's whites and hat for publicity photos and dubbing him

"Barbecue Bob".

Career:

During his short career he recorded 68 78-rpm sides. He recorded his first side, "Barbecue Blues", in March 1927. The

record quickly sold 15,000 copies and made him the best selling artist for Columbia up to that date. Despite this initial

success, it was not until his second recording session, in New York during June 1927, that he firmly established himself

on the race market. At this session he recorded "Mississippi Heavy Water Blues", a song inspired by the major floods

taking place in Mississippi at that time. This song, as well as his other blues releases, gained considerable popularity,

and his records sold much better than those of other local blues musicians.

The two part duet with crosstalk, "It Won't Be Long Now" was recorded with his brother Charlie in Atlanta on 5 November

1927. In April 1928 Bob recorded two sides with the female vocalist Nellie Florence, whom he had known since childhood,

and also produced "Mississippi Low Levee Blues", a sequel to "Mississippi Heavy Water Blues". In April 1930, he recorded

"We Sure Got Hard Times Now", which contains bleak references to the early effects of The Depression. Although Barbecue

Bob remained predominantly a blues musician, he also recorded a few traditional and spiritual songs including "When the

Saints Go Marching In", "Poor Boy, Long Ways from Home" and "Jesus' Blood Can Make Me Whole".

Barbecue Bob also recorded as a member of The Georgia Cotton Pickers in December 1930, a group that included Curley

Weaver and Buddy Moss. As a group they recorded a handful of sides including their own adaptation of Blind Blake's

"Diddie Wa Diddie" (recorded as "Diddle-Da-Diddle") and the Mississippi Sheiks' "Sitting on Top of the World" (recorded

as "I'm On My Way Down Home"). These were the last recordings that Bob recorded.

He died in Lithonia, Georgia, of a combination of tuberculosis and pneumonia brought on by influenza, at the age of 29,

on 21 October 1931. His recording of "Mississippi Heavy Water Blues"(about the 1927 flood) was apparently played at his

graveside before burial.

Musical style:

Bob developed a "flailing" or "frailing" style of playing guitar more often associated with the traditional clawhammer

banjo. He used a bottleneck regularly on his 12-string guitar, playing in an elemental style that relied on an open

Spanish tuning reminiscent of Charley Patton. He had a strong voice that he embellished with growling and falsetto, and a

percussive singing style.

Influence:

Bob had some influence on Atlanta blues musicians such as the young Buddy Moss (who played harmonica with him on The

Georgia Cotton Pickers recordings), but his way of playing was quickly overshadowed by the finger-picked Piedmont blues

style that rose in popularity by the late 20s/early 30s as can be heard in the recordings of Curley Weaver. Barbecue

Bob's "Motherless Child Blues" was recorded and performed on stage by Eric Clapton. Bob's elder brother, Charley, also

played blues and was recorded by Columbia under the name "Laughing" Charley Lincoln. However, he never received the same acclaim as his brother.

as you can see from the photos the records does show wear from age, but it is in excellent condition for an 81 year old record!!!!

Buy with confidence!!!

thanks for looking and happy bidding!!!

NO NICKS OR CHIPS!!!