Heroes of the Blues

Discovered by Alan Lomax in 1959, Mississippi Fred McDowell quickly established himself as one of the finest country bluesmen to ever come out of Mississippi. With his strong, nuanced vocals and his rapid, slashing slide style, McDowell had few equals. This collection pulls together several of his mid-'60s recordings, including his signature song "You Gotta Move" made famous by the Rolling Stones, and fine versions of "On the Frisco Line" and "Write Me a Few Lines." McDowell was particularly adept at blues spirituals and "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" and "Jesus Gonna Make Up My Dying Bed," both collected here, are powerful emotional statements.