For those with enough interest, Document's Complete Works, Vol. 1 (1929-1937) is invaluable, offering an exhaustive overview of Sleepy John Estes' early recordings. The early to mid-'30s were the most fruitful years of Estes' long career, during which he recorded most of the best songs of his career: "The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair," "Someday Baby Blues," "Milk Cow Blues," "Drop Down Mama," and "Down South Blues." Of course, these are all available on I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More 1929-1941, along with a more regimented set of classic performances from the late '30s. All of which leaves Complete Works, Vol. 1 (1929-1937) as a mixed blessing, more intriguing and important for serious fans than those simply wishing to get a taste of what made Sleepy John Estes great. Thom Owens
Sleepy John Estes was in many ways the personification of the blues. His pleading vocals were always on the point disintegrating into a cry either of help or of joy. His guitar playing, which could either be used as a thumping rhythm or as a remarkable, strong and precise lead, were a direct line to the life of poverty that he lived and his experiences in the Brownsville, Tennessee where he was born and where he died.
This is the first of two volumes covering Sleepy John Estes early and, arguably, his best recordings, which he made between 1929 and 1941 before he slipped into obscurity until being re-discovered during the great blues revival of the 1960s. These recordings show John as an innovator and like Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee) and Big Bill Broonzy he was willing and able to move on with the times, bringing his music from the country and into the city (Chicago). Like Big Joe Williams, Sleepy John Estes was as comfortable playing with a band as he was playing solo.
The recordings on Volume One have the feel of a string band with the ever present James Yank Rachel on mandolin. Also accompanying Sleepy John Estes on several tracks are Jab Jones playing stomping barrelhouse. piano and Hammie Nixon on harmonica. Elsewhere harmonica is provided by the mysterious “Tee”. The total sound of these early sides is extraordinary. When Estes and his band hit an up-tempo piece, as on Cow Cow Blues or Wat’cha Doin?, the effect is both precarious and thrilling at the same time. In among the slow blues such as autobiographical Street Car Blues and Poor John Blues are the stomping Stop That Thing and I Want To Tear It Down. The success of another up-beat number, Drop Down Mamma lead to its re-issue by public demand on 78 in Britain during the 1940s. This is low down blues and good time music at their best. DOCD-5015
Tracklist :
1 Sleepy John Estes– The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair 2:55
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano [possibly] – Johnny Hardge
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
2 Sleepy John Estes– Broken-Hearted, Ragged And Dirty Too 3:16
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
3 Sleepy John Estes– Divin' Duck Blues 3:10
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
4 James "Yank" Rachel* & Sleepy John Estes– Little Sarah 3:07
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
5 Sleepy John Estes– Black Mattie Blues 3:20
Harmonica – 'Tee'
Mandolin – James Rachel
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
6 James "Yank" Rachel & Sleepy John Estes– T-Bone Steak Blues 3:43
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
7 Sleepy John Estes– Milk Cow Blues 2:59
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
8 Sleepy John Estes– Street Car Blues 3:11
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
9 Sleepy John Estes– Expressman Blues 2:59
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
10 Sleepy John Estes– Whatcha Doin'? 2:59
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
11 Sleepy John Estes– Poor John Blues 2:48
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
12 Sleepy John Estes– Stack O' Dollars 3:01
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
13 Sleepy John Estes– My Black Gal Blues 2:58
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
14 Sleepy John Estes– Sweet Mama 2:55
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
15 Sleepy John Estes– Down South Blues 3:06
Harmonica, Speech – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
16 Sleepy John Estes– Stop That Thing 2:40
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
17 Sleepy John Estes– Someday Baby Blues 2:58
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
18 Sleepy John Estes– Who's Been Telling You Buddy Brown Blues 3:18
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
19 Sleepy John Estes– Married Woman Blues 3:11
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
20 Sleepy John Estes– Drop Down Mama 3:08
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
21 Sleepy John Estes– Government Money 3:09
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
22 Sleepy John Estes– I Wanta Tear It All The Time 2:57
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Kazoo – Lee Brown
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
23 Sleepy John Estes– Vernita Blues 3:06
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
24 Sleepy John Estes– I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More 3:02
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Kazoo – Lee Brown
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
