The Daily Chat

A chatbox where we can post comments and have discussions on artists & songs. However, if you just want to say thank you for a particular post then please continue using the usual comment box located below each post.

I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of black gospel. While I find some of it truly stirring music (the early Staple Singers springs to mind), much of it tends to get a tad too boisterous for my tastes. So over the years I've found I prefer listening to white hillbilly/country gospel like Hank & Audrey Williams, Carl Story or The Louvin Brothers. Nonetheless, there are some black gospel recordings that I just adore. A fine example is on today's Assorted Blues, R&B, Gospel & Soul Recordings Volume 82.

Eddie Head & His Family - Lord I'm The True Vine (1930 Shellac 10" Columbia 14548-D)

"Lord, I'm the True Vine" is one of the earliest recorded precursors of gospel music, recorded in 1930 by the otherwise unknown Eddie Head & His Family. 

Eddie Head and His Family only had one recording session, on 22 April 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia, at which they cut four sides. The names of the family members who play guitar and tambourine in support of Eddie's vocal are unknown.

And following Eddie Head & His Family on Volume 82 are Brownie McGhee, Pigmeat Peterson, Wilbert Harrison, Arthur Prysock, Bobby Rush, Big Mama Thornton, Pinetop Perkins, and several other interesting blues/R&B artists including Elroy Peace with his humorous "Onion Breath Baby" recorded in 1953 for Swing Time Records in LA.

Today's Assorted Hillbilly & Country Recordings, now up to Volume 73, kicks off with some mighty fine guitar playing from Arthur Smith and Chet Atkins, followed by rare tracks by Chubby Parker, Curly Fox & Texas Ruby, Patsy Cline, Red Foley, The Louvin Brothers, Eddy Arnold, and other country greats.