Today! by Skip James, released 15 April 2004, includes the following tracks: "Washington D.C. Hospital Center Blues", "Drunken Spree", "How Long", "Cypress Grove" and more.
This version of Today! comes as a 1xCD. -
- Catalogue number on the cover is 'VSD-79219'
- Catalogue number on the spine is 'VMD 79219-2'
- Catalogue number on the back of the booklet is 'VMD 79219'
"Today!" is a CD reissue of one of the key late-career recordings by legendary Delta blues musician Skip James, released on the renowned independent label Vanguard. Captured during the 1960s blues revival, this album presents James in an intimate, acoustic setting, highlighting his hauntingly high-pitched voice, intricate fingerpicking, and deeply emotional songwriting. The repertoire typically blends reworkings of his classic 1930s material with powerful later interpretations, creating a bridge between early Delta blues and the modern folk-blues audience. The sound is warm, direct and unadorned, bringing the listener as close as possible to the artist's fragile intensity and spiritual depth. "Today!" is not just a collection of songs, but a moving document of a blues master rediscovered and recorded with care for a new generation.
Skip James (born Nehemiah Curtis James) is regarded as one of the most distinctive and influential Delta blues artists. Known for his eerie, minor-key compositions, unusual open tunings, and falsetto vocals, he developed a highly individual style that set him apart from his contemporaries. After recording a small but legendary body of work in the early 1930s, he disappeared from the music scene for decades before being "rediscovered" during the 1960s folk and blues revival. His songs, such as "I'm So Glad," have been widely covered and celebrated, influencing generations of blues, rock and folk musicians around the world. "Today!" stands among the essential documents of this important second chapter in his career.
The CD format offers clear, carefully remastered sound that respects the original analog warmth while making the subtle nuances of James's guitar work and vocal phrasing more audible. Liner notes typically provide historical context, helping listeners understand where this album sits in the broader story of the Delta blues and the 1960s revival. For collectors, blues aficionados, and newcomers curious about authentic roots music, "Today!" on CD is an indispensable addition to any serious blues library.
Vanguard is an American independent label with a long tradition in folk, blues, jazz and classical recordings. Particularly active and influential during the 1950s and 1960s, Vanguard became a home for important artists of the folk and blues revival, thanks to its commitment to high recording standards and artistically ambitious projects. The label is known for preserving crucial performances that might otherwise have been lost, and for making historically significant recordings accessible to a wider audience. With releases such as "Today!" by Skip James, Vanguard has played an essential role in documenting and transmitting the legacy of American roots music.
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