The photos on the cover are ones I took myself, trying to capture the atmosphere of The Delta at harvest time

Here's the track list

Delta Harvest

 1.  Boogaloosa Woman (Tommy Johnson)

 2.  Diggin’ My Potatoes (Washboard Sam)

 3.  Peavine (Charley Patton)

 4.  Miss Mae Belle (RL Burnside)

 5.  Slidin’ Delta (Tommy Johnson)

 6.  Can’t Get That Stuff No More (Tampa Red)

 7.  Bye And Bye (Tommy Johnson)

 8.  Aunt Caroline Dye (Will Shade )

 9.  Canned Heat (Tommy Johnson)

10. Milkcow’s Calf (Robert Johnson)

11. Lonesome Home (Tommy Johnson)

12. Last Chance (Gus Cannon)

13. Screamin’ And Hollerin’ (Charley Patton)

The Songs On This Album

1. Boogaloosa Woman is a Tommy Johnson number, recorded in 1929 but unissued. It relates to Tommy returning to Boogaloosa after lengthy ramblings and finding his girlfriend in a poor condition.

Boogaloosa Woman Tommy_Johnson

2. Diggin’ My Potatoes is a Washboard Sam (Robert Brown) song, recorded with Big Bill Broonzy in Chicago in the 1940s and covered by Lonnie Donegan in the early 1950s. It was considered to be too sexually explicit and banned by the BBC in 1954.

3. Peavine is a Charley Patton song about the Delta railroad that ran from Rosedale to Dockery’s by a tortuous route. The lyrics include a reference to the Delta flood of 1927….”the levee is sinking, you know I can’t stay here long….” This desperate situation was very nearly repeated in May 2011.

4. Miss Mae Belle is a mono-chordal Hill Country song from RL Burnside about lustful pursuit of a beautiful woman….

5. Slidin’ Delta. A Tommy Johnson classic about the Delta flood of 1927

6. Can’t Get That Stuff No More is a Tampa Red song from the Prohibition days, recorded in Chicago in 1932

7. Bye And Bye is a Tommy Johnson song about ending a relationship which is both sad and philosophical. In the first verse I have used the lyrics preferred by his younger brother, Mager, because they make more sense.

8. Aunt Caroline Dye was a hoodoo lady who lived in Newport, Arkansas. She was the grandmother of the composer, Will Shade of The Memphis Jug Band. In this song, she gives her grandson some advice….

9. Canned Heat. A Tommy Johnson classic recorded in 1928. Tommy confronts the inevitability of his death from drinking Sterno (cooking fuel), admits to his helpless alcoholism and praises the drink’s short-term effects. He must have been tough; he survived to the age of 60!

10. Milkcow’s Calf. A collection of Delta blues would be lacking if it didn’t include a song from Robert Johnson. I like the elaborately crafted and consistent double entendre.

11. Lonesome Home. One of three Tommy Johnson songs with the same name! I think you can hear a little of Blind Lemon Jefferson’s influence in the guitar in Tommy’s version.

12. Last Chance is a Gus Cannon song which he recorded both with and without Noah Lewis in the late 1920s. This is about a relationship which seems doomed to failure. I love the lyric “you’re just a trifling woman, don’t mean me no good no how”.

13. Screamin’ And Hollerin’ is a Charley Patton song which I consider to be one of the Delta blues classics and which has inspired countless re-interpretations. I love it. Here is yet another….

It was harvest time in The Delta.....a busy time. I was surrounded by cotton picking and rice and soy bean harvesting. The crop-dusting aircraft were swooping and turning....sounding like a WW2 film about The Battle of Britain.

Highlights of my stay were a gig at Hambone's Gallery in Clarksdale, in which the owner, Stan Street, joined me on harmonica, recording a new album, "Delta Harvest" (mostly old Delta blues) at Bill Abel's Big Toe Studio in which I was joined by Randy Seppala "Da Bones Man" on percussion, playing at Mike's Fish Fry at Shack Up Inn at Hopson's, and going to The King Biscuit Festival in Helena, The Cat Head Minifest in Clarksdale and The Pinetop Perkins Homecoming at Hopsons, which of course, was the first without Pinetop himself.

I've put some photos on Flickr as a slideshow http://www.flickr.com/photos/boblong/sets/72157627947071282/

So what was needed was a neck re-set, an operation involving removal of the neck from the body, straightening it and replacing it at a slightly different angle. Also, the tuners needed some repairs and the frets needed to be replaced.

It has taken me a while to do it but the work is finished now and I'm enjoying playing it. The guitar is now "all original" except for new frets, a new saddle and a new decal on the headstock. I've put some "before", "during" and "after" photos on Flickr and here's the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/boblong/sets/72157627097096214/

This event, now in its fifth year, combines a blues festival, a real ale festival and a family fun day, raising funds for charities, including The Neurofibromatosis Association (NfA). It is located open-air in The Bury, at the heart of the beautiful old town of Odiham, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The music starts at 12 noon and finishes at 6 pm. Entry is free and there’s plenty of parking. 

As in previous years, the emphasis of this successful event will be on blues, with both acoustic solo artists and bands.  This year’s performers are…. 

Eddie Martin and The Eddie Martin Band

Born in London in the 60's British Blues Boom, Eddie Martin turned professional after being nominated for Best British Blues Guitarist, Band and Album between 1996 and 1998. Since then he has played or recorded with many greats from both sides of the Atlantic, including John Mayall, Peter Green, Buddy Guy, and Taj Mahal.

His songwriting seamlessly updates blues tradition to the modern world and his solo and band performances fill even hardened blues audiences with new enthusiasm for the expressiveness and power of this genre.

His acoustic style has developed into a percussive blend of traditional blues slide and finger-picking blues styles with flamenco rasguerdo techniques. These he combines with rack harmonica playing and foot percussion in the style of the one-man-blues bands such as Duster Bennett, Joe Hill Louis and Dr Ross.

Most strikingly innovative is the simultaneous rack harmonica and guitar style that he has developed and which caused the International Harmonica Federation to single him out as one of the innovators on the instrument at the World Harmonica Festival in Germany. 

He is riding high after his double nomination in the 2010 British Blues Awards for Best Harmonica Player and Best guitarist and with new reviews calling his album, Folk and Blues, "a quiet little masterpiece.". Eddie Martin has been described as "the most remarkable blues man of his generation" by Blues in Britain. Visit the website http://www.eddiemartin.com/ 

Pete Harris Blues Band

The Southampton-based Pete Harris Blues Band has been together in its current line-up since 2007 and is enjoying an enviable, and growing, reputation on the South Coast and beyond. Featuring Pete on vocals and guitar, Hugh Budden on harmonica, Bob Manley on bass and Steve Groves on drums, they produce an irresistible blend of swing, funk and down-home blues. Pete has performed on stage with many American blues artistes, notably Phil Guy, (brother of Buddy Guy), Lowell Fulson, Tabby Thomas, Gene "Mighty Flea" Connors, Mojo Buford (ex Muddy Waters Band), Byther Smith, Carrie and Lurrie Bell and Jerry McCain. He has appeared on BBC Television and many times on local and national radio.  Visit the website http://www.peteharrisblues.com/home.htm

Adam Franklin

Adam Franklin is a superb exponent of blues and ragtime music from a Golden Age of the legendary recordings of Charley Patton, Son House and Tommy Johnson. With a voice that is both powerful and soulful and equally at home on guitar and resonator ukulele, Adam’s performances are intense, energetic and highly entertaining. Brought up in a family of musicians and entertainers, Adam carries on the tradition with energy and passion. He makes his way through the pre-war American songbook, using his guitar as a band in a box and the floor as a foot-stomping drum kit.

 Adam has shared stages with many international artists including, Catfish Keith, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Steve James, Del Rey, Oli Brown & Toby Walker

Bob Long 

Bob Long is a British blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player specializing in "the old stuff". Most of what he plays is his interpretations of pre-world war II blues, jug band and ragtime material particularly music from the Mississippi Delta where he is a frequent visitor. He has performed at The Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, The Tommy Johnson Blues Festival in Crystal Springs and the legendary Ground Zero Blues Club. When at home, Bob hosts a monthly acoustic blues jam in Southampton.  Visit his website www.bobalong.co.uk

Contact Information

Enquiries (music) Bob Long, email long.boblong@gmail.com

Enquiries (admin) Peter Fountain, email PtrFount@aol.com

I feel honoured to have been booked to play at The Tommy Johnson Blues Festival on Sat 18 September. Click this link to see the official poster with all the details http://www.flickr.com/photos/boblong/4937430196/

I've learned some more Tommy Johnson songs and I'm looking forward to performing them at this special event.

Also, I'll be visiting friends in Mississippi, including the Tommy Johnson relatives and Ben Payton and in Memphis,Tenessee and doing some gigs in Jackson, MS. (details on the gigs page of this site).

First stop will be Bill Abel's place in The Delta to get my guitars, catch up with the news and maybe have a little jam...

 This event, now in its fourth year, combines a blues festival, a real ale festival and a family fun day, raising funds for charities, including The Neurofibromatosis Association (NfA). It is located open-air in The Bury, at the heart of the beautiful old town of Odiham, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The music starts at 12 noon and finishes at 6 pm. Entry is free and there’s plenty of parking.

 As in previous years, the emphasis of this successful event will be on acoustic blues.  This year’s performers are…..

 Ben Payton

 Ben Payton, from Jackson, Mississippi, USA, has been living the blues most of his life. Now in his sixties, he’s a “real deal” bluesman of the old school, singing and playing traditional material and his own songs on acoustic guitar. Ben’s appearance at Odiham will be part of his first tour in the UK. Ben Payton was born in tiny Coila, Mississippi, in the hill country just east of the Delta. His early musical influences included his grandmother Mabel Johnson’s gospel piano playing and his Uncle Joe Birch’s blues guitar.

Ben Payton's voice resonates with a passion for life and his skills as a guitarist evoke the tradition of the original Delta blues greats such as Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Charley Patton, and Son House. Yet Payton has a style all his own. Visit Ben’s website http://benpayton.com/bio.html

Red Jackson

 Featuring the mellow soulful voice of Phil Mills, with his jazzy finger-style or bluesy slide guitars and showcase harmonicas, backed up by the solid 12-year partnership of rhythm section Schultz (on a 2-drum kit) and Teej (acoustic double bass), Red Jackson have developed a laid-back but passionate approach to the blues.

They perform a mix of blues styles: from the slow, haunting blues of the Mississippi delta to the rolling beat of Chicago, picking up street grooves from New Orleans, Texan boogie and a touch of hill-country ragtime along the way. This is the blues of the '40s and '50s, the blues of Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, T-Bone Walker and Big Bill Broonzy to name just a few.

The story doesn't end there though, they allow many other influences in to create their sound: soul, jazz, funk, latin, rockabilly all lend their unique colour to a more contemporary interpretation of the blues. Website http://www.redjackson.com/index.php

Reverend Robert  

 From The USA, Reverend Robert is a master of pre-war blues. He has delved deep into the styles of Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and other Delta blues giants. In 2004 he took first place at The National Slide Guitar Festival in North Carolina, USA. The Reverend is known for his true conviction and powerful delivery. Visit his website http://revrobert.com/index.html 

 Lewis Cohen

Lewis Cohen is a phenomenal British bluesman; a rising star among the younger generation of acoustic blues players. His powerful vocals and exquisite slide guitar technique, combined with a repertoire of (sometimes obscure) numbers from the 1920s and 1930s, make him a lively and soulful performer. Visit his website www.lewiscohenblues.com

Bob Long

 Bob Long is a British blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player specializing in "the old stuff". Most of what he plays is his interpretations of pre-world war II blues, jug band and ragtime material particularly music from the Mississippi Delta where he is a frequent visitor. He has performed at The Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, The Tommy Johnson Blues Festival in Crystal Springs and the legendary Ground Zero Blues Club. When at home, Bob hosts a monthly acoustic blues jam in Southampton.  Visit his website www.bobalong.co.uk

I managed to dodge the volcanic eruptions, or should I say disruptions and the tornadoes that rushed through the Mississippi Delta and now I'm back home.

Highlights of the trip included playing the blues at The Clarksdale Juke Joint Festival (on the train to Hopson Plantation this year) and on the sidewalk outside Hambone's Gallery with Stan Street. I also enjoyed playing at The Blue Tulip Restaurant in Helena AR during the Wild Hog Fest.....a fun gig organised by my friend Katie Lambert. The Wild Hogs were good guys and Emma, owner of The Blue Tulip and her mother, had their chests painted! (see photos). I think the artist enjoys his work....

In between musical frolics I had a lovely boat trip on The Mississippi from Greenville up to Lake Whittington with Bo' Weevil and Hank, Jackson, who is half Labrador/half Bassett and Cousin Lil. Cousin Henry Earl was busy planting rice and beans and alternated between praying for rain and praying for it to stop raining....but still maintained his usual good humour.

Step back in time. "Hobo" the Mississippi Delta Railroad on the Juke Joint Festival Express runninig excursions during the festival. No charge. Selective trips with authentic railroad cars running from historic Clarksdale Passenger Station to Hopson Plantation. I'm playing the blues on the train leaving Clarksdale at 11.30 am. At 1.30pm the return train leaves Hopson and arrives Clarksdale 2pm.

For more info see http://www.jukejointfestival.com/fest_events.php

Watch this space for news of musicians booked for this year's festival. Meanwhile, I'm delighted to announce we will have Reverend Robert, http://revrobert.com/ all the way from the USA, appearing as part of his European tour this summer.

And from Jackson, Mississippi, USA, Ben Payton, http://www.benpayton.com/. Ben is the "real deal" bluesman and this will be his first appearance in the UK.

Here's the early press release

For Immediate Release  

Festival “Blues & Booze In The Bury” Sat 26 June 2010

 This event, now in its fourth year, combines a blues festival, a real ale festival and a family fun day, raising funds for charities, including The Neurofibromatosis Association (NfA). It is located open-air in The Bury, at the heart of the beautiful old town of Odiham, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The music starts at 12 noon and finishes at 6 pm. Entry is free and there’s plenty of parking.

 As in previous years, the emphasis of this successful event will be on acoustic blues.  This year’s performers include:

 Ben Payton

Ben Payton, from Jackson, Mississippi, USA, has been living the blues most of his life. Now in his sixties, he’s a “real deal” bluesman of the old school, singing and playing traditional material and his own songs on acoustic guitar. Ben’s appearance at Odiham will be part of his first tour in the UK. Ben Payton was born in tiny Coila, Mississippi, in the hill country just east of the Delta. His early musical influences included his grandmother Mabel Johnson’s gospel piano playing and his Uncle Joe Birch’s blues guitar.

Ben Payton's voice resonates with a passion for life and his skills as a guitarist evoke the tradition of the original Delta blues greats such as Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson, Charley Patton, and Son House. Yet Payton has a style all his own. Visit Ben’s website http://benpayton.com/bio.html

 Reverend Robert

  Also from The USA, Reverend Robert is a master of pre-war blues. He has delved deep into the styles of Charley Patton, Robert Johnson and other Delta blues giants. In 2004 he took first place at The National Slide Guitar Festival in North Carolina, USA. The Reverend is known for his true conviction and powerful delivery. Visit his website http://revrobert.com/index.html

 Lewis Cohen

 Lewis Cohen is a phenomenal British bluesman; a rising star among the younger generation of acoustic blues players. His powerful vocals and exquisite slide guitar technique, combined with a repertoire of (sometimes obscure) numbers from the 1920s and 1930s, make him a lively and soulful performer. Visit his website www.lewiscohenblues.com

 Bob Long

 Bob Long is a British blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player specializing in "the old stuff". Most of what he plays is his interpretations of pre-world war II blues, jug band and ragtime material particularly music from the Mississippi Delta where he is a frequent visitor. He has performed at The Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, The Tommy Johnson Blues Festival in Crystal Springs and the legendary Ground Zero Blues Club. When at home, Bob hosts a monthly acoustic blues jam in Southampton.  Visit his website www.bobalong.co.uk

 Contact Information

Enquiries (music) Bob Long, email long.boblong@gmail.com

Enquiries (admin) Peter Fountain, email PtrFount@aol.com

I'm delighted to have again been invited to perform in this year's Juke Joint Festival. Here's the advance press release from Roger Stolle of Cat Head........

Clarksdale, Mississippi -- A decade into the 21st Century, Mississippi's juke joints are still the stars of Clarksdale's annual Juke Joint Festival & Related Events this April 16-18. Pre-sale wristbands are now on sale for the world-famous event at www.jukejointfestival.com.

"We're the only festival in the world where some raggedy old blues clubs are as important as the festival's big headliners," explained Roger Stolle, music coordinator for the festival and owner of the Cat Head blues store. "We offer the music, culture and history that no other blues event outside of the Delta can match. Honestly, you could say it's one of the world's most authentic blues fests."

Now in its seventh year, Juke Joint Festival regularly draws attendees from over 15 foreign countries and nearly all 50 US states. Still, the homegrown event holds a special place in the hearts of locals festival-goers as well.

"Juke Joint Festival truly lives up to its tag line," said Nan Hughes, president of the Clarksdale Downtown Development Association that puts on the popular festival. "It's half blues festival, half small-town fair and all about the Delta. From a student art show and racing pigs to a mini film fest and plenty of blues music, it's got it all -- something for everyone."

The Juke Joint Festival itself is Saturday, April 17th, with related events on that Friday and Sunday. Kicking off on Saturday with a 5K/8K run at 8am, the vendor booths and live music fire up at 10am. With the exception of music and education events on the Delta Blues Museum's outdoor main stage, most of the daytime entertainment will wrap up around 5pm. The main stage runs till 7pm.

At 9pm, the juke joints themselves become part of the action.

"This year, we anticipate having as many as 17 nighttime juke joint stages," according to Stolle. "From big clubs that hold 200 people to tiny jukes that hold 30, we've got it all."

At press time, official festival nighttime venues include Ground Zero Blues Club, Red's Lounge, Sarah's Kitchen, Delta Amusement Cafe, Tricia's, Bluesberry Cafe, Stone Pony, Hambone Gallery, Club 2000, Messenger's, Pete's Grill, Delta Blues Room, Anniebelle's, Hopson Commissary (front stage and back porch), Juke Joint Chapel at Shackup Inn and Hick's Tamales.

Musical acts performing in Clarksdale during festival weekend include Honeyboy Edwards, Big George Brock, Super Chikan, Big Jack Johnson, Watermelon Slim, Jimbo Mathus, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm, Johnny Rawls, Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Blind "Mississippi" Morris, Stacy Mitchhart, James "T-Model" Ford, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Terry "Big T" Williams, Foster "Mr. Tater" Wiley, Robert "Wolfman" Belfour, Josh "Razorblade" Stewart, Guitar Mikey, Robert "Bilbo" Walker, Cedell Davis, Bob Long and dozens more. In total, over 50 blues acts will play in town as a result of festival events.

As always, the price is right for Juke Joint Festival.

"We want everyone to come out and enjoy the festivities," said festival co-organizer Goldie Hirshberg. "The official daytime events are free once again, and the nighttime wristband is still only $10 -- the same price it was seven years ago when the festival started."