Mississippi Fred McDowell

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Mississippi Fred McDowell

Mississippi Fred McDowell (c. 1906 - 1972) was one of the great Mississippi blues guitarists.

He lived near Como, Mississippi for most of his life, working primarily as a farmer and, until 1959, performing his music within a relatively small area around Como, Mississippi.

In 1959, Fred McDowell was "discovered" and recorded by folklorist Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress. These 1959 Alan Lomax recordings coincided with the late 1950s and early 1960s folk and blues revival and gave McDowell a world wide audience.

As a result of his 1959 Alan Lomax recordings, Mississippi Fred McDowell was able to embark on a successful performing and recording career which lasted until his death in 1972.

The Rolling Stones covered a Mississippi Fred McDowell composition, You Got To Move, on their 1971 album, Sticky Fingers.

Here are some YouTube videos of Mississippi Fred McDowell performing in the 1960s:

1969 Documentary ; Goin' Down To The River - (1965) ; John Henry (circa 1960) ; When I Lay My Burden Down - (circa early 1960s) ; TV Studio Recordings - (1969 video of McDowell performing three songs - some great slide guitar here) , (more 1969 video of McDowell performing - some great slide guitar on this one) ;

WB Mark Anderson of Temple Lodge, No. 33 visited Como, Mississippi in 2014 and took these photos of sites associated with Mississippi Fred McDowell.

This is the Mississippi Blues Trail marker for Mississippi Fred McDowell on the main street of Como, Mississippi.

The marker reads:

"MISSISSIPPI FRED McDOWELL - Fred McDowell, a seminal figure in Mississippi hill country blues, was one of the most vibrant performers of the 1960s blues revival. McDowell (c. 1906 - 1972) was a sharecropper and local entertainer in 1959 when he made his first recordings at his home on a farm north of Como for noted folklorist Alan Lomax. The depth and originality of McDowell's music brought him such worldwide acclaim that he was able to record and tour prolifically during his final years."

The photos below show Mississippi Fred McDowell's grave in the Hammond Hill Church cemetery east of Como, Mississippi. Note the Square and Compasses on the front of Mississippi Fred McDowell's grave stone.

This is Hammond Hill Church east of Como, Mississippi.

Mississippi Fred McDowell is buried in the cemetery across the road from this church.

The inscription on the back of Mississippi Fred McDowell's grave stone is from the lyric of his song, You Got To Move, which was covered by the Rolling Stones on their 1971 album, Sticky Fingers. It reads: "You may be high, You may be low, You may be rich child, You may be poor. But when the Lord gets ready, You got to move."

HERE ARE SOME MISSISSIPPI FRED McDOWELL RECORDINGS WHICH WE RECOMMEND:

Down Home Blues 1959 by Missisippi Fred McDowell

This 2 CD set contains the 1959 recordings of Mississippi Fred McDowell made by Alan Lomax.

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Missisippi Fred McDowell by Missisippi Fred McDowell

1962 album recorded in Fred Mcdowell's home near Como, Mississippi.

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You Gotta Move by Mississippi Fred McDowell

This album contains Fred McDowell's original recording of You Got To Move, which was later covered by the Rolling Stones.

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Amazing Grace & My Home Is In The Delta by Mississippi Fred McDowell

This CD features two Mississippi Fred McDowell albums, Amazing Grace and My Home Is In The Delta. Both are available individually but we recommend this 2 for 1 version

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This Ain't No Rock N' Roll by Mississippi Fred McDowell

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I Do Not Play No Rock and Roll by Mississippi Fred McDowell

1969 album featuring Mississippi Fred McDowell on electric guitar. There's some great slide guitar on this album.

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Shake 'Em On Down: A Tribute To Mississippi Fred McDowell by Rory Block

Rory Block is a musician who has released several tribute albums honouring major figures in blues history, including this album of Mississippi Fred McDowell songs.

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