K.C. Douglas - Mercury Blues (1974/1998)

When K.C. Douglas moved from his native Mississippi to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area in the mid-Forties, he brought with him the loping guitar and assertive vocal styles associated with Tommy Johnson, the legendary Delta bluesman with whom Douglas had often performed on the streets of Jackson. Douglas had a minor hit in 1948 with "Mercury Boogie," a tune that was adapted years later by the Steve Miller Band. This 1961 session captured Douglas all alone, at his plaintive best. When he died at the age of 61 in 1975, his body was taken back to Mississippi for burial.

Broken Heart, Hen House Blues, Wake Up, Workin' Woman, Rootin' Ground Hog, Meanest Woman, Born in the Country, Love Me All Night Long, Tell Me, No More Cryin', K.C.'s Doctor Blues, You Got a Good Thing Now, Watch Dog Blue

Spare electric blues from 1973-74 with a juke-joint feel, including a version of "Mercury Blues," tcovered by Steve Miller and Alan Jackson. Originally released on LP on Arhoolie 1073, the CD reissue adds a dozen previously unissued bonus cuts, taken from sessions in 1960, 1963, 1973, and 1974. It's competent but unexceptional country-blues with added electricity and a rhythm section, and pretty similar-sounding most of the way through. "I'm Gonna Build Me a Web," the 1963 track, stands out here as the piano and sax add some needed texture; the three 1960 songs are solo acoustic performances. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi