I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More 1929-1941
2004-09-07 -- 5/5:: The Real Thing
Great stuff... I was so thrilled to hear the original versions of two songs (Someday Baby Blues and Floatin' Bridge) that I've been playing for the last zillion years, I just couldn't stop listening for a whole day. To tell the truth, when I first listened to Eric Clapton's version of Floatin' Bridge, I had thought that it had something to do with the floating bridge of an arch-top acoustic of hollow-body electric guitar!
In any case, the vocals are strong, the guitar is great and the recording (or remastering) quality is even better. Well, that is, it is much better than some remasters that I have listened to. The "less is more" approach of Estes once again proves that you don't have to perform left-hand acrobatics on the neck to play the blues. On the contrary, the sound always comes first, one note could do much more to bring tears to your eyes rather than 64 1/64 notes crammed into a second.
If you like acoustic blues, this is definitely a must for your shelf.
2004-01-25 -- 5/5:: Magnificent Tennessee blues
Bringing together 23 songs recorded between 1929 an 1941, "I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More" is as close to a definitive retrospective of Sleepy John Estes's music as possible. Virtually all of his best songs are here, varied, inventive tunes featuring pseudo-autobiographical lyrics loaded with evocative imagery.
The period covered by this CD was John Adams Estes' best and most creative, cathing him at the height of his considerable powers. He usually recorded with a jug band, which gave his music a great variety of textures...mandolin player James "Yank" Rachell and harpist Hammie Nixon are prominent on most of these songs, and Estes is occationally backed by piano and second guitar as well.
Big Bill Broonzy called Estes' singing style "crying" because of his emotional delivery and light tenor voice, but there is nothing morose or self-pitying about John Estes' music. It swings with a loose, relaxed feel that isn't heard on many prewar blues records, and it is some of the most melodic acoustic blues you'll ever hear.
"I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More" contains all-time classic blues tunes like "The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair", "Someday Baby Blues", and "Diving Duck Blues", as well as the title track, "Every Ought To Make A Change", "Drop Down Mama", "Clean Up At Home", and the frighteningly realistic "Floating Bridge".
Acoustic country blues doesn't get any better than this.
1999-12-13 -- 5/5:: Country Blues String Band Style
It's not often that you get to hear old blues artists within a band setting. Usually it's just one guy and his acoustic guitar. What sets Mr. Estes' blues apart is the inclusion of mandolin, harmonica, fiddle, and occasional piano. His own guitar picking and his, dare I say, cute voice, make this CD irresistable. The music is catchy and the thoughtful lyrics are easily decipherable. As far as I'm concerned, no blues collection is complete without this CD.