R.L. Burnside: Mr. Wizard [FAT POSSUM]

Why you'll love it

This Fat Possum LP comes with a printed insert. Mr. Wizard reached No. 12 on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart, and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion back Burnside on two tracks.

This edition

• Printed insert

About the album

Most blues albums are made in a studio. Mr. Wizard was gathered from a farm, a juke joint, a Hollywood studio and an auto shop, and it sounds all the better for the travel.

Matthew Johnson recorded at Lunati Farms in Mississippi, Rob Schnapf and Tom Rothrock caught the Los Angeles tracks live with no overdubs, and Burnside's grandson Cedric plays drums alongside Kenny Brown on guitar. "Over The Hill" opens with just R.L. and his guitar, "Rollin' & Tumblin'" is his take on the Muddy Waters song, "Snake Drive" and "Georgia Women" stomp, and one track comes from Junior Kimbrough's juke joint in Chulahoma. Derek Hess drew the cover.

AllMusic praised his stomping guitar and powerful voice, and Robert Christgau singled out "Alice Mae." Part of it was recorded at Jimmy's Auto Care in Oxford, Mississippi, so it may be the one record in the shop that could also rotate your tires.

Also at Kops: more R.L. Burnside on vinyl · browse Blues

Tracklist

Listen

On Fat Possum (cat# 80301-1), the 1997 album.