In early 1931 Skip James (1902-1969) auditioned for the Jackson, Mississippi record shop owner and talent scout, who placed blues performers with a variety of record labels including Paramount Records. On the strength of this audition, Skip James traveled to record for Paramount. James's 1931 work is considered uniquely idiosyncratic among pre-war blues recordings, and forms the basis of his reputation as a musician. As is typical of his era, James recorded a variety of material -- blues and spirituals, cover versions and original compositions -- frequently blurring the lines between genres and sources. James changed the song's lyrics, transforming it with his virtuoso technique, moaning delivery, and keen sense of tone. Biographer Stephen Calt, echoing the opinion of several critics, considered the finished product totally original, "one of the most extraordinary examples of fingerpicking found in guitar music."
Crow Jane (1967)
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