AAA 100% Analogue This LP was Remastered using Pure Analogue Components Only from the Master Tapes through to the Cutting Head
Pure Pleasure / Capitol - PPAN ST409 - 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl - AAA 100% Analogue
Mastered by Steve Hoffman & Kevin Gray at AcousTech
Pressed at Pallas in Germany - Limited Edition - Capitol ST-409
Pure Pleasure Pure Analogue This LP is an Entirely Analogue Production
"I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll is an intimate moment between artist and fan that's frozen in time. This Delta bluesman opens a window to his musical soul, telling it straight while sharing those things that touch his heart. This recording is an honest reflection, a sincere look, at Mississippi Fred McDowell, the man and his music. I consider this album a treasured piece of blues music history, the value of which cannot be measured. The album is a wonderful gift to anyone calling themselves a fan of the blues, given by a legendary bluesman who's musical achievements will live on forever." Featured in Michael Fremer's Heavy Rotation in the October 2009 Issue of Stereophile!
The esteemed Steve Hoffman and partner, Kevin Gray, have done a superb job re-mastering this LP. They put you in the Delta with Fred as he brings us acolytes into his life, sitting in front of him on a back porch, soaking in an authenticity that in the 21st Century is as rare as his hollowed out steer bone bottleneck. He was the undiluted real deal, who boastfully states, “I do NOT play no rock ‘n’ roll.” Sond 4.5/5 AudiophileAudition
Mississippi Fred Mc Dowell's 1969 album I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll features the blues guitarist playing, for the first time ever, on electric guitar. Also present was a rhythm section comprised of bass and drums. Blues purists were originally somewhat vexed over this transition, but the music on this classic record stands up with the best of Mississippi Fred.
McDowell's voice is a powerful instrument in and of itself. Sprinkled throughout are spoken word intermezzos, which provide wonderful insight into the man behind the music, and also give the listener a feeling of "being there". All in all, I Do Not Play No Rock 'n' Roll is a solid set from the master of bottleneck blues.
"...But you have to hear it. It's beautiful. Straight 'n' natchel blue. It makes you dance. Play it and see." - Fred McDowel, from liner notes
This 1969 release by the legendary Mississippi Fred McDowell was his first to feature him playing the electric guitar. Although it was somewhat controversial at the time it is now considered a classic. Fred sounds like he has always been plugged in, playing with fiery passion, including some great bottleneck guitar. Featuring all originals by Fred including, "You Got To Move" (covered by the Rolling Stones on Sticky Fingers) and "Kokomo Me Baby", except for a cover of Joe Williams "Baby Please Don't Go". This new reissue features the original 9 tracks that were on the 1969 release.
"McDowell's vocals, guitar playing, and integrity [come] through just as strongly as it had on his acoustic work. The title track, and the rap that opens it up, is a mini-classic in its own right -- if McDowell does not play no rock & roll, as he claims, he certainly keeps a beat pretty well." - Richie Unterberger, allmusic.com, Rated 4.5/5 Stars
When you listen to the great Mississippi Fred McDowell, you know you are getting authentic Delta blues with no BS. Though known as an acoustic guitarist, Fred’s only compromise on this 1969 session was playing electric guitar. Featuring a slashing bottleneck style honed over decades, Fred was the real deal with few compromises. He introduces himself on Side 1 as playing only the “natchel blues,” and that he does. His playing inspired Bonnie Raitt and influenced her early bottleneck efforts.
McDowell never recorded in his youth in the 20s and 30s, and was not “discovered” until 1959, and did not begin touring in front of adoring white young audiences until the mid-60s. This LP was recorded in 1969, and by mid-1972 he had passed away from cancer at age 68. Though his period in the limelight was short, Fred had begun playing a bottleneck hollowed out of a steer bone, while he was still in his teens. For nearly 30 years McDowell survived by farming in the Delta and playing picnics and house parties. Alan Lomax, the folklorist, first introduced Fred to a larger circle of blues fans in 1959, but it was not until the blues label Arhoolie began recording McDowell that his fortune changed.
I Do Not Play No Rock ‘N’ Roll backs Fred with bass player, Jerry Puckett and drummer, Darin Lancaster. Highlights of this LP are opening tracks of each side, where McDowell introduces his playing style and life’s philosophy. Sometimes hard to understand, the album liner notes provide an easily readable self introduction by Fred. He explains that his style of blues was called “a reel.”
Everybody’s Down on Me, by far the longest track, is a mournful blues punctuated by great bottleneck runs.” 61 Highway must have influenced Bob Dylan, as Good Morning Little School Girl, another McDowell classic became a staple of white blues rockers and amplified Chicago-based bluesmen.
Fred advises that country blues came from the church confessing religion. Glory Hallelujah, with references to laying your burden down, is a treasure of McDowell’s bottleneck prowess, as is Jesus is On the Mainline.
The esteemed Steve Hoffman and partner, Kevin Gray, have done a superb job re-mastering this LP. They put you in the Delta with Fred as he brings us acolytes into his life, sitting in front of him on a back porch, soaking in an authenticity that in the 21st Century is as rare as his hollowed out steer bone bottleneck. He was the undiluted real deal, who boastfully states, “I do NOT play no rock ‘n’ roll.” Sond 4.5/5 AudiophileAudition
Selections:
1. Baby Please Don't Go
2. Good Morning Little School Girl
3. Kokomo Me Baby
4. That's All Right Baby
5. Red Cross Store
6. Everybody's Down on Me
7. 61 Highway
8. Glory Hallelujah
9. Jesus Is on the Mainline
Pure Pleasure Records
The Restoration of the Art of Sound
180g Vinyl Mastered From The Best Available Sources
There really is nothing quite like it. It’s the touch, the feel, you have to stop and stare, the cover, the real thing, even the smell.
Its tangible, you can feel it, see it, study it, muse/dream over it, it’s real, someone has spent hours and hours over its construction and presentation. Pure Pleasure Records is just that, Pure Pleasure and that is what it has set out to be.
The music and the physical record. Something to keep, treasure, admire and above all enjoy.Of course with vinyl it’s not just a record, it’s the cover, the sleeve notes, you are holding a unique package, produced by craftsmen.
Pure Pleasure Records bring you vinyl albums of quality Jazz - Blues - R+B - Soul - Funk, remastered by some of the best engineers in the world and pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl at what is probably the best pressing plant in Europe
Pure Analogue Audiophile Mastering
Plated and Pressed at Pallas in Germany on 180 Gram Virgin Vnyl
Released in Limited Quantities
"Based upon the diversity of music, quality of product and their extraordinary rate of progress, Pure Pleasure Records is our re-issue record company of the year."
- hi-fi+ |
60 Years Pallas
Audiophile Vinyl - Made in Germany For over 60 years the family business in the third generation of the special personal service and quality "Made by Pallas" is known worldwide. Our custom PVC formulation produces consistently high pressing quality with the lowest surface noise in the industry. Our PVC complies with 2015 European environmental standards and does not contain toxic materials such as Lead, Cadmium or Toluene. Our vinyl is both audiophile and eco-grade!
