HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Bukka White

Birth of the Blues: Bukka White

Bukka White

Born on a farm near Houston, Mississippi, on 12 November 1906, country blues guitarist Bukka White (born Booker T. Washington White) called his compositions sky songs because he pulled them, or so he said, from out of the sky. He began his career playing fiddle at square dances. He also played piano. He first recorded fourteen tracks as Washington White for Victor Records on May 26, 1930, four issued: 'The Promise True and Grand' with 'I Am in the Heavenly Way' (Victor V-38615) and 'The New 'Frisco Train' with 'The Panama Limited' (Victor 23295).

'I Am In the Heavenly Way' Bukka White as Washington White w Memphis Minnie

26 May 1930 in Memphis TN Matrix 62506-2 Victor V-38615

Composition: White

'Promise True and Grand' Bukka White as Washington White w Memphis Minnie

26 May 1930 in Memphis TN Matrix 62508-1 Victor V-38615

Composition: White

During the Depression years Bukka performed in the Mississippi region, also boxing professionally to make his way. In the summer of 1937 he wounded a man in the thigh with a firearm. Jumping bail, he fled to Chicago where he made his next recordings on September 2: 'Pinebluff Arkansas' and 'Shake ‘Em On Down' (Vocalion 03711, Columbia 30139). He is said to have been apprehended again mid-session, those titles issued as he was doing time at Mississippi State Penitentiary (aka Parchman Farm). Big Bill Broonzy later covered his 'Shake ‘Em On Down' in 1938.

'Shake Em' On Down' Bukka White

2 Sep 1937 in Chicago IL Matrix C-1997-1 Conqueror 9072 / Vocalion 03711

Composition: White

While at Parchman, White recorded a couple titles for Alan Lomax and the Library of Congress in 1939: 'Sic 'Em Dogs On' and 'Po' Boy'.

'Sic 'Em Dogs On' Bukka White as Washington Barrelhouse White

23 May 1939 at Camp 10 of the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman

Matrix 2678-A-1 See Herwin 92400 as of 1967

Stefan Wirz at American Music notes that Alan Lomax recorded this at the wrong speed

Composition: White

Upon release from prison White headed back to Chicago to record 12 sides on the 7th and 8th of March, 1940, such as 'When Can I Change My Clothes?' with 'High Fever Blues' (Vocalion 05489) and 'Parchman Farm Blues' with 'District Attorney Blues' (OKeh 05683). White then vanished to Memphis to work in a factory.

'Black Train Blues' Bukka White w Washboard Sam

7 or 8 March 1940 in Chicago Matrix WC-2977-A Vocalion 05588

Composition: White

'Parchman Farm Blues' Bukka White w Washboard Sam

7 or 8 March 1940 in Chicago Matrix WC-2981-A OKeh 05683

Composition: White

'Fixin' to Die Blues' Bukka White w Washboard Sam

7 or 8 March 1940 in Chicago Matrix WC-2981-A Vocalion 05588

Composition: White

'Bukka's Jitterbug Swing' Bukka White w Washboard Sam

7 or 8 March 1940 in Chicago Matrix WC-2991-A OKeh 05625

Composition: White

'Special Streamline' Bukka White w Washboard Sam

7 or 8 March 1940 in Chicago Matrix WC-2992-A Vocalion 05526

Composition: White

In 1961 Bob Dylan recorded one of Bukka's songs, 'Fixin' to Die', on his premiere album, upon which White's latter career took off, now to perform at venues like universities and festivals, including the Cabale coffeehouse in Berkeley in 1963 and Carnegie Hall on the opposite coast in 1965. John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, with Eric Clapton in the band, recorded Bukka's 'Parchman Farm Blues' in 1966. Wirz at American Music traces White to as late as 11 March 1975 in Bremen, Germany, putting away titles like 'Black Rat', 'Big Boat Up the River' and 'Poor Boy'.