Shortcuts 1: God Don't Like It

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Gary Atkinson
Distributor: Allegro Corporation (Dist

Notes: Personnel: McGhee, Kirk, Jesse Babyface Thomas, Ralph Willis, Sam McGee, Son House, Big Joe Williams, Charlie Burse (vocals, guitar); Elder A. Johnson (vocals, electric guitar); Milton Robie (vocals, violin); G.B. Grayson (vocals, fiddle); Ben Ramey (vocals, kazoo); Roosevelt Sykes (vocals, piano); Junior Four Quartet, Perline Ellison, Simon Anderson , Hattie Ellis, Jab Jones, The Hall Johnson Choir, Ralph Smith (vocals); Brownie McGhee (spoken vocals, guitar); Henry Whitter, Lightnin' Hopkins, Marion Brown, Teddy Bunn (guitar); Bud Scott (banjo); Remo Biondi (violin); Fred Parham (clarinet, alto saxophone); Willie Hightower (cornet); John Lindsay (trombone); R.J. Jones, Little Brother Montgomery, Sam Price (piano); Hal West, Fred Below, Rudy Richardson, Judge Riley (drums). Recording information: Atlanta, GA (1927-1969); Chicago, IL (1927-1969); Dover, DE (1927-1969); Goree State Farm (1927-1969); Houston, TX (1927-1969); Los Angeles, CA (1927-1969); Memphis, TN (1927-1969); New York, NY (1927-1969); Richmond, IN (1927-1969); Rochester, NY (1927-1969). Unknown Contributor Role: Elder Charles D. Beck. Arranger: Teddy Bunn. This 20-track collection highlights the best of the Document label, which specializes in reissuing blues, jazz, folk, country, and gospel recordings dating from the late 19th century through the middle of the 20th. Document's catalog is swarming with unfamiliar names and fascinating recordings that many people have never heard or even imagined. During the '90s, Document's policy was to reissue 78 rpm recordings on CD regardless of sound quality, even if the surface noise made it difficult to hear the music or if the needle skipped on the old platter. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the company has changed hands and the overall quality of Document CDs released since then tends towards excellence. This compilation is guaranteed to move, amuse, entertain, and educate anyone who spends some time absorbing its contents and savoring the blend of genres and styles. Shortcuts 1: God Don't Like It is a 20-track introduction to the Document label, which specializes in reissuing blues, jazz, folk, country, and gospel recordings dating from the late 19th century through the middle of the 20th. Document's catalog is swarming with unfamiliar names and fascinating recordings that many people have never heard or even imagined. During the '90s, Document's policy was to reissue 78 rpm recordings on CD regardless of sound quality, even if the surface noise made it difficult to hear the music or if the needle skipped on the old platter. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the company has changed hands and the overall quality of Document CDs released since then tends towards excellence. This compilation is guaranteed to move, amuse, entertain, and educate anyone who spends some time absorbing its contents and savoring the blend of genres and styles. Jazz is somewhat underrepresented on this particular volume, although guitarist Teddy Bunn serves up a fine interpretation of Jelly Roll Morton's "King Porter Stomp," and pianist Richard M. Jones is heard with cornetist Willie Hightower's Nighthawks . The Blues is represented here by Son House, Little Brother Montgomery, Roosevelt Sykes, Lightnin' Hopkins, Louisiana-born guitarist Jesse "Babyface" Thomas, singing pianist George Davis, straight-edge-razor-brandishing Perline Ellison, and nine-string guitarist Big Joe Williams. The more rural and/or string instrument-oriented acts are wonderfully diverse. The Three Stripped Gears (mandolin man R.W. Durden and guitarists Cliff Vaughn and Marion Brown) are heard performing the "Black Bottom Strut." The Memphis Jug Band grinds out one of their fiddle- and guitar-driven singalong numbers, Ralph Willis and Brownie McGhee discuss the "Sportin' Life," and Hattie Ellis and Cowboy Jack Ramsey take you out to the middle of the desert and leave you there. Two classic country duos, Kirk & Sam McGee and G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter, set a clear precedent for what the Holy Modal Rounders were to sound like in the early '60s. Religion is represented here by the Hall Johnson Choir, the Junior Four Quartet, Elder A. Johnson, who provided the collection's title track, and Elder Charles Beck, who delivers a "Rock and Roll Sermon." Relative to the overall size and depth of the Document catalog, this very enjoyable core sample constitutes a tiny sliver that only begins to hint at the cultural riches therein. Great cover photo too. ~ arwulf arwulf

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