Encore
Smithsonian Folkways, 2021
9/10
A collection of never been heard songs from the Bahamian guitar legend Joseph Spence, these recordings were laid down in 1965 in New York City and the Bahamas, and they showcase Spence’s very interesting singing techniques and inimitable guitar work.
“Won’t That Be A Happy Time?” starts the listen with fascinating guitar picking as Spence’s vocals are raw and indecipherable, which only adds intrigue to the pretty versus ragged climate, and “Out On The Rolling Sea” brings multiple vocals to a soulful, folk tune that’s as memorable as it is unique.
Halfway through, “In Times Like These” is a softer tune where the intricate acoustic guitar is paired with Spence’s gravelly pipes, while “Death And The Woman” places a call and response approach to singing amid minimal instrumentation. “Give Me That Old Time Religion”, one of the album’s best, then meshes gospel and folk into Spence’s distinct and inestimable vision.
Approaching the end, “The Glory Of Love” pairs gritty wordless singing with pretty guitar playing, and “That Glad Reunion Day” exits the listen with a campfire-esque feeling with many participants contributing their improvised skill.
The list of artists that Spence influenced is a long one and includes Richard Thompson, The Grateful Dead and Ry Cooder, to name a few, and these unearthed recordings document his guttural vocals and folk, blues, gospel and island nods that sit firmly in a category all their own.
Travels well with: JP Harris’ Dreadful Wind & Rain- Don’t You Marry No Railroad Man; Turner Cody And The Soldiers Of Love- Friends In High Places