William Harris (musician)

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William Harris
Also known asAlonso Boone, Bud Johnson,[1] William "Big Foot" Harris[2]
Bornprobably c. 1900
probably Glendora, Mississippi, U.S.[3][4][5]
Diedpossibly 1930s
GenresCountry blues
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)
Years active1927 – early 1930s[4]
LabelsGennett, Supertone, Champion, Conqueror

William Harris (probably c. 1900 - possibly 1930s)[3][4] was an American country blues[6] guitarist, singer, and songwriter.[5] He recorded sixteen songs between 1927 and 1928, of which fourteen were released on record.[7] AllMusic noted that Harris was "a fine second-level blues and folksong performer". His best known works are "Kansas City Blues," "Early Mornin' Blues," and "Hot Time Blues."[8]

Details of Harris's life outside of his brief recording career are minimal.[5]

Life and career

Harris's date and place of birth are unknown, but there is a general consensus among blues historians that he probably originated in the Mississippi Delta area.[5] He was one of the earliest "discoveries" made by the white businessman H. C. Speir,[2] who ran a music and mercantile store on Farish Street, in a black neighborhood of Jackson, Mississippi. It is thought that around this time, Harris was a performer with a traveling medicine show, probably with F. S. Wolcott's Rabbit Foot Minstrels.[9] The lyrical content of some of his recorded work suggests that Harris spent some of his formative years in Alabama.[5]

What is known is that he recorded sixteen tracks in two separate sessions in 1927 and 1928 for

singles were credited to Bud Johnson.[13]

Nothing is known of Harris's life after his recording career ended.[5]

Most of Harris's known work has been compiled on an album released by Document Records, which also contains tracks recorded by Buddy Boy Hawkins.[8]

Songs

  • "Bad Treated Blues"
  • "Bullfrog Blues"
  • "Early Mornin' Blues"
  • "Electric Chair Blues (Jefferson County Blues)"
  • "Gonna Get Me a Woman That I Calls My Own"
  • "Hot Time Blues"
  • "I'm a Roving Gambler"
  • "I'm Leaving Town"
  • "I Was Born in the Country, Raised in Town"
  • "Kansas City Blues"
  • "Keep Your Man Out of Birmingham"
  • "Kitchen Range Blues"
  • "Leavin' Here Blues"
  • "Police & High Sheriff Come"[1]

Selected compilation album

Year Title Record label
1991 Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order 1927–1929 Document Records

[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "William Harris Albums: Songs, Discography, Biography, and Listening Guide". Rate Your Music. 2003-08-26. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  2. ^
    ISBN 9781135958312
    . Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  3. ^ a b "WILLIAM HARRIS". thebluestrail.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  4. ^
    ISBN 9781135958312
    .
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Ankeny, Jason. "William Harris: Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  6. ^ Mann, Woody. "Country Blues at Berklee College of Music". Woodymann.com. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  7. ^ "William Harris: Big Road Blues". Sundayblues.org. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  8. ^ a b c Yanow, Scott. "William Harris, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order 1927–1929: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  9. ^ a b "William Harris". Thebluestrail.com. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  10. ^ Calt, Stephen; Miller, John (c. 1975). Notes to Lonesome Road Blues: 15 Years in the Mississippi Delta, 1926–1941. LP Yazoo L-1038.
  11. ^ "Catfish Blues". Earlyblues.com. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
  12. ISBN 978-0393337501
    . Retrieved 2017-01-07. william harris. blues.
  13. ^ "Illustrated William Harris Discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved 2017-01-07.

External links

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