Washboard Sam – Diggin’ His Potatoes

WASHBOARD SAM - also known as Shufflin’ Sam and Ham Gravy - was probably the most well-known exponent of the washboard in Blues music.

Sam accompanied his own singing by washboard, with a self-rigged cowbell attachment, combining powerful percussive skills with his deep, strong, rhythmic voice, to become one of the leading lights of the pre-war Chicago Blues scene.

He recorded prolifically and successfully throughout the 1930s and 40s, usually in an acoustic, small group format, backed by musicians like Big Bill Broonzy (guitar); Black Bob, Memphis Slim or Roosevelt Sykes (piano); Frank Owens (sax); and Ransom Knowling or Willie Dixon (bass), all of whom feature herein.

This compilation covers his golden years, between 1935-1953, predominantly for the Bluebird label, but also featuring sides from his 170+ commercial recordings for Vocalion, Decca, Perfect, Romeo, Montgomery Ward, Oriole, RCA Victor and Chess.

Disc 1

1. WHO PUMPED THE WIND IN MY DOUGHNUT
2. YOU DONE TORE YOUR PLAYHOUSE DOWN
3. (Mama) DON'T 'LOW
4. DON'T TEAR MY CLOTHES
5. I LOVE ALL MY WOMEN
6. BIG WOMAN
7. RAZOR CUTTIN' MAN
8. EASY RIDIN' MAMA
9. I'M ON MY WAY BLUES
10. BACK DOOR BLUES
11. BEER GARDEN BLUES
12. MOUNTAIN BLUES
13. PHANTOM BLACK SNAKE
14. BUCKET'S GOT A HOLE IN IT
15. I'M GONNA KEEP MY HAIR PARTED IN THE MIDDLE
16. SAVE IT FOR ME
17. WALKIN' IN MY SLEEP
18. WASHBOARD SWING
19. BOOKER T. BLUES
20. WASN'T HE BAD
21. I LOVE MY BABY
22. THAT WILL GET IT
23. DIGGIN' MY POTATOES
24. MORNING DOVE BLUES
25. AIN'T YOU COMIN' OUT TONIGHT
26. MY FEET JUMPED SALTY

Disc 2

1. FLYING CROW BLUES
2. LEVEE CAMP BLUES
3. SHE BELONGS TO THE DEVIL
4. I'VE BEEN TREATED SO WRONG
5. EVIL BLUES
6. GET DOWN BROTHER
7. LOVER'S LANE BLUES
8. ROCKIN' MY BLUES AWAY
9. GOOD OLD CABBAGE GREENS
10. RIVER HIP MAMA
11. DO THAT SHAKE DANCE
12. HOW CAN YOU LOVE ME
13. DON'T HAVE TO SING THE BLUES
14. RIVER DAM BLUES
15. DOWN SOUTH WOMAN BLUES
16. AIN'T THAT A SHAME
17. I GET THE BLUES AT BEDTIME
18. YOU CAN'T MAKE THE GRADE
19. YOU CAN'T HAVE NONE OF THAT
20. I JUST CAN'T HELP IT
21. SOAP AND WATER BLUES
22. NO.1 DRUNKARD
23. MAYBE YOU'LL LOVE ME
24. DIGGIN' MY POTATOES
25. SHIRT TAIL
26. HORSE SHOE OVER MY DOOR