Curly Weaver; a central figure from the classic, pre-war period, of the Georgia Blues

Georgia slide guitar wizard Curley Weaver (1906-1962) is best remembered for his lengthy association with Blind Willie McTell, one of several guitarists who are heard on a 23-track compilation of Weaver records dating from 1933-1935. This disc appeared on Document in 1992, was reissued in 2000, and again in 2005. An expressive vocalist who sang at times like Blind Boy Fuller or Blind Blake, Weaver occasionally shifted into a plaintive falsetto while dexterously manipulating his slide over the fretted neck of the guitar. His friendship with fellow Georgians Blind Buddy Keith, Nemehiah Smith, Barbecue Bob, Charlie Lincoln, and Eddie Mapp are legendary. This is only a taste of his recorded legacy; Weaver cut his first sides in 1928 and made his final recordings in 1950 with his old friend Willie McTell. Vocalist Ruth Willis, who was closely affiliated with Weaver and his circle of musical friends, is heard in a duet with him on 'Some Cold Rainy Day.' Tracks 6-13 are played by the Georgia Browns, a lively little band involving guitarist Fred McMullen and Weaver's harmonica-toting pal Buddy Moss. 'Tampa Strut' and 'Decatur Street 81' are two of this group's choicest sides, while 'Who Stole de Lock?' has a decidedly more rural feel to it than the 1932 recording by Jack Bland's Rhythmakers. Both renditions benefit from a comparison with two earlier recordings of the tune by Bryant's Jubilee Quartet, a fine gospel and secular vocal harmony group whose complete works have also been reissued by Document.

Bonus Materials

• For fans of Blues

Cast & Crew

Director: 

Track Listing

• No No Blues
• Leg Iron Blues
• Some Cold Rainy Day
• Tippin' Tom
• Birmingham Gambler
• Tampa Strut
• Decatur Street 81
• Next Door Man (Take 1)
• Next Door Man (Take 2)
• It Must Have Been Her
• Who Stole De Lock?
• Joker Man
• You Was Born To Die
• Dirty Mistreater
• Black Woman
• City Cell Blues
• Empty Room Blues
• Tricks Ain't Walking No More
• Sometime Mama
• Oh Lawdy Mama
• Two Faced Woman
• Early Morning Blues
• Fried Pie Blues

Additional Details

Label: Document Records

Genre: Blues

Language: English

Region: 0

Release Date: 11/05/21

UPC: 714298511123