Mcclennan,Tommy Complete Recorded Works Vol. 2: Cross Cut Saw CD

The diminutive Tommy McClennan delivered 40-some tracks to Bluebird Records between 1939 and 1942 before vanishing into the haze of blues history. Although small in stature, McClennan had a strong, raspy voice that brought a lively exuberance to his often generic lyrics and his habit of tossing in spoken give his songs the feel of intimate dialogues. This collection is the second, and final, installment of McClennan's Bluebird sessions and his entire recorded output, released by Document Records. There are some highlights here, including two versions of Hacksaw Harney's "Cross Cut Saw Blues," an interesting take on the "Catfish Blues" theme called "Deep Blue Sea Blues," and the final two tracks, two versions of "Bluebird Blues." McClenan and his music was a direct link between the country blues of Mississippi and the "down-home blues of Chicago.

1. Drop Down Mama 2. Black Minnie 3. Elsie Blues 4. Des'e My Blues 5. Cross Cut Saw Blues 6. Cross Cut Saw Blues 7. Classy Mae Blues 8. You Can't Read My Mind 9. Travelin' Highway Man 10. Deep Blue Sea Blues 11. I'm a Guitar King 12. It's a Cryin' Pity 13. Mozelle Blues 14. Blues Trip Me This Morning 15. Mr. So and So Blues 16. Roll Me, Baby 17. I Love My Baby 18. Shake It Up and Go 19. Blues As I Can Be 20. Bluebird Blues 21. Bluebird Blues