Biography

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Best known for “That’s All Right” and two other songs covered by Elvis Presley, bluesman Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup was born in Forest, Mississippi. Crudup visited Chicago in 1939 as a member of the gospel group The Harmonizing Four and stayed to work as a solo artist but was not successful. Record producer Lester Melrose allegedly found him living in a packing crate. He toured the country in 1948 with Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James. Throughout his career Crudup recorded for Victor, Ace, Checker, Trumpet, Bluebird, and in the ’60s–Delmark. This session was recorded November 10, 1969 and features Jimmy Dawkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. Crudup’s guitar was amped through the same rotating Leslie speaker that Buddy Guy used on Junior Wells’ Hoodoo Man Blues (Delmark 612) for seven of the nine songs here. There’s also a nice talk section between Crudup and producer Bob Koester.

1 Sunny Road 3:21
2 Please Don't Leave Me With The Blues 2:06
3 Trying To Take Me For A Ride 3:35
4 She Gives Me A Thrill 5:45
5 Mistake I Made In L.A. 3:49
6 The One That I Love 3:50
7 I Have Called Up China 5:22
8 I'm Leavin' Town 3:42
9 Studio Chatter With Bob Koester 1:26
10 All I Got Is Gone 7:11

all songs by Arthur Crudup

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup - vocals, guitar
Mark Thompson - bass (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 8, 10)
Mike Thompson - guitar (track 2)
Willie "Big Eyes" Smith - drums
Jimmy Dawkins - guitar (tracks: 4, 7, 10)

Recorded November 10, 1969

Recorded At – Sound Studios, Chicago