Fred McDowell, better known known as Mississippi Fred McDowell, was well-known for his mastery of slide guitar. A style he perfected over many years, he first learned using a pocketknife for a slide and later, a polished beef rib bone! He ultimately settled on the clearer sound he got from a glass slide, which he wore on his ring finger!
After decades of playing for small local gatherings, McDowell was recorded in 1959 by roving folklore musicologist Alan Lomax and Shirley Collins, on their Southern Journey field-recording trip. With interest in blues and folk music rising in the United States at the time, McDowell’s field recordings for Lomax caught the attention of blues enthusiasts and record producers, and within a couple of years, he had finally become a professional musician and recording artist in his own right. His LPs proved quite popular, and he performed at festivals and clubs all over the world.
.McDowell continued to perform blues in the north Mississippi style much as he had for decades, sometimes on electric guitar rather than acoustic guitar. He inspired many and though he once declared how, “I do not play no rock and roll,” he was not averse to associating with younger rock musicians. In fact, he coached Bonnie Raitt on slide guitar technique and was reportedly flattered by The Rolling Stones’ rather straightforward version of his You Gotta Move!
Freight Train Blues, I believe, was recorded to reel to reel in September1959 when McDowell laid down some songs in his own home in Panola County, Mississippi Recorded by writer and producer Alan Lomax (as mentioned above), this session was documented by Shirley Collins too!
It’s a grand blues track with a traveling/moving feel to it and I love the way the guitar chugs away like a choo choo train!! Check it out above.
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