Mance Lipscomb's Discovery (Part 1)

Mance Lipscomb (1895-1976) was a farmer most of his life, and also a "songster" who could perform hundreds of songs of all types, including blues and ragtime, folk songs, dances, and popular tunes. He was "discovered" by Chris Strachawitz and Mack McCormick in 1961 at the age when most retire. The description of his "discovery" as told by Mack McCormick is presented on Lipscomb's first album with Arhoolie (which was the first album issued under that label). This interview tells Mance's version of that discovery. Michael Birnbaum (shown in the first image) and Eddie Iwaki (who took most of the pictures shown here) visited Mance at his home in Navasota Texas in September, 1966 and recorded this interview.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Blues
• Mance
• Lipscomb
• Discovery
• Oral
• History
• Chris
• Strachawitz
• Mack
• McCormick
• Folk
• Music
• African-American

[frg8524]

I like to hear Mance talk too. A unpretentious down home genius

[mojokiss]

@banjochris he talks like my family back in baton rouge... hehehe - its cool. hey i play banjo too btw

[Iddyboy]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful document.

[FrostyMorn]

Thanks very much for posting these interviews. I enjoy listening to Mance speak as much as I enjoy listening to him play!

[daddystovepipe]

Indeed, thanks!

[lampens]

I'm reading his I say me for a parable right now. Interesting read.

[banjochris]

Thanks so much for posting this. I never get tired of hearing Mance talk.