Washington Phillips
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Washington Phillips was a pioneering gospel performer in the 1920s. Born January 11, 1880 in Texas, Phillips recorded just sixteen remarkable songs, some of which amount to highly specific and detailed gospel sermons. The songs, recorded between 1927 and 1929, feature Phillips' voice self-accompanied by an instrument that sounds like a fretless zither. This instrument, which has been variously identified as a Dolceola, a Celestophone, and a Phonoharp (and also is considered by some to be an instrument entirely home-made by Phillips) creates a unique sound on these recordings that makes them immediately recognizable. Phillips died September 20, 1954 in Teague, Texas, at the age of 74.
Ry Cooder covered Phillips' Denomination Blues on his album Into the Purple Valley and Tattler on his album Paradise and Lunch.
Will Oldham covered Phillips' "I Had A Good Father and Mother" on the Palace Brothers album There Is No-One What Will Take Care of You (1993). Gillian Welch also covered this song on her 2003 album, Soul Journey.
The Be Good Tanyas covered "What are They Doing in Heaven Today" on Hello Love.
"House Williams" covered Phillips´ "Denomination Blues" on "Revolutionist"
Chitlin' Fooks covered "Mother's last word to her son" on their debut album.
[edit] Recordings
- Lift Him Up That's All
- Paul And Silas In Jail
- Mother's Last Word To Her Son
- The Church Needs Good Deacons
- Jesus Is My Friend
- A Mother's Last Word To Her Daughter
- I Had A Good Father And Mother
- I Am Born To Preach The Gospel
- Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There
- Denomination Blues - Part 1
- Denomination Blues - Part 2
- What Are They Doing In Heaven Today
- I've Got The Key To The Kingdom
- Train Your Child
- You Can't Stop A Tattler - Part 1
- You Can't Stop A Tattler - Part 2
