Greens from the Garden is an album by the American musician Corey Harris, released in 1999.[1][2] The album title was inspired by a Buddy Guy comment about Harris's country blues.[3] Harris considered the album to be roots music.[4] "Wild West", about gun violence, was released as a single.[5] Harris supported the album with North American and Australian tours.[6][7]
Greens from the Garden was produced by Harris, although Alligator Records asked him to remix it with an outside producer.[8] It is a concept album, likening the vegetables that go into a pot of greens to various Black musical styles.[9] The album contains spoken interludes in which Harris and his family reflect on the cultural role of land and nourishment.[10]Henry Butler played piano on two tracks.[11] Members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band backed Harris on "Congo Square Rag".[12] "Teabag Blues" is an outtake from the Mermaid Avenue recording sessions to which Harris contributed; the lyrics are by Woody Guthrie and the harmony vocals are provided by Billy Bragg.[13][14] "Eh la Bas" and "Pas Parlez" are sung in French.[15] "Nola Rag" is about Harris's days busking in New Orleans.[16] The version of the traditional "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" is played in a reggae style.[17] "Sweet Black Angel" is a version of the Lucille Bogan song.[9]
The Independent called Harris "one of the young, black neo-country-blues stylists currently attempting to wrest the form back from the straitjacketing notions of technical dexterity imposed upon it by a generation of white guitar-heroes."[10]The Washington Post opined that "like Taj Mahal, a kindred spirit, Harris possesses a voice and personality that are hard to resist no matter what the tune or setting."[14] The Edmonton Journal wrote that "Harris's superb solo feature on National steel and vocal, 'Sweet Black Angel', has a hint of underlying fun, and he matches it every step of the way with confident picking."[18]
The Des Moines Register said that Harris "has echoed prewar acoustic blues better than anyone in recent years, and his raw talent grounds the album."[15]Newsday stated that Harris "combines New Orleans stomp with country-flavored fingerpicking, Caribbean rhythms and ragtime."[23]The Morning Call and Nashville Scene included Greens from the Garden on their lists of the best albums of 1999.[24][25]The Tampa Tribune noted that "this has to be the most impressive blues release of the year."[21]
↑ Wynn, Ron (December 16, 1999). "Around the Edges". Nashville Cream. Nashville Scene.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
