The Devil's Music

Here's a new series which should be fun. Each Saturday I will post one track which references rock & roll's favourite character, however (s)he be known: the Devil, the Beast, Beelzebub, Satan, the Antichrist, Lucifer... you know who I mean. The Devil has provided some artists with massive hits - Sympathy For The Devil, The Number Of The Beast - (s)he is even mentioned in Bohemian Rhapsody, and there aren't many better-known rock songs than that!

Accompanying each track will be a very short (I promise) piece. I want to keep it short to increase the chances of me being inspired enough to actually write something and thus not get bored of the series halfway through.  Where to start though... how about an early classic?

#1: Devil Got My Woman by Skip James
 
Recorded in 1931, Devil Got My Woman is one of the earliest references to old BLZ Bub on disc. Skip James has been cited as a major influence on rock and blues musicians since the 1960s. Unfortunately, shortly after his recording career got under way, the Great Depression took hold and sales dried up. He became an ordained minister, retiring from music until rediscovered some 30 years later. Devil Got My Woman (also known as Wish I Was The Devil as per John Martyn's famous cover) is one of his most well known tracks.

More beastly sounds next weekend.


Soundtrack:

• Devil Got My Woman - Skip James (78rpm, c. 1931)