What a fascinating set list

From left to right - Jim Lande, Eric Selby, David Bird

The Tinner Hill Blues Festival closed on Sunday, June 15 with its annual Blues Brunch. This year it was held at JV's in Falls Church VA and featured various performers affiliated with the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation. The first performers were Jim Lande on saxophone, clarinet, harmonica and bones with David Bird on guitar. The vocals were shared between the two and were also accompanied by Eric Selby on drums. I told Jim and David that they had a terrific set list and later Jim commented with the list that David put together and here is it.

Bay Rum Blues -- Ashley & Foster 1933
Floating Bridge -- Sleepy John Estes -- 1937
Boats Up River -- John Jackson 1965
Nothing in Rambling -- Memphis Minnie -- 1944
Red River -- Josh White 1933
How Long Blues -- Leroy Carr -- 1928
France Blues -- Harvey Hull with Cleve Reed -- 1927?
The World is Going Wrong -- Mississippi Shieks -- 1931
Back Door Stranger -- Brownie McGhee - 1940
Richmond Blues -- Blind Boy Fuller -- late 1930s?
Early in the Morning -- Louis Jordan -- 1947
Shake it and Break it -- Charley Patton -- 1929
Ain't Your Business -- Slim Harpo -- album 1961 (wonder if there was an earlier single?)
I like what you do -- original
Hard Time Killing Floor -- Skip James 1931
Who Do You Love -- Bo Diddley -- 1956

David later commented that he based "Red River Blues" on John Jackson's rendition and learned "Richmond Blues" from John Cephas' and Phil Wiggins rendition. I would not be surprised that many folk would be unfamilar with all but a few of these songs. I have never heard anybody interpret John Estes' "Floating Bridge" nor the Harvey Hull and Cleve Reed recording. Certainly it was a treat to listen to such a fine set of songs that it seems some who call themselves blues lovers might criticize for originality (i.e. not enough original songs).