ARTHUR ‘BIG BOY’ CRUDUP ‘That’s All Right (Mama): The Fire Sessions’

$30.00 Inc GST

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Description

21 Track CD – The Entire Fire Records Sessions for the first time on a Single CD. By 1962, when Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup belatedly released his debut album, he’d been recording for two full decades. His songs “That’s All Right (Mama)” and “My Baby Left Me” were part of the fresh approach that catapulted Elvis Presley to stardom, but Crudup had actually composed and released these titles during the 1940’s. By 1962 Crudup had retired from the music industry, due in part to frustration over lack of publishing royalties, but he made a strong comeback.

In another universe, in one that didn’t exploit its musicians, Crudup would be a legend reaching the heights of musicians like Elvis, Rod Stewart, Elton John or Eric Clapton who have all covered his songs. As it is, Crudup was never able to support his family through his music and effectively stopped recording in the 1950s, earning his bread bootlegging, laboring in the fields and occasionally singing at bars and juke joints.

A few years before his death in 1974, Crudup is quoted to have said, “I was born poor, I live poor and I am going to die poor.” Such humility avoids mentioning the riches and great musical wealth and influence he gracefully bestowed to others.