Woodrow Adams

Woodrow Wilson Adams (April 9, 1917 - August 9, 1988) was an American Delta blues guitarist and harmonica player. Adams made a late entry into the recording industry, producing three singles, with his most accomplished piece being the song, "How Long", which offered an insight into Adams' lifestyle. His works were later compiled on a compilation album.

Adams was born in Tchula, Mississippi to plantation workers. From an early age, he was taught the rudiments of playing harmonica and the guitar. Though Adams is mainly remembered for his music, he didn't begin his recording career until the age of 35, in which time he made his living as a tractor driver. On May 24, 1952, Adams, backed by the supporting group, the 3 B's, recorded "Pretty Baby Blues" at Sun Studios in Memphis. Included in the group, was the services of Fiddlin' Joe Martin, who would appear on all of Adams' recordings and performed live with him throughout his career. The resulting single, which was released on Checker Records, is now very rare as only one copy is known to still exist.^[1][2]

In 1955, Adams returned to the studio, this time with the Boogie Blues Blasters, to record "Wine Head Woman" for his second single. It represented his transition from blues toward a more commercial R&B approach. Adams released one more single, "Something on My Mind", in 1961, as a solo effort before returning to his work on a plantation. None of Adams' material was met with much commercial success. Fellow musician David Evans recorded a session with Adams' former backing band in 1967.^[3]

Adams' material has been circulated for a wider audience over the years and has received reinterest. In 1974, two of Adams' previously unissued tracks, "Pony Blues" and, arguably his best known song, "How Long", were compiled on the album, High Water Blues. The song was inspired by Adams' life on a plantation and emulates the instrumental and melodic style of Howlin' Wolf, who taught Adams how to play harmonica, and Wolf's 1954 song, "Baby How Long". Adams died in Robinsville, Mississippi in 1988.^[4] After all of his past work was steadily released, the compilation album, This Is the Blues, Volume 4, was distributed in 2015 and configured all of Adams' songs.^[5]

Discography

Singles

• "Pretty Baby Blues" b/w "She's Done Come and Gone" - Checker Records (Checker 757), 1952
• "Wine Head Woman" b/w "Baby You Just Don't Know" - Checker Records (MR 5033), 1955
• "Something on My Mind" b/w "Sad and Blue" - Checker Records (HB 2523), 1961

Compilation

• This Is the Blues Volume 4, A Collection of Authentic Blues Recordings - Be! Sharp (692), 2015

References