Inspired by legendary blues and gospel guitarist, Rev. Gary Davis, Simon has been involved in the British blues scene since the ‘60s. With his playing partner of twelve years, Steve Rye (harmonica), he first came to prominence on an album recorded and released in 1968, Blues Like Showers of Rain. The successful triumvirate of Simon, Steve and pianist Bob Hall performed throughout the ‘70s as the ‘All Star Medicine Show’. When Steve’s health declined, he was replaced by Kevin Stenson.

Simon also played occasionally with the late JoAnn Kelly and accompanied Sonny Terry when half of that legendary duo, Brownie McGhee, became ill. Since the ‘80s, Simon has performed solo and with actress and singer Masha Vlassova initially  as part of the ‘Mobile Moaners’. Masha is a New Zealander of Russian extraction, and sings in the style of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Sophie Tucker.

Rob Mason hails from the Tyne and was heavily influenced by Sonny Terry, John Lee ‘Sonny Boy’ Williamson, Steve Rye and many others. He performs live with Simon and with Gordon Smith, Dave Peabody and others.

1. Shuckin’ sugar (Blind Lemon Jefferson)

Lemon Jefferson was a wonderful guitarist and singer but very badly recorded on an old wire recorder. He influenced a lot of musicians (including white country singers like Jimmy Rogers and Carl Perkins). This song is my wife Birte’s favourite and it’s for her.

2. I’m simply wild about my good cocaine

(Luke Jordan)

I got this from a (record of a) white man called Dick Justice. He got it from a black man called Luke Jordan. The guitar part is partly based on a Gary Davis instrumental called ‘The boy was       playing the guitar and kissing the girl at the same time’.

3. Cakewalk into town  ¹  (Taj Mahal)

A song written in the jug band tradition.

4. Jelly bean blues  ²  (Lena Arant/Ma Rainey)

This is a wonderful Ma Rainey song in which you get three tunes for the price of one. The guitar arpeggio bit (originally played on Banjo) has been used by English Melodian player Tony Hall for a piece he calls ‘Humphrey Lyttelton’.

5. Send me a man (Hunter)

I got this from Alberta Hunter. It’s a woman’s song so you'll have to use your imagination.

6. Georgia rag (Willie McTell)

Blind Willie McTell was a wonderful entertainer with a repertoire which went way beyond blues. He was still busking in a car park in Georgia in the 1950s. The guitar on this track is what I call a proper 12 string. It was made by Tom Mates and it tunes down to C. The guitar on all the other tracks is a Martin Wurlitzer made in 1922.

7. Can’t be bothered with no sheik  ²

(Dickerson/Coleman/Blythe)

8. Bless my soul  ¹  (Eddie Jefferson)

Eddie Jefferson was my favourite ‘vocalese’       composer. This is his version of ‘Parker’s Mood’       by Charlie Parker.

9. Saturday night fish fry ¹

(Bill Doggett/ Louis Jordan)

10. I need a little sugar in my bowl  ²

(Clarence Williams, D Small, Tim Brymn)

One of Bessie Smith’s best performances.     She recorded this late in her career when her success had declined.

11. Ain’t you glad  ¹  (Trad)

A gospel song from Leadbelly and Sonny Terry.

12. Leaving home (Trad arr Poole)

A white country song from Charlie Poole who had a ‘string band’.

13. Me mother doesn’t know I’m on the stage (Billy Bennett)

This comes from Billy Bennett, a great music hall performer from Yorkshire. His nonsense humour still sounds fresh.

14. All by myself  ¹  (Big Bill Broonzy)

The guitar part is based on Blind Blake’s ‘Diddie Wa Diddie’.

15. I’ve been ‘buked  ¹, ²  (Trad)

A gospel song we got from the Staple Singers.

Simon Prager

¹  With Rob Mason    ²  With Masha Vlassova