Jesus is on the main line - Acoustic Guitar Forum

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Jesus is on the main line

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Author	Topic: Jesus is on the main line
John B Member Posts: 1387 From: Registered: May 2000	posted 04-20-2003 21:19 It happened to me this morning - the phone rang. The caller ID said "Jesus" along with a last name. On Easter. Aside from the thought that this is a message to me, I got to wondering about the song "Jesus Is On The Main Line" (or mainline, I forget the spelling). I have a copy somewhere, on the last Oxford American music issue, by Mississippi Fred McDowell. Does anybody know what album, or albums, it was issued on? If more than one, what the best one might be? Did anyone else cover the song? (Adrian, this is your cue) IP: Logged
KyleHaynes Member Posts: 192 From: Santa Cruz, CA Registered: Jan 2000	posted 04-20-2003 21:25 I have heard Ben Harper play it before.... IP: Logged
Russ Young Member Posts: 1687 From: Seattle, Washington USA Registered: Jan 2003	posted 04-20-2003 22:00 Ry Cooder covered it ... I think it was on "Paradise and Lunch." (or maybe "Into the Purple Valley?") IP: Logged
Dennis Roger Reed Moderator Posts: 1901 From: San Clemente, CA USA Registered: Sep 2000	posted 04-20-2003 22:21 I do it in open D. Hence, it must be very easy. IP: Logged
Mike D Member Posts: 1393 From: Phx, Az Registered: Dec 2000	posted 04-20-2003 22:31 Around here (AZ) a Caller ID that said 'Jesus' means it's actually 'Heysoos' calling you. I had my own odd Easter experience today. On my morning hike throught the mountain preserve behind my house I spied several men in robes (one in white)on top of a small hill. By the time I had circled the hill they'd disappeared. Either an early morning passion play or a vision, dunno which. There's also "Jesus Just Left Chicago" [This message has been edited by Mike D (edited April 20, 2003).] IP: Logged
drDAve Member Posts: 739 From: Lake Oswego Registered: Sep 2000	posted 04-20-2003 22:34 Capitol re-released his 1969 CD " I Do Not Play No Rock n Roll" a couple of years back- 'Jesus is on the Mainline' is on there, so is 'Kokomo' and 'You Got to Move'. Arhoolie may have some of his earlier stuff around. He lived into the 1970's and was one of those "rediscovered" guys that got recorded alot later in his life. Dennis-Fred played it in open D as well, but I've read sometimes he'd use a steak bone as a slide-neat party trick for your next "Sunday go to meetin" gig. IP: Logged
hoodadoo Member Posts: 2011 From: Westport, Ct., Registered: Mar 2001	posted 04-21-2003 02:38 I'll have to look through some stuff, but I do know he did a song called "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me". It is on the Alan Lomax Portraits Collection Series, Fred McDowell: the First Sessions, on Rounder CD 1718. IP: Logged
snakehips Member Posts: 1042 From: Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K. Registered: Feb 2003	posted 04-22-2003 00:55 Jesus is on the Mainline - is recorded by the Rev. Boyd Rivers of Mississippi. Doubtful if he was the first though as it looks as if he only ever recorded in around 1980. I have that triple CD boxed set (Living Country Blues - an Anthology - on Evidence ECD 26105-2) It has 4 great tracks by him - You Gonna Take Sick and Die, Jesus is on the Mainline, You Got To Move, Precious Lord. I think he is great ! You can also see 2 tracks of him on video on Kay Jazz Videos (not sure if it is available now - I bought my copy around 12-15 years ago in London ! and not seen it since). It is a video of the 2nd Mississippi Blues Festival in Freedom Village,Ms., in 1980 - compered by Willie Dixon. On it is Boyd Rivers doing 2 songs - You Got To Take Sick and Die One of these Days, When I Cross Over. Fantastic stuff ! Also on the video is Clyde Maxwell, Hammie Nixon, Big Joe Williams, Sam Cahtmon & Eugene Powell, Johnny Shines, Bettie Fikes, Robert Lockwood Jr. & Johnny Shines, Silvia Embry (bass player and singer) and the mad, truly nuts - Lefty Dizz ! Boyd Rivers is good enough to warrant the purchase of these 2 items - even though I did not find anything else I liked on the triple CD boxed set ! Check him out - If you can find it, get the video at least. IP: Logged
Elvis Dog unregistered	posted 04-22-2003 08:33 The killer version of "Jesus is on the Main Line" is on the record "Amazing Grace: Mississippi Delta Spirituals By The Hunter's Chapel Singers Of Como, Miss." -- some kind of backwoods gospel outfit featuring Fred McDowell on guitar and Annie McDowell singing. I actually write the piece about Fred McDowell that appeared in that issue of the Oxford American and ran into this version by accident -- way better than the later one, though both are great. This whole "Amazing Grace" record is beautiful -- four-star ironclad recommendation. IP: Logged
John B Member Posts: 1387 From: Registered: May 2000	posted 04-22-2003 08:38 Thanks for the reply, ED. I listened to a clip from Amazon of the Hunter's Chapel Singers - I think I have to have both versions. Was the version in Oxford American off of the "I Do Not Play No Rock and Roll" or from somewhere else? IP: Logged

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