Washington Phillips is one of the most controversial and mysterious figures of the 1920's blues & gospel age, with fierce debates going on to this day concerning everything from the basic facts of his life and death to the type of instrument he played.
Believed to have born Jan.11 1880 in or near Fairfield Texas. He became an itnerant preacher travelling from church to church reagardless of denomination eventually ending up in Dallas where he recorded a series of 78's for Columbia Records from 1927-29. These records are unlike any others from the era, gentle yet complex with long biblical recitations sung in a more low key voice than the roar of Blind Willie Johnson or Rev. Gary Davis, and accompanied by the delicate ringing sounds of an unknown stringed or keyed insturment rather than a blues guitar based sound. In fact Phillips' sound seemed to be a holdover to an earlier era before blues, jazz or ragtime.
~ What instrument did he play?
The controversy over exactly what instrument the long-forgotten Phillips played began when he was "rediscovered" in the folk boom of the early 60's when a copy of the original paper-work from Columbia's 1927 session turned up listing the instrument as a Dolceola, an archaic keyed instrument similar to a small piano or harpsichord used in the Victorian era. Rarely recorded, the dolceola was sometimes used by travelling musicians (who could not get access to a piano) due to it's small size and portabillity. This information inspired Ry Cooder & Jim Dickenson to track down a dolceola and record a cover of Phillips "Denomination Blues". Many musicologists supported this view, writing papers on the subject, but others, listening to the crackling 78's insisted the instrument bing played wasn't a keyed instrument at all but rather a plucked Zither or a Hammered Dulcimer. Further research by a more recent musicologists has backed the latter view with testimony from contemporary surviving witnesses suggesting a homemade version and eventually an actual photo showing a man identified as Phillips holding two Zithers. The Zither was a German harplike instrument popular in the pre-WW1 era until it was replaced by the improved autoharp and would have been more readily available by mail-order, many of these can still be found in antique & junk stores across North America although they were not heavily recorded. Another possibility is the less common Dulcimer, a Zither-like stringed instrument played by striking it with small hammers. Both the Zither & Dulcimer would be more likely candidates for a homemade or modified instrument and modern remastered recordings do sound more like a Zither or Dulcimer than a keyed instrument however the Cooder/Dickenson camp hold true to the Dolceola and the contoversy continues.
~ His death
Early research into Phillips found a death cerificate for a Washington Phillips who was committed to a sanitorium mere months after his last recording session and died of tuberculosis eight years later. This image of the tortured suffering artist suited romantic myth and was accepted as fact until further research revealed that this Washington Phillips was a different man, perhaps a cousin of Washington Phillips the singing preacher, who was born in 1880 being at least ten years older than previously thought and 47 in 1927 which might explain his archaic choice of instrument and sound. After his last session in 1929 the coming depression forced him into retiring from recording (as it did to many rural musicians) although he continued to perform at church functions and street corners until his death from injuries suffered in a fall in 1954.
Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" ~ Romans 8:24-31
1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
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WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, HUBERT SUMLIN, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, IRA COLEMAN, PETER ERSKINE, JERRY JUMONVILLE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, BILL BRUFORD, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, DJ RE-MIXES, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems. Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
Thanks a million Washington for joining our ministry of Blues. It's all about peace, love, understanding, and GROOVE! Hope to perform for you, just not too soon. PEACE. Wishing you the very best in Blues and life and afterlife! -Big Daddy
BOUNCIN' THROUGH TO SHOW YA SOME CHRIST "AGAPE"..BE SURE TO ROLL BY EACH WEEK & CHECK OUT OUR SPOTLITE ARTIST FOR THE WEEK. PEACE & BLESSINGS ISA 41:10 PHIL 4:13 1 PETER 5 PSALM 27 PSALM 91 EXODUS 14:14
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