Uncle Sam Blues
1962 · Prestige BVLP 1048 · New York City, New York
- Artist
- Memphis Willie B.
- Title
- Uncle Sam Blues
- Release
- Hard Working Man Blues
- Year
- 1962
- Label
- Prestige # BVLP 1048
- Format
- LP · Album
- Language
- English
- Country
- New York City, New York, USA
- Genre
- Blues · Blues
Annotation
Acoustic Blues artist, born on 4 November 1911 in Shelby County, Tennessee, USA, he died on 5 October 1993 in Memphis, Tennessee. He released the early Vietnam War-era draft song, "Uncle Sam Blues" (Bluesville Records #1048), in which the narrator explained to his daughter that "Uncle Sam's havin' trouble overseas". He continues that "the doctor done okayed me...I got to check with my local board". Released in 1962, it was probably a little early to be specifically about Vietnam, but an interesting reflection of the contemporary prospect of being drafted to war and the impact on home life.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Born 4 November 1911, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA. Died 5 October 1993