On the Australia charts, superstar Alan Lomax’s career stalled before it left the starting gate. fifteen years ago, Alan Lomax briefly lived up to their terrific name, with an insanely addictive hit single called “They’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone”. On Negro Prison Blues and Songs album, Alan Lomax have renewed their membership in the ‘if it ain’t broke…’ school of songwriting. Lots of variety between tracks. My favorite is They’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone
Within the first few notes of They’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone it’s perfectly clear that Alan Lomax is living this song. In Lonesome Blues Alan Lomax spins a tale you want to hear to the end. Penitentiary Blues defines beauty, yet is as unforgiving as an astringent stone. Simple and heartfelt closing track My Baby Got To Go closes Negro Prison Blues and Songs on a high note. Duckin’ And Dodgin’ is the best music that I have heard from anyone in any area of music. Prison Blues is the song that really did it for me. A great put together song. Tangle Eye Blues is another favourite of mine. Don’t judge How I Got in the Penitentiary on the first listening. Early In The Mornin’ - This one is lively and fun. What Makes A Work Song Leader is probably one of Alan Lomax’s biggest successes for the album - it’s lovely to listen to. Levee Camp Holler is a pleasing, and full of overall coherence that goes beyond other creations. This is probably my favorite song on the album. It Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad is a song that definitely grows on you and becomes an album favorite. If you are a Alan Lomax fan, you will love Old Dollar Mamie. You have to get essence of the Prettiest Train’s power, to truly understand this masterpiece. Overall a nice softer song. Listening to Jumpin’ Judy you can hear that Alan Lomax has still amazing chemistry with band members. Black Woman is a song that will not reduce you to tears but leave you thinking long after Negro Prison Blues and Songs have ended. Old Alabama is the album’s biggest hit, I think. No More, My Lawd is an incredible song that has everything it needs to be another favorite track. Murder’s Home is a catchy, up-tempo track that has influence of music streams without leaning too much in that direction.
Negro Prison Blues and Songs CD
| Song Name | Time | ||
| Rock Me Mama.mp3 | 3:35 |  |
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| They’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone.mp3 | 2:58 | |
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| Lonesome Blues.mp3 | 3:30 | |
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| Penitentiary Blues.mp3 | 2:24 | |
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| My Baby Got To Go.mp3 | 3:24 | |
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| Duckin’ And Dodgin’.mp3 | 3:38 | |
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| Prison Blues.mp3 | 2:22 | |
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| Stackerlee.mp3 | 4:05 | |
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| Tangle Eye Blues.mp3 | 3:08 | |
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| How I Got in the Penitentiary.mp3 | 1:25 | |
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| Early In The Mornin’.mp3 | 4:38 | |
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| What Makes A Work Song Leader.mp3 | 2:07 | |
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| Levee Camp Holler.mp3 | 2:51 | |
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| Rosie.mp3 | 2:50 | |
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| It Makes A Long Time Man Feel Bad.mp3 | 2:40 | |
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| Old Dollar Mamie.mp3 | 3:25 | |
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| Prettiest Train.mp3 | 3:44 | |
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| Whoa, Buck.mp3 | 3:53 | |
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| Jumpin’ Judy.mp3 | 4:12 | |
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| Black Woman.mp3 | 2:58 | |
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| Old Alabama.mp3 | 3:03 | |
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| No More, My Lawd.mp3 | 2:10 | |
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| Murder’s Home.mp3 | 0:51 | |
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