One commentator noted that Burnside, along with Big Jack Johnson, Paul "Wine" Jones, Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes and James "Super Chikan" Johnson, were "present-day exponents of an edgier, electrified version of the raw, uncut Delta blues sound."
Early life and career
Burnside was born in Harmontown, Mississippi, in Lafayette County. He spent most of his life in North Mississippi, working as a sharecropper and a commercial fisherman, as well as playing guitar at weekend house parties. He was first inspired to pick up the guitar in his early twenties, after hearing the 1948 John Lee Hooker single, "Boogie Chillen" (which inspired numerous other rural bluesmen, among them Buddy Guy, to start playing). He learned music largely from Mississippi Fred McDowell, who lived nearby in an adjoining county. He also cited his cousin-in-law, Muddy Waters, as an influence.
During the 1950s, Burnside grew tired of sharecropping and moved to Chicago in the hope of finding better economic opportunities. But things did not turn out as he had hoped. Within the span of one year his father, brother, and uncle were all murdered in the city, a tragedy that Burnside would later draw upon in his work, particularly in his interpretation of Skip James's "Hard Time Killing Floor" and the talking blues "R.L.'s Story", the opening and closing tracks on Burnside's 2000 album, Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down.
Around 1959, he left Chicago and went back to Mississippi to work the farms and raise a family. Burnside was convicted for murder and sentenced to six months' incarceration (in Parchman Prison) for the crime. Burnside's boss at the time reputedly pulled strings to keep the murder sentence short, due to having need of Burnside's skills as a tractor driver. Burnside later said "I didn't mean to kill nobody ... I just meant to shoot the sonofabitch in the head. Him dying was between him and the Lord."
His earliest recordings were made in the late 1960s by George Mitchell and released on Arhoolie Records. Another album of acoustic material was recorded that year and little else was released before Hill Country Blues, in the early 1980s. An album's worth of singles followed, released on ethnomusicology professor Dr. David Evans' Highwater Records record label in Memphis, Tennessee.
Later life and career
In the 1990s, he began recording for the Oxford, Mississippi, label Fat Possum Records. Founded by Living Blues magazine editor Peter Redvers-Lee and Matthew Johnson, the label was dedicated to recording ageing North Mississippi bluesmen such as Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. Burnside remained with Fat Possum from that time until his death, and he usually performed with his friend and understudy, the slide guitarist Kenny Brown, with whom he began playing in 1971 and claimed as his "adopted son."
Burnside attracted the attention of Jon Spencer, the leader of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, touring and recording with this group and gaining a new audience in the process.
After the death of Kimbrough and the burning of Kimbrough's juke joint in Chulahoma, Mississippi, Burnside quit recording studio material for Fat Possum, though he did continue to tour. After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.
Members of his large extended family continue to play blues in the Holly Springs area: grandson Cedric Burnside tours with Kenny Brown and most recently with Steve 'Lightnin' Malcolm as part of the 'Juke Joint Duo', while his son Duwayne Burnside has played guitar with the North Mississippi Allstars (Polaris; Hill Country Revue with R. L. Burnside). Duwayne's solo career began when "Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia" recorded "Live At the Mint" in October 1997. Members included Cedric Burnside, Eddie Batos, Joe Hill from Alien Ant Farm, and David Kimbrough, Jr. (Junior Kimbrough's son) with Duwayne's father sitting in on a few tracks. Duwayne and the Mississippi Mafia released "Under Pressure" in March 2005, which was recorded at Delta Studios in Clarksdale, Mississippi featuring Jimbo Mathus, rhythm guitar (Squirrel Nut Zippers), Roy Cunningham on drums (Stax Sessions), and Burnside's son Garry Burnside on bass guitar. In 2004, the Burnside sons opened Burnside Blues Cafe, located 30 miles southeast of Memphis at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Mississippi Highway 7 in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
In January 2006, Garry and Cedric released The Record under the moniker "Burnside Exploration".
Death
Burnside had been in declining health since heart surgery in 1999. He died at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on September 1, 2005 at the age of 78.[4] Services were held at Rust College in Holly Springs [which is also where services were held for his friend, Junior Kimbrough, who died in 1998], with burial in the Free Springs Cemetery in Harmontown. Around the time of his passing, he resided in Byhalia, Mississippi and his immediate survivors included:
His wife: Alice Mae Taylor Burnside (married 1951); died November 16, 2008
Daughters: Mildred Jean Burnside, Linda Jackson, Brenda Kay Brooks, and Pamela Denise Burnside;
Sons: Melvin Burnside, R.L. Burnside Jr., Calvin Burnside, Joseph Burnside, Daniel Burnside, Duwayne Burnside, Dexter Burnside, Garry Burnside, and Rodger Harmon
Sisters: Lucille Burnside, Verelan Burnside, and Mat Burnside
Brother: Jesse Monia
35 Grandchildren
32 Great-Grandchildren
Style
Burnside had a powerful, expressive voice and played both electric and acoustic guitars (both with a slide and without). His drone-based style was a characteristic of North Mississippi hill country blues rather than Mississippi Delta blues. Like other country blues musicians, he did not always adhere to 12- or 16-bar blues patterns, often adding extra beats according to his preference. He called this "Burnside style" and often commented that his backing musicians needed to be familiar with his style in order to be able to play along with him.
His earliest recordings, like those of John Lee Hooker, sound very similar in their vocal and instrumental style. Many of his songs do not have chord changes, but use the same chord or repeating bass line throughout, giving his music a hypnotic feel. His vocal style is characterized by a tendency to "break" into falsetto briefly (usually at the ends of long notes).
Like the bluesman T-Model Ford, Burnside utilized the stripped-down element of his music, playing up the rawness, emphasizing his image as a lifelong hard-drinking man, and singing songs of swagger and rebellion. Burnside collaborated in the late 1990s with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion on the album A Ass Pocket of Whiskey. Consequently, he gained the attention of many within this underground music scene, cited as an influence by Hillstomp[9] and covered on record by The Immortal Lee County Killers. Burnside's "Skinny Woman" was also interpolated into the song "Busted" by fellow Fat Possum musicians The Black Keys, a band associated with the punk blues scene in their early years.
He also knew many toasts (African American narrative folk poems such as "Signifying monkey" and "Tojo Told Hitler") and frequently recited them between songs at his live concerts and on his recordings.
Selected albums
First Recordings (recorded in the late 1960s by George Mitchell; re-released by Fat Possum Records in 2003)
Too Bad Jim (produced in 1992 by Robert Palmer)
Well, Well, Well (songs and interviews from 1986-1993, released in 2001 on MC Records)
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey (1996, featuring the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion)
Mr. Wizard (1997)
Acoustic Stories (1997)
My Black Name A-Ringin' (1999)
Burnside on Burnside (a critically acclaimed 2001 live album recorded in the Crystal Ballroom on Portland, Oregon's Burnside Street)
Come On In, Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down, and A Bothered Mind (three albums of remixed material, often featuring guest artists, released in 1998, 2000 and 2004, respectively)
Films
Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads (1991). Directed by Robert Mugge
American Patchwork: Songs and Stories of America, part 3: "The Land Where the Blues Began" (1990). Written, directed, and produced by Alan Lomax; developed by the Association for Cultural Equity at Columbia University and Hunter College. North Carolina Public TV; A Dibb Direction production for Channel Four. This is a lightly re-edited version of "The Land Where the Blues Began" (1978) made by Alan Lomax, John Bishop, and Worth Long in Association with Mississippi Authority for Educational Television
You See Me Laughin': The Last of the Hill Country Bluesmen (2003; released by Fat Possum Records in 2005). Produced and directed by Mandy Stein. Oxford, Mississippi: Plain Jane Productions, Inc; Fat Possum Records.
In popular culture
The 2007 Samuel L. Jackson / Christina Ricci film, Black Snake Moan is infused with countless Burnside nods, including: the Reverend R. L. character and when Jackson plays the blues toward the end of the film, he thanks "Ced" and "Kenny" - Cedric Burnside (Burnside's grandson) and Kenny Brown (Burnside's "adopted son"), who were primary sidemen through the 1990s and early 2000s. Cedric and Kenny are also part of Jackson's band in the juke joint scene.
"It's Bad You Know," and "Shuck Dub" were featured in the HBO series The Sopranos.
"Got Messed Up" was featured in the FX series Rescue Me during an opening montage on Season 5 Episode 18, "Carrot".
A Burnside poster can be seen on a wall in brothers Drake and Josh's room in the Nickelodeon sitcom, Drake & Josh.
Last Night
R.L. Burnside Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, I'm gone talk my shit In this motherfucker
Man I did this shit by myself nigga like they don't understand the work I done put in
Just trying to make it and feed the people I got to feed
Shit take a toll for real
Wonder how I can go from broke to a millionaire
Praying god will get me there
Praying god forgive me for my sins cause I got many
Father figures I ain't have any
Bitch I came from scraping pennies
Shit ain't new we been had tools
Fuck the rules
I was selling shit in school
I ain't want to have to ask OG for shoes
Granny saying stay in school forcing me to watch the news
She didn't know I was on the verge of fuck the world god take me too
With that street shit you a virgin
Yeah you confident online but you won't talk that shit in person
I'lI send yo ass to surgeons
Bitch I'm cool but fuck with me then you will see a different person
Type of shit that got the preacher preaching sermons
That's how It go this shit off the dome I can't even write it
Corey L.O.E I make the type of shit that get your bitch excited
Niggas call they selves rappers bitch you see shit and recite it
Nigga I live what I rap it's my life you ain't invited.
It's a cold world
Get up off your ass and get your bag right
I was trying to go and see my dad that was this last night
I wish I can see my granny be for one more time
Fucking hoes at early age I did that shit for Uncle Bernard
Mom I wonder how you did it tell the world you birthed a star
Before I buy my first chain I'm about OG a car
OG bought my first chain so l'm gone buy her first range
Got to make my pops proud shit I got his first name
Get up off your ass and get yo bag right
I was on the way to see my dad that was his last night
Bitch you fix yo hands to raise at me it will be yo last fight
Heart my soul my fam don't even know me my mom and dad's side
I just met him ain't even been two years but my granddad died
Bitch I'm stepping l let go of my fear see I ain't scared to die
I won't even lie I can't even cry
Even if I passed right now I couldn't even die
The lyrics to R.L. Burnside's song "Last Night" convey a deep sense of personal struggle and determination. The artist reflects on his journey of hard work and sacrifice, emphasizing that he has achieved success on his own, despite being misunderstood by others. He mentions his desire to provide for those he cares about, acknowledging the toll it takes on him. Burnside wonders how he went from being broke to a millionaire, expressing gratitude to God for potentially reaching his goals and seeking forgiveness for his past sins.
He goes on to describe his challenging upbringing, lacking father figures and growing up with little financial means. The artist shares his experiences of selling illegal goods in school, highlighting the desperation to avoid depending on others for basic necessities like shoes. He mentions his grandmother's efforts to keep him in school, unaware of his inner turmoil and desire to escape from the world. Burnside acknowledges his connection to the streets, asserting his confidence in handling any conflicts that arise. He suggests that his experiences and actions are the inspiration for his music, dismissing other rappers who merely imitate or recite what they see without living the same life.
The artist then shifts to personal losses, expressing the pain of not being able to spend more time with his grandmother or see his father again. He refers to engaging in sexual relationships at an early age, motivated by a desire to honor his uncle, who may have influenced him. Burnside expresses his admiration for his mother's strength in raising him and proclaims his intention to buy a car for his OG (a term used to refer to a respected individual), as a sign of his success and gratitude. He wants to make his father proud and carry on his legacy by sharing the same name.
As the song progresses, Burnside emphasizes the need to take action and improve one's circumstances, urging listeners to get off their "ass" and secure their financial well-being. He narrates his own story, indicating that he was on his way to see his father the night before, possibly implying a longing for family connection that is intertwined with his pursuit of success. There is a hint of defiance as he warns against anyone raising their hands against him, suggesting that they will face consequences. The artist briefly mentions feeling disconnected from his own family, with his soul belonging to himself alone. He reflects on the recent death of his grandfather, whom he only met in the last two years, expressing his readiness to face death without fear. Burnside concludes by confessing an inability to shed tears, suggesting a distance from his emotions even in the face of potential mortality.
Overall, these lyrics depict a determined individual who has overcome challenging circumstances, sacrificing personal connections and grappling with their own mortality in pursuit of success. It provides a glimpse into the artist's personal struggles and the resilience he embodies.
Line by Line Meaning
Put it on, put it on
Start playing the music, set the atmosphere
Uh, I'm gone talk my shit In this motherfucker
I'm going to express myself confidently and assertively in this song
Man I did this shit by myself nigga like they don't understand the work I done put in
I achieved success on my own, despite others not recognizing the effort I've put in
Just trying to make it and feed the people I got to feed
I'm striving to succeed in order to provide for my loved ones
Shit take a toll for real
The struggle and hard work have a significant impact on me
Wonder how I can go from broke to a millionaire
I'm amazed at the transformation in my financial status from poverty to wealth
Praying god will get me there
I have faith in God to guide me towards my goals
Praying god forgive me for my sins cause I got many
I ask for forgiveness because I've made numerous mistakes
And let's not talk about shit I did cause stepping stories I got plenty
There's a countless amount of stories about my past experiences, particularly in the streets
Father figures I ain't have any
I didn't have any male role models in my life
Bitch I came from scraping pennies
I grew up in poverty, struggling to make ends meet
Shit ain't new we been had tools
We've had the necessary resources and skills for a long time
Fuck the rules
I disregard societal norms and regulations
I was selling shit in school
I was involved in illegal activities, selling substances while attending school
I ain't want to have to ask OG for shoes
I didn't want to rely on older gang members for basic necessities like shoes
Granny saying stay in school forcing me to watch the news
My grandmother encouraged me to focus on education while also exposing me to the harsh reality of the world through news
She didn't know I was on the verge of fuck the world god take me too
My grandmother wasn't aware of my inner turmoil and desire to escape from the world
With that street shit you a virgin
You may act tough online, but when it comes to real street experiences, you're inexperienced
Yeah you confident online but you won't talk that shit in person
You may project confidence on the internet, but you wouldn't back it up with the same attitude in real life
I'll send yo ass to surgeons
If you mess with me, I'll inflict physical harm on you
Bitch I'm cool but fuck with me then you will see a different person
I can remain calm and composed, but if provoked, I will show a more aggressive side
Type of shit that got the preacher preaching sermons
My actions and lifestyle are controversial enough to be a subject of discussion and criticism, even by preachers
That's how It go this shit off the dome I can't even write it
This is the natural flow of my thoughts and lyrics, it's improvised and cannot be written down
Corey L.O.E I make the type of shit that get your bitch excited
As Corey L.O.E, my music has the ability to excite and captivate listeners, including your partner
Niggas call they selves rappers bitch you see shit and recite it
Others claim to be rappers, but they merely repeat what they see or hear without true originality
Nigga I live what I rap it's my life you ain't invited
My lyrics reflect my real-life experiences, it's personal and you're not welcomed into that world
It's a cold world
The world can be harsh and unforgiving
Get up off your ass and get your bag right
Stop being lazy and start working on securing your financial success
I was trying to go and see my dad that was this last night
I was attempting to visit my father on the night before he passed away
I wish I can see my granny be for one more time
I yearn for an opportunity to see my grandmother once again, even for just one more moment
Fucking hoes at early age I did that shit for Uncle Bernard
Engaging in sexual relationships at a young age, I did it to impress or fulfill the desires of my uncle, Bernard
Mom I wonder how you did it tell the world you birthed a star
I admire my mother's strength and resilience in raising me, and I want her to proudly proclaim to the world that she gave birth to a successful individual
Before I buy my first chain I'm about OG a car
Instead of spending money on expensive jewelry, I prioritize buying a car for a respected older gang member
OG bought my first chain so l'm gone buy her first range
In return, the older gang member bought me the first piece of expensive jewelry, so I will buy them their first luxury car
Got to make my pops proud shit I got his first name
I strive to make my father proud because I share his name as a legacy
Get up off your ass and get yo bag right
Stop being lazy and start working on securing your financial success
I was on the way to see my dad that was his last night
I was en route to visit my father on the night before he passed away
Bitch you fix yo hands to raise at me it will be yo last fight
If you dare threaten me physically, it will result in your ultimate defeat
Heart my soul my fam don't even know me my mom and dad's side
My family doesn't truly understand the depth of my emotions and passion, both from my mother and father's side
I just met him ain't even been two years but my granddad died
I recently had a chance to meet my grandfather, but sadly, he passed away before we could spend more than two years together
Bitch I'm stepping l let go of my fear see I ain't scared to die
I'm confidently moving forward, releasing any fear, and showing that I'm not afraid of death
I won't even lie I can't even cry
Honestly, I cannot even shed tears
Even if I passed right now I couldn't even die
Even if I were to die at this very moment, it would not truly be the end for me
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Corey French
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulmarkwell4663
Press my luck
Baby say where you going now
Dat doctor say don’t drink no more
You lucky to be here now
Down on da buggy baby
So I left headed to Lady Luck
Down on da buggy baby
Luck don’t wait on me time to go
Elwood wait up on me
Deal them cards baby Tia
One more time
Press my luck baby
Can’t wait don’t be late on me
Where you going now
Press my luck baby hold da phone I wants to go too
On my way baby Lady Luck is calling
Up me on that hard six and eight Lady Luck can’t wait
She is on da phone where you going now
Press my luck baby wants to go with me
Press my luck doctor say you don’t want to hear me you lucky to be here
Press my luck baby
All sevens up on me now we’ll well we’ll
I’m up on them press my luck baby
Where you going I got a pocket full and I’m headed out
Press my luck doc Lady Luck calling
Don’t be late press da luck every time
Shake dat tree every time luck calls
@ExBuitrerojo1
Come On In is a remix album by Delta blues guitarist R. L. Burnside, released by the label Fat Possum in 1998. Largely produced by Tom Rothrock, the album was a departure for Burnside in that it fuses his blues guitar work with dance and electronic music, incorporating sampling and looping techniques. Burnside was originally skeptical of the idea, but enjoyed the finished product. Although the album's fusion of styles was deemed unusual by critics, it received acclaim from music journalists and showed respectable sales, becoming the best-selling album distributed by Epitaph Records in early 1999. The album's sound was explored by Burnside in his later works.
@tresojos
i LOVE this album. Never knew it was an Epitaph best seller!! Epic.. Im glad it got the recognition it deserves
@pattiwhitegirl
Trance Blues!!!! Can get lost in it. Otis Taylor yet another great of trance blues artist led mehere. Why did it take me so long . 💕
@thekingofelfland3294
Yep.. Nail on the head there. Good shout to Otis Taylor. Love his music. Great version of Hey Joe. Peace ✌️
@buckmaxey7998
Somehow I found this when it first came out and I still love listening to it!
@gatchaman88
WELL WELL WELL! The dude was a national f'n treasure! One of the best!
@tezzrterry7485
This is a landmark album, brilliant remixes of RL tracks. So good.
@jes7574
This was the first album of his I found. Went to Summerfest about 10 years back, we hit every record store we cpuld find.
@rustyshackleford6637
It's got me Shittin n Booin,
@rustyshackleford6637
@@jes7574 OH SHIIIT FUUCK