Destination Jail Volume 2

Regular: £9.99

Sale
Regular: £9.99

Sold Out

Unit Price: per

Cat No: BCD17709

Release Date: 23 February 2024

Label: Bear Family (Code 7)

Packaging Type: Jewel Case

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 4000127177094

Genres: Rock 'N' Roll Rock 'N' Roll

Description

With 'Destination Jail, Volume 2', Bear Family Records offers another intriguing collection of blues and rhythm & blues obscurities and classics from the '40s to the '60s about life behind bars. It deals with the various elements of the US justice system: prison = county farm, chain gang; jail and penitentiary.
Among the better-known highlights are Jailhouse Rock by Frankie Lymon, the heartbreaking Please Mr. Jailer by Wynona Carr, the Prisoner's Song by Fats Domino - in this case a classic from the Anglo-Celtic tradition - and the tongue-in-cheek Good Morning Judge by Wynonie Harris.
An exciting introduction to an important topic of Afro-American roots music, with liner notes by Roland Heinrich Rumtreiber and originals remastered with finesse.
Incarceration is a frequent theme in American roots music, especially in blues and rhythm & blues. African American life in the New World started in chains and endured slavery and segregation. Despite significant changes initiated during the second half of the 20thcentury, equality has not yet reached all strata of society.
The percentage of African Americans sentenced to time in prison is considerably higher than that of other demographic groups. Frequent analysis also reveals statistics that African Americans most likely receive longer prison sentences than white Americans.
This is a sensitive topic, and one might wonder how this compilation of African American popular music from the 40s to 60s fits into the lighter and novelty-laden 'Destination' Series. See and listen for yourself.
In contrast to old-time and early country music, where the theme continued the Anglo-Celtic tradition of the murder ballad, jail, in the African American tradition, is no metaphor for self-reflection and transformation. Incarceration does not serve as a mirror of one's self; it is the mirror image of a sickening society.
This compilation offers various styles. It also presents multiple viewpoints - from gallows humour, the laughing-to-keep-from-crying approach, the cry for help, and the promise of redemption.
Tracklisting