Born Booker T Washington White, Bukka first recorded in 1930 and between then, and his final recording session in 1940, he released 9 records. Born in 1909, Booker was the son of a railroad worker, his first record was The New Frisco Train, coupled with The Panama Limited; White’s guitar captures the moving train to perfection.
Booker was a musical veteran by the time he first recorded having left home at 13 and gone to Chicago playing on the streets with a blind guitarist. By the late 20s he returned to the Delta, and inspired by Charley Patton he was back with the Blues.
As his one release did not sell very well Victor did not bother to release any more of the 1930 session. White made a living as an itinerant musician, as well as a baseball pitcher and a boxer. Seven years later Booker went to Chicago and cut Pinebluff Arkansas and Shake ‘em on Down for Vocalion. Unfortunately it was not success that was banging at his door, it was the Police. He had apparently shot a man, sometime before the recording session, he was sent to Parchman Farm Prison. In 1939, while he was in there John Lomax recorded two songs with White.
By late 1939 White was out of prison and able to record and in an effort to ‘modernise’ White’s sound Washboard Sam was drafted in. Bukka and Washboard recorded 12 wonderful sides. Bukka’s Jitterbug Swing, Parchman Farm Blues and Special Streamline Special are diamonds amongst pearls.
Despite this amazing music White disappeared back to obscurity, only to be rediscovered in the 1960s. He then received the adulation he deserved, but never could have imagined back in 1939, while he was in Parchman Farm Prison.
