I'd Rather Be the Devil: Skip James and the Blues

About I'd Rather Be the Devil: Skip James and the Blues

Skip James (1902-1969) was perhaps the most creative and idiosyncratic of all blues musicians. Drawing on hundreds of hours of conversations with James himself, Stephen Calt here paints a dark and unforgettable portrait of a man untroubled by his own murderous inclinations, a man who achieved one moment of transcendent greatness in a life haunted by failure. And in doing so, Calt offers new insights into the nature of the blues, the world in which it thrived, and its fate when that world vanished.

A Definitive Portrait of a Blues Legend

This biography provides an intimate look at Skip James, one of the Delta blues' most enigmatic figures. Through extensive interviews conducted directly with James, author Stephen Calt captures the complexity of a musician whose creative genius was matched only by his troubled personal life. The book examines James's unique musical style, characterized by his distinctive guitar tunings and haunting falsetto voice that set him apart from his contemporaries.

Understanding the Blues Through Skip James

Beyond a simple biography, this work offers critical insights into the broader context of blues music and its cultural significance. Calt explores the Mississippi Delta environment that shaped James's artistry, the social conditions that gave rise to the blues, and how this musical tradition evolved as its original world disappeared. The book serves as both a character study and a cultural history, examining how the blues functioned within African American communities in the early 20th century.

Stephen Calt's Authoritative Research

Stephen Calt brings decades of blues scholarship to this project. As the author of "King of the Delta Blues: The Life and Music of Charlie Patton" and coauthor of "R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz and Country," Calt established himself as a leading authority on early blues musicians. His direct access to Skip James and hundreds of hours of recorded conversations provide an unparalleled primary source for understanding this influential artist.

Essential Reading for Blues Enthusiasts

Whether you're a music historian, blues aficionado, or simply interested in American cultural history, this book provides valuable perspectives on one of the genre's most important figures. It examines James's brief moment of recognition, his years of obscurity, and his rediscovery during the 1960s folk blues revival that brought him to new audiences before his death in 1969.