Mance Lipscomb

In Concert

Mance Lipscomb was a sage, a songster, a responsible elder, a self-made man... He played so many types of music in his own style with powerful conviction... Tilting his head back, closing his eyes, and thumping that Harmony Sovereign, Mance brought the past to the present and turned the present into story, into song and into life. -Taj Mahal
Mance Lipscomb (1895-1976), the son of a former slave, lived almost his whole life in Navasota, Texas, supporting himself and his family by tenant farming. But he was also a guitar player and songster who played blues and rags for his local neighbors at loal Saturday night parties. In 1960 Mance was discovered by Chris Strachwith of Arhoolie Records and Mack McCormick. Within a short period of time Mance was recording albums and performing at festivals, concert halls and clubs around the country. This video presents a rare television concert recorded in Texas for KLRU TV in 1969. It shows the panorama and genius of Mance's music.

A pdf file for the booklet that accompanies this DVD can be found on the DVD folder that will appear when putting the DVD in to your computer.