Jack-leg preacher and gospel blues singer, the late Washington Phillips of Simsboro, is the subject of a new book by music critic Michael Corcoran. A review and book signing is being held in Teague later this month. (Photo courtesy of Doris Nealy)
His origins, and the ethereal instrument he played, have been argued by both researchers and fans.
Folks in the Teague area knew him as a jack-leg preacher who sold homemade ribbon can syrup from his mule cart.
Washington Phillips of Simsboro, just north of Teague, Texas recorded 18 songs with Columbia records between 1927 and 1929.
His life and music are the subject of a new book, “Washington Phillips and His Manzarene Dreams” by Michael Corcoran.
The public is invited to attend a review and book signing on Saturday, January 28th beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Teague Community Center.
Over 8,000 copies were sold of Washington’s first 78rpm record, which included “Take Your Burden to the Lord” and “Life Him Up That’s All.”
More songs were recorded the next two years, and then the artist seemed to disappear into obscurity.
That is, until author Michael Corcoran began his research, with the assistance of folks from Freestone County, including Doris Nealy and the late Wilbur Titus.
This is the second book published by Corcoran, a former music critic for the Dallas Morning News and the Austin American Statesman, who has been pursuing “passion projects” in his retirement.
His first book, “All Over the Map: True Heroes of Texas Music,” released in 2005, chronicles thirty-two trailblazing Texas musicians from varying genres as blues, country, rap, Tejano, rockabilly, and Western swing.
Prior to Corcoran’s research into the local Gospel Blues artist, musicologists believe that Phillips had died in a State hospital in 1938, and that the instrument he played was a dolceola, a rare keyboard instrument.
However, with this new book, fans of Washington Phillips now know that he lived into his 70’s and that his unique instrument was handmade.
Corcoran’s new book is published by Dust-to-Digital of Atlanta, Georgia and includes a 16-track CD using the most pristine original 78rpm copies available.
Come and celebrate one of Freestone County’s unique musicians by attending the book signing event January 28, 2017.
