"Reconsider Baby" and blues guitarist Lowell Fulson

My husband and I were listening to a cable blues station tonight when we heard the song, “Reconsider Baby.” He told me, “You like this so much on your Clapton album, listen to this version. This is the original.” He also pointed out one particular section of the song where he felt Clapton was heavily influenced by and in fact “got” what Fulson was conveying with his style of playing. One of the many benefits of being married to my own personal jazz and blues archivist!

Blues guitarist Lowell Fulson (born on March 31, 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) grew up in a small town named Atoka near the Texas border and began playing with country blues bands, one being Alger “Texas” Alexander in the late ‘30s. During WWII, he was stationed with the U.S Navy in Oakland, California, where he met record producer Bob Geddins. After discharge, he recorded steadily and was a regular on the US and European club circuits. Fulson was considered one of the founding fathers of West Coast blues and blended the blues he heard in his home state of Oklahoma with those heard in California.

Fulson recorded for several labels under Geddins’ direction, specifically Big Town, Down Town, Gilt Edge and Trilon. His first hit was in 1950 on the Swing Time label with a version of Memphis Slim’s song, “Nobody Loves Me” which he reworked into “Every Day I Have the Blues.” His 12-piece orchestra at the time included a young Ray Charles on piano and Stanley Turrentine blowing sax.

Over the years, Fulson alternated between labels Checker and Aladdin Records between the years 1953 and 1954. His first song for Checker (which was a division of the famous Chess Records) was “Reconsider Baby” which was his greatest hit. This song was later recorded by Elvis Presley and became a blues standard.

In 1993, he received five W.C. Handy Awards and was inducted to the Blues Hall of Fame for both his body of work and “Reconsider Baby.” Fulson worked until 1997 and on March 6, 1999, Lowell Fulson died in Los Angeles, California.

Lowell Fulson is considered one of the all-time great blues guitarists, yet his name is rarely mentioned when discussing blues legends. So if you have a moment, listen to and enjoy one of the masters.

Discography

Albums.

• In A Heavy Bag - 1965 (Jewel)
• I've Got The Blues - 1965 (Jewel)
• Lowell Fulson - 1965 (Kent)
• Soul - 1966 (Kent)
• Tramp - 1967 (Kent)
• Lowell Fulson Now! - 1969 (Kent)
• Let's Go Get Stoned - 1971 (United Artists)
• The Ol' Blues Singer - 1976 (Jet)
• Lovemaker - 1978 (Big Town)
• Think Twice Before You Speak - 1984 (JSP)
• Blue Days, Black Nights - 1986 (Ace)
• I Don't Know My Mind - 1987 (Bear Family)
• Baby Won't You Jump With Me - 1988 (Crown Prince)
• Hold On - 1993 (Bullseye)
• Them Update Blues - 1995 (Bullseye)
• Blue Shadows - 1998 (Stony Plain)