Parrot 779 - John Brim - Tough Times

John Brim made great records for J.O.B, Parrot, Blue Lake and Chess. 'Tough Times', thought by some to be a steal of 'I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man', was actually recorded a month earlier in December 1953. Despite some obvious similarities the two are however quite different. 'Tough Times', on which Brim's wife Grace plays drums, is one of my all-time favorite blues records and is rarely far from my turntable.

[@johnbrim888]

This is the first time I have heard this song and i long it...My grand dad was the best..I only wish i got to know him better...

[@rievans57]

John Brim is one of those artist who didn't get as much write up as some of his counterparts but his music is definitely worth a listen. Some his former bandmates include Albert King and Jimmy Reed. Another great song by John Brim is entitled "You Got Me".

[@markangus3252]

A real monster. Love those old Parrot and Blue Lake blues sides.

[@paigeseditingdesk]

he's my greatgrandpa

[@bluesborn]

Thanks for this up loader and the interesting info.This is a real gem-and I love the label as well.

[@chess1458]

I've Got A 78 Rpm Copy Of This As Well,The Best Sound Comes From Those Old 78's

[@d820m]

Jimmy Reed plays harp on both Tough Times and its flp side "Gary Stomp"

[@dangerousdaveT]

Ok friedharper - all news to me- I need to do more listening it seems.Thanks!

[@friedharper]

Jimmy Reed played alot of 2nd postion (You don't have to go, I found my baby, I'm gonna ruin you, I don't go for that etc.) He probably used crossharp for 50% of his recordings. at the harmonicamasterclass website you can find alot of Reed's harpkeys

[@srercrcr]

Would Jimmy Reed play on a Parrot recording???

[@srercrcr]

ok

[@fncz]

Why not? Man needed to eat. His style may have been in demand. I don't think the right hand knew what the left hand was doing in Chicago in the day!

[@d820m]

nope .....only one Jimmy Reed.....all reports about this record say that it was, indeed, Jimmy Reed on Harp.....Eddie Taylor on 2nd guitar

[@dangerousdaveT]

If this is JimmyReed on harp it is very surprising.He rarely played cross harp,hardly played at the low end and almost never played single notes(always double stops).His tone was never as good as this.Maybe there are two Jimmy Reeds?