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From: John Gill
Date: September 25, 2003
Could someone answer a question: Has Memphis Minnie, a black blues singer of the '30's, been acknowledged as the probable source of the verse in Leon Rausch's version of Milk Cow Blues he begins after the first instrumental break (at least on the "For The Last Time" set) with "Sail on, Sail on, Sail on little girl sail on"? I recently bought a cd of Memphis Minnie reissues and there is a song on it entitled "Keep On Sailing" and Leon's verse is in Minnie's song. I don't have access to very much research material on Bob, but what I do have does not mention her. Also, she and Kansas City Joe McCoy did a great blues version of "What's The Matter With The Mill" which I suspect was done before Bob did his version in 1936. I know Bob loved the Black music he grew up with and would want credit given where it is due. Maybe I've missed it somewhere, which is very possible, but I have not run across any credit given to Memphis Minnie as an influence on Wills' music. Maybe someone can straighten me out on this. Please do, even if I am totally mistaken.