"No Monkeys On This Train" is a unique collection of songs from the blues master’s days with The Sound Machine, live tracks from the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, and spoken-word pieces.
R. L. Burnside (born Robert Lee Burnside, November 23, 1926 - September 1, 2005) was a blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist who lived much of his life in and around Holly Springs, Mississippi. He played music for much of his life, but did not receive much attention until the early 1990s.
Burnside had a powerful, expressive voice and played both electric and acoustic guitars (both with a slide and without). His drone-based style was a characteristic of North Mississippi hill country blues rather than Mississippi Delta blues. Like other country blues musicians, he did not always adhere to 12- or 16-bar blues patterns, often adding extra beats according to his preference. He called this "Burnside style" and often commented that his backing musicians needed to be familiar with his style in order to be able to play along with him.
Burnside had been in declining health since heart surgery in 1999. He passed away at St. Francis Hospital on September 1, 2005 at the age of 78.
RL
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