Backwards Sam Firk - The True Blues and Gospel of Backwards Sam Firk (1968)

"In the early 1960s, Mike Stewart adopted the professional name of Backwards Sam Firk. "My dad used to call me Backwards Sam because my initials are MAS," he explained. He recorded for the private label of the eccentric Maryland record collector Joe Bussard in the early 60s, on his own, with John Fahey and in impromptu groups. 

Mike's pseudonym came to wider notice in the late 1960s when he was associated with Gene Rosenthal's Adelphi Records, an independent Blues label based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The first item in its catalog was his album "The True Blues & Gospel of Backwards Sam Firk," consisting of scrupulous interpretations of repertoire learned from Mississippi John Hurt, Bo Carter, Big Bill Broonzy and other Blues masters of the 1920s and 30s"  

Firk is a fingerpicking master, not to be missed. Mostly instrumentals here, interspersed with a couple vocal tracks. Continues in the vein of the standard blues masters and completely does them justice.

Backwards Sam Firk