Abner Jay

Stunning one-man band tunes from one of the United States' great unsung artists. An album of previously unreleased tracks from Abner's vast catalog of home recordings, showcasing some of his most haunting and powerful vocal performances on revelatory new renditions of classics like 'I'm So Depressed' and 'Ol Man River.' Abner recorded the majority of the songs found on this LP over and over - some were recorded with R&B bands in the late 1950s, some as earnest folk ballads in the early 1960s and some as homemade one man band recordings on electric banjo, drum and harmonica throughout the 1970s. Here Abner plays these songs more deeply felt than at any other point, accompanied by his electric guitar, plaintive harmonica and solid almost tribal bass drum. We don't know exactly what date these recordings were made, but they stand as absolutely timeless. A truly independent artist who performed at swap meets and fairs out of his custom converted trailer, Abner Jay traveled the United States from the 1930s until his passing in 1993. Told with his characteristic blend of humor and pathos, 'I Don't Have Time To Lie To You' is an unsparing take on the country Abner knew so well, and possibly the best full album of his music to date. Licensed from Brandie Records and Abner's family. The record comes in old-style tip-on jacket, 160g pressed in Chicago.