For original issue:
Recorded and Mixed at Chalk Farm Studios, London, during Feb/March/April 1974.
In spite of an air of urban sophistication, BIG JOHN WRENCHER is a country boy like most of his contemporaries and his powerful stage act belongs to Southern honky-tonks rather than the more glamorous surroundings in which he'd like to play. His command of the harmonica, mellow voice, wide repertoire and sheer presence indicate a professionalism rarely witnessed in Blues circles, but his life began in almost routine fashion...
Born near Sunflower, Mississippi, on February 12th 1923, he was raised on the Davis Plantation, about twelve miles out of Clarksdale, and lived there until the age of 23, when the urge to ramble overtook him. One of seven children, all boys, he was inspired to play harmonica after hearing 'Sidney', a local musician, and was introduced to juke joints whilst in his early teens by his father, a man who loved to gamble on Saturday nights.
His first real memories of music-makers concern Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Robert Jr. Lockwood, Robert Nighthawk, Dudlow Taylor, and Peck Curtis, the KFFA bunch, who'd all perform at Henry Hill's roadhouse on Highway 6, near Lyon, a place much frequented by John and his father, and remembered for a noisy generator that supplied the joint with electricity (then, a Delta novelty). He also got to see Jimmy Rogers at Minter City and recalls the activities of Lee and Willie Kizart at Tutwiler, but his own musical experience was limited to an occasional jam with 'name' entertainers, when actually allowed to sit in.
In 1947 he grew tired of milking cows and driving tractors six days a week and decided to head North through Tennessee and Missouri to Chicago, attempting to exist as an itinerant musician en route. His subsequent travels took him all over Missouri, Indiana and Illinois, and he only really settled when he hit Detroit in 1956, staying on for five years.
While in Detroit he'd made regular visits home to see his father, driving into Mississippi via Memphis, and it was during such a trip that he crashed at Mount Bayou and lost an arm (his left one). Forced to seek regular work in order to survive he became a side man with bands led by Baby Boy Warren and Little George Jackson, or led his own little combo which featured Pete Curry (guitar) and 'Sleepy' (drums). Gradually developing a new skill as a one-handed harp blower he made test recordings for JVB, but never saw a record issued.
Being totally dependant on music or welfare, John would often return South to work around Clarksdale with old friends like Ernest Roy or Little Chuck Berry. With a car adapted to suit his disability he really got around in the late fifties, proud of the fine reputation he'd managed to build up as a weekend Delta attraction, and in 1960 he moved on permanently to East St. Louis where he'd found employment with guitarist and nightclub owner James DeShay, an obscure figure remembered by Little Walter and others. In the East St. Louis - St. Louis area, John usually appeared at the Cotton or Red Top clubs, and a famous spot owned by the late Ned Love. But he also did a little touring with Albert King and DeShay, who took him into Arkansas to fill engagements in towns like Forrest City.
From 1962 onwards he's lived in Chicago, gaining a measure of International fame in the mid-sixties thanks to appearances in the Maxwell Street market, which were reported in magazines like Blues Unlimited. These also led to sessions for testament, solo or with the Chicago String Band, and, in 1969, Barrelhouse. However, none of the issued titles really demonstrated the true extent of his talent and only the recent European tour convinced doubters like myself that he deserves some real recognition.
Mike Leadbitter
(reproduced with kind permission of Blues Unlimited)
For CD reissue:
THE BEAR remembers Big John Wrencher...
Big John Wrencher was an amiable giant, possessed of that agility so often seen in big men. He also had only one arm, and the sight of that huge bear of a man singing and playing wonderfully, jiving around the stage with such grace, empty sleeve flapping at his side, is indelibly etched in my memory.
He'd lost his left arm on a highway outside Memphis in 1958, whilst driving home from a performance. A hot night, he dangled his arm from the car window as he drove, fell asleep and side-swiped a truck coming in the opposite direction. The story has it that he picked up the limb and walked back into Memphis is (in?) a vain attempt to find a doctor who might reattach it. When we first met, he was also using the sobriquet One-Armed John Wrencher, but was dissuaded from that. He performed with a vivacity and drive that his fellow musicians found compelling. He had a great mellow voice, total command of his harp despite his physical limitations, and an immense stage presence.
He was born John Thomas Wrencher in Sunflower, Mississippi on February 12th, 1923, and raised around the fertle Blues territory of Clarksdale. He was a self-taught musician, but worked as a farmer in the 40s. He took off to hobo through Tennessee, Mississippi and Illinois from 1947 to 1955, working as an intinerant musician on the street, at picnics, parties and jukes. He then moved to Detroit to work full-time in music, before relocating to Chicago in 1962, initially playing for tips on Maxwell Street and subsequently becoming an integral part of The City's Blues scene.
He took to Europe instantly, as we took to him. A fierce scowl masked a character of immense charm and generosity. Onstage he was a king; if ever a man was born to entertain it was Big John Wrencher. His rich vocals and wonderful harmonica playing endeared him to a new generation of Blues fans. On tour with American Blues Legends '74, Big John would often tell the story of his shock on first arriving in England, when he spotted a huge dog driving a truck: "Damn", he said "I know they are pretty clever over here in England, but I never throught I'd see a dog driving a truck!" He was somewhat disappointed to subsequently discover that we drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Big John Wrencher, always larger than life, died on July 15th 1977, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, whilst on a visit home.
Jim 'The Bear' Simpson
Check out the Big Bear website: www.bigbearmusic.com
Santuary Blues Masters
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Big John's Boogie (1974) -