Dorris
Henderson arrived in London in 1964. She came from Wafts in Los Angeles
where her daddy was a well established preacher with a big congregation.
So Dorris could really sing gospel, but she knew the blues too. Her
uncle was the legendary Guitar Nubbit and she listed T-Bone Walker
and John Lee Hooker among her friends.
We met at the Roundhouse in
Soho. I think Champion Jack Dupree was working that night. It was
a big thrill for me to play for her. We did gigs around the London
clubs and toured a bit. Dorris also landed a spot on a weekly television
show on which Alexis Korner headed the house band.
The tunes here are pretty representative, simply vocal and guitar,
all done live in an afternoon. A bit of church, a bit of blues, and
what are probably among the first 'cover versions' of songs by young
up and coming songwriters Paul Simon and Bob Dylan
- John Renbourn.
