Mercy Dee Walton (1915-1962) enjoyed two major R&B hits--1949’s “Lonesome Cabin Blues” and 1953’s “One Room Country Shack”--but, as those titles suggest, was essentially a rural bluesman. The Texas-born singer, pianist, and songwriter spent much of his career entertaining migrant laborers at juke joints up and down California’s San Joaquin Valley. Playing alone or in the familiar company of harmonica ace Sidney Maiden and drummer Otis Cherry, he recorded nine haunting examples of his decidedly down-home blues, including a remake of “One Room Country Shack,” at this 1961 Berkeley session.

with Sidney Maiden, Otis Cherry

Recorded April 16, 1961.