DESCRIPTION:
Flora Molton: Gospel Songs
Flora Molton, chants & slide-guitar, Eleanor Ellis, guitar

A real classic from the Ocora back catalogue; this album of gospel blues was recorded at the Avignon Festival of 1987 and introduced to a wider public the stunning rough 'n' ready vocals and guitar of the then 79-year old artist.

For over four decades the remarkable Flora Molton has served her Nation's Capital as both musician and composer. With her slide guitar and gospel repertoire she has continued a tradition of sidewalk serenading, or busking, if you like, which extends back to the dawn of urban civilization. As a child growing up in rural Louisa County, Virginia, she was exposed to the reels and set dance tunes of her elders as well as the newer blues of Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Sara Martin (her favorite) from phonograph records. Some of the earliest tunes she remembers are a version of "Wasn't it Sad When That Great Ship Went Down," learned on a neighbor's accordion, W.C. Handy's early "Hesitation Blues," and a dimly remembered "Atlanta Blues," learned on a parlor organ.

Ms. Molton's father was a Baptist minister who supported his family by farming, an activity which experienced a depression several years before Wall Street crashed in '29. To supplement his income, he began spending his winters mining coal, moving to the company town of New Hall, West Virginia during the winters, where his family eventually joined him. A brother eventually adopted his father's profession, taking young Flora to Berryville, Virginia in the mid -thirties and to Washington in 1937, when he became minister of the Florida Avenue Baptist Church. It was here that a man showed her how to tune her guitar in Vastopol (open D) and her own musicianship took care of the rest.

In the mid-sixties she became an integral part of Washington's emerging folk blues community, joining John Jackson, Archie Edwards, Phil Wiggins, John Cephas and Big Chief Ellis in a successful effort to keep traditional blues and gospel song alive and well. Another member of this establishment was the late Ed Morris who served as musician, impresario, and unflagging supporter for Ms. Molton and her friends. In recent years Eleanor Ellis has served as both companion and accompanist to Flora Molton, and her presence is an important part of this record. Ms. Molton says, "After Ed passed I didn't think I could find anybody else to play the music like he did, but God works in very mysterious ways. I met Eleanor and she could play that music. I believe it was Ed's wishes for us to play together. It has been much joy to me, and it keeps Ed's spirit alive.”


--- Dick Spottswood (1987)

Photos: A. Lomax, LOC, Gordon Parks, Wisconsin Historical Society, Larry Benicewicz, Molton photo: Julie Wiatt