R.L. Burnside

R.L. Burnside

33918 fans

Brought up in a dirt-poor region of Lafayette County in the deep south, Robert Lee Burnside began playing guitar at the age of 16, influenced by local church music and the fife and drum picnics which are a major part of the regional music culture. Burnside uprooted and moved to Chicago, following his father who moved there as an economic migrant. His short time in the city was marred by tragedy - in the space of three years his father, two brothers and two uncles were all murdered, prompting Burnside to return south.

In the 1950s Burnside was convicted of murder and imprisoned but released within six months after his boss had reasoned with the authorities that he needed the prisoner to drive his tractor. The singer subsequently led a quiet existence for the next 40 years living in remote rural areas surviving as a sharecropper augmenting his income by driving trucks and commercial fishing. He became famous in the last two decades of his life and began recording for Fat Possum Records, a label dedicated to recording the music of ageing bluesmen. Burnside began touring and promoting his music when he was in his sixties and in 2000, aged 74, won the first of four W.C. Handy Awards and also received a Grammy nomination. His style, reminiscent of John Lee Hooker, was considered more hill country blues than traditional delta. After his death in 2005 he left a recording legacy of 12 studio albums.

Top tracks

06
Someday Baby
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:16
Composers: Not Documented
03
Let My Baby Ride
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:00
Composers: Not Documented
01
Jumper on the Line (Remastered 2022)
R.L. Burnside
Deep Blues (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Remastered 2022)
02:43
Composers: R.L. Burnside
04
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:11
Composers: Not Documented
05
It's Bad You Know
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
04:58
Composers: Not Documented
03
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:29
Composers: Not Documented
10
Shuck Dub
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
04:28
Composers: Not Documented
05
Snake Drive
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
03:45
Composers: Not Documented
05
See My Jumper Hangin' on the Line
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
02:51
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
11
Rollin' and Tumblin'
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:50
Composers: Not Documented
05
My Name Is Robert Too
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:43
Composers: Not Documented
06
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
05:50
Composers: Not Documented
04
Old Black Mattie
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
04:11
Composers: Not Documented
01
Hard Time Killing Floor
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
05:09
Composers: Not Documented
08
Bird Without a Feather
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:09
Composers: Not Documented
04
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
03:40
Composers: Not Documented
09
Bad Luck City
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
06:33
Composers: Not Documented
10
Goin' Away Baby
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:17
Composers: Not Documented
01
Georgia Women
R.L Burnside
Root Damage
03:44
09
Glory Be
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
04:37
Composers: Not Documented
01
Jumper Hanging Out On the Line
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
02:32
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
10
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
05:44
01
Detroit Boogie, Pt. 1
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
00:38
Composers: Not Documented
07
Poor Boy
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:32
Writer: John Jackson / Composers: John Jackson
01
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
04:49
Composers: Not Documented
02
See What My Buddy Done
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:57
Composers: Not Documented
02
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
02:34
Composers: Not Documented
04
Don't Stop Honey
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
04:12
Composers: Not Documented
16
Poor Boy
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Hill Country Blues
03:02
Composers: Not Documented
01
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
04:49
Composers: Not Documented
01
Fireman Ring the Bell
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:48
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
07
Go to Jail
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:43
Composers: Not Documented
07
The Criminal Inside Me
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
05:53
Composers: Not Documented
01
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
03:16
Composers: Not Documented
02
When My First Wife Left Me
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
03:48
Composers: Not Documented
02
Boogie Chillen
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
02:18
Composers: Not Documented
03
Poor Boy
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
03:38
Composers: Not Documented
03
Miss Maybelle
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
03:16
10
Have You Ever Been Lonely?
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
05:40
Composers: Not Documented
08
.44 Pistol
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
02:58
Composers: Not Documented
04
Rollin' and Tumblin'
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:44
05
Poor Black Mattie
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
03:21
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
09
Bad Luck
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:36
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
02
Skinny Woman
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
02:41
05
Fireman Ring the Bell
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
04:00
Composers: Not Documented
04
Nightmare Blues
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
03:22
Writer: Sam Lightnin Hopkins / Composers: Sam Lightnin Hopkins
01
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:34
01
Miss Maybelle
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Hill Country Blues
02:20
Composers: Not Documented
01
When My First Wife Left Me
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
03:40
Composers: John Lee Hooker
06
Catfish Blues
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
04:38
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
02
Got Messed Up
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
05:06
Composers: Not Documented
03
Long Haired Doney
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
02:31
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
04
Everything Is Broken
R.L. Burnside
All Blues'd Up: Songs of Bob Dylan
04:52
13
Detroit Boogie, Pt. 2
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:52
Composers: Not Documented
01
Death Bells Ringing
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
03:44
Composers: R.L. Burnside
08
Walkin' Blues
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
04:19
Composers: Not Documented
10
Rolling and Tumbling
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
03:59
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
12
Stole My Check
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:42
Composers: Not Documented
07
Come on in, Pt. 2
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:11
Composers: Not Documented
18
Jumper on the Line
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Hill Country Blues
02:50
Composers: Not Documented
08
Rollin' Tumblin' (Remix)
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
04:13
Composers: Not Documented
06
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
04:24
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
06
Walkin' Blues
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:28
05
Long Haired Doney
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:01
12
See My Jumper Hangin' on the Line (Recorded 1991)
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:14
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
09
Bad Luck and Trouble
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
03:38
Writer: Sam Lightnin Hopkins / Composers: Sam Lightnin Hopkins
04
2 Brothers
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
02:16
Composers: Not Documented
10
Chain of Fools
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
03:42
Composers: Not Documented
06
Jumper on the Line
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
02:34
Composers: Not Documented
09
Poor Black Mattie
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
03:55
Composers: R.L. Burnside
03
Miss Maybelle
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
03:18
Composers: Not Documented
01
Been Mistreated
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
01:06
Composers: Not Documented
05
Rollin' and Tumblin'
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
03:19
Composers: Not Documented
02
Come on In (Live)
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:25
Composers: Not Documented
03
Walkin' Blues
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:43
Writer: McKinley Morganfield / Composers: McKinley Morganfield
06
Just Like a Woman
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:32
Composers: Not Documented
13
Rolling and Tumbling
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Hill Country Blues
02:45
Composers: Not Documented
09
Please Don't Stay
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
02:58
Composers: Not Documented
02
Long Haired Doney T1
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:37
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside

Playlists

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  • Discography
Albums
Well, Well, Well
2021 Louis Erlanger
13-07-2021
Well, Well, Well
01
Charleston Interview
R.L. Burnside
Well, Well, Well
01:01
Composers: R.L. Burnside
02
Can't Be Satisfied
R.L. Burnside
Well, Well, Well
02:46
Composers: McKinley Morganfield
03
Boogie Chillin
R.L. Burnside
Well, Well, Well
02:45
Composers: Bernard Besman - John Lee Hooker
04
Stagolee
R.L. Burnside
Well, Well, Well
04:43
Composers: Traditional Song
05
Nightmare Blues (Live)
R.L. Burnside
Well, Well, Well
04:22
Composers: R.L. Burnside
06
Rolling & Tumbling
R.L. Burnside
Well, Well, Well
04:42
Composers: R.L. Burnside
07
Grazing Grass Rap (Live)
R.L. Burnside
Well, Well, Well
01:33
Composers: R.L. Burnside
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Worried Blues
(P) 2017 Fat Possum Records
21-07-2017
Worried Blues
01
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
03:16
Composers: Not Documented
02
Two Trains Runnin'
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
02:49
Composers: Not Documented
03
Sat Down on My Bed and Cried
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
02:51
Composers: Not Documented
04
Nine Days in Jail
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
04:36
Composers: Not Documented
05
Long Haired Doney
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
04:11
Composers: Not Documented
06
Hobo Blues
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
04:12
Composers: Not Documented
07
My Black Name A-Ringin'
R.L. Burnside
Worried Blues
02:27
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Long Distance Call
(P) 2018 Fat Possum Records
22-04-2017
Long Distance Call
01
Death Bells Ringing
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
03:44
Composers: R.L. Burnside
02
Ramblin on My Mind
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
03:27
Composers: R.L. Burnside
03
When My First Wife Left Me
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
04:43
Composers: R.L. Burnside
04
Walking Blues
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
03:37
Composers: R.L. Burnside
05
Long Distance Call
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
03:24
Composers: R.L. Burnside
06
If You Don't Want Me Baby
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
02:17
Composers: R.L. Burnside
07
Early in the Morning
R.L. Burnside
Long Distance Call
03:28
Composers: R.L. Burnside
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
1st Recordings
(P) 2003 Fat Possum Records, LLC
26-02-2016
1st Recordings
01
Just Like a Bird Without a Feather
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
03:09
Composers: Not Documented
02
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
02:34
Composers: Not Documented
03
Come on In
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
01:49
Composers: Not Documented
04
Little Babe
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
02:23
Composers: Not Documented
05
Rollin' and Tumblin'
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
03:19
Composers: Not Documented
06
Jumper on the Line
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
02:34
Composers: Not Documented
07
Skinny Woman
R.L. Burnside
1st Recordings
02:09
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Burnside on Burnside
(P) 2001 Fat Possum Records, LLC
02-06-2015
Burnside on Burnside
01
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:34
02
Skinny Woman
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
02:41
03
Miss Maybelle
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
03:16
04
Rollin' and Tumblin'
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:44
05
Long Haired Doney
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:01
06
Walkin' Blues
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
04:28
07
He Ain't Your Daddy
R.L. Burnside
Burnside on Burnside
02:43
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Rollin' & Tumblin'
â„— 2010 Wolf Records
10-06-2010
Rollin' & Tumblin'
01
Fireman Ring the Bell
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:48
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
02
Long Haired Doney T1
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:37
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
03
Walkin' Blues
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:43
Writer: McKinley Morganfield / Composers: McKinley Morganfield
04
Poor Black Mattie T1 (Acoustic)
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:03
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
05
See My Jumper Hangin' on the Line
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
02:51
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
06
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
04:24
Writer: R.L. Burnside / Composers: R.L. Burnside
07
Poor Boy
R.L. Burnside
Rollin' & Tumblin'
03:32
Writer: John Jackson / Composers: John Jackson
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
A Bothered Mind
(P) 2004 Fat Possum Records
17-08-2004
A Bothered Mind
01
Detroit Boogie, Pt. 1
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
00:38
Composers: Not Documented
02
See What My Buddy Done
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:57
Composers: Not Documented
03
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:29
Composers: Not Documented
04
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:11
Composers: Not Documented
05
My Name Is Robert Too
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:43
Composers: Not Documented
06
Someday Baby
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
03:16
Composers: Not Documented
07
Go to Jail
R.L. Burnside
A Bothered Mind
02:43
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
(P) 2000 Fat Possum Records, LLC
24-10-2000
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
01
Hard Time Killing Floor
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
05:09
Composers: Not Documented
02
Got Messed Up
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
05:06
Composers: Not Documented
03
Miss Maybelle
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
03:18
Composers: Not Documented
04
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
03:40
Composers: Not Documented
05
Too Many Ups
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
03:36
Composers: Not Documented
06
Nothin' Man
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
03:42
Composers: Not Documented
07
See What My Buddy Done
R.L. Burnside
Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down
04:02
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Come on In
(P) 1998 Fat Possum Records
11-08-1998
Come on In
01
Been Mistreated
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
01:06
Composers: Not Documented
02
Come on In (Live)
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:25
Composers: Not Documented
03
Let My Baby Ride
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:00
Composers: Not Documented
04
Don't Stop Honey
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
04:12
Composers: Not Documented
05
It's Bad You Know
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
04:58
Composers: Not Documented
06
Just Like a Woman
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:32
Composers: Not Documented
07
Come on in, Pt. 2
R.L. Burnside
Come on In
03:11
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Acoustic Stories
2020 Louis Erlanger
23-09-1997
Acoustic Stories
01
When My First Wife Left Me
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
03:40
Composers: John Lee Hooker
02
Fireman Ring the Bell
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
02:53
Composers: R.L. Burnside
03
Skinny Woman
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
02:12
Composers: R.L. Burnside
04
Monkey in the Poolroom
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
02:56
Composers: R.L. Burnside
05
Hobo Blues
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
03:31
Composers: Bernard Besman - John Lee Hooker
06
Walking Blues
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
03:16
Composers: R.L. Burnside
07
Long Haired Doney
R.L. Burnside
Acoustic Stories
03:09
Composers: R.L. Burnside - Diamond Do Boy
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Sound Machine Groove
â„— 1997 Craft Recordings., Distributed by Concord.
22-07-1997
Sound Machine Groove
01
Shake, Little Baby
R.L. Burnside
Sound Machine Groove
03:23
Composers: R.L. Burnside
02
Rolling And Tumbling
R.L. Burnside
Sound Machine Groove
02:56
Composers: R.L. Burnside
03
Bad Luck City
R.L. Burnside
Sound Machine Groove
04:41
Composers: R.L. Burnside
04
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
Sound Machine Groove
03:24
Composers: Robert Lee Burnside
05
Sound Machine Groove
R.L. Burnside
Sound Machine Groove
03:32
Composers: R.L. Burnside
06
Sitting On Top Of The World
R.L. Burnside
Sound Machine Groove
03:57
Composers: R.L. Burnside
07
Begged For A Nickel
R.L. Burnside
Sound Machine Groove
04:41
Composers: R.L. Burnside
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Mississippi Blues
1997, Arion
15-06-1997
Mississippi Blues
01
Jumper Hanging Out On the Line
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
02:32
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
02
Sweet Little Angel
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
03:05
Writer: Robert Lee Mc Collum / Composers: Robert Lee Mc Collum
03
Long Haired Doney
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
02:31
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
04
Nightmare Blues
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
03:22
Writer: Sam Lightnin Hopkins / Composers: Sam Lightnin Hopkins
05
Poor Black Mattie
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
03:21
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
06
Catfish Blues
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
04:38
Writer: Public Domain / Composers: Public Domain
07
Death Bells
R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Blues
02:54
Writer: Sam Lightnin Hopkins / Composers: Sam Lightnin Hopkins
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Mr. Wizard
(P) 1997 Fat Possum Records
11-03-1997
Mr. Wizard
01
Over the Hill
R.L. Burnside
Mr. Wizard
04:21
Composers: Not Documented
02
Alice Mae
R.L. Burnside
Mr. Wizard
03:31
Composers: Not Documented
03
Georgia Women
R.L. Burnside
Mr. Wizard
03:48
Composers: Not Documented
04
Snake Drive
R.L. Burnside
Mr. Wizard
06:55
Composers: Not Documented
05
Rollin' & Tumblin'
R.L. Burnside
Mr. Wizard
04:40
Composers: Not Documented
06
Out on the Road
R.L. Burnside
Mr. Wizard
03:59
Composers: Not Documented
07
Highway 7
R.L. Burnside
Mr. Wizard
06:04
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
(P) 1996 Fat Possum Records
25-05-1996
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
01
Goin' Down South
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
04:49
Composers: Not Documented
02
Boogie Chillen
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
02:18
Composers: Not Documented
03
Poor Boy
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
03:38
Composers: Not Documented
04
2 Brothers
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
02:16
Composers: Not Documented
05
Snake Drive
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
03:45
Composers: Not Documented
06
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
05:50
Composers: Not Documented
07
The Criminal Inside Me
R.L. Burnside
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey
05:53
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Too Bad Jim
(P) 1994 Fat Possum Records
09-08-1994
Too Bad Jim
01
Shake 'Em on Down
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
04:49
Composers: Not Documented
02
When My First Wife Left Me
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
03:48
Composers: Not Documented
03
Short-Haired Woman
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
03:43
Composers: Not Documented
04
Old Black Mattie
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
04:11
Composers: Not Documented
05
Fireman Ring the Bell
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
04:00
Composers: Not Documented
06
Peaches
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
04:18
Composers: Not Documented
07
Miss Glory B.
R.L. Burnside
Too Bad Jim
03:26
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (10 songs)