Hammie Nixon - Tappin' That Thing (1984/2020)

Former Sleepy John Estes musical partner moves out on his own with this collection of solo recordings from the early 1980s. Produced by David Evans for a small record company run out of the University of Memphis (High Water), these recordings find Nixon laying down vocals and working his magic on jug, kazoo and harmonica in more of a jug band setting. This compilation brings together both sides of a High Water single, an entire vinyl abum on the same label and the inclusion of three previously unissued tracks, all recorded between 1982 and 1984. That Nixon still had a lot of gas left in the tank is very evident from the energetic versions of "Sugar Mama," "It's a Good Place to Go," "Viola Lee Blues," "Bottle Up and Go," "Kansas City Blues" and the title track. The inclusion of drums on three tracks blasts the music further into the realm of an amplified session, but Nixon retains his country edges regardless of setting.