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Sid Whelan - Legba Ain't no Devil

from Waitin' for Payday by Whelan

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    8 Original songs from the Shady side of the street to the Sunny side of the Street. Co-produced by Lora-Faye (Arthur Moon). Hi-Gloss Sleeve with Artwork by Andrew Sheron. Photos by J. Henry Fair and Sid Whelan.

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about

Even if Robert Johnson himself spread the canard that he went down to the Crossroads to sell his soul to the devil in order to learn guitar, that couldn't have happened because Legba is the spirit who occupies the crossroads and to whom supplicants apply for favor, advancement, benefit or fortune. And he ain't no devil. Drummer Richard Huntley played this song with us live at the West End and then came up with the idea of recording it to Bata ensemble, for which I thank him profusely.

lyrics

Legba Ain’t no Devil (Crossroads Blues Pt. 2) c. 2015 Sidney S. Whelan
Legba ain't no Devil
He's just misunderstood.
He deals with the people
Who don't mean me no good.

He's waitin' at the crossroad
For when I'm in need.
He'll take up my load
And do my dirty deeds.

Legba ain't no Devil
He's just misunderstood.
You might need his counsel
Between the cops and the hoods

Go on up to Four Corners
When they're doin' you too bad.
Legba in your corner is
The best friend you ever had.

Cause some things need doin'
That Saints will never do.
You shouldn't even ask them
If you know what's good for you.
No, he don't want your soul,
He don't ask much in return.
Just like in the days of old.
Bring him an offering to burn.

Legba ain't no Devil
Just so you understand.
When you have debts to settle
And the bastards force your hand.

Make tracks for the crossroad
Some value in your hand
Down in the bottom dark and cold
He'll help you make your stand.

Cause some things need doin'
That Saints will never do.
You shouldn't even ask them
If you know what's good for you.
No, he don't want your soul,
He don't ask much in return.
Just like in the days of old.
Bring him an offering to burn.

Talkin bout Legba now
Talkin bout Legba ya'll
Talkin bout Legba now
Talkin bout Legba ya'll

He ain't no devil.
He ain't no saint.
I don't know who he is but I sure know who he ain't.
You ain't no devil.
You ain't no saint.
You'd best call his name before you put on your war paint.
#

credits

from Waitin' for Payday, track released July 15, 2019
Words & Music c. Sidney S. Whelan ASCAP
All Rights Reserved Whelan Music Publishing ASCAP
Guitar & Vocals: Sid Whelan
Vocals: Darryl Tookes
Bass: Bridges
Bata Ensemble: Jimmy Greenfield; David J D'Ambrosio; Richard Huntley
Produced by Lora-Faye Åshuvud and Sid Whelan
Recorded at Peter Karl Studios and Douglass Street Recordings in Brooklyn NY by Peter Karl.
Mixed by Eli Crews at Figure 8 Recording in Brooklyn NY
Mastered by Nicholas Ciavatta at Friggin’ Fabulous Productions in Jersey City NJ
Photography by J. Henry Fair and Sid Whelan
Graphics Design by Andrew Sheron

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about

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Whelan New York, New York

Sid Whelan is a veteran singer-songwriter with an unapologetically old-school vibe. He has released three solo albums on Bandcamp. He calls his Music "Dark Blue Americana" and has studied songwriting with Chely Wright and Steve Earle. He has also studied guitar with Woody Mann & Howard Morgen. ... more

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