Jim Stafford

Product Review

2008 reissue of the debut album from the singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, which contains four bona-fide hit singles including 'Spiders And Snakes', 'My Girl Bill' and 'Wildwood Weed'. Jim Stafford performed during the '60s with a local Florida band that also included noted singer/songwriter Lobo and Rock legend-to-be Gram Parsons. Following this Lobo was to co-produce most of Jim's big hits, including his debut 'Swamp Witch' and 'Spiders and Snakes' Both were included on Stafford's eponymous LP, a release in 1974 on MGM Records. He can play a mean guitar but it's the catchy tunes and witty lyrics he writes that win the day. He was married to a first lady of country , Bobbie Gentry, at the time and moved in those circles himself, but there are a range of styles on this LP which Stafford attacks with panache, including pastiche Blues, real down home Tony Joe White style Swamp Rock and wistful Country Folk. Retro.

Title Tracks for Jim Stafford

1. L.A. Mamma
2. I Ain't Sharin' Sharon
3. Medley: Mr. Bojangles/A Visit With an Old Friend
4. Wildwood Weed
5. 16 Little Red Noses and a Horse That Sweats
6. Spiders and Snakes
7. The Last Chant
8. My Girl Bill
9. Nifty Fifties Blues
10. A Real Good Time
11. Swamp Witch

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review

(11 customer reviews)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

First Album I ever bought......., May 9, 2005

Snorri Wolfersson (INDY,IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jim Stafford (Audio CD)

I get sort of weepy when I see this album. It truly was the first album I ever bought with my own money. I think "Swamp Witch" is a classic song in any genre. I am still able to recite the lyrics from start to finish. It puts you in a place and a time that seems real, yet seems ethereal. "Last Chant" is just flat out funny in a socially conscious manner. "My Girl Bill" is twisted and funny. I remeber my Mom turning to my Dad as we listened to it on the car radio and saying, "They can't say that on the radio !" When the punch line hit she just slowly shook her head and feigned digust. That's a wonderful reaction for a twelve year old boy to see. "Spiders and Snakes " is one of those goofy songs you like when you're twleve because it makes you feel older, wiser, and confused all at the same time. Heck, I'm 42 now and I STILL love the guitar riff in that song and I still laugh at his predicament. "Wildwood Weed" takes the cake though. Funniest pot song ever...(Well, maybe "Devil Went to...Read more

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

What Can I Say "GREAT", December 7, 2005

Martin C. Burton "Rockpile51" (Carson City, Nv.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jim Stafford (Audio CD)

Great musician and a knack for humour that's just not seen today. When I went to CD's this was high on my list of must have's.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Great CD, December 28, 2009

Jeffrey L. McGlocklin (Pataskala, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Jim Stafford (Audio CD)

Excellent Vinyl LP, only makes sense to convert it to CD. Wildwood Weed, Mr. Bojangles, Spiders and Snakes are great songs IMO.