Papa Legba Blues

PAPA LEGBA BLUES

Track 4 from Smokin’ Joe Cotton, The Blues'll Never Be The Same.

“I sometimes, would pray to the man. To the Clarksdale crossroads man. Robert Johnson sung that Papa Legba be callin' us all. To give us fame he take our soul. Papa Legba be callin'. Papa Legba be callin' me down.”

As Joe’s journey south draws him deeper into memory, he returns to a strange encounter from his teenage years — a meeting at the Clarksdale crossroads with Papa Legba.

The encounter becomes a pivotal moment in Joe’s story, bringing together the blues, memory and spiritual traditions beyond the world in which he was raised.

Papa Legba Blues does not offer Joe an easy explanation. Instead, the crossroads opens another door, leaving Joe — and the listener — to decide what the encounter means.

Smokin’ Joe Cotton is a work of historical musical fiction. Its characters and narrative are fictional, set against real periods of migration, segregation and cultural change. The album draws inspiration from African American blues and gospel traditions and encounters spiritual beliefs and traditions beyond Joe’s own musical journey. The Rock and Roll Rewind Project does not attempt to speak for those lived experiences. Through original music and storytelling, the project seeks to acknowledge, celebrate and explore the people, creativity and cultural influences behind the music.

Your download includes:

Papa Legba Blues in high-quality MP3 format,

Official Track 4 artwork,

Lyrics,

and a Track Welcome Read Me.

Thank you for supporting independent music and The Rock and Roll Rewind Project.

Your purchase directly supports the creation of future episodes of The Rock and Roll Rewind Project.

℗ 2026 RaRRity Productions

© 2026 Gavin How. All Rights Reserved.