20. Washington Phillips

Washington Phillips was a jackleg preacher and a gospel singer in the early 20th century. He invented a one-of-a-kind instrument he called the Manzarene which sounded as celestial as the heavens. Little was known about him until music writer Michael Corcoran started knocking on doors and looking for clues, striking gold again and again. He compiled his findings into a book that is included with a CD called "Washington Phillips and his Manzerene Dreams" from Dust to Digital records. His book puts to rest false rumors about Wash's utilization of another obscure instrument called the dolceola, and the misunderstanding that he died a young man in an insane asylum. Markly and engineer/co-host Miles Rozatti spoke with Michael about his research on Phillips and other early gospel blues greats for this insightful feature-length interview.

Recommendations:

The first of Washington Phillips' recordings, where he laid the foundation of his signature sound. You'll be taken to another world.

​"Denomination Blues"
This song would become a re-imagined hit for artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Ry Cooder many years later.

Michael Corcoran’s in-depth book “Ghost Notes,” about Texas music history, including a chapter on Washington Phillips, can be obtained here: