Musical religion has gained a new hymn, “The Gospel According to Sam.”
“The Gospel According to Sam” consists of the recordings of blues guitarist Sam Langhorn released by Big Legal Mess Records. Robert Khayat and Jimmy Hall, former University of Mississippi football stars, recorded Langhorn tracks in 1963 that have never been released until now.
When first listening to the record, the time capsule-like music instantly sends you back in time. Deep-souled music pours out from the record, as if Langhorn were sitting out on your front porch with you, guitar in hand, strumming away.
Langhorn was born and raised in Oxford, where he was surrounded by music. His mother Camilla, who played in her local church located in east Oxford, instructed him. After Langhorn met Khayat and Hall, the three became friends and soon started making music together.
The recordings feature traditional gospel music – the kind that Langhorn was first introduced to as a child. One track, “Keep Your Hands On the Plow,” showcases the raw and simple sound for which blues is renowned while demonstrating Langhorn’s talent. Langhorn never made any commercial recordings during his life; these tracks are unique and one of a kind. The tracks are also special because they are one of the first times Langhorn played more than a couple of songs in front of a group.
Khayat, former chancellor of Ole Miss from 1995-2007, played football for the university from 1956-60 where he met fellow player Jimmy Hall. The two were both on the 1959 national championship-winning team. Khayat would meet Langhorn and Hall and play blues and gospel chords.
The music on the record was just a glimpse into one of the sessions the trio played together; it was taped on a whim and sat untouched for more than two decades.
With the men going their separate ways shortly after the recording, the album is a way to remember the past and bring back to life the memories of small-town musicians just having a good time.
Jimmy Hall, who provided the location for the recordings by way of his house, has since traded music for acting and now lives in California after being a part of several plays.
The new recording is available at End of All Music, owned by Bruce Watson. Watson is the head of Big Legal Mess Records, an independent record label based in Oxford and distributed by Fat Possum Records. End of All Music is located on North Lamar past Big Bad Breakfast.
— Emily Beene
