Published in 2001 by the University Press of Mississippi, Blues Mandolin Man is a biography of James "Yank" Rachell (1910-1997). He first recorded in 1929 at the age of 19 with his friend Sleepy John Estes. He developed the mandolin into a strong blues voice and fused his roots of Memphis-area jug and string band music with Chicago style blues using an electric pick-up on his mandolin and drums and electric bass in his performing bands.
The book has a forward by blues scholar Dave Evans and interviews with Ry Cooder, Honeyboy Edwards, Charlie Musslewhite, Bob Koester, Rich Delgrosso, Howard Armstrong and others. A discography is included.
