Blind Dog Radio

The Greatest in Country Blues (1927-1930), Vol. 1 by Various Artists

Label: Story Of Blues / Story of the Blues, Century Media
Release Date: January 1, 1992
Releases: 1993, July 1, 1994
Recording Time: 64 minutes
Recording Date: February 28, 1927 - November 26, 1930

Styles: Country Blues, Acoustic Blues, Acoustic Memphis Blues, Acoustic Texas Blues, Blues Gospel, Blues Revival, Delta Blues, Field Recordings, Jug Band, Piedmont Blues, Pre-War Blues, Pre-War Country Blues, Pre-War Gospel Blues, Regional Blues, Slide Guitar Blues, Songster

Story of the Blues provides an excellent introductions to acoustic country blues with its three volume Greatest in Country Blues series. While it collects most of the major figures as well as the obscure and their finest performances, there are a certain number of odd ommissions such as Reverend Gary Davis and Robert Nighthawk that prevent it from being the definitive country blues set. Nevertheless, each of the three volumes are an invaluable reference as well as an interesting listen for both the specialist and the novice. ~ Chris Woodstra

Credits: Garfield Akers - guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Ishman Bracey - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Richard Brown - composer; Richard Rabbit Brown - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Willie Brown - composer, guitar, primary artist, vocals; Joe Calicott - guitar; Cannon's Jug Stompers - performer, primary artist; Gus Cannon - banjo, jug; Jaybird Coleman - composer, harmonica, performer, primary artist, vocals; A.C. Forehand - guitar; Blind Mamie Forehand - cymbals, performer, primary artist, vocals; Bob Grant - composer, guitar, primary artist, vocals; Buddy Boy Hawkins - performer; Walter "Buddy Boy" Hawkins - guitar, primary artist, vocals; Son House - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Mississippi John Hurt - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Blind Lemon Jefferson - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Blind Willie Johnson - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Tommy Johnson - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Noah Lewis - composer, harmonica; Blind Willie McTell - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Paul Oliver - liner editor, liner notes; Johnny Parth - compilation producer, introduction, producer; Charley Patton - guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; George Washington Phillips - composer, performer, primary artist, vocals; Blind Willie Reynolds - guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Dan Sane - guitar; Rudi Steager - executive producer; Frank Stokes - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Henry Thomas - guitar, performer, primary artist, reed pipes, vocals; Ashley Thompson - guitar, vocals; Traditional - composer.

Tracks: 1) High Water Everywhere, Pt.2 - Charley Patton; 2) See That My Grave Is Kept Clean - Blind Lemon Jefferson; 3) Cottonfield Blues Pt. 2 - Garfield Akers; 4) James Alley Blues - Richard Rabbit Brown; 5) I Had a Good Father and Mother - George Washington Phillips; 6) Travelin' Blues - Blind Willie McTell; 7) Canned Heat Blues - Tommy Johnson; 8) Minglewood Blues - Cannon's Jug Stompers; 9) Nappy Head Blues - Bob Grant; 10) Third Street Woman Blues - Blind Willie Reynolds; 11) My Black Mama, Pt. 1 - Son House; 12) Bull-Doze Blues - Henry Thomas; 13) Dark Was the Night (Cold Was the Ground) - Blind Willie Johnson; 14) Trouble Hearted Blues - Ishman Bracey; 15) Honey in the Rock - Blind Mamie Forehand; 16) Frankie - Mississippi John Hurt; 17) Man Trouble Blues - Jaybird Coleman; 18) How Long - Frank Stokes; 19) Future Blues - Willie Brown; 20) Voice Throwin' Blues - Walter "Buddy Boy" Hawkins.