Label: Document Records.
Release Date: 1991.
Recording Time: 313 minutes.
Recording Date: August, 1926 - January, 1932.
Release Info: DOCD-5024, DOCD-5025, DOCD-5026, DOCD-5027, CDs, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered.
Over the course of four discs (each are sold individually as well), Document presented everything Blind Blake recorded in the late '20s and early '30s for Paramount Records. During that time, he was one of the most popular bluesmen in Chicago, and these 80-plus sides show why. Blake had a unique guitar style that influenced a number of successive generations. For that reason alone, Complete Recorded Works, Vols. 1-4 would be of interest, but the music itself is compelling and gripping. However, the length and comprehensiveness of the set makes it a collection that only musicologists and dedicated fans would find necessary. For more casual listeners, Yazoo's Ragtime Guitar's Foremost Fingerpicker is a better purchase, since it distills all of his classic tracks to one disc. ~ Thom Owens
Credits: Alan Balfour - liner notes; Blind Blake - guitar, guitar (rhythm), primary artist, speech/speaker/speaking part, vocals; Althea Dickerson - piano; Reverend Charlie Jackson - banjo, speech/speaker/speaking part, vocals; Papa Charlie Jackson - banjo, vocals; Tiny Parham - piano; Johnny Parth - compilation producer, producer; Laura Rucker - vocals; Irene Scruggs - accordion, vocals; Studio Klement - remastering.
Tracklist:
Disc 1
- 01. Dying Blues – Blind Blake & Leola B. Wilson
- 02. Ashley Street Blues – Blind Blake & Leola B. Wilson
- 03. Early Morning Blues (2668) – Blind Blake
- 04. West Coast Blues – Blind Blake
- 05. Early Morning Blues (3057-1) – Blind Blake
- 06. Too Tight (Drag) – Blind Blake
- 07. Blake's Worried Blues – Blind Blake
- 08. Come On Boys Let's Do That Messin' Around (Take 2) – Blind Blake
- 09. Tampa Bound Blues – Blind Blake
- 10. Skeedle Loo Doo Blues (Take 1) – Blind Blake
- 11. Skeedle Loo Doo Blues (Take 2) – Blind Blake
- 12. Stonewall Street Blues – Blind Blake
- 13. State Street Men Blues – Blind Blake & Leola B. Wilson
- 14. Down The Country – Blind Blake & Leola B. Wilson
- 15. Black Biting Bee Blues – Blind Blake & Leola B. Wilson
- 16. Wilson Dam Blues – Blind Blake & Leola B. Wilson
- 17. Buck-Town Blues – Blind Blake
- 18. Black Dog Blues – Blind Blake
- 19. One Time Blues – Blind Blake
- 20. Bad Feeling Blues – Blind Blake
- 21. Dry Bone Shuffle (Take 3) – Blind Blake
- 22. That Will Never Happen No More – Blind Blake
- 23. Brownskin Mama Blues (Take 2) – Blind Blake
- 24. Hard Road Blues – Blind Blake
- 25. Hey Hey Daddy Blues – Blind Blake
- 26. Sea Board Stomp – Blind Blake
Recording date, location, matrix, catalog number:
01. circa July 1926, Chicago, 2655-2, Paramount 12392
02. circa July 1926, Chicago, 2656-2, Paramount 12392
03. circa August 1926, Chicago, 2668-2, Paramount 12387
04. circa August 1926, Chicago, 2669-2, Paramount 12387
05. circa October 1926, Chicago, 3057-1, Paramount 12387
06. circa October 1926, Chicago, 3059-2, Paramount 12431
07. circa October 1926, Chicago, 3060-2, Paramount 12442
08. circa October 1926, Chicago, 3061-2, Paramount 12413
09. circa October 1926, Chicago, 3062-2, Paramount 12442
10. circa November 1926, Chicago, 3073-1, Paramount 12413
11. circa November 1926, Chicago, 3073-2, Paramount 12413
12. circa November 1926, Chicago, 3081-1, Paramount 12431
13. circa November 1926, Chicago, 4010-2, Paramount 12426
14. circa November 1926, Chicago, 4012-2, Paramount 12444
15. circa November 1926, Chicago, 4013-2, Paramount 12444
16. circa November 1926, Chicago, 4014-2, Paramount 12426
17. circa March 1927, Chicago, 4359-1, Paramount 12464
18. circa March 1927, Chicago, 4362-1, Paramount 12464
19. circa March 1927, Chicago, 4363-2, Paramount 12479
20. circa April 1927, Chicago, 4443-1, Paramount 12497
21. April 13-14, 1927, Chicago, 4462-2, Paramount 12479
22. April 13-14, 1927, Chicago, 4468-2, Paramount 12497
23. circa October 1927, Chicago, 20106-2, Paramount 12606
24. circa October 1927, Chicago, 20107-2, Paramount 12583
25. circa October 1927, Chicago, 20108-1, Paramount 12606
26. circa October 1927, Chicago, 20109-1, Paramount 12583
Disc 2
- 01. You Gonna Quit Me Blues - Blind Blake
- 02. Steel Mill Blues - Blind Blake
- 03. Southern Rag - Blind Blake
- 04. He's In The Jailhouse Now - Blind Blake
- 05. Wabash Rag - Blind Blake
- 06. Doggin' Me Mama Blues - Blind Blake
- 07. C.C. Pill Blues - Blind Blake
- 08. Hot Potatoes - Blind Blake
- 09. Southbound Rag - Blind Blake
- 10. Pay Day Daddy Blues - Elzadie Robinson
- 11. Elzadie's Policy Blues - Elzadie Robinson
- 12. Goodbye Mama Moan - Blind Blake
- 13. Tootie Blues - Blind Blake
- 14. That Lovin' I Crave - Blind Blake
- 15. That Lonesome Rave - Bertha Henderson
- 16. Terrible Murder Blues - Bertha Henderson
- 17. Leavin' Gal Blues - Bertha Henderson
- 18. No Dough Blues - Blind Blake
- 19. Lead Hearted Blues - Bertha Henderson
- 20. Let Your Love Come Down - Bertha Henderson
- 21. Rumblin' And Ramblin' Boa Constrictor Blues - Blind Blake
- 22. Bootleg Rum Dum Blues - Blind Blake
- 23. Detroit Bound Blues - Blind Blake
- 24. Beulah Land - Daniel Brown
- 25. Panther Squall Blues - Blind Blake
Recording date, location, matrix, catalog number:
01. circa October 1927, Chicago, 20110-1, Paramount 12597
02. circa October 1927, Chicago, 20112-1, Paramount 12681
03. circa October 1927, Chicago, 20123-1, Paramount 12565
04. circa November 1927, Chicago, 20147-1, Paramount 12565
05. circa November 1927, Chicago, 20154-1, Paramount 12597
06. circa April 1928, Chicago, 20517-3, Paramount 12673
07. circa April 1928, Chicago, 20520-2, Paramount 12634
08. circa April 1928, Chicago, 20521-3, Paramount 12673
09. circa April 1928, Chicago, 20522-2, Paramount 12681
10. circa April 1928, Chicago, 20528-3, Paramount 12635
11. circa April 1928, Chicago, 20534-3, Paramount 12635
12. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20541-1, Paramount 12634
13. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20542-6, Paramount 12643
14. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20551-1, Paramount 12643
15. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20556-1, Paramount 12697
16. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20557-2, Paramount 12645
17. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20558-1, Paramount 12697
18. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20559-1, Paramount 12723
19. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20560-2, Paramount 12655
20. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20562-2, Paramount 12655
21. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20565-3, Paramount 12657
22. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20566-1, Paramount 12695
23. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20567-2, Paramount 12657
24. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20574-2, Paramount 12663
25. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20582-2, Paramount 12723
Disc 3
- 01. Elzadie's Policy Blues – Blind Blake with Elzadie Robinson
- 02. Pay Day Daddy Blues – Blind Blake with Elzadie Robinson
- 03. Walkin' Across The Country Blues – Blind Blake
- 04. Search Warrant Blues – Blind Blake
- 05. Ramblin' Mama Blues – Blind Blake
- 06. That New Style Of Loving – Blind Blake
- 07. Back Door Slam Blues – Blind Blake
- 08. Notoriety Woman Blues – Blind Blake
- 09. Cold Hearted Mama Blues – Blind Blake
- 10. Low Down Loving Gal – Blind Blake
- 11. Sweet Papa Low Down – Blind Blake
- 12. Poker Woman Blues – Blind Blake
- 13. Doing A Stretch – Blind Blake
- 14. Fighin' The Jug – Blind Blake
- 15. Hookworm Blues – Blind Blake
- 16. Slippery Rag – Blind Blake
- 17. Hastings St – Blind Blake
- 18. Diddie Wa Diddie – Blind Blake
- 19. Too Tight Blues No. 2 – Blind Blake
- 20. Chump Man Blues – Blind Blake
- 21. Ice Man Blues – Blind Blake
- 22. Police Dog Blues – Blind Blake
- 23. I Was Afraid Of That – Part 2 – Hokum Boys
- 24. Georgia Bound – Blind Blake
- 25. Keep It Home – Blind Blake
Recording date, location, matrix, catalog number:
01. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20583-2, Paramount 12635
02. circa May 1928, Chicago, 20584-, Paramount 12635
03. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20868-2, Paramount 12754
04. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20871-3, Paramount 12737
05. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20872-2, Paramount 12767
06. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20873-2, Paramount 12767
07. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20874-1, Paramount 12710
08. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20875-2, Paramount 12754
09. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20884-1, Paramount 12710
10. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20887-5, Paramount 12695
11. circa September 1928, Chicago, 20888-1, Paramount 12737
12. June 20, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15248-A, Paramount 12810
13. June 20, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15249-A, Paramount 12810
14. June 20, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15250-, Paramount 12863
15. June 20, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15251-A, Paramount 12794
16. June 20, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15252-A, Paramount 12794
17. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15457-, Paramount 12863
18. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15459-A, Paramount 12888
19. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15460-, Paramount 12824
20. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15461-, Paramount 12904
21. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15462-, Paramount 12904
22. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15463-, Paramount 12888
23. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15464-A, Paramount 12882
24. August 17, 1929, Richmond, Indiana, 15466-, Paramount 12824
25. circa August 1929, Chicago, 21354-1, Paramount 12964
Disc 4
- 01. Sweet Jivin' Mama - Blind Blake
- 02. Lonesome Christmas Blues - Blind Blake
- 03. Third Degree Blues - Blind Blake
- 04. Guitar Chimes - Blind Blake
- 05. Blind Arthur's Breakdown - Blind Blake
- 06. Baby Lou Blues - Blind Blake
- 07. Cold Love Blues - Blind Blake
- 08. Papa Charlie And Blind Blake Talk About It, Part 1 - Blind Blake and Papa Charlie Jackson
- 09. Papa Charlie And Blind Blake Talk About It, Part 2 - Blind Blake and Papa Charlie Jackson
- 10. Stingaree Man Blues - Irene Scruggs (as Chocolate Brown)
- 11. Itching Heel - Irene Scruggs (as Chocolate Brown)
- 12. You've Got What I Want - Irene Scruggs (as Chocolate Brown)
- 13. Cherry Hill Blues - Irene Scruggs (as Chocolate Brown)
- 14. Diddie Wa Diddie No. 2 - Blind Blake
- 15. Hard Pushing Papa - Blind Blake
- 16. What A Low Down Place The Jailhouse Is - Blind Blake
- 17. Ain't Gonna Do That No More - Blind Blake
- 18. Playing Policy Blues - Blind Blake
- 19. Righteous Blues - Blind Blake
- 20. Fancy Tricks - Laura Rucker
- 21. Rope Stretchin' Blues, Part 2 - Blind Blake
- 22. Rope Stretchin' Blues, Part 1 (Take 2) - Blind Blake
- 23. Champagne Charlie Is My Name - Blind Blake
- 24. Depression's Gone From Me Blues - Blind Blake
Recording date, location, matrix, catalog number:
01. circa August 1929, Chicago, 21357-2, Paramount 12964
02. circa September 1929, Chicago, 21420-1, Paramount 12867
03. circa September 1929, Chicago, 21421-2, Paramount 12867
04. circa September 1929, Chicago, 21459-2, Paramount 12892
05. circa September 1929, Chicago, 21460-2, Paramount 12892
06. circa October 1929, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-23-3, Paramount 12918
07. circa October 1929, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-24-2, Paramount 12918
08. circa October 1929, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-27-, Paramount 12911
09. circa October 1929, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-28-, Paramount 12911
10. circa May 26, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-325-1, Paramount 12944
11. circa May 26, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-326-3, Paramount 12944
12. circa May 28, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-348-2, Paramount 12978
13. circa May 28, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-353-2, Paramount 12978
14. circa May 29, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-437-2, Paramount 12994
15. circa May 29, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-438-2, Paramount 12994
16. circa May 29, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-439-2, Paramount 13016
17. circa May 29, 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-440-2, Paramount 13016
18. circa December 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-647-1, Paramount 13035
19. circa December 1930, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-648-1, Paramount 13035
20. circa May 1931, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-909-1, Paramount 13138
21. circa October 1931, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-1099-2, Paramount 13103
22. circa October 1931, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-1101-2, Paramount 13103
23. circa June 1932, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-1475-2, Paramount 13137
24. circa June 1932, Grafton, Wisconsin, L-1476-2, Paramount 13137