Release Date: October, 1991.
Recording Time: 73 minutes.
Recording Date: October 1927 - May 1928.
Release Info: DOCD-5025, CD, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered.
Blind Blake's guitar brilliance shines in this collection, featuring collaborations with top jazz and blues talents. His mastery of "ragtime guitar" dazzles on "Southern Rag", where he blends African rhythms, Gullah influences, and sharp chord changes. This track reflects his roots and pioneering style. Blake's versatility is evident in his accompaniment of artists like Elzadie Robinson and Bertha Henderson, where he switches effortlessly between guitar and piano. His one-man band approach on "Panther Squall", using harmonica and guitar simultaneously, showcases his ingenuity. Blind Blake Complete Recorded Works Vol 2 Highlights include:
Johnny Dodds: Clarinet brilliance on "Hot Potatoes" and "Southbound Rag"
Jimmy Bertrand: Slide whistle and xylophone adding texture
Bertha Henderson: Vocals complemented by Blake's piano on "Let Your Love Come Down"
Elzadie Robinson: Energetic performance on "Pay Day Daddy"
This volume captures Blake's unique blend of blues, ragtime, and early jazz, solidifying his place as a guitar legend.
* * * * *
Guitarist/singer Blind Blake's entire recorded output has been made available on four Document CDs. Vol. 2 covers a busy seven-month period and features Blake in several different diverse but equally rewarding settings. He performs solo; backs singers Elzadie Robinson, Bertha Henderson, and Daniel Brown; and holds his own with clarinetist Johnny Dodds and percussionist/xylophonist JImmy Bertrand in a jazz set. There are many memorable numbers among the 25 songs on this CD, including "Southern Rag," "He's in the Jailhouse Now," "Hot Potatoes" (an exuberant instrumental with Dodds), "Southbound Rag," and "No Dough Blues." Blind Blake at his best, but get all four volumes. ~ Scott Yanow
Credits: Compiled By, Producer – Johnny Parth; Liner Notes – Alan Balfour; Remastered By (uncredited) – Hans Klement.
Personnel: Blind Blake - vocals, guitar (except on 20), whistle (on 10), piano (on 20); Gus Cannon - banjo on 4; Johnny Dodds - clarinet (except on 6); Jimmy Bertrand - slide Whistle on 7 and 8, woodblocks on 8, xylophone on 6 and 9, vocals or speech on 6 and 8; Elzadie Robinson - vocals; acc. Johnny Dodds - clarinet; Jimmy Bertrand - xylophone; Bertha Henderson - vocals on 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20. Daniel Brown - vocals; accompanied by. Tiny Parham, piano; Unknown - washboard; possibly George Bullet" Williams or probably own harmonica.
Tracklist:
- 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