Release Date: 1992.
Recording Time: 73 minutes.
Recording Date: April, 1926 - September 24, 1929.
Release Info: MCD-47022-2, CD, Compilation, Reissue.
The legendary Blind Lemon is in many ways the embodiment and the symbol of the early country blues - a man alone with his voice and guitar, singing with raw strength and great insight about the realities of his life. He has also influenced bluesmen for nearly half a century, from his friend Leadbelly to many of today's blues/rock singers.
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The reissues of the seminal 1920s country blues artist's work, featuring his essential 1926-1929 recordings for Paramount Records. As a pioneer of Texas blues, Jefferson’s high-pitched voice and intricate guitar work on hits like "Black Snake Moan" influenced generations of musicians. Known as the "Father of Texas Blues," Jefferson was a massively influential recording artist in the 1920s who influenced figures like Lead Belly and T-Bone Walker. Jefferson's works on Milestone's release bring his pioneering acoustic blues, characterized by rapid guitar runs and soulful vocals, to new audiences.
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This solid collection (73 minutes' worth) features some of Blind Lemon Jefferson's best. "Jack O'Diamond Blues," "Match Box Blues," and "That Black Snake Moan" are all on board, and with the Sonic Solutions System employed on the audio restoration end, the result is about the best these surviving 78s have ever sounded. ~ Cub Koda
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Jefferson is considered to be the father of Texas blues, and with good reason. Unlike many early blues legends that lived and died in relative obscurity, Lemon was highly popular during his lifetime. Not only did he influence other bluesmen, but he also left quite an impression on country music father Jimmie Rodgers and western swing pioneers Bob Wills and Milton Brown. As a guitarist, Jefferson had few peers. His capability to throw off unexpected and complex phrases was legendary. Lemon's playing was accompanied by a high and lonesome voice that complemented his formidable songwriting skills. This CD is a reissue of a '70s double vinyl disc set, and it contains most of his best work including his only slide piece "Jack O' Diamonds," one of his many versions of "Matchbox Blues," and the amazing "Rabbit Foot Blues." One would be hard-pressed to find a bluesman of greater depth and skill than Mr. Jefferson. ~ Lars Gandil
Credits: Art Direction - Phil Carroll, Tony Lane; Guitar (Possible / Miscredited) - Leadbelly (tracks: 13); Liner Notes - Pete Welding; Mastered By (Digital Mastering) - Joe Tarantino; Piano - George Perkins (tracks: 11, 12); Reissue Producer - Orrin Keepnews; Vocals, Guitar - Blind Lemon Jefferson.
Tracklist:
- 01. Jack O' Diamond Blues [2:43]
- 02. Chock House Blues [2:37]
- 03. Stocking Feet Blues [3:04]
- 04. Black Snake Moan [2:57]
- 05. Shuckin' Sugar Blues [2:59]
- 06. Rabbit Foot Blues [2:51]
- 07. Bad Luck Blues [2:47]
- 08. Broke And Hungry [2:57]
- 09. Easy Rider Blues [2:53]
- 10. Match Box Blues [3:07]
- 11. Rising High Water Blues [2:26]
- 12. Teddy Bear Blues [2:30]
- 13. Lonesome House Blues [2:22]
- 14. Sunshine Special [2:40]
- 15. Change My Luck Blues [2:22]
- 16. Prison Cell Blues [2:45]
- 17. Blind Lemon's Penitentiary Blues [2:38]
- 18. Lock Step Blues [3:07]
- 19. Hangman's Blues [3:01]
- 20. Mosquito Moan [2:58]
- 21. Southern Woman Blues [3:02]
- 22. Bakershop Blues [3:04]
- 23. Pneumonia Blues [3:15]
- 24. Long Distance Moan [3:18]
- 25. That Crawlin' Baby Blues [2:38]
Recorded in Chicago, prob. April 1926 (tracks 1, 2), prob. June 1926 (tracks 3 to 8), prob. early 1927 (tracks 9 to 14), prob. February 1928 (tracks 15 to 17) and prob. Fall 1928 (tracks 18, 19).
Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, September 24, 1929 (tracks 20-25).
25 of the 32 tracks on the previous 2 LP set with the same catalogue number.
"This reissue has been prepared by transferring the best available source material to digital tape, which has then been reprocessed using the [...] computerized NoNOISE SYSTEM." (booklet).