Label: Classic Blues.
Release Date: March 6, 2001.
Recording Time: 110 minutes.
Recording Date: 1920s - 1930s.
Release Info: Compilation (CBL-200008) Studio Recording.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Country Blues, Acoustic Memphis Blues, Piedmont Blues, Pre-War Country Blues, Regional Blues.
This double-disc collection of vintage country blues 78s from the 1920s and '30s includes a couple of the better known blues players of the era (Blind Boy Fuller and Blind Lemon Jefferson), but is largely made up of tracks by more obscure artists, which is probably its strength as a compilation. The highlights are many, including Henry Thomas' wonderfully archaic (even for its era) "Charming Betsy" and Little Hat Jones' jaunty take on "Kentucky Blues." Geeshie Wiley's vocal performance on the modal "Last Kind Word Blues" is stunning, her voice sounding at once weary, haunted, desperate, and wise. The sound quality varies from track to track, which is standard with this kind of collection, due to the recording methods of the day. This is not for the casual listener, but recommended for those who have a serious interest in country blues. ~ Steve Leggett
Credits: Fulton Allen - composer; Pink Anderson - composer, performer, primary artist; Gary Atkinson - liner notes; De Ford Baily - primary artist; Willie Baker - performer, primary artist; Barefoot Bill - performer, primary artist; Scrapper Blackwell - composer, performer, primary artist; Ishman Bracey - composer, primary artist; Bob Campbell - performer, primary artist; George Carter - performer, primary artist; Pearl Dickson - composer, performer, primary artist; Tom Dickson - composer, performer, primary artist; Evans & McClain - primary artist; Troy Ferguson - performer, primary artist; Freezone - primary artist; Blind Boy Fuller - performer, primary artist; Mae Glover - performer, primary artist; Lane Hardin - composer, performer, primary artist; Buddy Boy Hawkins - composer, primary artist; Blind Lemon Jefferson - composer, performer, primary artist; Little Hat Jones - composer, performer, primary artist; Luke Jordan - composer, performer, primary artist; Lottie Kimborough - primary artist; Rube Lacey - performer, primary artist; Furry Lewis - composer, performer, primary artist; Noah Lewis - composer, performer, primary artist; Charley Lincoln - primary artist; Brownie McGhee - composer; William Moore - composer, primary artist; Buddy Moss - performer, primary artist; Hambone Willie Newbern - performer, primary artist; Chris Osborne - illustrations; Johnny Parth - composer; Arthur Petties - performer, primary artist; Leon Petties - composer; Modesty Marie Sablan - design; Shreveport Home Wreckers - primary artist; EA Smith - executive-producer; Henry Spaulding - composer, performer, primary artist; Frank Stokes - composer, performer, primary artist; Paul Swinton - Compilation Producer; Tarter & Gay - performer, primary artist; Henry Thomas - primary artist; Traditional - composer; Unidentified Prisoner - composer; Geeshie Wiley - performer, primary artist; Robert Wilkins - performer, primary artist.
Tracklist:
1-01. Weeping Willow - Blind Boy Fuller;
1-02. Little Rock Blues - Pearl Dickson;
1-03. Weak-Minded Woman - Willie Baker;
1-04. Saturday Blues - Ishman Bracey;
1-05. Rolling Log Blues - Lottie Kimborough;
1-06. Starvation Farm Blues - Bob Campbell;
1-07. California Desert Blues - Lane Hardin;
1-08. Fence Breakin' Blues - Shreveport Home Wreckers;
1-09. Mississippi Jailhouse Groan - Rube Lacey;
1-10. Charming Betsy - Henry Thomas;
1-11. Mamlish Blues - Barefoot Bill;
1-12. Easy Rider Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson;
1-13. Davidson County Blues - De Ford Baily;
1-14. Kentucky Blues - Little Hat Jones;
1-15. Cocaine Blues - Luke Jordan;
1-16. Mama, You Gotta Get It Fixed - Troy Ferguson;
1-17. One Way Gal - William Moore;
1-18. Two Time Blues - Arthur Petties;
2-01. Hambone Willie's Dreamy-Eyed Woman's Blues - Hambone Willie Newbern;
2-02. Police Seargent Blues - Robert Wilkins;
2-03. Penal Farm Blues - Scrapper Blackwell;
2-04. Ghost Woman Blues - George Carter;
2-05. Indian Squaw Blues - Freezone;
2-06. Unknown Blues - Tarter & Gay;
2-07. Nehi Mamma Blues - Frank Stokes;
2-08. I Ain't Givin' Nobody None - Mae Glover;
2-09. Happy Blues - Tom Dickson;
2-10. Cairo Blues - Henry Spaulding;
2-11. CC & O Blues - Pink Anderson;
2-12. I Will Turn Your Money Green - Furry Lewis;
2-13. John Henry Blues - Evans & McClain;
2-14. Jealous Hearted Blues - Charlie Lincoln;
2-15. Last Kind Words Blues - Geeshie Wiley;
2-16. Devil In The Woodpile - Noah Lewis;
2-17. Bye Bye Mama - Buddy Moss;
2-18. Jailhouse Fire Blues - Walter 'Buddy Boy' Hawkins.