Release Date: September 24, 2002.
Recording Time: 285 minutes.
Recording Date: June 14, 1929 - February 1, 1934.
Release Info: JSP7702, 5 x CD Box Set, Compilation, Remastered, Mono.
This is a definitive collection of the most influential and iconic pre-war bluesman, 92 tracks that cover all recorded work between 1929 and 1934. Accompanying the acknowledged King Of The Delta Blues is a host of legendary blues names: Son House, Henry Sims, Walter Hawkins, Willie Brown, Louise Johnson, Bertha Lee and Edith North Johnson. The whole set has received state-of-the-art remastering, with over 10,000 surface 'clicks' eliminated, and the result is the best sound quality ever afforded these priceless gems.
* * * * *
At the end of just the first disc on this five-CD set, the listener may feel like he/she was in the audio equivalent of a visual "white-out," so powerful are the sounds on that disc. From the opening bars of"Pony Blues," Charley Patton becomes a gigantic musical presence, who gets even bigger as his work goes on; with a guttural, stentorian voice that paves the way for everyone from Louis Armstrong to early Bob Dylan -- but especially for Howlin' Wolf -- he cuts through the poor condition surviving Paramount pressings like a call from the Great Beyond, almost unnaturally powerful and expressive in its smallest gesture. What's more, Patton must have broken more than his share of strings, because his playing also comes through on these sides better than almost any artist that ever recorded for Paramount, even on ruined masters like "Pea Vine Blues." This is all a lot more than a trip through history for the scholar, and some sides are just too close to some classics of the future to ignore -- "Down In The Dirt Road Blues," which could be where Willie Dixon got the idea for "Down In The Bottom," and the notion that Howlin' Wolf was the man to record it; similarly, "Some Summer Day," from the other end of Patton's career, could easily have been the demo for "Sittin' On Top Of The World" -- actually, the geneology of both songs is a lot more complicated than that, but each of these could easily have been a key part of the evolutionary chain for one or the other. And there is a raw, primordial power to Patton's music that not only grabs the listener but leaves them wanting more; that's why this box makes perfect sense, even for the casual blues listener -- the man never recorded a second-rate side or one that didn't offer at least a few of the attributes that made his best work so powerful. On a cautionary note, however, the producers have actually been a bit misleading by presenting this set as 92 sides by Charley Patton -- there are actually 63 sides by Patton, and the rest, appended to each disc, are recordings by other artists and are believed to have featured Patton, playing and singing or just playing, and people who were featured on Patton's sides; the latter two groups include Son House, Louise Johnson, Henry "Son" Sims, and Willie Brown, with the Big Delta Four filling out the last disc. And these sides offer some fascinating sounds, including killer tracks by Son House in his prime, and oddities like Brown's "Future Blues," which lifts part of its content from Jimmie Rodgers' repertory. The audio is remarkably consistent and, in fact, the whole set is so rewarding, that it raises an interesting notion -- might JSP or another enterprising label consider doing a series of Paramount Records boxes, assembling the surviving sides, blues, gospel, or whatever, in chronological order, as Bear Family did with Sun Records a few years back? ~ Bruce Eder
Along with Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, and a few others who created not just styles but dynasties, Charley Patton is among the most important musicians Twentieth Century America produced. - Robert Palmer, Deep Blues
Credits: Baritone Vocals - Will Mosely (tracks: 5-3 to 5-10); Bass Vocals - Archie Smith (tracks: 5-3 to 5-10); Lead Vocals - Wheeler Ford (tracks: 5-3 to 5-10); Liner Notes - Ray Templeton; Tenor Vocals - Ivory Lou Allen (tracks: 5-3 to 5-10); Vocals - Bertha Lee (tracks: 5-19 to 5-22); Vocals, Fiddle - Henry Sims (tracks: 3-13 to 3-16); Vocals, Guitar - Walter Hawkins (tracks: 1-15 to 1-18), Charley Patton (tracks: 1-1 to 1-3, 1-7 to 1-11, 1-13, 1-14, 2-1 to 2-16, 3-1 to 3-12, 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2, 5-11 to 5-20), Elder J J Hadley (tracks: 1-4, 1-5), Son House (tracks: 4-5 to 4-11), The Masked Marvel (tracks: 1-6, 1-12), Willie Brown (tracks: 4-3, 4-4); Vocals, Piano - Edith North Johnson (tracks: 2-17 to 2-20), Louise Johnson (tracks: 4-12 to 4-16).
Tracklist:
Disc A: Complete Recordings June 1929
- 1-01. Charley Patton - Pony Blues (3:03)
- 1-02. Charley Patton - A Spoonful Blues (3:13)
- 1-03. Charley Patton - Down The Dirt Road Blues (3:01)
- 1-04. Charley Patton - Prayer Of Death: Part 1 (3:08)
- 1-05. Charley Patton - Prayer Of Death: Part 2 (2:54)
- 1-06. Charley Patton - Screamin' And Hollerin' The Blues (3:11)
- 1-07. Charley Patton - Banty Rooster Blues (3:06)
- 1-08. Charley Patton - Tom Rushen Blues (3:09)
- 1-09. Charley Patton - It Won't Be Long 3:30)
- 1-10. Charley Patton - Shake It And Break It (But Don't Let It Fall, Mama) (3:09)
- 1-11. Charley Patton - Pea Vine Blues (3:06)
- 1-12. Charley Patton - Mississippi Boll Weevil Blues (3:11)
- 1-13. Charley Patton - Lord, I'm Discouraged (3:11)
- 1-14. Charley Patton - I'm Goin' Home (3:08)
- 1-15. Walter Hawkins - Snatch It And Grab It 3:09)
- 1-16. Walter Hawkins - A Rag Blues (3:03)
- 1-17. Walter Hawkins - How Come Mama Blues (3:09)
- 1-18. Walter Hawkins - Voice Throwin' Blues (3:03)
Disc B: Complete Recordings October 1929
- 2-01. Charley Patton - Hammer Blues: Take 1 (3:20)
- 2-02. Charley Patton - I Shall Not Be Moved (2:44)
- 2-03. Charley Patton - High Water Everywhere: Part 1 (3:01)
- 2-04. Charley Patton - High Water Everywhere: Part 2 (3:01)
- 2-05. Charley Patton - I Shall Not Be Moved (3:07)
- 2-06. Charley Patton - Rattlesnake Blues (2:49)
- 2-07. Charley Patton - Going To Move To Alabama (3:03)
- 2-08. Charley Patton - Hammer Blues: Take 2 (3:18)
- 2-09. Charley Patton - Joe Kirby (3:11)
- 2-10. Charley Patton - Frankie And Albert (3:12)
- 2-11. Charley Patton - Magnolia Blues (2:59)
- 2-12. Charley Patton - Devil Sent The Rain Blues (3:05)
- 2-13. Charley Patton - Runnin' Wild Blues (2:58)
- 2-14. Charley Patton - Some Happy Day (3:11)
- 2-15. Charley Patton - Mean Black Moan (3:20)
- 2-16. Charley Patton - Green River Blues (3:10)
- 2-17. Edith North Johnson - That's My Man (3:41)
- 2-18. Edith North Johnson - Honey Dripper Blues: No. 2 (3:13)
- 2-19. Edith North Johnson - Eight Hour Woman (2:50)
- 2-20. Edith North Johnson - Nickel's Worth Of Liver Blues: No 2 (2:39)
Disc C: Complete Recordings October 1929
- 3-01. Charley Patton - Some Of These Days I'll Be Gone (2:53)
- 3-02. Charley Patton - Elder Green Blues: Take 2 (3:02)
- 3-03. Charley Patton - Jim Lee: Part 1 (3:07)
- 3-04. Charley Patton - Jim Lee: Part 2 (3:03)
- 3-05. Charley Patton - Mean Black Cat Blues (2:55)
- 3-06. Charley Patton - Jesus Is A-Dying (Bed Maker) (2:54)
- 3-07. Charley Patton - Elder Green Blues: Take 2 (3:04)
- 3-08. Charley Patton - When Your Way Gets Dark (3:10)
- 3-09. Charley Patton - Some Of These Days I'll Be Gone: Take 2 (3:10)
- 3-10. Charley Patton - Heart Like Railwood Steel (2:52)
- 3-11. Charley Patton - Circle Round The Moon (2:35)
- 3-12. Charley Patton - You're Gonna Need Somebody When You Die (2:52)
- 3-13. Henry Sims - Be True, Be True Blues (3:04)
- 3-14. Henry Sims - Farrell Blues (3:09)
- 3-15. Henry Sims - Tell Me Man Blues (3:15)
- 3-16. Henry Sims - Come Back Corrina (3:09)
Disc D: Complete Recordings June 1930
- 4-01. Charley Patton - Some Summer Day (3:06)
- 4-02. Charley Patton - Bird Nest Bound (3:14)
- 4-03. Willie Brown - Future Blues (3:02)
- 4-04. Willie Brown - M & O Blues (3:12)
- 4-05. Son House - Walkin' Blues (2:58)
- 4-06. Son House - My Black Mama: Part 1 (3:10)
- 4-07. Son House - My Black Mama: Part 2 (3:17)
- 4-08. Son House - Preachin' The Blues: Part 1 (3:06)
- 4-09. Son House - Preachin' The Blues: Part 2 (2:55)
- 4-10. Son House - Dry Spell Blues: Part 1 (3:13)
- 4-11. Son House - Dry Spell Blues: Part 2 (3:18)
- 4-12. Louise Johnson - All Night Long Blues: Take 1 (3:13)
- 4-13. Louise Johnson - On The Wall (3:06)
- 4-14. Louise Johnson - All Night Long Blues: Take 2 (3:05)
- 4-15. Louise Johnson - By The Moon And Stars (2:55)
- 4-16. Louise Johnson - Long Ways From Home (3:29)
Disc E: Complete Recordings 1930-1934
- 5-01. Charley Patton - Dry Well Blues (3:23)
- 5-02. Charley Patton - Moon Going Down (3:18)
- 5-03. Delta Big Four - We All Gonna Face The Rising Sun (3:42)
- 5-04. Delta Big Four - Moaner, Let's Go Down In The Valley (3:03)
- 5-05. Delta Big Four - Jesus Got His Arms Around Me (3:11)
- 5-06. Delta Big Four - God Won't Forsake His Own (3:24)
- 5-07. Delta Big Four - I'll Be Here (3:11)
- 5-08. Delta Big Four - Where Was Eve Sleeping? (3:19)
- 5-09. Delta Big Four - I Know My Time Ain't Long (3:15)
- 5-10. Bro W Mosely & Delta Big Four - Watch And Pray (3:05)
- 5-11. Charley Patton - High Sheriff Blues (3:14)
- 5-12. Charley Patton - Stone Pony Blues (2:56)
- 5-13. Charley Patton - Jersey Bull Blues (3:13)
- 5-14. Charley Patton - Hang It On The Wall (2:48)
- 5-15. Charley Patton - 34 Blues (3:00)
- 5-16. Charley Patton - Love My Stuff (3:00)
- 5-17. Charley Patton - Poor Me (3:01)
- 5-18. Charley Patton - Revenue Man Blues (2:46)
- 5-19. Patton & Lee - Troubled 'Bout My Mother (2:59)
- 5-20. Patton & Lee - Oh Death (2:54)
- 5-21. Bertha Lee - Yellow Bee (2:56)
- 5-22. Bertha Lee - Mind Reader Blues (2:56)
Original recording Information:
1-01: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15216, Paramount 12792)
1-02: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15223, Paramount 12869)
1-03: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15215, Paramount 12854)
1-04: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15225, Paramount 12799)
1-05: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15225-A, Paramount 12799)
1-06: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15214, Paramount 12805)
1-07: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15217, Paramount 12792)
1-08: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15222-A, Paramount 12877)
1-09: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15220, Paramount 12854)
1-10: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15224, Paramount 12869)
1-11: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15221-A, Paramount 12877)
1-12: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15211, Paramount 12805)
1-13: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15226, Paramount 12883)
1-14: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15227, Paramount 12883)
1-15: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15218, Paramount 12814)
1-16: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15212, Paramount 12814)
1-17: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15213, Paramount 12802)
1-18: Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929 (GE15219, Paramount 12802)
2-01: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L47-1, Paramount unissued)
2-02: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L62-?, Paramount unissued)
2-03: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L59-1, Paramount 12909)
2-04: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L60-2, Paramount 12909)
2-05: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L62-2, Paramount 12986)
2-06: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L63-2, Paramount 12924)
2-07: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L37-1, Paramount 13014)
2-08: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L47-2, Paramount 12998)
2-09: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L67-2, Paramount 13133)
2-10: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L42-1, Paramount 13110)
2-11: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L40-1, Paramount 13040)
2-12: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L48-1, Paramount 12943)
2-13: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L64-1, Paramount 12924)
2-14: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L51-1, Paramount 13031)
2-15: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L77-1, Paramount 12953)
2-16: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L44-3, Paramount 12972)
2-17: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L73-?, Paramount 12939)
2-18: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L69-2, Paramount 12915)
2-19: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L74-2, Paramount 12939)
2-20: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L75-1, Paramount 12915)
3-01: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L43-1, Paramount unissued)
3-02: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L38-2, Paramount unissued)
3-03: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L57-2, Paramount 13080)
3-04: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L58-1, Paramount 13133)
3-05: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L41-1, Paramount 12943)
3-06: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L61-1, Paramount 12986)
3-07: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L38-1, Paramount 12972)
3-08: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L49-1, Paramount 12998)
3-09: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L43-2, Paramount 13110)
3-10: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L50-1, Paramount 12953)
3-11: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L39-1, Paramount 13040)
3-12: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L52-1, Paramount 13031)
3-13: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L66-2, Paramount 12940)
3-14: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L45-1, Paramount 12912)
3-15: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L65-1, Paramount 12940)
3-16: Grafton, Wisconsin, October 1929 (L46-2, Paramount 12912)
4-01: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L431-1, Paramount 13080)
4-02: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L433-1, Paramount 13070)
4-03: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L418-2, Paramount 13090)
4-04: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L413-2, Paramount 13090)
4-05: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (92#1, Paramount unissued test)
4-06: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L408-2, Paramount 13042)
4-07: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L409-2, Paramount 13042)
4-08: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L410-1, Paramount 13013)
4-09: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L411-1, Paramount 13013)
4-10: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L425-4, Paramount 12990)
4-11: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L426-2, Paramount 12990)
4-12: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L398-1, Paramount 12992)
4-13: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L419-1, Paramount 13008)
4-14: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L398-2, Paramount unissued)
4-15: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L420-2, Paramount 13008)
4-16: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L399-2, Paramount 12992)
5-01: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L429-2, Paramount 13070)
5-02: Grafton, Wisconsin, June 1930 (L432-1, Paramount 13014)
5-03: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L312-3, Paramount 13009)
5-04: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L313-3, Paramount 13009)
5-05: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L315-1, Paramount 13095)
5-06: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L316-1, Paramount 12987)
5-07: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L318-2, Paramount 13095)
5-08: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L319-1, Paramount 12948)
5-09: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L320-1, Paramount 12948)
5-10: Grafton, Wisconsin, May 1930 (L322-1, Paramount 12987)
5-11: New York City, January 30, 1934 (14725-2, Vocalion 02680)
5-12: New York City, January 30, 1934 (14727-1, Vocalion 02680)
5-13: New York City, January 30, 1934 (14723-1, Vocalion 02782)
5-14: New York City, February 1, 1934 (14758-1, Vocalion 02931)
5-15: New York City, January 31, 1934 (14739-1, Vocalion 02651)
5-16: New York City, January 31, 1934 (14746-1, Vocalion 02782)
5-17: New York City, February 1, 1934 (14757-1, Vocalion 02651)
5-18: New York City, January 31, 1934 (14747-?, Vocalion 02731)
5-19: New York City, February 1, 1934 (14752-1, Vocalion 02904)
5-20: New York City, January 31, 1934 (14749-3, Vocalion 02904)
5-21: New York City, January 31, 1934 (14735-2, Vocalion 02650)
5-22: New York City, January 31, 1934 (14736-1, Vocalion 02650)