Reviews (2)

Great collection chosen by Fahey himself
One of the most inventive guitar players you'll ever hear on a compilation chosen by none other than Fahey himself. The CD adds thee highly generous bonus tracks to the original, including the 23-minute "Fare Forward Voyagers" -- a jaw-dropping passacaglia of sorts that never dips in invention or interest for its entire length.

Acoustic guitar's most brilliant pioneer
This single-CD best-of has a fair amount of material in common with Rhino's 2-CD "Return Of The Repressed" collection, but is a more compact and cohesive reading of the first half of Fahey's career. Stunning acoustic guitar work with the undying creativity that Fahey infused into all his work. If you haven't heard Fahey's work before, this is an excellent starting point; exploration into his original, full albums is also highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Exellent r&b music, with a Gospel aftertaste
Although on the cover of this cd, Sister Rosetta Tharpe looks pecularly like Alberta Hunter, but don't let that fool you. This cd is a great one, if you like early wailin' r&b, or swing tinged Gospel. I mean you can jitterbug or lindy hop to most of thsi stuff, and the rest is greta for listening. Christian music today is so commercial souning and pop sounding, back in the 40's, Tharpe made it swing, jump, stomp and wail, adding r&b, and her genious jazz guitar riffs, rock and roll like mad. Her voice is heavenly and if you like r&b divas liek Helen Humes, you'll love Sister Tharpe's unique and always jiving style.

If you thought you didn't liek Gospel music, try this, and it'll change your mind, for Tharpe added r&b(almost rock'n'roll at times), and swing, jazz, and jump blues to her approach. Sometimes singing pop songs, blues, and r&b filled gospel. A exellent cd tah tcover her 1930's to late 40's recordings.

Shout, Sister, Shout!
You know, I really don't care for Sister Rosetta Tharpe's style of singing, but this CD was AWESOME. I was really shocked. This is a well-put-together compilation of her earliest sides. In my personal opinion, I feel that "The Natural Facts" and "Two Little Fish & Five Loaves of Bread" are the best songs on this CD. And even though Sister Tharpe's recording of "Didn't It Rain" is different from Queen Mahalia Jackson's, it's also a favorite on my list.

GREAT CD!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Tooo Cruuuude!
Oh man! This puts Barnacle Bill the Sailor to shame. Just give a listen to song#5! Yikers!!!

Good Collection of Naughty Tunes -- Including One Zinger
From almost the beginning of recorded music, songs have had some kind of sexual content. Compared to today where little is left to the imagination, this artists make clever use of double-entendres to tell their stories.

For example, there's Lil Johnson's "My Stove's in Good Condition" in which she asks someone to "stick your match right in the hole." In Bo Carter's "My Pencil Won't Write No More" he complains that when he tries to write his pencil is "drooping."

For those who want something a little less subtle there's Lucille Bogan's previously unreleased version of "Shave 'Em Dry." Lucille Bogan was as raunchy as any contemporary rapper way back in 1935! If you thought gangsta rap started the use of graphic language in music -- think again. There are lines in this track that would make Ice Cube blush (well, almost). In one of the track's tamer verses she says, "I'm going to turn back my mattress and let you oil my springs/I want you to grind me daddy till the bells do ring." If that's too much for you, there's her very different "clean" version. It's so different that you'll swear it was sung by a different person (who knows, it might be!).

Overall, "Raunchy Business" lives up to its title. However, with the exception of Lucille Bogan's alternate version of "Shave 'Em Dry," it won't offend most adults as long as its not a formal function. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Blues 101!!!
All right, students, now pay attention! Put down that racing form and pay attention right now! This here Chess Blues box set contains exactly 101 tracks. How appropriate! That makes this collection a sort of unofficial college course entitled Blues 101, and Professors Wolf, Waters, James, and Jacobs (Little Walter), etc., etc., will be your blues instructors. You will learn the Fundamentals of Blues Harp, with Little Walter ("Juke") and Sonny Boy Williamson II ("Don't Start Me to Talkin'") as your master teachers. Over here, we have a course entitled Mellow Blues, with Willie Dixon ("Walkin' the Blues") and Jimmy Witherspoon ("Ain't Nobody's Business") showing you how it's done. Then, we have instruction in Blues and the Female Voice, with Koko Taylor ("What Kind of Man Is That," "Wang Dang Doodle") and Etta James ("Somethings Got A Hold Of Me," "I'd Rather Go Blind") as your teachers. Finally, what great university would be complete without Master Classes and the best professors in the business Muddy Waters ("Got My Mojo Workin'," "I Can't Be Satisfied," "My Eyes (Keep Me in Trouble"), Howlin Wolf ("Killin' Floor," "Evil," "Going Down Slow"), and John Lee Hooker ("Walkin' the Boogie," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer") holding court for your edification. No, there is no blues university, but if there was one, the above masters would surely be the instructors and Chess Blues would certainly be the required text. As I said, it's packed with an amazing 101 songs, many of the best blues tracks ever recorded. There are a few clunkers, but very few. You will spend many enjoyable hours listening to this collection. (Trust me, it takes a few hours to listen to 101 songs once!) Get it today, and enroll in the best blues education money can buy!

A terriffic addition to your blues collection
This handsome boxset, complete with a large booklet, is a superb addition to your blues collection, even if you already have the best of the major Chess artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson II.

There are bound to be some tracks, especially by Waters and the Wolf, that overlap with what most blues lovers already own, but the "Chess Blues" compilers have done a very fine job assembling dozens of rarer tracks by artists like Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, Otis Rush, Memphis Minnie McCoy, Lowell Fulson, Willie Mabon, Elmore James, Jimmy Oden and many others. And these high quality tracks, which make up the vast majority of the 101 cuts, make "Chess Blues" a very welcome supplement to the many available compilations featuring Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter Jacobs.

This is it!
The Delta gave birth to the Delta Blues and Chicago gave birth to the Chicago Blues but it would not have happened without Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and, of course, the Chess Brothers. This is their legacy - no true blues fan would be without this set as part of their collection -enough said!

Box set arrives like nucular bum
Wow, this box set arrives in my discs with the force of a nuclear bomb...I bought it for [amt.] at a local record store; get the box set any way you can. You'll survive cataclysmic disaster for sure. The artists are badasses and geniuses all.

Worth 10 Stars!
Where would the music of today be without the music on this set? Every song is a classic. Phil and Leonard Chess had an ear for talent and it shows on this set. Not only do you get classics by Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf, there is also Etta James, Ko Ko Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sunnyland Slim, Robert Nighthawk, Willie Dixon (the MAN behind many of the Waters/Wolf classics) and many, many more. The booklet is fantastic and the sound quality is very good. Simply a set you can't do without. ... Read more

Album Description

Music about loving music. Declaring the best music is funny, joyful, moving and adventurous, the world's greatest all-acoustic band loaded the album with musical and lyrical references to their favorite records and shoot them at you faster than bad jokes in an Airplane! movie. This record will have you laughing, tapping your foot, dancing in your underwear and rooting through your record collection to track down another one of the Spankers' sources of inspired amalgamation. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Tremendous talent with a soft spot for silliness
While their musical chops steadily improve, the Spankers devotion to novelty songs remains wholly undiminished. Clearly, they want to hit the magic formula to have a long-remembered goofball hit along the lines of "Euphoria," "Wahoo!," or "Marijuana Boogie" -- something that college radio DJs will play for decades to come. On one hand, they'll probably succeed -- this disc's title track comes pretty close. On the other hand, though, the sheer relentlessness of the pursuit is in itself a bit dreary, with the predictable application of time-worn, on-the-nose attention-getting themes such as irreverent religious references and druggie humor, etc. The songs I wound up playing off this record were the more or less straight swing-jazz tunes (mostly those written and sung by Christina Marrs)... I'd be interested to hear them try at least one full album where the repertoire tilts in this direction, showing off their musical chops rather than their sophmoric sense of humor.

There ain't nuthin' better!
The Spankers are one of the VERY few bands who perform with no electronic enhancement whatsoever, and are all the better for it. As opposed to popular singers, who shall remain nameless, who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket with the lid nailed shut if they didn't have soundmen with magic hands! Their sense of humor, style, performance level and downright sexiness are off the scale (on the positive end, that is) and they are an absolute necessity for any blues lover who wants that old-time, N'awlin's sound. Their licorice-stick player, and steel guitar player have to be heard to be believed and Wammo is bedda' dan poi, bedda' dan pig! Go for it, you won't be dissapointed.

Keep on Spankin'
The Spankers have become an Austin institution. Their live show is a must-see, and this record is a great example of that. They rely on no electronics whatsoever, just fiddles, resonator guitars, a hand saw (?!), and just about anything they can beat on. Many songs will have you crying... because you can't stop laughing. The musicianship is incredible only to be surpassed by the vocals. My favorties are "Whatever" and "Wammo's Blues". Buy this record... and if you can go see them live, you won't be disappointed! Check out their other stuff too!

Just getting better
The Spankers are just getting better. "My Favorite Record" demonstrates some real growth and polish of this original all-acoustic, non-categorizable Austin band. The new songs--music and tunes--are great; the musianship of Christina, Wammo, Stanley, Corey and the gang is outstanding. If you are a Spanker fan, or think you might want to be, this album is a must! ... Read more

Album Description

For over 15 years now, CORKY SIEGEL’S CHAMBER BLUES has been delighting audiences throughout the U.S. with its unique hybrid of classical chamber music and blues tradition.Blending blues harp and piano with a string quartet and percussion, Chamber Blues is innovative, yet immediately accessible.CORKY SIEGEL’S TRAVELING CHAMBER BLUES SHOW is the first LIVE recording of this extraordinary ensemble.

The CD puts Corky’s creative genius on full display as he and his group refine this new musical genre right in front of their audience’s eyes and ears. It’s a sound renowned writer Studs Turkel describes as "a joyous marriage of classical music and the blues." ... Read more

Amazon.com

This well-chosen 11-track collection succeeds admirably in its attempt to represent the Mississippi, the river of blues. This deep, wide, multihued collection of blues combines an expansive chronological and stylistic sweep with a commendable attention to entertainment value through its emphasis on the unexpected. Bobby "Blue" Bland's awe-inspiring vocal on "St. James Infirmary," a masterpiece of American music, is an expected highlight, but selections like Ike and Tina Turner's 1969 take on the B.B. King standard "3 O'clock in the Morning" and the electrifying Luther Allison's "Part Time Love," a Motown gem from early in his career, provide satisfying surprises. Chris Thomas King's subtle but significant modernization of Robert Johnson's "Come On in My Kitchen," a performance both rootsy and progressive, is a perfect fit for the collection. Much of the music has a folksy feel, especially the work of Mississippi John Hurt, an acoustic purist until the end, who rolls through a back-to-the-basics "Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor," and that of voluntary European exile Memphis Slim, whose piano-powered "Stewball" features the legendary Willie Dixon on bass. Other legends, including John Lee Hooker and Junior Wells, are well represented, but it's Memphis Minnie, a seminal guitar star of the 1930s, who steals the show with her empowered "I Got to Make a Change Blues."--Michael Point ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Gritty Blues Sampler
I heard this cd while shopping and EVERY TUNE was so hot I had to have it! Every track is unique, the artists soulful and exude the blues from their bones. This CD takes you to another place and time where it is good to feel the blues!

AWESOME Blues CD
I love this CD. Gritty blues the way it is meant to be played. Great production as well and nice variety of performers. This is one of the best Putumayo CDs I have heard so far.

Love the Blues
I loved this CD. It is my second Putumayo World Music CD. The first one I purchased was the musical playground for Kids. This is the firt Blues CD that I own. Based on how much I liked this one, I am sure I will be buying more.

Own the DVD
Bought today: 2002-02-28. Listened to this music in a loop on a roundtrip from Ottawa, Ontario to Ogdensburg, NY and back. Very rewarding 3 hours. This is infectious American Roots/Blues. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

This inappropriately titled album is actually a concert recording from a performance at Oberlin College in 1965. Regardless, Hurt's rich, gentle voice and relaxed, flowing guitar lines could soothe the stormiest Monday. Among the hymns and traditional songs heard here are "I Shall Not Be Moved," "Nearer My God to Thee," "Since I've Laid This Burden Down," and "You Are My Sunshine." Complementing those are Hurt folk/blues staples, notably "Monday Morning Blues," "Coffee Blues," and "C.C. Rider." The blues patriarch's warmth and geniality come through here with such emotional intimacy that you can't help being deeply moved. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (7)

it may not be his best, but:¿
This disc is a fine place to dive into the wonderfully gentle blues of this wonderfully gentle man. There was nothing flashy about John Hurt, and maybe for that reason his music may stick to your ribs for a long, long time.

Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy
Yes, this is a live recording, not a collection of prerecorded material; but you know what? I think it's even better than the studio works. I own Avalon Blues and Worried Blues, and they're wonderful. But there's something different going on here. There's a certain undefinable spirit he adds to the songs. Gosh, I don't want to say it, but it's almost rowdy, if Mr. Hurt could ever be described in that fashion (heck, though, it's almost like calling Perry Como speed metal).

All I'm trying to say is that the artist/audience chemistry seems to add something exciting to the music and the musician. I guess he seems happier and more alive; which leads me to one oxymoron I've always used to describe Mississippi John Hurt. Happy blues. I love this album, and if you like anything this man has recorded, I'd almost guarantee you'll feel the same.

best of mississippi john hurt
I have had this album since 1988 and still listen to it regularly, his style is so relaxed and unique, music that will always be popular

The best of MJH
Having seen some guitar Tabs of his songs I came across this album and brought it out of curiosity, ( I like the old blues musicians) Brilliant! Recorded infront of a live audience MJH entertains through the whole album. At times I became frustrated wanting to know what the audience were laughing at. If you want to hear a great blues guitarist then buy this one. I listen to the cd now and again, but not just the once, it always goes on 'Repeat'. Now I can't find enough of his material.

A timeless classic
Must agree with the previous reviewer--this is truly great collection. I also first heard the LP in the late 60's, had a reel to reel tape of it that finally just wore out. Then heard it again a few days ago in a local Cajun restaurant. It sounded better than ever. Just had to have the CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

A fantastic collection of old-time music, "Folks, He Sure DoPull Some Bow!" captures vintage fiddle music at that rarecrossroads where the blues, jazz, and something that would one day becalled folk were all in their infancy. For fiddle virtuosos performingbetween 1927 and 1935, quite simply, anything goes. Banjo IkeyRobinson's red hot "My Four Reasons" swings with humor and pizzazz,the State Street Boys' "Rustlin' Man" features the down-and-out bluesvocals and fiddling of Big Bill Broonzy , and the Mississippi Sheiks'jazzy, but blues-inspired "Lazy Lazy River" musically straddles bothsides of the Mason Dixon Line. For many listeners, the more esoterictracks will stick out: Bo Chatman (a.k.a. double-entendre blues king Bo Carter) is heardfiddling behind Alec Johnson's goofy vocals on "Sister Maud Mule" (andin the spotlight on his own "Good Old Turnip Greens"); the GeorgiaYellow Hammers' "G Rag" is the product of a then-rare integratedrecording session; and Abrew's Portuguese Instrumental Trio performs"Cabo Verdranos Peca Nove" with incredible fiddling on what must be oneof the first attempts at a crossover world-music disc. It's allhere--great remastering, in-depth liner notes, and wonderful playing. Eachrelease from Old Hat--Violin, Sing the Blues forMe and Music from the Lost Provinces--feels definitive, and this gem iscertainly no different. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (5)

If you want to hear "fiddle" music don't buy this!
This is a review for normal people. If you are a fan of standard fiddle do not buy this CD. It is a bunch of badly recorded, half hearted, boring and sloppy songs thrown together on an overpriced CD. Save yourself $... or if you like this type of music just go buy some old Little Rascals episodes on DVD. Then you will get the same music you hear on this plus the bonus of the Little Rascals. Now I know why we think of Blues guitar players not fiddle players when this music is discussed. The other reviewers seem to think some of the names on this CD will be familiar to you. Don't believe them, unless names like "Abrew's Portuguese Instrumental Trio" or "Dixieland Jug Blowers" are familiar to you. I am just hoping to prevent normal music lovers from stepping into this pile and losing $... like I did. I play banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer and guitar all badly, but I could get a gig with these bands and probably improve their sound. If you are the artsy type that digs this kind of stuff and you can't wait to grow a goatee, turn the lights down low, fill the room with smoke (oops, bad for your health), put your sunglasses on and crank this baby up; I hope you don't mind being stuck by yourself all the time because no one else is going to put up with this lousy music. Go find something with Chubby Wise in it if you want to hear some real fiddle playing. Help support some little known, up and coming fiddle players that need to buy food and pay rent with royalty checks by buying their music instead of making these labels, that get this junky music for free or almost free, super rich.

Worth the check
The music on this cd is fun, its interesting, and its instructive. More than that, it is vital music for anyone who wants to understand the musical culture of this country in general, and the history of fiddling, the blues, jazz, and much much more. Black fiddling along with Black banjo playing were vital forces in black music across the scale from classical to delta blues. Now people are surpised there is sucha thing as black fiddling, or blues fiddling. Listen to this music. More than that, the music here is good to listen to. If you think you know the blues, you will recognize familiar names of Lonnie Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy. You get to hear both of them hear playing their first instrument, the fiddle!
But all this music is a lot of fun

In response to some comment, I have played bluegrass and old timey music for about 40 years, and also play guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle, the first two well enough to play with recording artists since around 1967.

This is not white country music. It is black country music and some black proto Jazz. Professional bluegrass fiddlers and professional violinists I know who I have introduced to this record think it is amazing, interesting, and educational. It is just nice to listen to as well.

Anyone familiar with African American blues music, jug band music, or 1920s and 1930s two-beat Jazz will find familiar figures on this record. If you don't know who Lonnie Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy are, you are seriously uneducated about American music, not just African american music.

BTW Fiddling encompasses all non-classical styles of playing the violin, not just white "country" and bluegrass styles.

Wow, did this one sneak up on me!
After the first song or two, I was almost ready to shut this off... almost, that is. The way it started out, it had about as much sound quality as a scratchy old background soundtrack to a Little Rascals movie.

But by the third song, I was hooked. Wow, this stuff is amazing. This is blues at its heart, pure and unadorned, and gushing forth with an energy that its high-fidelity counterparts can't hope to match.

And what a treasure trove of unknown gems! I find myself listening to this album over and over -- whether in the background or at the center of my attention, it mysteriously seems to work both ways.

Get this album!

Fabulous set of African-American fiddle music
Another astonishing album from the truly great, tiny independent Old Hat label... This features rare old recordings of fiddle music, some old-timey and some straight blues, made during the height of the Great Depression. There are a few familiar names, such as Peetie Wheatstraw and Peg Leg Howell, but for the most part this is pretty ultra-obscure material (even including one track of music by immigrants from Cape Verde (!) This is high-quality stuff, and comes with generously informative liner note... Highly recommended!

Oh, scrape them strings!
Compliments to Marshall Wyatt and his fledgling label. He's batting 1000 so far. This CD and the other two releases on Old Hat are wonderful pieces of American musical history. This one gives a wonderfully broad listen to the many voices of the nation's fiddling. It'll wake you up and set your synapses to dancing! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A veteran blueswoman, Rory Block proves herself both a traditionalist and an explorer through this selection of blues classics, spiritual standards, and original material with a kindred spirit. She pays homage to her musical roots with impeccable renditions of songs associated with her late mentor Son House ("County Farm Blues") and his prize pupil Robert Johnson("Last Fair Deal Gone Down," "Traveling Riverside Blues"). Yet she takes considerable liberties with the album's instrumental centerpiece, an all but unrecognizable version of the familiar "Amazing Grace," which here recalls Leo Kottke's aural adventurousness rather than the hymnal. The original "Declare" (inspired by the Bible's Book of Job) andthe traditional "Hallelu, Hallelu" both find Block multi-tracking her vocals into the call-and-response of a full gospel choir, while "Cry Out Loud" and "Mama's Stray Baby" reflect the folkier strains of her artistry. An acoustic guitarist with a stinging slide and an understated virtuosity, she's more concerned with deep grooves than hot licks. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rory, doing what she does best
Rory Block is one of today's artists out at the forefront of keeping acoustic blues alive. This CD has a lot of Rory doing what she does best: gritty blues and acoustic slide guitar.

The best songs are the one Son House and two Robert Johnson covers, Sookie Sookie, Look What The Lord Has Done. A couple of the songs are a little sappy, the one about the stray dog, for example.

A little restrained; Rory can really cut loose when she wants to. But excellent singing and playing throughout.

A fine, mellow set by this talented blues picker
An airy, loose acoustic blues set, with plenty of gentle slide guitar, and a hefty dose of straightforward preachin' gospel blues.  Some surprises, like an ethereal instrumental version of "Amazing Grace," and her spacy, stream-of-conscousness delivery throughout.  At times Block sounds a bit mannered and stuffy, in a folkie kinda way, yet the mix of relaxed, informal presentation and an overall evocative, spine-tingly feel make this record worth checking out.... Her fans will certainly dig it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Performing the old standard "Frankie and Johnnie" with an acoustic guitar is hardly a radical step in blues, but this young singer-songwriter is much more than a revivalist. Using tuba accompaniment on the opening "High Fever Blues" and covering obscurities like Memphis Minnie's "Bumble Bee Blues," the Denver-born Harris finds new spirit in traditional blues on his second album. He has the sort of effortless bluesman's voice that gave forebears Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and Muddy Waters their depth and spirit, so we can feel the worry in "Mama Got Worried" and the fear in "If You Leave Me."--Steve Knopper ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Acoustic Blues Never Done Better
I could write an elaborate review of this CD, but it is possible to condense my thoughts into a single sentence.

If you enjoy acoustic blues or would like to hear it done with a slightly original flavor, this CD MUST be in your collection.

Heard him live on"Mountain Stage" and bought it the next day
There is so much more to this album than you can hear in the little snippits online. If you want Blues, this is your CD.

A wonderful thing to stumble upon.
As I sat in traffic waiting to get into Jazzfest, whose picture was on the front of the paper, Corey Harris. He was Playing the same day and time as James Taylor so I knew I had to figure out what all the noise was about. Once you listen to this CD you will know why me and about 2000 other people stood out in the driving rain to listen to someone who looked 30 and sounded 80. I have found no better acoustic blues player in the last few years. What ever you pay for this CD will be worth the money.

It doesn't get any better than this.
Corey Harris and Guy Davis OWN this genre. This disc surpasses his earlier effort. What else does this supertalent young man have in store for us? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

****½
Finally! All of Big Bill Broonzy's classic and hugely influential prewar sides gathered together. 128 sides recorded for labels like Paramount, ARC and Perfect Records, and featuring Big Bill as a solo performer, as well as leading various small combos.

Big Bill Broonzy was one of the major links between country blues and the urban Chicago variety, and artists like Memphis Slim and Muddy Waters recorded entire LPs of his material.
The sound on these five discs is not great, but you probably won't find any better-sounding Big Bill-sides from the 20s and 30s, and this is certainly no second-rate compilation, in spite of the relatively low price and the cartoonish design of the box. On the contrary, it is a well-annotated, carefully remastered overview of the music of Big Bill Broonzy in his prime. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

He's great; the crowd isn't.
This CD was my intro to the reverend, and what a treat he is. Unfortunately, the crowd noise really detracts from the music on several cuts. He rates five stars, but the crowd gets a minus one.

this is a great cd
this is a great cd.it shows rev.davis(one of the all-time great finger pickers)in a lot of different moods.a super,wide ranging selection of songs recorded from concerts to in his living room.in short you get the whole gamut.walking dog blues,she"s funny that way just some really great songs.if you like finger style blues give this one a try.

Cincinnati Pickin'
Rev. Gary Davis influenced many guitarists of different generations. This album is a fine sampling of his talents. The album is a mixture of songs and instrumentals on 6 string and 12 string guitar, plus one song with a banjo accompaniment. Some songs are performed before a live audience.

The outstanding track is "Cincinnati Flow Rag", surely one of the best recorded examples of ragtime blues guitar. It's full of invention and demonstrates Davis' stunning technique to the full. Anyone who plays the guitar should listen to this. There are other virtuoso guitar instrumental solos ""Walkin' Dog Blues", Twelve Sticks", "Buck Rag", and "C-Rag". "Buck Dance" and "Wall Hollow Blues" have some spoken vocals. "Whoopin' Blues" is an unusual instrumental - I think there are 2 guitars on this, but I could be underestimating the great man. "She's Funny That Way" is a song with banjo accompaniment.

The other tracks are songs with guitar backing. "Hesitation Blues" is a well covered song, but this version is somewhat spoiled by the over-load crowd noises that sometimes drown out Davis. It's also rather over-long at 11 minutes plus. "Whistlin' Blues" begins as a story, followed by a bottleneck guitar solo, using an unusual tuning. For guitarists, my copy of this album came with a tab book, with transcriptions of "Walkin' Dog Blues", "Buck Rag", "Cocaine Blues", "Hesitation Blues" and "Baby Let Me Lay It on You".

This is a fine album to hear how the guitar can be played by a master of the instrument. The sound quality is good, apart from over-loud audience noises in places, and tape hiss on a couple of tracks. 71 minutes playing time in all. It's worth buying for "Cincinnati Flow Rag" alone. ... Read more

Album Description

• This release in the Heroes of the Blues series is the only true cross-licensed best-of package for Skip James • A complete career retrospective, covering all periods of his career and various record labels • Digitally re-mastered• Original cover art by R. Crumb• Detailed liner notes and track information ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Nice overview of Skip James' rediscovery period
Shout Factory continues its excellent "Heroes of the Blues" series with one of the most haunting voices in music - that of Bentonia, Mississippi's Skip James. The collection concentrates mainly on his reimergence in the mid-1960s, with the exception of the two opening tracks taken from his 1931 Paramount recording session. The bulk of the release is made up of recordings James made for Biograph in 1964, which were recorded just shortly after his rediscovery earlier that year. Equally impressive and distinctive on piano as he was on guitar, the set also highlights his unique piano style as demonstrated on "22-20 Blues" and "How Long Blues." Although not listed, those looking for a recording of his most popular piece, "The Devil Got My Woman," can find a stirring six-minute 1964 version on track 6, listed mistakenly as "How Long Blues," (which actually appears as track 5 but titled "61 Highway.") With an interest in Skip James at an all-time high thanks in part to James' high-profile inclusion in the Martin Scorsese PBS blues series, and to a lesser extent, the strong role his music played in the 2001 film "Ghost World," this set happily brings some of his fine postwar recordings to a whole new generation just discovering his genius.

error on the printed playlist on the back cover
Beautifully cleaned up tracks. On the copy I got the back cover doesn't list "Devil Got My Woman" . Instead a different track 5 called "61 Highway". Luckly the actual cd does have the playlist listed here with "Devil got My woman".

Superb overview of Skip's work
This CD is a fantastic overview of the work of Skip James, covering both his guitar work and his equally fine piano blues. It focuses on his 1960s comeback, after years of neglect. After he played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, he rerecorded many of his classics for a variety of folk and blues labels, and it is from these pristine-sounding sessions that this CD is compiles. Not only are the sound and performances first-rate, but the liner notes are detailed and informative. This is an excellent entry point to Skip's career for neophytes, and for die-hard blues fans it is a wonderful survey of his post-discovery period. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The issue of whether a white boy can sing the blues was settled a long time ago, when Jimmie Rodgers let loose his railroad hobo moan. The question of whether John Hammond--the privileged white son of a legendary record-industry talent scout--could sing the blues with the same legitimacy and deep feeling as his Afro-Delta inspirations took somewhat longer to answer. As Jerry Wexler observes in his liner notes, Hammond finally dispelled all doubters with this 1992 release, coproduced J.J. Cale. Backed on most tracks by Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Hammond proved he can step out with a hot band as soulfully as he can accompany himself on acoustic guitar and harmonica. The brilliantly chosen program ranges from Blind Willie McTell, Howlin' Wolf, and Little Walter to Amos Milburn, Mose Allison, and Charles Brown (who makes a guest appearance on a couple of tracks). Trouble No More will stand not only as Hammond's best all-around album, but one of the definitive blues releases of the '90s. --Rick Mitchell ... Read more

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not "Too tired" for John Hammond
Twenty nine years ago in a gymnasium in Fredonia NY I sat close enough to John Hammond performing to see the sweat drip from his nose. It was a moving experience and made me begin to love the blues. This past summer I was again lucky enough to see him perform and was impressed with his voice, his guitar and his deep reverence for the music he loves.

On the CD Trouble No More John Hammond displays his love for the blues and his wonderful abilities. The CD has a good choice of blues standards as Just Your Fool by Little Walter, Love Changin' Blues by Willie McTell and Baby How Long by Chester Burnett, along with some new numbers by Rick Estrin Of Little Charlie and the Nightcats. While it is hard to pick a favorite I am particularly fond of Too Tired and the Nasty Swing.

He teams with the excellent guitar work of Charlie Baty (Little Charlie) and the harmonica playing of Rick Estrin on a number of the songs. Also of note Charles Brown played piano on Trouble Blues.

John Hammond has a voice that is very sexy and pleasing to a woman's ears, so take a listen. ... Read more

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Brilliant,get it.
I came to this box set having heard nothing of the music of Blind Willie McTell,I just thought I'd take a chance.I do not regret it for one solitary second,the whole set is brilliant.Unlike some more famous blues artists,Mr.McTell sang in a soft voice that displays his regional accent.He sang clear and he sang sweet.His guitar playing is fantastic,it's hard to believe that there is only one player on a lot of these recordings,but's that indeed how it is,and thanks to the clarity of the vast majority of the recordings,I would recommend this set without reserve.

wow...prepare yourself!!
Absolutely compelling music from one of the masters of country blues. Here you will find most of his classics but there are hidden jewels also. The lomax cd is great stuff...highly recommended to any fan of the blues.

Exceptionally thorough box set
William Samuel McTell never had a hit record.
He also didn't make Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of the twentieth century, even though he could play circles around most of those who did.

Willie McTell was in fact one of the blues' greatest guitarists, and also one of the idiom's finest and most expressive singers ever. Almost every other pre-WW II blues guitarist relied on their instrument as a rhythm instrument, often hitting it, utilizing its resonance, but McTell displayed a nimble, sophisticated slide and finger-picking style that made it sound like more than one guitar at any given moment.

This fine box set offer a lot more value than JSP Records is asking in its retail price, and there is absolutely no reason to view this as a low budget-type compilation (in spite of the slightly cartoonish design).

JSP has somehow managed to assemble a series of generally clean and bright masters going back to the late '20s. Now digitally remastered, they showcase McTell's dazzling finger-picking style on the 12-string guitar, and listeners will swear there's more than one guitarist playing, but there isn't - at least not on the early sides. What Blind Willie McTell gets out of that one guitar makes it sound almost like a trio, covering rhythm as well as lead parts, but without any feeling of artifice.
And when he gets teamed up with fellow blues virtuoso Curley Weaver (who also escaped Rolling Stones' net) on some of the 1930s sessions, it's a collaboration between two geniuses that can spin your head if you listen closely enough to the playing.

Only a few of the mid-'30s sides and the relatively primiive non-commercial Lomax-sides have some surface noise; otherwise the sound quality is very good for 20s and 30s waxings, at least as good as on any pre-war McTell compilation on the market. And all four discs are well annotated, including thorough recording information.

Unlike Catfish's otherwise excellent three-disc compilation "The Definitive Blind Willie McTell", this set includes McTell's religious sides as well as several minutes of very interesting interview snippets conducted by John Lomax during the 1940 session. (Willie McTell sounds strikingly urbane, more so than the 73-year-old John Lomax, who adresses him in a condescending manner, and obviously doesn't understand or appreciate McTell's sophisticated brand of blues.)
And McTell's sides with vocalist Ruth Willis are here as well, making this the definitive overview of the music of Blind Willie McTell at the height of his abilities.

A True Poet of The Blues
Blind Willie McTell was a true poet of the blues and also a master guitar player. Songs like "Statesboro Blues," "Writin' Paper Blues," "Ticket Agent Blues," "Talkin' To Myself," "Love Changin' Blues," "Lay Some Flowers On My Grave" and "Teasin' Brown" are all magnificent highlights of this 4 cd set. The only drawbacks are the lousy vocals of the female singers whom McTell backs on some of the tracks, and the extremely racist views that Lomax holds, and demonstrates on disc 4. Otherwise, this is a wonderful buy. ... Read more

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Mississippi-born blues singer and guitarist William Lee Conley Broonzy had two fairly distinct careers, each of them triumphant and influential. In the 1930s, he brought the rural blues of his Delta homeland to Chicago and added elements of jazz and hokum to create a more sophisticated, urbane, exciting style, essentially helping to pave the way for the Chicago blues sound. By the 1950s, when the electric Chicago sound he helped foster began to blossom, Broonzy had all but left that style behind. Instead, he began to perform traditional folk songs (and the occasional topical original) with only his voice and acoustic guitar and he became a key figure in the burgeoning folk boom. This highly appealing set comes from the latter period and finds him to be a scintillating and smooth vocalist, one capable of generating great emotion without losing his polish. His guitar work is subtly brilliant as well, a silky blend of single-note runs, forceful bends, tricky double stops, and articulate chords. It all comes together in effortless, unassuming fashion. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Broonzy's acoustic best
This "Trouble In Mind" compilation from the Smithsonian is the best collection of Broonzy's later period acoustic work. I think this is a better collection than the other 'best of' compilation ("Absolutely The Best" on Varese Records). The remastering on these tracks is excellent and they are the best sounding recordings of Broonzy I have ever heard. The songs here are all of his classics. The only thing that's disappointing is that they left off the track "Never Satisfied", which would have made this the ultimate collection of Broonzy acoustic blues songs. Highly recommended!

Complete album
I preferBig Bill's acoustic work over his electric work. This is a collection of acoustic songs from the last years of his life. He sings blues, folk, protest songs, gospel...all of that in this great collection. Extensive liner notes and the printed lyrics and notes for every song makes this CD a true gem. Includes some live recordings as well.

A great cornerstone to start a blues collection
Smithsonian Folkways did a great job capturing the essence of Big Bill Broonzy's sound. I've heard other albums and this is my favorite. The music is taken at the latter half of his career and establishes Broonzy as a master of the country blues/folk sound. A great album any blues fan should own.

BIG BILL IS THE MAN!
I just recived my copy of this Cd in the mail today. I've now played it 6 times straight through. Big Bill was brilliant! Great Voice and Terrific guitar. I highly recommend this and any other Big Bill Disc you can get your hand's on. He was a rare and under appreciated Talent! Muddy Waters thought enough of Big Bill to record an entire lp of his songs. ... Read more

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Using the simplest melodies as his canvas, Delta bluesman Bukka White painted vivid pictures of his own life in the rural South, punctuating his words with a highly percussive steel-guitar attack. Among his subjects: trains, booze, sex, prison, and death. After shooting an old Mississippi rival during a roadside showdown, White had allegedly jumped bail to record his first two songs in 1937. The bawdy "Shake 'EmOn Down" was a hit, but White spent two years in prison for his indiscretion. When White returned to Chicago in 1940 to record again, producer Lester Melrose rejected his roster of cover tunes, giving him two days to come up with his own material. Under the gun, White created the 10 autobiographical gems that round out this collection. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Bukka White the MAN
I couldn't belive this was Bukka White the first time I listened to this cd . Because the first time I heard him was on "Masters of the Delta Blues friends of Charlie Patton" (a must cd 4 any 1 interested in getting involed in acoustic delta blues) the reason 4 this is I didnt really enjoy those Victor recordings of him I would always skip those songs (no offense Bukka) but when I heard the complete VOCALION recordings (ring a bell any 1) I was blown away I listned to the cd over and over I freakin love trk.2 Shake em On Down . Bukka is a down and dirty blues man he sounds nonthing like those religous Victor recordings on this cd . If your a fan of acoustic blues or blues period you will enjoy this cd very much.

A brilliant recording of Mr. Booker White in his prime.
If you are looking to identify one Bukka White CD to own, this is the one, IMHO. He was a legendary slide guitar stylist with an ability to compose great blues songs for his style. He was a notable singer. This recording captures him in peak form, and, in addition, represents one of the last important country blues recording sessions to have taken place before WWII.

By the early 40's, musical tastes were changing. Electric guitars, big bands, pre-bebop, etc. were all hitting. There was a huge exodus of southerners from the rural south to northern cities, and the country blues was out of fashion as a musical form.

To his credit, Booker, when presented with this opportunity to record, stuck to what he did best and did not get trendy. The result was a legendary country blues session, and this CD documents that.

Every song on this recording sounds great, & the sound quality is pretty good to boot (compared to other early blues recordings). The thing that always gets me is the rhythmic creativity. Even though this was an old time country blues recording, Mr. White was a true funkster, & his rhythm sense still sounds contemporary & exciting.

A Consumate Blues Man
The first song I heard by Bukka White was 'Fixin' To Die Blues' on a blues anthology disc. With his rhythmic playing and voice that expresses a wide range of emotion, he was one of the consumate blues men. He had quite a story to tell, and there isn't a single song on this disc that doesn't lure you in to his telling of the human condition. A must for anyone that can appreciate what this Black American art form truly is...emotions and strife set to music. Recommended!

Songs from a Blues Master
I first heard Booker "Bukka" White on a compilation and finally got around to picking up this CD awhile back. What the listener is treated to is good, old-fashioned, country blues, highlighted by White's strong, straight-ahead rhythms and vocal intensity. His raspy/quavery vocals are a perfect accompaniment to his chugging guitar style, and White is backed up on most of these songs, recorded mainly in 1940, by Washboard Sam, who provides strong rhythmic counterpoint to the sound White gets from his National steel guitar. Although I like all the tracks on this CD, "Parchman Farm Blues", the first Bukka White song I ever heard, is still my favorite.

Bukka White the complete recordings
Hi, Len here!
This is blues at it's purest form. I think even someone that don't care for it & know's blues would say it is.
Len! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

USA's Huge Musical Contribution
Every time I hear a really great blues recording, like this one, I realize anew that this is where we achieved our finest moment in making a permanent, unassailable contribution to modern music. If you hear other, more modern, and most especially WHITE singers, doing these numbers, they are NOT the ones that did it first. Black Americans are the absolute center of this music and these women, every single one of them, is the real thing, the first modern musical artists. I really liked the idea too of breaking these albums up into special sectors with this one focusing solely on the authentic blues women. The male artists in this genre are very different from the women so it really makes sense to listen to them separately. Sometimes I feel as if the UKers might be leaving us in the dust musically but not when I listen to this album and the others like it, forming the core of America's musical contribution to the best of what we hear today. I think this would make an especially great gift to a friend in another country who thinks our major contribution was Elvis Presley. In fact, it might even make a great gift for Americans who remain oblivious to this national heritage and contribution!

Great Retrospective
This is a great CD set for the Blues afficionato as well as those just getting their feet wet. The songs cover the spectrum from classic to contemporary, and the recording sounds excellent. The closest thing I have to a complaint about it is that it might have been nice if the songs were organized more chronologically so that the musical and stylistic evolutions were more gradual and kinder to the listening ear. Still, this is by far my favorite collection, and my most listened to blues CD.

Dynamite music, great fun.
This is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable and fun CD sets I've heard in a long time. I am even ordering two more sets for a friend to give as gifts. It would be hard to pick favorites here, but Ruth Brown, Candye Kane, Alberta Hunter and Bessie Smith would be at the top. Anyone who likes vintage and contemporary blues would do well to buy this set. ... Read more