Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Winner from Blues Images, November 4, 2008
Volume 6 continues the reissue series of rare and unissued country blues by John Tefteller's Blues Images label. The CD is packaged with a 2009 calendar containing the original artwork from the 1920's and 30's that was used by the 78 rpm record companies to promote these records.
Here are 18 fine titles of Afro-American blues sung and played by the likes of Blind Blake (2 recently discovered sides not issued elsewhere), Charley Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skippy James, and Kansas Joe McCoy and his then-wife, Memphis Minnie. It is interesting to hear Joe and Minnie in June of 1930, knock off a terrific version of the song "Cherry Ball Blues" for Vocalion records, sung in their own style. The Joe/Minnie version was to be copied to the note just 6 months later by singer/guitarist Caldwell "Mississippi" Bracey for Okeh records. Then in early February 1931, Skip James would record his own haunting version of that song for Paramount (not included in this collection).
Another neat find on this set is the party blues "Home Town Skiffle" Parts 1 and 2 performed by the Paramount All Stars, (Tom Dorsey, Blind Blake, Papa Charlie Jackson, Will Ezell, Charlie Spand, and others). They must have had a jug present in the studio while the music went down.
Listen to Buddy Boy Hawkins sing Jailhouse Fire Blues in his instantly recognizable gruff voice (perhaps an influence on Tommy McLennan) paired with the absolutely contrasting sweet melody from his guitar. This guy sounded like nobody else and after one listen, you will remember him forever.
Two mournful but compelling sides by Tommy Johnson sung in his trademark falsetto, end this set, "Alcohol and Jake Blues" and "Ridin' Horse", both in decent sound considering the quality of the 78's from which the songs were mastered.
The programming sequence in this collection makes the entire set a very easy listen. There is a certain captivating magnetism generated by these songs that flows from start to finish. The listener will discover that this set can be played anytime without regard to mood or preference.
This collection contains 18 sides of tier-one country blues (and a lot of beautiful artwork in the calendar) from an era that ended less than a century ago, but thanks to Blues Images, will probably live on for hundreds of years. If America has an indigenous "classical" music, it's all right here on this CD. You won't be disappointed when you purchase it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Awesome Calendar for a Blues Lover, January 7, 2009
I'm both a fan of blues music (30's-40's Delta blues mainly) and vintage artwork. I love the slightly primitive-looking covers of records and movie posters from the 30's-50's. So this calendar basically puts two very cool things that I love, together. There is some very interesting history in this calendar as well, not to mention a pretty nice compilation CD featuring some formally-lost songs. So check it out.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Blues Fan, February 12, 2009
Overall, it's a nice calendar with lots of good information. But you have to be into old time blues to appreciate the calendar!
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by Ansel Adams
~ B.B. King
~ Hank Williams Sr.
~ Bob Dylan
- the new music site from IMDb and Amazon.
