The Legendary De Ford Bailey: Country Music's First Black Star

Deford Bailey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Revenant Records
• ASIN: B0000061UB
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,895 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pan American

2. Ain't Gonna Rain No More

3. Lost John

4. Alcoholic Blues

5. Cow Cow Blues

6. John Henry

7. Speech About Harps

8. Old Hen Cackle (Take 1)

9. Sweet Marie

10. Black Man Blues

11. Red River Valley

12. Gotta See Mama Every Night

13. Welcome Table

14. Kansas City Blues

15. Stove Pipe Blues

16. Speech About Water And Harps

17. Shoe Shine Boy

18. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

19. Talk About Grandfather

20. Hesitation Blues

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Long-Lost Gem Rediscovered, January 20, 2002

By 

peter krampert (eharmonica.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legendary De Ford Bailey: Country Music's First Black Star (Audio CD)

Deford Bailey was the first star of Nashville'd Grand Old Opry, staying with the popular program from it's first broadcast in 1926 until he was booted from the show in 1941. Deford was given a regular spot on each week's broadcast to showcase his amazing talent on the harmonica. Deford's only failing was his having been born black in America and for that his career was curtailed.

Deford refused to play for anyone except for the Opry. Maybe it was pride, nobody is really sure. Bailey spent his remaining years working at a shoeshine stand in Nashville, occasionally returning to perform at the Opry for old-timers nights.

Folk Historian David Morton had the insight to leave a tape recorder with Deford Bailey before he passed away, to make recordings at his leisure. The results that are found on this CD are nothing short of amazing. You might assume that not having performed in public for decades, that Bailey's talent would have diminished. These recordings show that Bailey was first and foremost the master of Country harmonica playing, the spring from which all Country harmonica players get their roots. Young harmonica players should wish to perform half as well.

You get to hear the early standards that harmonica players used to showcase their talents. You'll hear fox chases, train imitations and songs that would eventually become the foundation of Country music. You'll also get to hear the playing of a master who's career is sadly overlooked by mainstream America due to stupidity and bigotry.

If you're a fan of great harmonica players, if you're a Country music buff, if you are Black and you want to hear the work of a true freedom fighter and pioneer, this CD is a definite must-have for your collection.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DeFord Bailey--The BEST Harmonica Player!, March 8, 2007

By 

R. Thompson "Mechanic for Life" (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Legendary De Ford Bailey: Country Music's First Black Star (Audio CD)

DeFord is the BEST. This is a great quality CD and well worth the money if you love harmonica music. I would have loved to met DeFord in person and heard him blow! Great CD! Rick

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Out-of-Print Yet, November 20, 2010

By 

Redgecko (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legendary De Ford Bailey: Country Music's First Black Star (Audio CD)

You can still buy this recording done by Tennesseee Folklore Society Records on the web for fifteen bucks. If you've read this far then you probably know something about Bailey's music. Harp Blowers Complete Recorded offered a taste of Bailey's music and if you want more of the same, then this is the only other extensive CD recording of his music.