Smithsonian Blues Box [Box set]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Smithsonian Collect.
• ASIN: B0000017SO
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,977 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > St. Louis Blues
  • #98 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > West Coast Blues

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. That Black Snake Moan - Blind Lemon Jefferson

2. Broke And Hungry Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson

3. Match Box Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson

4. Shake That Thing - Papa Charlie Jackson

5. Shave 'Em Dry - Ma Rainey

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Blues Before Sunrise - Leroy Carr

2. Downtown Blues - Frank Stokes

3. Stack O'Lee Blues - Mississippi John Hurt

4. Rolling Mill Blues - Peg Leg Howell

5. Mr. Johnson's Blues No. 2 - Lonnie Johnson

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. The First Time I Met You - Little Brother Montgomery

2. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom - Robert Johnson

3. Cross Road Blues - Robert Johnson

4. Peetie Wheatstraw Stomp - Peetie Wheatstraw

5. Good Morning, Little School Girl - Sonny Boy Williamson

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Louisiana Blues - Muddy Waters

2. Honey Bee - Muddy Waters

3. Reconsider Baby - Lowell Fulson

4. Eyesight to the Blind - Aleck Fulson

5. Monkey Womam Blues - Jimmy And Mama Yancey

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chestnut Stew!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Smithsonian Blues Box (Audio CD)

It's hard to imagine a better introduction to pre-war American blues than this. It combines the well-known (e.g. Robert Johnson) with the obscure (e.g. Sippie Wallace) in such perfect proportion that anyone with any interest in blues will love it. The accompanying book makes for great history, great storytelling, and drawing the unifying threads. I love the piano-based tunes like Peetie Wheatstraw's "Peetie Wheatstraw Stomp" - don't let anyone fool you into thinking pre-wars is all National Steel Guitar! This and Rhino's Blues Masters series show the astonishing breadth and depth of the blues. A must!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love & appreciate the Blues, you will LOVE this set!, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Smithsonian Blues Box (Audio CD)

I have been a blues fan for many years and have attended many blues festivals, including the BEST BLUES FESTIVAL in the United States - the Chicago Blues Festival. This CD box set more than surpasses its expectations of what Blues is meant to represent. A 5 STAR set! The music of today pales in comparison to this truly lost art. If you love Robert Johnson, you will absolutely love this box set. I recommend without hesitation. Do yourself a favor and enjoy life - order this box set!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This set is the "Real Set"!, March 15, 2004

By 

J. F Kopeck "jkopeck9" (Parkville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smithsonian Blues Box (Audio CD)

I purchased this set last week and went crazy over how great it is. It really took me back to all the time I spent down on the Gulf between Corpus and Mobile when I was in the Merchant Marines. Boy can these selections take you back,it reminds me of my early days when a real treat cooked by a Sea Cook was nothing more then stewed okra and tomatoes. A lot of young kids won't have a clue about this music ,but if you can really dig the likes of the real pros like Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith you will have a ball with this priceless set as these songe are the real orginals not remakes by some new Motown group. I am even playing this stuff for my Grandchildren and they are enjoying it as much as I did when I first heard a lot of it over 40+ years ago ! If you ever lived with the Blues and loves listening to people who made it real then this set will mean as much to you as it does to me. "Enjoy"