FIRST HISTORICAL VOLUME OF INCREDIBLE BLUES MUSIC
Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 03/29/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"9 discs of music-79,79,78,78,78,78,78,79,79 minutes each approximately plus 1 CD-ROM crammed with information. It's much easier on the eyes to read the info off the computer screen. When this info is printed,it's the size of (roughly) a CD jewel case (I don't know if it can be enlarged),so the print is pretty small. But the information on the various artists is well worth having,both from an historical viewpoint,and for more enjoyment of the music. Included is a conversation with jazz musician Mathew Shipp,Allen Lowe (self-interview),much valuable information (track-by-track) on the artists,and a number of b&w photographs of some of the artists. Each disc is slipped into a paper envelope-like sleeve with a cut-out,covered with a clear plastic sheet in order to read the disc information. Everything is housed in a substantial cardboard box. The graphics on the box are basically ads for the product,but there are two nice period photographs of farming and cotton picking. The booklet has track information and that's all,the rest of the info is contained on the CD-ROM.
This is the first release (of four similar sets) by Allen Lowe devoted specifically to the blues genre. Contained on these discs are tracks that virtually no one has ever heard-certainly not in the best possible sound. Saying that,don't expect miracles. There are tracks recorded beginning (in chronological order) in the nineteenth century (3),and then proceeding chronologically through the years,up into 1929. If you're an audiophile-forget it. But if the music is the most important thing to you,then there are many treasures to hear in this collection. The surface noise,while clearly discernible,is not as bad as the Paramount recordings,or other period recordings of many blues artists from roughly the same time period,and later. Almost without exception the vocals and instrumentation can clearly be heard on the vast number of these recordings.
The breadth and depth of music contained in this set is truly staggering. From the UNIQUE QUARTET FALL (1893),to Bert Williams (1906),to Arthur Collins (1918),to Sam Moore (1921),to the FLORIDA NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE QUARTET (1922),the different forms of blues music is brought to life,and that's only disc 1. The music is represented in a number of forms-gospel,folk style,declarative,and a more or less straight blues vocal style,by Mamie Smith.
As you progress through the years,a few more well known blues artists will come to light. Artists like Jelly Roll Morton,Alberta Hunter,Sylvester Weaver,Blind Lemon Jefferson,King Oliver,Meade Lux Lewis,Duke Ellington,Louis Armstrong,Buddy Boy Hawkins,Paul Robeson,CANNON'S JUG STOMPERS,Mississippi John Hurt,Pink Anderson,Furry Lewis,and a number of others,are all here. But it's the many others (the majority) unknown to most blues listeners that will be a revelation. The mix of artists is second to none. Together,these artists perform the blues in all its many guises. This set isn't for the casual listener. This is aimed at the listener who wants to hear (and know) the history of the blues,from some of the very first recordings,through the years stated above. The price is very reasonable for whats contained in this compilation. The range of musical styles,coupled with a disc full of information,is hard to beat.
After hearing this set,I can't wait to hear the remaining three. Allen Lowe has produced a number of these collections,all with close attention to detail and a good selection of music,in other genres. If the other three sets are as good technically as this set,and they continue to encompass the many styles of blues music chronologically,he will have produced one of the best collections of historical blues ever. Track after track produces many delights,and the juxtaposition of musical styles has a good flow throughout these nine discs. So if your taste runs through the many styles of blues,and you want to hear some great music from both known and unknown artists-pick up this set as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed."
