Search - Josh White :: In Chronological Order, Volume 1 (1929-1933)

Great Piedmont Blues Guitar

B. D. Tutt | London, UK. | 03/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Josh White has not been well regarded by most blues enthusiasts. He failed to die young (always a good career move) or to record briefly and then disappear into lengthy obscurity. Instead, he settled in New York and became a smooth night club performer and social protest singer. In addition, his voice was melodious and appealling, in contrast to the abrasive style of some of the more "authentic" Mississippi blues singers.However, White was a fine blues performer, at least in his early years in South Carolina. From an early age, he mixed with singers such as Blind Blake, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Willie Walker, and at the age of 18 recorded a highly influential series of blues for ARC in 1932-33. Tracks 3 - 18 of this CD are those ARC recordings, including such classic tracks as "Greenville Sheik" , "Low Cotton" and "Blood Red River". It is true that White's voice is pleasant rather than anguished. However, the most striking feature of these performances is White's magnificent guitar playing. He is revealed here as an East Coast guitarist of the highest order. He may not have been such a virtuoso as Gary Davis, but he swings here more than Blind Blake and is more accomplished than Blind Boy Fuller was three years later.The remaining gospel tracks, released as by "The Singing Christian) are interesting but not on a par with the blues numbers.This is an essential disc for lovers of the piedmont blues style. Musically, it may have been all down hill from here for White, but these tracks at least are superb."