Rare but fine Country Blues of the Highest Caliber
Curtiss Clarke | Calgary, Alberta Canada | 05/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"JSP continues to challenge Yazoo and Document records with their re-releases (with very good mastering to boot) of country blues and this set is no exception. For 25 bucks you get some of the finest and rarest country blues put to shellac (this set was mastered from 80-year old 78's where in some cases, only 1 or 2 copies is known to exist).
Unfortunately, some of these artists recorded for Paramount records, a company notorious for manufacturing records that would self-destruct after 20 plays.
Don't be discouraged by the sound quality; in most cases on this set, it is exemplary considering that the bulk of this material was recorded before 1930. What we have here are some of the earliest examples of country blues (i.e. Freddie Spruell), pure and unaffected because it preceded the advent of radio airplay and music company marketing hyperbole.
Those who have not reveled in the fabulous bottleneck playing and tortured singing of Sam Butler (Bo Weevil Jackson) or King Solomon Hill (Joe Holmes) are missing the origins of much popular "roots" music and the regional musical styles that existed before the depression.
Similarly, listen to the late Robert Lockwood's earliest acoustic sides before he went on to embellish Sonny Boy Williamson's (Willie Rice Miller) and Little Walter's most famous Chess material, and Otis Spann's beautiful recordings for Candid records.
This set has too many superlatives to mention in an Amazon review, but it must be said that these recordings, although performed when the term "indigenous music" could be applied without exaggeration, were to become a major influence on so much of the popular music that followed it 10 and 20 years later.
As always, JSP has delivered a lot for a little. If you have any interest in pre-war country blues, it doesn't come any better than this.
"
Real Blues for Real People
Peter D. Page | Wickenburg, AZ USA | 06/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the way it is supposed to sound. Why some people think that old 78's will magically sound like current digital recordings is beyond belief! That aside, this is a GREAT collection of country delta blues played by real people who lived the blues. This is the real deal for a very reasonable price. The neat thing about collections like this is that you hear real blues from different people with different styles. This is how you expand your appreciation. This is how you learn. This is how your grow. Get over the occasional nicks and scratches in the sound; think of it as adding to the experience, and appreciate what is being performed. This stuff is really great!"
Wonderful Collection of Mostly Previously Unavailable Music
Joel Fritz | N Ca | 07/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Caveat: You probably have to like country blues to like this set. If you don't you may be put off.
If you are familiar with this style of music this is a treasure trove. Among other things there are recordings by Freddie Spruell, and the only appearances on record of the legendary Hacksaw Harney (as an accompanist to piano player Walter Rhodes.) Other highlights include the four acoustic tunes recorded by Robert Lockwood, Jr,the recently discovered Son House recording (Mississippi County Farm and Clarksdale Moan) and records by the brothers Joe and Charlie McCoy including a delightful version of the song Skip James recorded as Devil Got My Woman called here Evil Devil Woman.
The sound is very good for the money. Someone like the late John R. T. Davies probably could have made them all sound like pristine electric 78s but these are remarkably free of noise, particularly the annoying crackle that often came from Paramount discs straight from the factory. Remember too that a lot of these are acoustic recordings and are more limited in frequency and dynamic range than the electrical recordings that started in the later 1920s.
If you're interested in country blues and want a good sample of the styles that were popular in Mississippi in the 20s and 30s this is well worth the money. I think it's worth it because it's darned good music but that's only my opinion; I may be right; I may be wrong."
Great stuff
oberon | eugene, or | 04/26/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
""We were anxious to receive the CDs as we are avid listeners of Blues and Jazz music. However were disappointed at the quality of the music. It was scratchy and difficult to hear. We thought it would have been digitally updated but found it was not. We are sorry we purchased the CDs.
D. Pritchard Arizona..."
It is a shame that rural black artists of the 1920s and 30s could not record in 24-track studios with modern instruments to please the delicate ears of avid modern blues and jazz listeners...."
Track Listings (25) - Disc #1