Reviews (4)

Best available quality, a must own cd!!
If you want to learn the true roots of Rock n roll, this cd is it!! Patton was a true master of the blues, and his influence changed music forever.Yazoo has done the best job at restoring his music. Do not by any other labels for early blues; Yazoo only deals with the best quality 78 rmp records that exsist.

the best sound!
let me echo an earlier review: Yazoo has completely re-mastered these timeless songs from the best available 78's; I have never heard Patton sound so three-dimensional, the remastering bringing more of a living presence to the songs than ever before. I hear things I didn't hear before, the spoken asides jump out, little touches I hadn't noticed... I've listened to Charlie Patton for well over 30 years and have never heard him sound so good. It really is astounding what Yazoo has done. Kudos to Yazoo! Their approach to the remastering this time really paid off. This is the best sounding Patton there is.

A very fine single-disc overview
If you're not up for one of the numerous Charlie Patton box sets, this is a really excellent alternative.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Country Blues    5. Delta Blues    6. Leader    7. Pop    8. Prewar Blues    9. Prewar Country Blues    10. Prewar Gospel Blues    11. Slide Guitar Blues   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (3)

Disappointing
After reading the other reviews, I was really looking forward to this collection. I am very disappointed. The sound quality is terrible. These are very old recordings and have not been treated well. Even with the restoration mastery of JSP, at least 50% of the tracks on this collection are painful to listen to.

Much More than I Expected
Of all these JSP box-sets I own, none has been a bigger surprise to me than this one. I bought this one as a curiosity but it is much more. Going by the tracklist there were a handful of people I knew, but most were new to me. If this exact same box had been released by another label and was more along the lines of $40 to $60 I would have never purchased it. Knowing JSPs reputation for quality transfers and low prices I just decided to go for it, hoping along the way that there would at least be 2 discs worth of stuff I enjoyed. "At least" certainly came true!
5 stars - and a nobel prize
Wow! JSP certainly deserves some sort of award for making this historic collection available.If you're reading this, I assume you already know about the Paramount label, which recorded some of the greatest "race" (as they were called at the time) records ever.Superstars on Paramount included Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Patton, and Blind Blake.The set collects many of the lesser known artists who recorded sides for the label.Someone more expert than me would have to verify this, but I imagine that some of these sides are being issued on CD for the first time ever.What's amazing is the consistency of quality and the originality and charisma of even the most obscure artists here.The variety makes this one of the most entertaining box sets I own.This is old-time blues of every kind: barrelhouse, delta, hokum, jazzy, gutbucket, you name it.I know it's saying a lot, but this belongs on your shelf not far from the immortal "Anthology of American Folk Muisc," and unlike that set you won't have to take out a loan to make the purchase.I have a very minor complaint that the notes jump from factoid to factoid and are somewhat confusedly written: a more well-written, thorough, and sequential history of the label and some of these artists would have been appreciated.But JSP did a great job with the music, and that's what counts. Superb! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues Collections    3. Country    4. Country Blues    5. Delta Blues    6. Pop    7. Prewar Blues    8. Prewar Country Blues    9. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

The harmonica's not exactly an imposing instrument; who would guess that a pocket- sized hunk of metal could be capable of so much expression? Volume 16 of Rhino's Read more

Reviews (3)

Another fine sampler
You've heard that saying about a hundred monkeys clattering away at a hundred typewiters for a hundred years...I don't know excactly how it goes in English. Anyway, it seems that an ape called Jo Jo ended up writing a review rather than the collected works of William Shakespeare.
thrash punk at its worst
I thought sublime was good, but this cd proved me wrong. Instead if hard core reggae rock, i was disapointed to hear stupid, painful, harmonicas. I mean it REALLY SUCKED. I mean by the time it was over, i had put at least 5 pairs of ear plugs on.

A Must for hamonicists and harmonophiles
This power-packed CD is a must for both players and lovers of the harmonica, particularly of the blues-harp variety.Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Collections    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Revival    5. Blues-Rock    6. Chicago Blues    7. Delta Blues    8. Electric Blues    9. Electric Chicago Blues    10. Electric Harmonica Blues    11. Electric Memphis Blues    12. Harmonica Blues    13. Modern Electric Blues    14. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    15. Pop    16. Prewar Country Blues    17. R&B    18. Rock & Roll   

Editorial Review

Decades after its conception, Harry Belafonte's enormously ambitious project has come to a rewarding fruition with the release of this lovingly produced and beautifully packaged collection. Between 1961 and 1971, Belafonte sought to create a comprehensive document of what he calls "African-matrixed music": "African rooted, Africa as origin, evolved from an original African form." The rough timeframe Belafonte follows begins with the arrival of blacks in America in the early 17th century and ends at the dawn of the recording age. Yet this five-disc set (with a bonus "making of" DVD) amounts to so much more than a musical history; it is, instead, a detailed sociopolitical history of the people who created this music and a journey following the evolution of black culture from the time that the diaspora left Africa for the New World.Read more

Features

• Box set
• Enhanced
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (11)

American history, not just black history
My boyfriend gave me this collection last year.He's a musicanwith a deep love of all roots music.I'm black; he's white.We listened to this together and we both found it to be a revelation.
Bigger than just a "black thing"
There are lots of reviews or word of mouth on this CD box set that, quite frankly, focuses on all the wrong things.To pigeonhole this box set a "must for black families" vastly understates the raw power and broad appeal of this collection.This box set is bigger than that; it's much more than just a quaint time capsule for blacks to listen to.It's fun, entertaining, and can go toe-to-toe with any of the best new music releases out there right now. A Must For Every Black Family
The Long Road to Freedom depicts a history of America's Africans in a masterful collection of music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. African Folk    3. Blues Revival    4. Box Sets (Audio Only)    5. Calypso    6. Caribbean Folk    7. Country Blues    8. Early American Blues    9. East Coast Blues    10. Field Recordings    11. Folk & Traditional    12. Folk-Blues    13. Minstrel    14. Piedmont Blues    15. Pop    16. Prewar Country Blues    17. South African Folk    18. Spirituals    19. Swing    20. Traditional Folk   

Features

• Box set
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (1)

Memphis Picking & English Mastering
Pros:
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Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic Memphis Blues    3. Blues    4. Blues Collections    5. Early American Blues    6. Memphis Blues    7. Pop    8. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

This informal, relaxed collection of 1960 duets features Snowden's surprisingly impressive acoustic work as prominently as Johnson's rich vocals and smooth electric guitar. Both of these veterans had successful associations with jazz legends during the early parts of their careers--Johnson with Ellington and Armstrong; Snowden with Eubie Blake and Count Basie among others--and the repertoire leans heavily on jazz standards. On five of six instrumentals, including "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Lester Leaps In," and "C Jam Blues," Snowden's fleet acoustic guitar jumps to the fore, while Johnson takes lead on four vocal performances, including two superb takes of "Stormy Weather." Only on "Careless Love" does a guitar battle materialize. Still, the unique material, sparkling performances, and the light-hearted approach make for highly enjoyable listening. Read more

Reviews (2)

New Orleans Blues
Well, I'm afraid that I might get a little redundant describing this album, since Blues And Ballads and this Vol.2 is just as good and as surprising as Vol.1.
Beautiful Music
Two long time friends together, reminiscing and playing absolutely beautiful blues and ballads.If "New Orleans Blues" or "Stormy Weather" don't bring a tear to your eye, then you need tocheck with a doctor to see if you are still alive.Why the Amazon salesrank on this CD is so low is beyond my comprehension.Wonderful recordingquality.These recordings along with the other in this series are amongLonnie Johnson and Elmer Snowden's finest --amazing since both areconsidered to have peaked performance wise in the late 20s/early 30s. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Classic Jazz    5. Jazz Blues    6. Pop   

Reviews (4)

Now don't you hear me talking, pretty mama?
The Mississippi Sheiks are the missing link, so to speak, between what we now know as Delta Blues and traditional rural black stringband music.Their songs have been recorded by everyone from the Camp Creek Boys to Bob Wills to the Grateful Dead (Stop and Listen Blues is the predecessor to Smokestack Lightnin').
Muddy walked all day just to hear them
Read the liner notes. When he was a teenager Muddy Waters walked all day long to hear the Mississippi Sheiks! Much of Bob Wills's music starts with the Mississippi Sheiks.Their version of Sitting on Top of the World was performed by Wills note for note, word for word, in all of his recordings of the tune from the 1930s to the 1960s recording where he has Vicki Carr singing in the backgrounds to Sheiks music! Country Blues for the whole family!
I agree with the previous Music Fan who reviewed this disc - this truly is remarkable stuff!Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Traditional    4. Country Blues    5. Pop    6. Prewar Country Blues    7. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues    8. String Bands    9. United States of America   

Features

• Box set
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (1)

A Brilliant Truckload of Fuller
Pros:
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Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Collections    4. Country Blues    5. East Coast Blues    6. Piedmont Blues    7. Pop    8. Prewar Blues    9. United States of America   

Editorial Review

This mellow-toned singer and pianist came to prominence in the mid-'40s as part of Johnny Moore's Three Blazers. Moore's brother Oscar was a member of Nat "King" Cole's trio, a group that greatly influenced the direction of the Blazers. With Moore's fluid guitar and Brown's mellifluous voice, the Blazers pioneered the refined, jazz-influenced West Coast school of blues. Nineteen forty-five's "Driftin Blues" brought the trio national attention, but after recording a handful of tunes under his own name (with the Blazers still behind him), Brown broke away for good and rolled up a series of R&B hits for Aladdin, ending with the 1956 classic "Merry Christmas, Baby." With a deft piano touch and a rich, sultry vocal approach, Brown brought blues to the lounge. Read more

Reviews (2)

Classic piano blues
This is really the only CD available (that I'm aware of) of the late blues pianist and singer's seminal 1940s & '50s sides for Aladdin Records.As such, it's pretty essential.Hits like "Driftin' Blues" (originally credited to Johnny Moore & His Three Blazers), "Black Night," "Trouble Blues," and "In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down" are all here.The 20+ tracks make it a little difficult to sit through from beginning to end, but this really is classic music from one of the legends of blues.His later work, after his "rediscovery" in the late 1980s, is also worth hearing.

Everyone should own a copy of this one.
I was saddened to read of Charles Brown's passing two weeks ago.Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Piano    4. Piano Blues    5. Pop    6. R&B    7. Texas Blues    8. Urban Blues    9. West Coast Blues   

Editorial Review

Something of a missing link between Delta and Chicago blues, Robert Nighthawk never garnered as much attention as his followers, who included Earl Hooker and Muddy Waters. That's a shame, partly rectified by this reissue from Delmark Records, though the guitarist's rambling way of life meant that his sessions were few and far between. That makes the material on this collection all the more precious; the tracks on Read more

Reviews (4)

Amazing sound, great songs. Why wasn't Nighthawk a star?
Well, I suppose to some he was. A star that is. But for some reason, Robert Lee McCullum (AKA "Nighthawk") never made it to the really big leagues. Sure, he didn't have Willie Dixon to supply him with catchy, instantly memorable songs like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf did, but he had the voice and the skill, and his recorded output is generally of very high quality.
AMAZING
AMAZING GUITAR WORK---SWINGING JAZZ BLUES TO SLOW BLUES IN D---> Great to have the United and States masters available again
In a flurry of recent releases a clearer picture of Night Hawk's artistry is emerging (he himself spelled his name as two words). This disc re-releases the recordings made by Night Hawk in 1951 for the United labeland in 1952 for its subsidiary States. It adds two takes that were not onthe original LP release of 1977 (Pearl 11). Highlights include "TheMoon is Rising" and "Maggie Campbell," which is interestingto hear in different verisons here. With this disc, two recent Testamentdiscs that include Night Hawk material ("Down Home Slide" and"Down Home Harp" both of which include performances that are abit stilted--they were probably bootlegged from the May 1964 blues festivalat Mandel Hall at the University of Chicago which had blues artistsperforming in an auditorium before a polite audience unused to the blues),and, most important, the new "And This Is Maxwell Street" 2CD setfrom P-Vine in Japan PCD 5527/28 (and let us hope soon on a U.S. label!),we begin to see that Night Hawk was a far more versatile guitarist thanmany probably have realized. On the "Bricks In My Pillow" releasereviewed here, the pace is usually fast. The disc has a rather differentfeel from the lush but mournful playing we know from Chess recordings suchas Anna Lee. Perhaps most interesting of all, however, is the extraordinaryrange of styles Night Hawk plays on the P-Vine "And This Is MaxwellStreet" discs, but perhaps that should not be surprising given NightHawk's remarks in the interview with Michael Bloomfield that was made inconjuction with the filming of Mike Shea's Maxwell Street documentary"And This is Free." There he mentions that he used to play swing,Spanish numbers, popular numbers.... The P-Vine discs release all of therecordings made for "And This Is Free." It is great to have theUnited and States masters available again here on this disc. Recommended.Just wish I knew who the drummer in the cover photo was! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Chicago Blues    4. Electric Chicago Blues    5. Pop    6. Slide Guitar Blues   

Features

• Box set

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Appalachian Folk    3. Bluegrass    4. Country    5. Country Blues    6. Folk-Blues    7. Old-Timey    8. Pop    9. Prewar Country Blues    10. Traditional Country    11. Traditional Folk    12. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (5)

A must have but, but not necissarily definative.
These four disks are recorded on analog audio tape. The only one existing of Leadbelly. The recodings were made on two or three seperate nights. Since the first night leadbelly didn't bring his guitar he sings acapella most of the first disk. The other three disks have his 12 string acompanyment. The sound quality becomes very apparent here. Unlike most of his records you can hear all 12 strings! It sounds beautiful. Another benefit of these being on audio tape is that Leadbelly can potentially play a song much longer than in prior recording. However he seldom does. Being more informal than a recoding studio ti also gives insight as to what Leadbelly's set list may have been like at a concert or everyday party. Though these individual song versions may not be the definative versions, or Leadbelly at his best, all these songs are gems and a must have for any folk, blues, or country collection. The sweetest from the Sweet Singer of the Swamplands
Prior to this record, Huddie Ledbetter was confined to the limitations of the recording technology of the day. This resulted in an abundance of two-to-three minute long gems (as much as would fit on an acetate disc) which, while brilliant, obscured the essence of Leadbelly's artistry as a "songster". Fortunately for us and the evolution of popular music as a whole, shortly before this giant of a man (who survived having his throat cut, being shot at by the chain-gang boss as he escaped with ball-and-chain in hand, a suicide attempt as a last resort from prison, and the finicky tastes of New York high society which regarded him as little more than an amazing novelty) succumbed to Lou Gehrig's Disease, new technology was introduced that allowed him to loosen up and let the music flow naturally. Essential, but not the best set for casual listening
(4 CDs: 64'/60'/63'/64') I entirely agree that this is indeed essential Lead Belly. However, I would point out to the unwary buyer that these are not commercial studio takes; they were recorded by Frederic Ramsey Jr. in his home, in a room set up as a makeshift studio. Sound is not a problem, but the CDs contain some talk - not only Lead Belly's introductions to the songs, as he frequently gave on his recordings, but there is also some lengthier discussion, including with the other people in the room. In addition, several "songs" are mere fragments. All this is invaluable to any serious folk music fan, but on the other hand it can be quite distracting for casual listening. These are CDs that you will want to play in order to study them... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Box Sets (Audio Only)    6. Country Blues    7. Folk-Blues    8. Folksongs    9. Pop    10. Songster   

Reviews (5)

He did it till the end ..
Man this is a rockin little record :A nice scenario where we see the acoustic classic harp, and spot -on vocals of Sonny with an electric country blues rhythm section behind him . Nothing I know of recordedby Sonnywas everdone this way and i'm so glad we have this most enjoyable blend of bluesleft behind by Sonny for us to digforever. The lateWillie Dixon,Steve Homnyk, and Producer / Guitar legend Johnny Winter are the band here ,and the whole thing is a pure joy to listen to. Uncluttered rockin acoustic/electric country blues; A true classic .One of the best Alligator Records releases ever .

A very nice latter-day album
Saunders Terrell was 72 when this album was recorded, but he sounds as healthy as always, and his joyous whoops still pepper his singing. Backporch Jam at it's best!
Recorded in three days, Whoopin' is a gritty stomp from the true Mississippi Delta tradition. Absolutely no fillers in this collection. Recorded live with no overdubs, Sonny Terry blows and sings with the fervor of the best, and Johnny Winter's slide work smokes from start to finish. Willie Dixon provides the authentic juke joint slap bass. The only question you'll have after hearing this is why the promotions dept. wasn't sacked for not getting the word out on this release. Get it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Country Blues    4. East Coast Blues    5. Folk-Blues    6. Harmonica Blues    7. Piedmont Blues    8. Pop   

Reviews (1)

Two Of The Greatest Lines Can Be Found On This CD
They are, and I quote: "She looked like a lump of Lord have mercy," and "I drink so much I stagger when I sleep."
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Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Traditional    4. Country Blues    5. East Coast Blues    6. Piedmont Blues    7. Pop    8. Prewar Country Blues   

Reviews (1)

Good Guitar -- Good Memories
These old gospel tunes like "Fly Away" or "Some Fine Morning" remind me of music that I spent a lot of time with growing up; good memories.All the tunes on here have that "homegrown" sound that's missing from so many CDs nowadays -- especially gospel discs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues / Acoustic    2. Blues, Guitar, Gospel   

Features

• Explicit Lyrics
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (3)

Momma's Gonna Shave 'em Dry
She deserves better.Ms. Bogan doesn't seem to be as well known or respected as the likes of Bessie smith, "Ma" Rainey, or Ida Cox, but she is every bit as authentic a classic blues singer as any of them.I take it her musicianship was eclipsed by the bawdy themes her music explored, most notably rather explicit songs about prostitution ("barbecue Bess," "Stew Meat Blues," "Groceries on the Shelf").She also sings- fairly explicitly even by today's standards- about adultery, lesbianism, alcoholism, coke-snorting ("Baking-Powder Blues)," and abusive men.
Lucille really shaves them dry
Of the 1920's to 1930's female blues singers, Lucille Bogan was one of the earthiest.Shave'em Dry takes the last set of recordings she did on Banner and ARC records, from 1933 to 1935, on ARC records.Accompanying her was pianist Walter Roland, also on that label.Her songs were groundbreaking in terms of explicitness, the use of double entendres, innuendos, and metaphors, and also of a woman in a man's world.She went under her Bessie Anderson persona, Bessie derived from her legendary contemporary, Bessie Smith.
...as big as two thumbs
Lucille Bogan! She is a national hero! Give Bessie and Billie a rest and spend some time with this unregenerate reprobate. I kind of love her earlier records a bit more (see my review of the Yazoo compilation) but these are great too. And you can't live without Shave 'Em Dry. All three versions lovingly reissued on a major label! Is this a great world or what? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Country Blues    4. Pop    5. Prewar Blues    6. Prewar Country Blues   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (5)

this is superb -
Mississippi John Hurt was the real deal, the complete package. This recording will soothe you, move you and groove you all at the same time. It's easy to see where these modern day poseurs got their ideas (jack johnson, john mayer et al.). Problem is, they can't hold a candle to this stuff. Today! won't disappoint.

For a man past seventy...
... Wow! What a great disc, country blues at its best. The sweet, Delta-hued voice contrasting with the Piedmont-style guitar in New York City, performing originals and traditional songs with a passion so unique. One of my thirty favorite albums, and the only full album Mr. Hurt saw released in his lifetime. Dig that cover, too... simplistic elegance.

John's Best
I've been listening to this album for over 30 years, and I find myself coming back to it time and time again, both as a guitarist and as someone who loves to listen to good music.I believe this is John's very best, lovingly produced by Patrick Skye who deserves very high praise for the excellent job he did.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Country Blues    6. Pop   

Features

• Box set
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (1)

Fantastic!
I've been visiting this box-set often since picking it up a few months ago. Previous to this, I only had one Memphis Minnie disc, so the vast majority of this box was new to me. Memphis Minnie is truly one of the giants of pre-war blues, yet she seems to be somewhat forgotten. Her name doesn't often seem to roll off the tongues of even many of the people who have gotten beyond just Robert Johnson. Hopefully this low priced yet high quality collection will help fix that situation. Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Classic Female Blues    6. Country Blues    7. Country/Bluegrass    8. Pop    9. Prewar Country Blues   

Editorial Review

Released in 1979, this live album is a gem, from the enthusiastic audience (who cheer every line of opener "Mannish Boy") to Muddy Waters's killer guitar to vocals that tease and deliver by turns. The slide work is what to listen for here, especially on "Howling Wolf," where Waters gives any guitar virtuoso a run for his money. There are other special moments as well, including the absolutely killer timing on "She's Nineteen Years Old," the rock-bottom-deep vocals on "Baby Please Don't Go," and the slow sensuality of "Deep Down in Florida." The only shortcoming of this CD is that it's so short: there are only seven songs here, which will leave any listener wanting more. --Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (21)

Muddy rocks it live
Muddy's vocals: dead on, excellent as always. The band: great. Sounds like a pretty good blues album huh? Well, it's more than pretty good, it's amazing. On some of his later albums, great as they were, Muddy played less of his trademark slide guitar; well on this recording, it is the slide playing that steals the show. Muddy positively wails, putting most slide players to shame, dropping the jaws of the audience, and turning great recordings into postively essential and timeless ones. I cannot emphasize enough the greatness of the slide playing on this record; Muddy just takes you to another place with his scary slide.

5 stars for the music and performance but DO NOT BUY
Here's why not to buy it: there is an expanded version containing the whole set of this concert with about twice as much tracks

Can't get enough?
For all those who dig this album--or are thinking of picking it up--look for the 2 disc special edition.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Chicago Blues    5. Delta Blues    6. Electric Blues    7. Electric Chicago Blues    8. Pop    9. Slide Guitar Blues