Reviews (3)

well satisfied
cd was as advertised and arrived in good condition, in a timely fashion.this is the first used product i have purchased on the net and i am very satisfied with the results

Great and varied harping!
Wow!A friend recommended this CD to me (as I am beginning to play), and what a treat this was.Terrific variety in style, and superb playing all around.Especially helpful were the extensive liner notes to the CD, listing each artist and going into their background as well as details about the songs.Really enjoyable reading.I just can't say enough about it if you are looking for a good sampling of harp songs.:)

A fine sampler for the casual blues fan
Rhino's "Blues Masters" series is the best of its kind, and while this one disc obviously only scratches the surface of blues harmonica playing, it does feature a lot of good music.
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Subjects:  1. 40's    2. 50's    3. Blues    4. Blues Music    5. Blues Revival    6. Blues Traditional Collections    7. Blues-Rock    8. Chicago Blues    9. Electric Blues    10. Electric Chicago Blues    11. Electric Harmonica Blues    12. Electric Memphis Blues    13. Harmonica Blues    14. Juke Joint Blues    15. Memphis Blues    16. Modern Electric Blues    17. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    18. Piano Blues    19. Pop    20. R&B   

Reviews (4)

The true roots of the blues
In the late 80`s early 90`s,I began collecting early blues discs.It seemed to me that Yazoo seemed to have the most varied collections so I started there.Charley Patton`s King of the Delta Blues was a very shocking and yet positive discovery for me,then I found this one.Imagine my suprise when I picked this baby up.I was floored....it`s a who`s who of the first wave of counry blues artists that were recorded in the late 20`s and early 30`s - Tommy Johnson,Son House,Willie Brown,Bukka White,Kid Bailey.....just incredible.
showcase of the blues' greatest strength
Any fan of the blues will appreciate the enormous influence Charley Patton had over the blues players of the delta, and this appreciation can only be increased by the songs presented here. One of the best blues CD's I've ever owned!Essential!
This is a wonderful blues CD.One of the best I've ever purchashed.It includes great performances by legendary blues figures such as Tommie Johnson, Willie Brown, Ishmon Bracey, Son House, Kid Bailey, Bukka White and others.This is the true Mississippi Delta Blues from the late 20's and 30's.The guitar work is mesmorizing and is a blueprint for rock and roll.There are 5 Tommie Johnson cuts, recorded for Victor, that are superb.He was as good as Robert Johnson, in my opinion.Yazoo captures these classic recordings with all that old Mississippi dirt with some scratchiness, yet the sound is vibrant and alive.Willie Brown's "Future Blues" and Tommie Johnson's "Canned Heat Blues" are worth the price of admission alone.Essential! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. Acoustic Blues    4. Blues    5. Blues Music    6. Blues Traditional Collections    7. Country Blues    8. Delta Blues    9. Folk-Blues    10. Pop    11. Prewar Country Blues   

Reviews (3)

Good Starter!
This CD isn't the best anything. It's just a good starter cd for the new Blues listener, and a good listen for the more experienced. So I'll rate it a good. It probably deserves three stars but I'm a sucker for slide guitar so I gave it four.

Another good sampler
This is another fine entry in Rhino's lengthy Blues Masters series. It isn't the definitive word on slide guitar blues, of course, or on any of the artists represented, but as a sampler it works very well, featuring a lesser-known (but very good) rendition of "Dust My Broom" by Elmore James, and well-chosen cuts by Muddy Waters, J.B. Hutto (the tough boogie "Too Much Alcohol"), and Robert Nighthawk (a superb medley of two of his best songs, "Anna Lee" and "Sweet Black Angel").
Awesome!
This is must buy for any fan slide guitar.From beginning to end, fromElmore James to Johnny Winter, it's non-stop blues.You'll find yourself hitting the repeat button on the CD player, so you can hear the great bluesslide guitar again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 30's    2. 40's    3. 50's    4. Acoustic Texas Blues    5. Album Rock    6. Blues    7. Blues Music    8. Blues Traditional Collections    9. Blues-Rock    10. Boogie Rock    11. Chicago Blues    12. Electric Chicago Blues    13. Modern Electric Blues    14. Pop    15. Slide Guitar Blues   

Reviews (1)

Good Collection of Naughty Tunes -- Including One Zinger
From almost the beginning of recorded music, songs have had some kind of sexual content. Compared to today where little is left to the imagination, this artists make clever use of double-entendres to tell their stories.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. Acoustic Blues    4. Blues    5. Blues Revival    6. Blues Traditional Collections    7. Classic Female Blues    8. Classic Jazz    9. Country Blues    10. Dirty Blues    11. Early American Blues    12. Piano Blues    13. Piedmont Blues    14. Pop    15. Prewar Country Blues    16. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues   

Editorial Review

No musician ever applied a gentler touch to songs of murder, sex, andsalvation than MississippiJohn Hurt. The country bluesman enjoyed a career revival through the folkfestival boom of the early 1960s, and his influence continues to ripple, as thisvaried and vital tribute attests. Produced byPeter Case (who teamswith Dave Alvin on"Monday Morning Blues"), the album's renewal of classic Hurt extends from thedeadpan double entendres of "Candy Man" delivered bySteve Earle and sonJustin to Taj Mahal'strademark lilt on "My Creole Belle" to a surprisingly straightforward "Stagolee"by Beck. Amid a roster ofluminaries ranging from fingerpicking acolytesChris Smither andBill Morrissey toBen Harper,John Hiatt,Lucinda Williams, andGillian Welch, the mostradically disarming interpretation comes fromVictoria Williams. Herbreathless "Since I've Laid My Burden Down" sounds like a preschooler on helium,yet somehow taps into the subconscious of the song. Read more

Reviews (17)

The rare great tribute album
Tribute albums can get pretty dire, but this disc is a great exception.Credit goes to musicologist/producer Peter Case for assembling a fantastic group of performers whose takes on these songs effectively bridge and transcend the categories of blues, pop, and folk music, just as Mississippi John Hurt's originals did.
Incredible bargain for under $3
As I write this, new copies of this wonderful album are available for less than $3 (through recommended Amazon sellers - check the 'new and used' link).That, my friends, is an exceptional bargain!I paid about $20 (including postage and handling) for this album around 18 months ago and considered it great value for money at the time, since every track (even the much maligned Victoria Williams cover of 'Since I Laid My Burden Down') is at least listenable, if not a veritable aural treat. tepid tap water
A lot of tribute albums trade on the popularity and fame of the "tributee" and fall into the mixed-bag when it comes to quality.This is truly no exception.There are some decent covers that are pleasant enough to listen to in the same way that luke-warm tap water might quench your thirst, but come on...you're interested in John Hurt, listen to his albums.The best song on here doesn't even touch his level of spontaneous genius.I mean its not even in the same room.Hurt himself has an otherworldly, almost angelic quality.Hurt didn't know theory.Hurt picked out a $200 guitar when they told him he could have any one in the place.These are just a bunch of halfway decent, semi-gifted, "folkies" who have wood shedded long enough that their chops aren't half bad.If this was all you heard, you'd dismiss the man himself in a heartbeat like "so what, these are simple, almost childish folk songs...no big deal".Get his Last Sessions album first, and then this if you still want to.Life is too short to listen to mediocre music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country    3. Alternative Country-Rock    4. Alternative Folk    5. Americana    6. Blues    7. Blues Music    8. Blues Traditional Collections    9. Blues-Rock    10. College Rock    11. Contemporary Blues    12. Contemporary Folk    13. Contemporary Singer/Songwriter    14. Folk-Blues    15. Folk-Rock    16. Modern Acoustic Blues    17. Neo-Traditional Folk    18. New Wave    19. Pop    20. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (4)

Take care of the baby.
This is a fine collection of blues songs played on the slide guitar.It features legends like Charlie Patton, Blind Boy Fuller, Leadbelly and Robert Johnson.These guys naturally turn in good performances, but a suprising highlight is a unique version of "Swing Low, Chariot" by the obscure Sister O.M. Terrell.Fans of old time blues will really enjoy this CD.

Amazing
If you want to go back to the purest roots of guitar music, this cd is definitely for you. There are several tracks on this record that would alone warrant the purchase (e.g. Sylvester Weaver's Guitar Rag in the 1927 version), and there are several tracks that are almost painfully intense. In addition, the booklet provides interesting background information on the history of bottleneck guitar playing. A must, if you ask me.

Some of the greatest recordings ever.
Even without the Slide Guitar moniker, these recordings stand as some of the best performances of the 20th century.A most have for all music lovers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. Acoustic Blues    4. Acoustic Chicago Blues    5. Acoustic Texas Blues    6. Blues    7. Blues Gospel    8. Blues Music    9. Blues Traditional Collections    10. Country Blues    11. Delta Blues    12. East Coast Blues    13. Field Recordings    14. Folk Revival    15. Piedmont Blues    16. Pop    17. Prewar Blues    18. Prewar Country Blues    19. Prewar Gospel Blues    20. Slide Guitar Blues   

Reviews (2)

"A title for your review"
What?!
A must for any blues collection - or rock 'n roll roots
History of Texas Blues from the beginning. Everyone from Blind Lemon Jefferson to SRV and the Fab T'birds! Love that Lucy Mae Blues and Why Don't You Eat Where You Slept Last Night! Here's some authentic deep real blues. You won't regret buying this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. 40's    4. 50's    5. 60's    6. 70's    7. Acoustic Texas Blues    8. Blues    9. Blues Music    10. Blues Traditional Collections    11. Blues-Rock    12. Country Blues    13. Electric Harmonica Blues    14. Electric Texas Blues    15. Juke Joint Blues    16. Jump Blues    17. Modern Electric Texas Blues    18. Piano Blues    19. Pop    20. Prewar Gospel Blues   

Editorial Review

The idea that recordings exist of bluesy, intense gospel fueled by and starring the electric steel guitar might strike one as strange. But that very thing has transpired for decades in the Jewel and Keith Dominions of the Church of the Living God, and, as this mid-'90s recording demonstrates, the results are brilliant. Sonny Treadway displays the agile virtuosity of Chet Atkins on "At the Cross" and Glenn Lee's mournful, nimble, dulcet licks on "Call Him by His Name" recall B.B. King at his fiercest. However, such facile comparisons really do a disservice to this vital sound; none of this music really resembles anything else. Particular highlights of this satisfying set's 20 tracks are the 3 sublime contributions by Willie Eason. The elderly Eason may not display the liquid bravado of others here, but his songs possess unbounded soul. His original composition "Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Poor Man's Friend" is a wonderful example of both topical material and eulogy in gospel music. His songs are sung in a baritone, preach-singing style and the playing juxtaposes strummed chords with eerie, long, looping notes that seem to hang in the air forever. The section of live religious services by Treadway, Henry Nelson, and Aubrey Ghent are stomping fun at its most sanctified. Treadway's "This Is a Holy Church" even approaches the unbridled Holy Ghost stomp of street musician Rev. Louis Overstreet. Read more

Reviews (4)

The Truth Shall Set You Free!
Mention the steel guitar and most likely you will get images of the Hapa Haole music of Hawaii in the 30s, or the twangy sounds of hard country. But there's another side of the steel guitar, one that is not as well known, but is perhaps one of the most amazing roots traditions still alive in this country, the black Pentecostal tradition of the pedal and laptopsteel guitar. Fascinating, unique music
A thoroughly captivating collection of one of the most obscure offshoots of the blues/gospel music axis, this disc collects 20 tracks of African-American gospel music as performed on electric steel guitars.The liner notes trace the style back to the 1930s, when steel guitars came into vogue; the performances are by a handful of contemporary performers who come from a Pentecostal church in Florida, where the tradition is still very much alive.Blues, R&B and gospel have always had an interesting Saturday night/Sunday morning interrelationship, and these recordings inject a distinctive "white" country flavor into that mix.This is one of Arhoolie's biggest-selling and best receivedreleases in recent years and when you check it out,you'll understand why.Cool stuff.(There have also been several follow-ups and solo albums featuring the same artists on here, but this is the disc that, to me, seems most magical.)

Spiritual Sincerity
I grew up in North Florida and the sounds and faith behind the words of this beautiful album are a revelation and a confirmation both. NPR uses bits of it as bridge music on their "All Things Considered" and "Morning Edition." I think it is because of the essential purity and sweetness of the music. "Little Church on the Hill" is something celestial. It evokes heaven, a place that exists only in time, not on a map. I don't listen to this every day, it is too good for that. I just listen to it in moments, and those moments, like this collection, are too lovely to convey. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 30's    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional Collections    4. Blues-Rock    5. Country Gospel    6. Gospel    7. Pop    8. Traditional Country    9. Traditional Gospel    10. V/a Compilations   

Reviews (1)

Negro Work Songs & Calls [Rounder]
This is possibly the worst transfer of data into digital format that I have ever heard.I have a 30 year old copy of this album on vinyl that I carefully recorded in MP3 format.The quality of this home recording maintains the fidelity of the original recording infinitely better than this CD.I bought the CD hoping for a better digital format, not worse.I am sending back this opened and played CD to Amazon.com today.Let's see how they respond to a return that is based soley on the fact that it is an incredibly inferior product.One final note.The music of the original recording will make any effort you take to find one of the older vinyls well worth your effort. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional Collections    4. Country Blues    5. Field Recordings    6. Old-Timey    7. Pop    8. Traditional Bluegrass    9. Work Songs   

Reviews (3)

"The original and best"
Most of the numerous entries in Rhino's "Blues Masters" series are very good, and this one is no exception.
Nice Variety Blues Beats, Some Familiar Songs
(How they sounded in the original)

Hear the Classics!
Hear the songs before they were covered by the stadium rockers.LedZeppelin covered "Bring it on home", "You Need Love"and " I Can't Quit You Baby"Countless bands have done of acover of Elmore James' "Madison Blues."And of course, theRolling Stones did a cover of "Love in Vain"So, if you wanthear what influenced famous rock rollers, this is the album for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 40's    2. 50's    3. Blues    4. Blues Music    5. Blues Traditional Collections    6. Blues-Rock    7. Boogie-Woogie    8. Chicago Blues    9. Delta Blues    10. Electric Blues    11. Electric Chicago Blues    12. Electric Delta Blues    13. Electric Harmonica Blues    14. Electric Memphis Blues    15. Electric Texas Blues    16. Harmonica Blues    17. Juke Joint Blues    18. Modern Electric Blues    19. Piano Blues    20. Pop   

Reviews (2)

Historical blues moments.The beginning!!!!
If you don't know the signification of the word "roots"in the music,specially the blues music,this is exactly what it means.And to understand what "roots"means,you must hear this fantastic work of that genius,the Lomax brothers,John and Alan. This is a part a small part,of the history of blues music and the rooted recordings of some men that participated and contributed like no others to promotes and turns the blues musics in a great sucessfull all over the world,until our days!!! The discovery and participation of Mc Kinley Morganfield(Muddy Waters) Son House and others,many of them unrecognized bluesmen,but nonetheless important,is really a historical moment to the blues music.This is not only an American heritage alone.This is a heritage to the mankind.HISTORICAL!!!!!!

deep country blues
This is the real stuff, and yet more reason to thank whatever higher powers there be that John and Alan Lomax were out there with their bulky recording machines documenting the rich strains of Southern folk musicwhile it could still be found. Here it's the Mississippi blues in itspurest form. Not the least of the wonders here is Alan Lomax's discovery ofgiants McKinley Morganfield (aka Muddy Waters) and Son House, who both turnin stunning performances. There's also David "Honeyboy" Edwards,who has outlived them all, with an eerie and powerful "Wind Howlin'Blues." Lomax also found William Brown and recorded him twice beforeBrown vanished into obscurity. His "Ragged and Dirty" (covered byDylan on his World Gone Wrong) makes you grateful that it got preserved butsad that we know so little about Brown's other songs and performances,destined to be lost forever.Every cut is a miracle of culturalpreservation but, just as important and maybe more so, of magnificent,enduring American music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional Collections    4. Field Recordings    5. Pop    6. Traditional Folk    7. Work Songs   

Reviews (2)

Good. Could have been even better
The idea of making a compilation which showcases the origins of the blues, including street gospel, native African music and (moving) recordings by prison work hands, is very good. And the real "rootsy" part of this collection works really well, too.
Blues to the Very Core
We're all pretty sure we knew where the blues came from - the delta, right?The streets of Chicago?But the songs here prove that the blues is the people's music, invented and crafted by working folks.At first myinterest was historical, but these songs are so close to the emotional bonethat they slip under the skin and stay there."Russia Let That MoonAlone", for example, is hilarious on first listen, prophesticafterwards.("Time done change" she sings over and over, untilyou friggin' believe it!)Or One String, a homeless man who uses a tin canand a one string guitar, but is harsh and melodic at the same time.Thisis my favorite Blue Masters album, and I own them all.Buy for theeducation - stay for the fun! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. Acoustic Blues    4. Blues    5. Blues Music    6. Blues Revival    7. Blues Traditional Collections    8. Country Blues    9. Early American Blues    10. Pop    11. Prewar Country Blues   

Reviews (3)

****1/2 - one of the best in the series
Not five straight stars, though...partly because the authentic Mississippi Delta stuff is interspersed with much more urban sounds from B.B. King and Albert King. And (very) electric Chicago-sides by Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, and Robert Nighthawk do much to blur the distinctiveness of this package.
Good Compilation, Two by Tommy Johnson
Still one of the best intro CDs to the blues.I'm knocked out byTommy Johnson; he's the first two selections here. Charley Patton, but hey - what about that pivotal Willie Brown doing "Future Blues"? The liner notes are not circumspect in describing Louise Johnson's "performance" on "On the Wall". Another treat is two by Elmore James - 'specially "Something Inside Me" which floats along like Jimi Hendrix. Weird and Wonderful
Any Mississippi Delta Blues fan would have an awful time picking just 15 representative entries.This album does a great job, falling just short by including too much new material - by new, I mean after 1940.Still, you can't argue with Robert Johnson's "Crossroad Blues" or even Robert Nighthawk's superlative "Going Down to Eli's."This captures the individuality, roughness, and anti-spritiuality of Delta Blues really well and a couple of non-obvious inclusions like Robert Petway's Catfish Blues make it a good catch.Of the Blues Master Series, this is one of my favorites. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 30's    2. 40's    3. Acoustic Chicago Blues    4. Blues    5. Blues Music    6. Blues Traditional Collections    7. Chicago Blues    8. Country Blues    9. Delta Blues    10. Electric Chicago Blues    11. Electric Delta Blues    12. Pop    13. Prewar Blues    14. Prewar Country Blues    15. Slide Guitar Blues   

Subjects:  1. 60's    2. Acoustic Blues    3. Blues    4. Blues Music    5. Blues Revival    6. Blues Traditional Collections    7. Chicago Blues    8. Country Blues    9. Delta Blues    10. Electric Blues    11. Electric Chicago Blues    12. Electric Harmonica Blues    13. Field Recordings    14. Modern Electric Blues    15. Pop    16. Prewar Country Blues    17. R&B   

Editorial Review

Anyone looking for versions of the great bluesman Charley Patton's timeless songs need go no further than Patton's original recordings. Patton is considered the first Delta Blues master, and hearing pub rocker Graham Parker deliver his take on "Poor Me" does no favors to either Patton or Parker. Stick to the originals or Howling Wolf's various Patton covers. Read more

Reviews (4)

Play it again, Sam
I can't even remember why I bought this, but I am glad I forgot. It's really quite beautiful. I must admit I don't know Patton's music back ward and forward but this is moving, interesting, and, ( is this damning with faint praise?) PLEASANT to listen to. Good for anytime, anyplace, I say. Parker's cover is arresting. Lots of subtlety and terrific musicianship on this CD. More than worth a risk. Did I mention sexy and scary?

Great interpretations
This is one of those rare tribute albums that's so good you buy a bunch more tribute albums trying to find one just like it.The originals are pretty tough listening with notoriously bad sound quality.Great stuff, but not for regular listening.This album moves the songs out of history and into the present and it sounds great with some very interesting tracks.

Found it to be a really enjoyable cd
I agree the Graham Parker performance is great but so is Snooky Pryor's track which is my favorite. Just behind that are the great acoustic performances by Charlie Musselwhite and Joe Louis Walker. There are surprise interpretations on the album that i found delightful. I've been very pleased by this project and was amazed to see the bad revue below. Since it was too negative, i thought I'd post my views. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic New Orleans Blues    3. Blues    4. Blues Music    5. Blues Traditional Collections    6. Contemporary Blues    7. Electric Chicago Blues    8. Electric Harmonica Blues    9. Harmonica Blues    10. Modern Acoustic Blues    11. Modern Electric Blues    12. Pop    13. Singer/Songwriter    14. Soul-Blues   

Subjects:  1. 40's    2. 50's    3. Blues    4. Blues Revival    5. Electric Blues    6. Pop    7. R&B    8. Soul    9. Soul-Blues   

Reviews (3)

Five stars don't begin to do it justice, try 25 stars!!!!!!!
This cd is the finest cd of bottleneck slide guitar ever!The two most essential and underrated blues guitarists split this cd in half.Weldon's recordings are particularly interesting, because he plays the blues, but also straight swing(almost gypsy swing), western swing, and Hawiian combo music.He plays his steel as though it were a Hawaiian steel guitar, but with blues feeling, he is truly unique.Weldon certianly was influenced by Sol Hoopii and other hawiian jazz players of the 20's, and he in hurn influenced a lot of the lap steel players in the 40's in western swing.Kokomo Arnold is a trendsetter in his own way influencing every rock'n'roller in the 60's on.He plays something fierce, and if you though Robert Johnson sang the blues good, listen to Kokome, who at least sings as good as Johnson or better.These two great are well featured in thsi Yazoo essential collection.This cd is a perfect introduction to the slide greats, and for further lsitening pleasre try Kokomo Arnold Complete Recorded Works Vol 1, unfortionately there isn't much on cd by Casey Bill Weldon, so grab what you can find, till then this is the best way to acquire thier best sides on one great quality cd, perfect sound quality is a must, and this cd offers that, and great notes, and a cool R. Crumb cartoon artwork!!!If you wanna play something while cruisin' in you 1956 Chevy bel Air coupe, this is it!

Five stars don't begin to do it justice, try 25 stars!!!!!!!
This cd is the finest cd of bottleneck slide guitar ever!The two most essential and underrated blues guitarists split this cd in half.Weldon's recordings are particularly interesting, because he plays the blues, but also straight swing(almost gypsy swing), western swing, and Hawiian combo music.He plays his steel as though it were a Hawaiian steel guitar, but with blues feeling, he is truly unique.Kokomo Arnold is a trendsetter in his own way influencing every rock'n'roller in the 60's on.He plays something fierce, and if you though Robert Johnson sang the blues good, listen to Kokome, who at least sings as good as Johnson or better.These two great are well featured in thsi Yazoo essential collection.This cd is a perfect introduction to the slide greats, and for further lsitening pleasre try Kokomo Arnold Complete Recorded Works Vol 1, unfortionately there isn't much on cd by Casey Bill Weldon, so grab what you can find, till then this is the best way to acquire thier best sides on one great quality cd, perfect sound quality is a must, and this cd offers that, and great notes, and a cool R. Crumb cartoon artwork!!!If you wanna play something while cruisin' in you 1956 Chevy bel Air coupe, this is it!

Blues Roots Are More Than Just Robert Johnson
This CD contains seven tracks each by two currently obscure blues performers (Casey Bill Weldon and Kokomo Arnold) of the 1930s.Meaning no disrespect to Robert Johnson, but it's a bit of a mystery why Arnold is obscure and Johnson is famous, given that Arnold sold more records than did Johnson at the time.Maybe it's because Arnold didn't have the good fortune to die at his prime in mysterious circumstances that has made his memory fade in relation to Johnson's.No matter.Arnold picks it up on this collection of his tunes with some of the fastest blues playing you'll ever hear.The second half of the CD (the first half is dedicated to Weldon) starts off with "The Twelves (The Dirty Dozen)" roaring at you with a blazing pace, and while he never quite matches that tempo in the other tracks, neither does he slow down much.His "Sagefield Woman Blues" is as important an early blues track as you'll find, introducing the "I believe I'll dust my broom" line.Weldon's material seems subdued in comparison to that of Arnold, but his playing is also worthy of note.The themes in his tunes (and Arnold's as well) are surprisingly raunchy and semi-explicit, and there's both a celebration and a mocking bitterness to be found in the lyrics, from the self-confidence of "You Just as Well Let Her Go" to the demi-tragedy of "You Shouldn't Do That."Also, it's not the best song on the CD, but Weldon's "Hitch Me to Your Buggy and Drive Me Like a Mule" has got to be one of the best country blues song titles ever coined. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic Chicago Blues    3. Blues    4. Blues Traditional Collections    5. Country Blues    6. Pop    7. Prewar Country Blues    8. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues   

Editorial Review

One-fourth to one-third of the cowboys in the Old West were African American, a fact virtually erased from history. But one listen to this entry from the Read more

Reviews (2)

"I ain't gonna tell you no lies"
I have noticed that this website doesn't bring up every disc in this series with just a "Deep River Of Song" search. In the interest of helping people find these discs here, I'll name every other disc in the series.

Subjects:  1. Blues Traditional Collections    2. Field Recordings    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Pop    5. Traditional Folk    6. World Music   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (7)

An Outstanding Collection From Columbia Record's Vaults
As I write this in mid-2006, the above retrospective box set is now long out of print and is fetching between $70 to $120 from Amazon's 2nd tier vendors. It is quite doubtful that it will be reissued in the near future.There is a myriad of selections, eclipsing The Anthology of American Folk Music in running time, years covered as well as musical styles- so this is still not a overpriced purchase at the above prices.
A Dazzling, but Overlooked Collection
This exhaustive collection of American roots music has been around for over ten years, but I only came across it recently. Record companies don't really have an advertising budget for collections of this kind, so unless you are looking for it, it's likely that you have never be exposed to "Roots N' Blues", a retropective of roots music from the years 1925-1950. Even the most jaded collector of roots music will find plenty of choice cuts amoung the 109 titles presented here. Lawerence Cohn made the wise decision to not use a bunch of collection perennials, but instead he selected more esoteric titles that he deemed worthy of another hearing. I've been collecting pre-WW II blues for over thirty years and there's very little in that area I haven't heard, but Mr. Cohn has pulled several from the vault that are new to me. His inclusion of the brilliant Mississippi Shieks and cuts by the Carter family of Mississippi prove that the Shieks and their offspring were the Carter family that everyone forgot. Terrific roots
In 1992, when this came out, there was nothing like it. Now, with the success of such items as the "Oh Brother..." soundtrack and the reissued "Anthology of American Folk Music," this set may get lost in the shuffle. I have most of the similar reissues, and I still think this is the best. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20's    2. 30's    3. 40's    4. 50's    5. Acoustic Blues    6. Acoustic Chicago Blues    7. Acoustic Memphis Blues    8. Blues    9. Blues Revival    10. Blues Traditional Collections    11. Boogie-Woogie    12. Box Sets (Audio Only)    13. Chicago Blues    14. Classic Female Blues    15. Classic Jazz    16. Country Blues    17. Cowboy    18. Delta Blues    19. East Coast Blues    20. Electric Blues   

Subjects:  1. 30's    2. 40's    3. 50's    4. Acoustic Memphis Blues    5. Blues    6. Blues Music    7. Electric Memphis Blues    8. Jug Band    9. Memphis Blues    10. Pop    11. Prewar Country Blues    12. R&B    13. Soul