Best of the Blues

Subject: Best of the Blues
From: Seeker
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 10:16 AM

Hello all! I am interested in the blues and would love recommendations on "must-have" recordings.

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From: Earl
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 12:05 PM

Bearing in mind that everyone has a different opinion and that there is a lot of really great music in more obscure recordings, I would nominiate "Robert Johnson - The Complete Recordings" on Columbia, and "Muddy Waters -The Chess Box" on Chess Records. This covers Delta blues in the 30's and Chicago blues in the 50's; pretty hard to beat.

I personally like country blues with a litte rag to it so I would also recommmend anything by Blind Willie McTell or Blind Blake.

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From: Jon W.
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 01:20 PM

I have been a blues fan for many years. Really there are two forms of blues, pre-war acoustic (country) blues and post-war electric (urban) blues. Country blues are mostly solo artists or duos - guitar and vocals, sometimes a harmonica or other instrument. Urban are mostly small bands - electric guitars, bass, drums, harmonica, horns plus vocals. Most people expect to hear urban blues when they go to a blues concert.

I agree with Earl in his choice of recordings, for country blues. I would add "Canned Heat Blues - Masters of the Delta Blues" RCA-Bluebird-BMG 61047-2 which features Furry Lewis, Tommy Johnson, and Ishman Bracey. Also "Masters of the Delta Blues (The Friends of Charlie Patton)", Yazoo 2002, is good. Yazoo has re-released a lot of country blues from 78 RPM records, with great liner notes explaining them. But be prepared for a lot of hiss, pops, and noise.

For another ragtime flavor, try Big Bill Broonzy. Yazoo has one called "The Young Big Bill Broonzy" that I enjoy.

For a real gentle country blues, Mississippi John Hurt can't be beat. He did a live double album set in the mid-60's (when he had been rediscovered) that's really good.

For urban blues, I recommend the "Living Chicago Blues" series - some great stuff by lesser known artists.

Muddy Waters and Elmore James were great transition artists between country and urban - any of their stuff is worth listening to - but Muddy had a more pleasant voice.

Jimmy Reed played a very basic and effective style of blues with a small group sound. "Big Boss Man", "Goin' to New York", and my favorite "Insurance Blues" are songs to look for.

Buddy Guy (often with Junior Wells) is always great.

Of course B.B. King is one of the standard beareres of the blues. I like his early and late stuff but I try to avoid most of what he did in the 70's - 80's when he seemed to forget the blues and appeal to a wider audience with soul/pop. I was disappointed when I saw him in 1980 or 81 and he had almost an entire orchestra (and synthesizers) backing him up.

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From: Peter Timmerman
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 02:37 PM

There is a good compilation (cheap too) from the Columbia series called, Legends of the Blues, Vol. 1. Among its virtues, it has one of the best versions of Son House's "Death Letter Blues" -- to my mind still the peak, though Robert Johnson fans might disagree. I think in many ways the first volume of Leadbelly recordings (by John Lomax) while he was still in prison is a must have, but there are different versions of "must haves". Many of the Folkways albums by John and Alan Lomax are basic documents: you don't really know the period unless you have listened to them. But do you want must-haves to get a picture of the period, or do you want to have must-haves that you will listen to over and over again for pleasure? For instance, if you want to have a picture of the period, the "Masters of the Delta Blues (Friends of Charlie Patton" as already noted is a must -- but I don't listen to parts of it much. I also confess to not listening much to Charlie Patton except as an archive (this is heresy). It also depends if you are trying to learn how to play blues -- then of course, you can listen to anything for hours on end. But Son House, Robert Johnson, Big Bill, Muddy Waters -- you can (well, I can) listen to them endlessly. Yours, Peter

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From: Earl
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 03:29 PM

I have to agree with everything said so far. We are truely lucky that so much music has been recorded and so much has been lovingly compiled by people like Yazoo.

It must look like a vast ocean though, to someone who is just starting out. In terms of must-haves I think the distinction between must-have for reference and must-have for listening is good. I suggested Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters because they work for both. Also, their songs have been covered so many times that the music will sound familiar even to someone who is new at the blues.

What has always worked for me is to start with someone I like, find out who influenced them, listend to influences and continue the process. Do this a few times and great patterns begin to emerge.

If you are trying to learn the blues, either country or urban, I would suggest sticking to people who recorded before 1960. Also, (at the risk of setting off the classic debate) avoid white performers like the plague.

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From: Seeker
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 09:52 PM

Thanks to everyone so far for the advice. At this point, I own the following blues CDs: The Complete Blind Willie Johnson (actually gospel-blues, I guess), B.B. King "King of the Blues" boxed set from Columbia, Howlin' Wolf "Chicago Blues" and "Bluesmaster," and Muddy Waters "Best of Muddy Waters," which is a collection of songs recorded in the 50s, if memory serves. Jon W., I have to agree with you about B.B. King - the tracks in my boxed set from the 70s-80s are definitely the weakest. With classical music, perhaps it is a little easier to define the basic repretoire - Beethoven's 5th, etc. - because a longer period of time has passed. What I am looking for is a strong foundation of blues music, from which I can branch out as I please. I have definitely found that the older stuff suits me better; I'm not too fond of slick modern production that seems at odds to the music. Thanks again for all the help so far, and keep the suggestions coming!

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From:
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 10:10 PM

Try Otis Span or Champion Jack Dupree , Victoria Spevey (sp?) early Elmore James & Robert Johnson & Willie Dixon, Ma Rainey or the old collecttions with different musicians on them. Some of the prison recordings might be to taste of someone who prefers the older material. Barry

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From: Earl
Date: 20 Aug 97 - 11:11 PM

Seeker,I think you are well on your way to a strong foundation in blues. I couldn't agree with you more concerning modern production.

Subject: RE: Best of the Blues
From:
Date: 21 Aug 97 - 07:25 AM

The Roots 'N Blues series on Columbia (Robert Johnson Compilation is part of the series) provides a great overview of the blues - pretty much everyone is included on one CD or another.

For a real treat, pick up Joseph Spence - The Complete Folkways Recordings on Smithsonian/Folkways. While not technically blues, the great Bahamian guitarist is the ultimate in synchopated fingerstyle guitar - there is simply no one who measures up. I'd be surprised if the music doesn't make you laugh out loud with sheer joy. You really can't distinguish whether your are hearing actual notes or just the spaces between the notes. A real pleasure.