Music : Masters of the Delta Blues: The Friends of Charlie Patton
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0016351020222
Label: Yazoo
Manufacturer: Yazoo
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Yazoo
Release Date: November 26, 1991
Sales Rank: 161049
Studio: Yazoo
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In his recent book, "Delta Blues" (2008), Ted Gioia writes of the blues tradition that developed in the Mississippi Delta early in the 20th century. "This is strange wonderful music, no less peculiar for having eventually achieved lasting appeal and commercial success. Especially in its earliest days, the Delta blues tended to defy all the common expectations of popular art forms. Nowhere is this more evident than in the lyrics to these songs. On a superficial level, the Delta music dealt with the familiar themes of love and courtship, travels and adventures, the psychological aspects of those encounters almost always overwhelming the incidents related. Indeed, these songs almost never told a complete story, but merely sketched enough detail to communicate a charged and turbulent state of mind. Odder still was the propensity of the Delta blues singers to address these secular topics with a fervor more typical of religious music.... We are blessed to have inherited these songs as a key part of our American - and now global - cultural legacy." (Gioia, pp 5-6).
The early Delta blues were recorded in the late 1920s - early 1930s on primitive recording equipment. Forgotten for many years, interest in this music revived during the 1960s. This excellent CD "Masters of the Delta Blues" features early musicians who were friends of Charlie Patton, the first Delta bluesman to be commercially recorded. Patton's recordings are available on earlier compilations and not on ... Read More
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This is a compilation of quite a few contemporaries of the early blues great, Charlie Patton. Artists included: Son House, Tommy Johnson, Willie Brown, Kid Bailey, Bertha Lee, Ishmon Bracey, Louise Johnson, and Bukka White. Interesting is the inclusion of two early female blues singers. Some of these cuts are pretty raw, not making it easy to make out the words in some songs.
Tommy Johnson is represented by different songs. In "Big Fat Momma Blues," he demonstrates simple acoustic guitar playing and simple vocal work. This and "Maggie Campbell Blues" are a good representation of his work.
Bukka White is one of the early great blues singers. In "I Am in the Heavenly Way," he sings a religious song, with a female (unclear who it is). The back and forth between them is a nice touch and adds considerably to the song. This is a lively piece; White's voice is quite expressive.
Willie Brown has multiple cuts on this CD. His "Future Blues" displays a raw voice and driving acoustic guitar work. The liner notes speak to his "brooding, agitated sense." That seems quite accurate to me. He has an expressive, lively voice, with a nice "blues growl."
Then there is the legendary Son House. Several of his recordings are on this CD. He shows nice guitar work and an expressive voice across songs such as "Walking Blues."
Bertha Lee, a "friend" of Charlie Patton, is represented by a couple songs. In "Yellow Bee," her singing ... Read More
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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.
My tastes run to all sorts of music but this is what I trully love to listen to,anytime.The true gems are the Son House sides - powerful and frightning with a vocal that I really don`t think have been matched since.An excellent introduction to the blues,the songs exist in those old records and given the technology of cd`s they take some getting used to but the music eventually shines though.Overall,a great disc....friends indeed.
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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.
We see here the greatest strength of the blues-the tendancy to individualism, the taking of another's tune and molding it to one's own style until it became one's own. This Album showcases that beautifully as it includes many varied and superb treatments of classic Patton tunes such as pony blues or maggie. Of particular interest are the Kid Bailey cuts, a mysterious figure who according to the liner notes was identified by Son house as Willie Brown with Patton accompanying. They are my personal favorites, but overall a very good album. A must for anyone interested in the development of the blues, or who just wants something to howl along with.
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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!
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