Great double-disc overview
Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 04/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not to be confused with Revenant Records' lavish seven-disc box set, this fine Recall compilation is a very fine purchase for fans who want a little more than just one of the numerous single-disc compilations, but who aren't ready to shell out for a box set.The cover art is nice, held in discreet gray tones and featuring a picture of Patton, and the track selection is superb, including virtually all of his best and best-known songs.
Charlie Patton played his acoustic guitar like a stringed drum, banging on it, snapping the strings, and accenting the rhythm in any way possible, and his big, gravelly voice and flamboyant manner greatly influenced Howlin' Wolf, who started his career as a strict Patton imitator back in the 30s.
The original masters to Charlie Patton's songs are long lost, and the sound on these 75-year old recordings are certainly less than stellar, but that is to be expected, and shouldn't deter you from adding this fine compilation to your shopping basket."