Search - Various Artists :: Before The Blues: The Early American Black Music Scene, Vol. 2

Various Artists
Before The Blues: The Early American Black Music Scene, Vol. 2
Genres: Country, Blues, Folk, Special Interest, Pop

Track Listings (23) - Disc #1
1. Dallas Rag - Unidentified Prison
2. How Long - Stokes, Frank
3. Skin Game Blues - Howell, Peg Leg
4. K.C. Moan - Blackman, Tewee
5. Just a Spoonful
6. Doggone My Good Luck Soul - Hudson, Hattie
7. There's a Brown Skin Girl Down the Road Somewhere
8. You're Going to Leave the Old Home, Jim
9. Deep Blue Sea Blues - Alexander, Alger "T
10. Cold Morning Shout
11. Been Listening All the Day
12. Mississippi Boweavil Blues - Patton, Charley
13. I'll Lead a Christian Life
14. The Old Folks Started It - Wallace, Minnie
15. Vine Street Drag
16. Nobody's Fault But Mine - Johnson, Blind Will
17. Last Kind Words Blues
18. Guitar Stomp - Jolly Two
19. Jack O'Diamond Blues - Jefferson, Blind Le
20. Reuben Oh Reuben - Traditional
21. Memphis Stomp
22. On the Wall - Johnson, Louise
23. Roving Cowboy

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CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists
Title: Before The Blues: The Early American Black Music Scene, Vol. 2
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: Yazoo
Original Release Date: 1/1/2025
Re-Release Date: 3/19/1996
Genres: Country, Blues, Folk, Special Interest, Pop
Styles: Classic Country, Delta Blues, Traditional Blues, Regional Blues, Memphis Blues, Texas Blues, Acoustic Blues, Slide Guitar, Traditional Folk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 016351201621, 803680475058

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Given that the history of recorded blues corresponds roughly with that of the record industry, the compilers of the three-part Before the Blues series may as well be digging around in the Garden of Eden for old records. The digitized scratches on many of the 69 songs included say one thing about this music: it's old! And wondrous. We tend to attribute babe-in-the-woods innocence to music recorded under the shortening shadow of the 19th century, when William Howard Taft was still waddling about and automobiles and airplanes were novel. But these songs provide evidence that bloodshed, substance abuse (mostly drinkin' and cokin'), and complex human emotions were hardly taboo subjects for rural America's musical pioneers. Volume 2 of the Yazoo triad of CDs is highlighted by selections from a few august bluesmen (Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Patton) and a bunch of long-forgotten black entertainers (Geeshie Wiley, Golden P. Harris). In tandem, they provide a window upon a time when recorded music was just finding its footing. --Steven Stolder

CD Reviews

This Is The Foundation, Brothers, Take Heed and Listen Well.

Jared A. Auner | Denton, TX USA | 12/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oy, Vey!! This is it, kids. This here comp. contains some of the most heartstoppinly beautiful old music yer ears will wrap themselves lovingly around. Geeshie Wiley's "Last King Word Blues" will stop you dead cold in yer cosy, comfortable shoes, chilling stuff. or how about the unforgettable melody and sublime guitar of Peg Leg Howell's "Skin Game Blues". Get carried off by The Memphis Jug Ensamble's "KC Moan". The profound spiritual joy, arising out of desperation, in Golden P Harris' "I'll Lead a Christian Life". I could go on and on. Tommy McClennen. Frank Jenkins. How about Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Jack O'Diamonds" and the very similar "Reuben O Reuben" by Arthur Emery, very finely illustrating this comp.'s thesis; that is, the shared origins of blues and "hillbilly" music. The shared folk song traditions of poor black americans and poor white americans. The songs on this here compilation are represenetive of early blues and country. Which was The Foundation of Rock and Roll. Which was The Foundation of ALL pop music.So, ya see, this is where it "ALL" started. Yep, all of it. So get clued in, Children, and start here. NOW!"