Blind Willie McTell - The Early Years (1927-1933)

Size: 218 MB
Time: 42:54
File: Flac
Released: 1989
Styles: Piedmont blues
Art: Folder, cd, tray

1. Broke Down Engine Blues (3:09)
2. Mama 'Tain't Long 'Fore Day (2:57)
3. Georgia Rag (3:03)
4. Love Changing Blues (3:10)
5. Statesboro Blues (2:30)
6. Stomp Down Rider (3:06)
7. Savannah Mama (3:12)
8. Travelin' Blues (3:15)
9. Drive Away Blues (3:15)
10. Warm It Up To Me (2:55)
11. Three Women Blues (2:43)
12. Writing Paper Blues (3:11)
13. Southern Can Is Mine (3:14)
14. Talkin' To Myself (3:09)

Blind Willie McTell, birth name William Samuel McTier, (May 5, 1898/1901/1903 – August 19, 1959) was an American singer and guitarist from Georgia and one of the most important representatives of the Piedmont blues. McTell died shortly before the blues revival of the 1960s, but his Statesboro Blues became known in 1968 with the Taj Mahal blues rock performance, followed in 1971 by The Allman Brothers Band's version. Around the same time, his original recordings from the 1920s and 1930s were being re-released and this rediscovery inspired Bob Dylan to write the line, "Nobody can sing the blues like Blind Willie McTell." Blind Willie McTell remains popular in the 21st century, as evidenced by the covers of his work by The White Stripes, who also dedicated their album De Stijl to him.

The Early Years (1927-1933) FLAC

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VA - Get Up Off Your Knees: From Bed Springs To Bloomers (Remastered)

Size: 172,9+161,6+173,1+146, 1 MB
Time: 73:12+68:17+73:07+61:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Acoustic Blues
Art: Front

CD 1:
01 Papa Charlie Jackson - Shave 'em Dry (2:35)
02 Margaret Carter - I Want Plenty Grease In My Frying Pan (2:41)
03 Lonnie Johnson & Victoria Spivey - Furniture Man Blues Parts 1 & 2 (6:13)
04 Clara Smith - Ain't Got Nobody To Grind My Coffee (3:06)
05 Lizzie Miles - Get Up Off Your Knees (2:44)
06 Cow Cow Davenport - I'm Gonna Tell You In Front So You Won't Feel Hurt Behind (3:20)
07 Sippie Wallace - I'm A Mighty Tight Woman (2:51)
08 Lucille Bogan - Coffee Grindin' Blues (3:24)
09 Al Miller - I Found Your Keyhole (3:03)
10 Minnie Wallace - Dirty Butter (2:59)
11 Whistlin' Alex Moore - Blue Bloomer Blues (3:08)
12 Margaret Webster - You've Got To Give Me Some (2:44)
13 Lizzie Miles - My Man O' War (3:27)
14 Lonnie Johnson - Wipe It Off (3:17)
15 Madelyn James - Stinging Snake Blues (3:29)
16 Speckled Red - The Dirty Dozen No. 2 (2:57)
17 Kansas City Kitty & Georgia Tom - Show Me What You Got (3:06)
18 Charlie Lincoln - Doodle Hole Blues (3:21)
19 Lizzie Miles - Electrician Blues (3:12)
20 Barbecue Bob - She Shook Her Gin (3:08)
21 Kansas City Kitty & Georgia Tom - Fish House Blues (2:29)
22 Butterbeans & Susie - Elevator Papa, Switchboard Mama (3:08)
23 George Hannah - The Boy In The Boat (2:37)

CD 2:
01 Georgia Tom - What's That I Smell (2:34)
02 Hannah May - Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat (2:41)
03 Mae Glover & John Byrd - Gas Man Blues (2:44)
04 Bo Carter - Banana In Your Fruit Basket (3:05)
05 R.T. Hanen - She's Got The Jordan River In Her Hips (2:53)
06 Georgia Tom & Jane Lucas - Terrible Operation Blues (2:49)
07 Lonnie Johnson - The Best Jockey In Town (2:54)
08 Mississippi Sheiks - Bed Spring Poker (3:09)
09 Hunter & Jenkins - Lollypop (2:56)
10 James 'Stump' Johnson - Don't Give My Lard Away (2:43)
11 Isabel Sykes - In Here With Your Heavy Stuff (3:03)
12 Blind Willie McTell - Southern Can Mama (2:52)
13 Memphis Minnie - My Butcher Man (3:00)
14 Carl Rafferty - Dresser With The Drawers (3:21)
15 Whistling Rufus - (Who's Gonna Do Your) Sweet Jelly Roll (3:27)
16 Napoleon Fletcher - She Showed It All (2:32)
17 St. Louis Blues - Pipe Layin' Blues (3:16)
18 Dorothy Baker - Steady Grindin' Blues (3:10)
19 Jimmie Gordon - Bed Spring Blues (3:18)
20 Hattie Hart - I Let My Daddy Do That (2:57)
21 Cliff Carlisle - Mouse's Ear Blues (3:05)
22 Bo Carter - Mashing That Thing (2:37)
23 Memphis Minnie - Jockey Man Blues (3:01)

CD 3:
01 Lucille Bogan - Shave 'Em Dry (2:46)
02 Walter Roland - I'm Gonna Shave You Dry (3:25)
03 Pinewood Tom (Josh White) - Sissy Man (2:48)
04 Bob Howe & Frankie Griggs - The Hottest Stuff In Town (2:40)
05 Bernice Edwards - Butcher Shop Blues (3:06)
06 Johnny Temple - Lead Pencil Blues (3:02)
07 Kokomo Arnold - 'Cause Your Dirty (2:59)
08 Blind Boy Fuller - I'm A Rattlesnakin' Daddy (3:04)
09 Buddy Moss - You Got To Give Me Some Of It (3:07)
10 Bo Carter - Cigarette Blues (3:15)
11 Lil Johnson - Take It Easy Greasy (3:17)
12 Al Miller - Ain't That A Mess (2:43)
13 Roosevelt Sykes - The Honeydripper (2:42)
14 Jazz Gillum - Sarah Jane (3:04)
15 Walter Davis - Think You Need A Shot (3:23)
16 Lil Johnson - My Stove's In Good Condition (2:54)
17 John Oscar & Sam Theard - I Wonder Who's Boogiein' My Woogie (2:28)
18 Jesse James - Sweet Petuni (3:00)
19 Stella Johnson - Don't Come Over (2:50)
20 Chicago Black Swans - Don't Tear My Clothes No. 2 (2:42)
21 Blind Boy Fuller - Sweet Honey Hole (2:46)
22 Barrel House Annie - Love Operation (3:07)
23 Roosevelt Sykes - Bread Pan (Just My Size) (2:34)
24 Art McKay - She Squeezed My Lemon (2:39)
25 Lee Brown - Carpenter Man Blues (2:35)

CD 4:
01 Charlie Pickett - Let Me Squeeze Your Lemon (2:48)
02 Roosevelt Sykes - My Baby's Playground (2:21)
03 Memphis Minnie - Keep On Eatin' (2:37)
04 Washboard Sam - I'm Gonna Keep My Hair Parted (2:36)
05 Blind Boy Fuller - What's That Smells Like Fish (2:42)
06 Lillie Mae Kirkman - He's Just My Size (2:46)
07 Little Buddy Doyle - She's Got Good Dry Goods (2:28)
08 Tony Hollins - Crawlin' King Snake (2:56)
09 Tampa Red - Let Me Play With Your Poodle (2:33)
10 Bill Samuels - My Bicycle Tillie (2:54)
11 Champion Jack Dupree - I'm A Doctor For Women (2:37)
12 Little Boy Fuller - Bed Spring Blues (2:43)
13 Ralph Willis - Boar Hog Blues (2:37)
14 Sylvester Cotton - Big Chested Mama Take 1 (2:34)
15 The Sharps & Flats - I Knew He Would (2:44)
16 Julia Lee - Don't Come Too Soon (2:59)
17 Dan Pickett - Lemon Man (2:51)
18 Helen Humes - I'm Gonna Let Him Ride (1:45)
19 Floyd Dixon - Too Much Jelly Roll (3:01)
20 Fats Noel - Ride. Daddy. Ride (2:07)
21 Fluffy Hunter - The Walkin' Blues (2:52)
22 Eunice Davis - Work. Daddy. Work (2:58)
23 Helen Humes - Loud Talkin' Woman (2:54)

In the 1920s, record companies found the Black audience could be profitable. Record sales soared. Sex - disguised -was a major part of blues lyrics. Fish, flesh, fruit and fowl were all co-opted, as well as rent men and gas men, butchers and bakers, carpenters and coffee grinders, keyholes and kitchens, cigarettes and sissies, frying pans and furniture, and unkindly, a bicycle. Here's a raucous, red-blooded blues investigation of one of Humanity's constant fixations, from artists like Julia Lee, Lonnie Johnson, Victoria Spivey, Roosevelt Sykes and many, many more.

Get Up Off Your Knees Part 1
Get Up Off Your Knees Part 2

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VA - Blues Folk

Size: 207,2 MB
Time: 87:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Blues Folk
Art: Front

01 Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Blues In D (2:43)
02 Alvin Youngblood Hart - John Hardy (4:30)
03 60,000,000 Buffalo - American Money Blues (5:36)
04 Kelly Joe Phelps - Roll Away The Stone (4:50)
05 Thorstein Bergman - How Long Blues (Demo 1965) (2:36)
06 Blind Willie McTell - You Got To Die (3:09)
07 Judy Henske - Empty Bed Blues (3:39)
08 Grateful Dead - Dupree's Diamond Blues (3:33)
09 Delaney & Bonnie & Friends - Come On In My Kitchen - Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean - Going Down The Road Feeling Bad (4:14)
10 James Shorty - I Want Jesus To Walk With Me (3:43)
11 Felix Dukes - Motherless Children (2:49)
12 John Sebastian - Goodnight Irene (Live) (4:40)
13 Alannah Myles - Hurry Make Love (2:16)
14 Chas & Dave - Midnight Special (2:30)
15 John Lee Hooker - Drifting Blues (3:31)
16 Geoff Muldaur - Jailbird Love Song (3:56)
17 Maria Muldaur - Travelin' Shoes (2:23)
18 Odetta - Mule Skinner Blues (2:51)
19 Leadbelly - Looky Looky Yonder Black Betty Yellow Women's Door Bells (3:07)
20 Mississippi Fred McDowell - Drop Down Mama (2:52)
21 Ed Young & Lonnie Young - Chevrolet (4:04)
22 Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabate - Catfish Blues (5:29)
23 Beausoleil - Les Blues De Chaleur (Hot Blues) (3:19)
24 Tim Hardin - I Cant Slow Down (3:25)
25 Lightnin' Hopkins - Bluebird Bluebird (1:26)

Back In Love MP3

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VA - Old Time Blues Mix

Size: 204,9 MB
Time: 86:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Elecric/Acoustic Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01 Leadbelly - Where Did You Sleep Last Night (3:01)
02 Sammy Price - Jelly Roll Junior Blues (3:02)
03 Faces - Jerusalem (1:51)
04 Delaney & Bonnie & Friends - Come On In My Kitchen - Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean Going Down The Road Feeling Bad (4:13)
05 Blind Willie McTell - The Razor Ball (2:51)
06 Odetta - Gallows Tree (Gallows Pole) (2:49)
07 Mississippi Fred Mcdowell - Freight Train Blues (3:03)
08 Tim Hardin - I Cant Slow Down (3:25)
09 Felix Dukes - Motherless Children (2:49)
10 Kelly Joe Phelps - Goodnight Irene (5:38)
11 James Shorty - I Want Jesus To Walk With Me (3:43)
12 Odetta - Midnight Special (2:34)
13 Alvin Youngblood Hart - Illinois Blues (4:19)
14 60,000,000 Buffalo - American Money Blues (5:36)
15 Dr. John - Dear Old Southland (2:41)
16 Thorstein Bergman - How Long Blues (Demo 1965) (2:34)
17 Tim Buckley - Hong Kong Bar (6:57)
18 The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - I Got My Mojo Working (3:32)
19 Maria Muldaur - Honey Babe Blues (3:07)
20 Charlie Norman - Boogie Woogie On St. Louis Blues (3:00)
21 Ray Charles - Mr. Charles Blues (2:47)
22 Mose Allison - Rollin' Stone (2:59)
23 Geoff Muldaur - Tennessee Blues (3:37)
24 Beausoleil - Les Blues De Chaleur (Hot Blues) (3:19)
25 Champion Jack Dupree - Strollin' (3:06)

Old Time Blues Mix

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VA - Slide Guitar Blues

Size: 249,0 MB
Time: 106:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01 Chuck E. Weiss - Devil With Blue Suede Shoes (5:00)
02 Kelly Joe Phelps - House Carpenter (6:43)
03 John Hammond - Shake Your Money Maker (1:58)
04 Delaney & Bonnie & Friends - Come On In My Kitchen - Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean Going Down The Road Feeling Bad (4:15)
05 Bjoern Berge - Look On Yonder Wall (3:16)
06 Faces - Around The Plynth (5:48)
07 Mississippi Fred McDowell - Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning (2:44)
08 Blind Willie McTell - Motherless Children Have A Hard Time (2:54)
09 60,000,000 Buffalo - American Money Blues (5:36)
10 Little Feat - A Apolitical Blues (3:25)
11 Honey B. & T-Bones - Hawaiian Groupie (2:25)
12 Slaptones - Little Red Rooster (3:36)
13 John Fahey - Steamboat Gwine 'Round De Bend (4:14)
14 Danny O'Keefe - Steel Guitar (4:04)
15 Tom Rush - If Your Man Gets Busted (3:30)
16 Doug Sahm - Blues Stay Away From Me (4:47)
17 Foghat - Terraplane Blues (5:45)
18 Low Budget Blues Band - Tennessee Plates (3:10)
19 Robert Randolph & The Family Band - Run For Your Life (4:53)
20 Bjoern Berge - Who Do You Think You Are (4:51)
21 Delta Cross Band - Key To Highway (7:50)
22 Alvin Youngblood Hart - Mama Don't Allow (5:34)
23 Mississippi Fred McDowell - When You Get Home, Write Me A Few Little Lines (3:24)
24 Faces - Jerusalem (1:41)
25 Kelly Joe Phelps - Roll Away The Stone (4:49)

Slide Guitar Blues

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VA - The Rough Guide To Ragtime Blues

Size: 171,4 MB
Time: 73:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Ragtime Blues
Art: Front

01 Blind Willie McTell - Southern Can Is Mine (3:10)
02 Willie Walker - South Carolina Rag (Take 2) (3:06)
03 Blind Boy Fuller - Piccolo Rag (2:48)
04 Luke Jordan - Cocaine Blues (3:14)
05 Robert Wilkins - Old Jim Canan's (2:56)
06 Blind Blake - Blind Arthur's Breakdown (2:59)
07 Papa Charlie Jackson - Drop That Sack (2:28)
08 Bo Carter - Your Biscuits Are Big Enough For Me (2:06)
09 Memphis Minnie - Can I Do It For You (Part 1) (3:06)
10 Dick Justice - Old Black Dog (2:57)
11 Beale Street Sheiks - Mr. Crump Don't Like It (2:40)
12 William Moore - Ragtime Millionaire (3:07)
13 Pillie Bolling - Shake Me Like A Dog (3:01)
14 Charlie McCoy - I've Been Blue Ever Since You Went Away (3:17)
15 Allen Brothers - Salty Dog Blues (3:05)
16 Blind Lemon Jefferson - Beggin' Back (2:49)
17 Big Bill Broonzy - Guitar Rag (2:54)
18 The Two Charlies - Pork Chop Blues (3:02)
19 Mississippi John Hurt - Got The Blues Can't Be Satisfied (2:49)
20 Charley Patton - Shake It And Break It (But Don't Let It Fall Mama) (3:04)
21 Troy Ferguson - You Better Keep It At Home (3:02)
22 Reverend Gary Davis - Have More Faith In Jesus (3:02)
23 Buddy Boy Hawkins - Raggin' The Blues (2:26)
24 Geeshie Wiley - Pick Poor Robin Clean (3:12)
25 Cannon's Jug Stompers - Money Never Runs Out (2:44)

Ragtime had a profound influence on many early blues performers who strived to reproduce its complicated piano sounds on the guitar. With its faster rhythm and good-time feel, this danceable style was performed with mesmerizing skill by blues greats such as Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Boy Fuller.

Made famous by the legendary Scott Joplin, ragtime developed in African-American communities throughout the southern part of the Midwest during the last decade of the nineteenth century and had a profound influence on many early blues performers. Combining the structure of marches with African-American songs and dances such as the cakewalk, ragtime’s syncopated or ‘ragged’ rhythm was initially performed as dance music for the seedier side of society in areas where bars, dancehalls and brothels were located. Many blues guitarists attempted to reproduce the complicated piano sounds, as its faster rhythm created a more upbeat and lively feel, far removed from the typical intensity of early country blues. So, when ragtime went out of favour as jazz claimed the public's imagination, it had already entered the folk consciousness through the playing of blues greats such as Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Boy Fuller.

Blind Blake was the first commercially successful performer of this style, whose intricate fingerstyle technique and diverse repertoire ranging from upbeat rags and hokum tunes to slow blues numbers influenced all who followed, including the likes of Blind Boy Fuller and Reverend Gary Davis, and modern-day guitarists Ry Cooder, John Fahey and Jorma Kaukonen.

Many of the featured artists hailed from the Eastern States where the influence of ragtime was instrumental in creating the unique and much loved ‘Piedmont’ guitar style. Typically, the Piedmont guitarist would create an alternating rhythmic bass accompaniment by moving the thumb of the picking hand between the different bass strings of the guitar, whilst one or more fingers of the same hand would pick out the melody on the higher strings. Essentially this approach gives the impression that the guitar is being played like a piano.

Little is known about many of these artists, none more so than Willie Walker who only ever recorded two sides in 1930, with ‘South Carolina Rag’ being one of the absolute masterpieces of ragtime guitar playing. Other highlights to listen out for include ‘Ragtime Millionaire’ by the barbershop owner William Moore which harks back to the glory years of ragtime as well as the cakewalk inspired ‘Money Never Runs Out’ by Gus Cannon’s Jug Stompers.

The Rough Guide To Ragtime Blues

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Blind Willie McTell - Dark Night Blues: 1927-1940 Recordings

Size: 181,4+179,9 MB
Time: 76:35+75:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Country Blues, Piedmont Blues
Art: Full

CD 1:
01. Writing Paper Blues (3:11)
02. Stole Rider Blues (3:08)
03. Kind Mama (2:57)
04. Three Woman Blues (2:42)
05. Statsboro Blues (2:32)
06. Mama, I Ain't Long Fo' Day (3:00)
07. Dark Night Blues (2:50)
08. Loving Talking Blues (2:37)
09. Atlanta Strut (3:11)
10. Travelin' Blues (3:13)
11. Drive Away Blues (3:12)
12. Love Changing Blues (3:08)
13. Talkin' To Myself (3:11)
14. Razor Ball (3:20)
15. Scarey Day Blues (3:01)
16. Broke Down Engine Blues (3:07)
17. Painful Blues (With Ruth Gla.. (2:54)
18. Low Rider Blues (3:19)
19. Georgia Rag (3:03)
20. Lonesome Day (With Ruth Glaze) (3:14)
21. Mama. Let Me Scoop For You (.. (3:11)
22. Searching The Desert For The.. (3:05)
23. It's Your Time To Worry (3:03)
24. Savannah Mama (3:16)
25. Lord Have Mercy If You Please (2:57)

CD 2:
01. Love Makin' Mama (2:52)
02. Lord, Send Me An Angel (2:56)
03. Death Room Blues (2:50)
04. B And O Blues #2 (3:01)
05. Bell Street Lightnin' (2:54)
06. Southern Can Mama (2:54)
07. Ain't Grand To Be A Christian (3:11)
08. We Got To Meet Death One Day (2:58)
09. Don't Let Nobody Turn You Ar.. (2:44)
10. I Got Religion, So I'm Glad (3:13)
11. Dying Gambler (3:00)
12. God Don't Like It (2:45)
13. East St.Louis Blues (Fare Yo.. (2:52)
14. Lay Some Flowers On My Grave (3:25)
15. Let Me Play With Yo' Yo-Yo (3:05)
16. Ticket Agent Blues (3:21)
17. Cold Winter Day (3:10)
18. Your Time To Worry (2:42)
19. Cooling Board Blues (3:19)
20. Hillbily Willie's Blues (2:43)
21. King Edward Blues (1:48)
22. Dying Crapshooter's Blues (3:11)
23. Will Fox (1:36)
24. I Got To Cross The River Jor.. (4:36)
25. Boll Weevil (1:57)
26. Delia (2:30)

"Blind Willie" McTell was one of the finest bluesmen of the 1920s and 1930s. His voice was soft and expressive, and his musical tastes were influenced by southern blues, ragtime, gospel, hillbilly, and popular music. He also developed superb technique and a highly personal style on the twelve-string guitar.

Based out of Atlanta, McTell cut more than 120 different tracks at different recording sessions during his 30-year career. This newly remastered CD release contains a selection of 51 Blind Willie McTell songs, recorded between 1927 and 1940. All of these poignant tracks would form the basis of McTell's enduring legacy and secure his place as one of the blues legends of that classic era. This is acoustic blues of the highest order, full of emotion and heartfelt commitment.

"Blind Willie" McTell, lead vocals and guitar.

With Ruth Willis, Ruby Glaze, or Kate McTell (occasional vocals).

Recorded in Atlanta, New York, and Chicago, between 1927 and 1940.

Dark Night Blues CD 1
Dark Night Blues CD 1

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VA - Rough Guide To Ragtime Blues

Size: 170,8 MB
Time: 72:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Ragtime Blues, Country Blues
Art: Front & Back

01 Blind Willie McTell - Southern Can Is Mine (3:08)
02 Willie Walker - South Carolina Rag (Take 2) (3:06)
03 Blind Boy Fuller - Piccolo Rag (2:48)
04 Luke Jordan - Cocaine Blues (3:14)
05 Robert Wilkins - Old Jim Canan's (2:56)
06 Blind Blake - Blind Arthur's Breakdown (2:59)
07 Papa Charlie Jackson - Drop That Sack (2:28)
08 Bo Carter - Your Biscuits Are Big Enough For Me (2:06)
09 Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe - Guitar Rag (3:06)
10 Dick Justice - Old Black Dog (2:55)
11 Beale Street Sheiks - Mr. Crump Don't Like It (2:38)
12 William Moore - Ragtime Millionaire (3:07)
13 Pillie Bolling - Shake Me Like A Dog (3:01)
14 Charlie McCoy - I've Been Blue Ever Since You Went Away (3:14)
15 Allen Brothers - Salty Dog Blues (3:05)
16 Blind Lemon Jefferson - Beggin' Back (2:49)
17 Big Bill Broonzy - Guitar Rag (2:52)
18 The Two Charlies - Pork Chop Blues (3:02)
19 Mississippi John Hurt - Got The Blues Can't Be Satisfied (2:49)
20 Charley Patton - Shake It And Break It (But Don't Let It Fall Mama) (3:04)
21 Troy Ferguson - You Better Keep It At Home (3:02)
22 Reverend Gary Davis - Have More Faith In Jesus (2:59)
23 Buddy Boy Hawkins - Raggin' The Blues (2:26)
24 Geeshie Wiley & Elvie Thomas - Pick Poor Robin Clean (3:09)
25 Cannon's Jug Stompers - Money Never Runs Out (2:44)

Ragtime had a profound influence on many early blues performers who strived to reproduce its complicated piano sounds on the guitar. With its faster rhythm and good-time feel, this danceable style was performed with mesmerizing skill by blues greats such as Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Boy Fuller.

Made famous by the legendary Scott Joplin, ragtime developed in African-American communities throughout the southern part of the Midwest during the last decade of the nineteenth century and had a profound influence on many early blues performers. Combining the structure of marches with African-American songs and dances such as the cakewalk, ragtime’s syncopated or ‘ragged’ rhythm was initially performed as dance music for the seedier side of society in areas where bars, dancehalls and brothels were located. Many blues guitarists attempted to reproduce the complicated piano sounds, as its faster rhythm created a more upbeat and lively feel, far removed from the typical intensity of early country blues. So, when ragtime went out of favour as jazz claimed the public's imagination, it had already entered the folk consciousness through the playing of blues greats such as Blind Blake, Reverend Gary Davis and Blind Boy Fuller.

Blind Blake was the first commercially successful performer of this style, whose intricate fingerstyle technique and diverse repertoire ranging from upbeat rags and hokum tunes to slow blues numbers influenced all who followed, including the likes of Blind Boy Fuller and Reverend Gary Davis, and modern-day guitarists Ry Cooder, John Fahey and Jorma Kaukonen.

Many of the featured artists hailed from the Eastern States where the influence of ragtime was instrumental in creating the unique and much loved ‘Piedmont’ guitar style. Typically, the Piedmont guitarist would create an alternating rhythmic bass accompaniment by moving the thumb of the picking hand between the different bass strings of the guitar, whilst one or more fingers of the same hand would pick out the melody on the higher strings. Essentially this approach gives the impression that the guitar is being played like a piano.

Little is known about many of these artists, none more so than Willie Walker who only ever recorded two sides in 1930, with ‘South Carolina Rag’ being one of the absolute masterpieces of ragtime guitar playing. Other highlights to listen out for include ‘Ragtime Millionaire’ by the barbershop owner William Moore which harks back to the glory years of ragtime as well as the cakewalk inspired ‘Money Never Runs Out’ by Gus Cannon’s Jug Stompers.

Rough Guide To Ragtime Blues

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VA - Milestones Of Legends: Delta Blues Vol. 01 to Vol. 10

Size: 1.55 GB
Time: 11:28:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Acoustic Delta Blues
Art: Front

Vol. 01:
01. Charlie Patton - High Sheriff Blues (3:06)
02. Son House - Mississippie Country Blues (2:50)
03. Son House - Clarksdale Moan (2:57)
04. Blind Willie Johnson - God Don't Never Change (2:56)
05. Leadbelly - Packin'trunk Blues (2:53)
06. Casey Bill Weldon - I Believe I´ll Make A Change (3:02)
07. Blind Willie Johnson - When The War Was On (3:00)
08. Blind Lemon Jefferson - Black Snake Moan (2:50)
09. Joshua White - The Prodigal Son (2:58)
10. Lonnie Johnson - Away Down In The Alley Blues (2:49)
11. Son House - My Black Mama Part One (3:11)
12. Son House - My Black Mama Part Two (3:18)
13. Sonny Terry - Touch It Up And Go (2:25)
14. Mississippie Jock Band - Hittin' The Bottom Stomp (2:35)
15. Big Joe Williams - Somebody's Been Borrowing That Stuff (3:02)
16. Big Joe Williams - Greystone Blues (2:29)
17. Bukka White - Bukka's Jitterbug Swing (2:36)
18. Blind Boy Fuller - Homesick & Lonesme Blues (3:06)
19. Son House - Dry Spell Blues Pt. 1 (3:08)
20. Son House - Dry Spell Blues Pt. 2 (3:12)
21. Blind Willie McTell - Broke Down Engine (2:44)
22. Mississippie Fred McDowell - Shake 'em Down (3:18)
23. John Lee Hooker - My Baby Don't Love Me (3:03)

Vol. 02:
01. Charlie Patton - Down The Dirt Road Blues (2:56)
02. Charlie Patton - It Won't Be Long (3:23)
03. Charlie Patton - High Water Everywhere Pt. 1 (3:04)
04. Charlie Patton - High Sheriff Blues (3:06)
05. Charlie Patton - Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues (3:04)
06. Charlie Patton - Lord I'm Discouraged (3:08)
07. Charlie Patton - Shake It And Break It (3:07)
08. Charlie Patton - Rattlesnake Blues (2:44)
09. Charlie Patton - Screamin' And Hollerin' The Blues (3:06)
10. Charlie Patton - A Spoonful Of Blues (3:10)
11. Charlie Patton - Pony Blues (3:00)
12. Charlie Patton - Magnolia Blues (3:11)
13. Charlie Patton - Moon Going Down (3:13)
14. Charlie Patton - I'm Goin' Home (3:03)
15. Charlie Patton - Elder Green Blues (3:00)
16. Charlie Patton - Jim Lee Blues Pt. 1 (3:01)
17. Charlie Patton - Banty Rooster Blues (3:04)
18. Charlie Patton - Jersey Bull Blues (3:09)
19. Charlie Patton - I Shall Not Be Moved (3:02)
20. Charlie Patton - Going To Move To Alabama (2:58)
21. Charlie Patton - Pea Vine Blues (3:02)
22. Charlie Patton - Green River Blues (3:09)
23. Charlie Patton - Bird Nest Bound (3:09)

Vol. 03:
01. Son House - Levee Camp Blues (3:43)
02. Son House - Government Fleet Blues (6:50)
03. Son House - Walking Blues (Version 1) (6:42)
04. Son House - Shetland Pony Blues (3:28)
05. Son House - Fo' Clock Blues (3:52)
06. Son House - Camp Hollers (2:27)
07. Son House - Delta Blues (5:20)
08. Son House - Special Rider Blues (Test) (0:45)
09. Son House - Special Rider Blues (3:04)
10. Son House - Low Down Dirty Dog Blues (4:59)
11. Son House - Depot Blues (2:55)
12. Son House - Alan Lomax Talking (1:32)
13. Son House - American Defense (2:56)
14. Son House - Am I Right Or Wrong (1:49)
15. Son House - Walking Blues (Version 2) (2:56)
16. Son House - County Farm Blues (2:13)
17. Son House - The Pony Blues (4:14)
18. Son House - The Jinx Blues (Pt. 1) (3:27)
19. Son House - The Jinx Blues (Pt. 2) (4:26)

Vol. 04:
01. Robert Johnson - I Believe I'll Dust My Broom (2:57)
02. Robert Johnson - Phonograph Blues (2:33)
03. Robert Johnson - Ramblin' On My Mind (2:51)
04. Robert Johnson - Kindhearted Woman Blues (2:48)
05. Robert Johnson - Terraplane Blues (2:58)
06. Robert Johnson - I'm A Steady Rollin' Man (2:39)
07. Robert Johnson - Walking Blues (2:27)
08. Robert Johnson - Last Fair Deal Gone Down (2:37)
09. Robert Johnson - Dead Shrimp Blues (2:34)
10. Robert Johnson - Sweet Home Chicago (2:59)
11. Robert Johnson - 32-20 Blues (2:48)
12. Robert Johnson - Come On In My Kitchen (2:47)
13. Robert Johnson - If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day (2:32)
14. Robert Johnson - Me And The Devil Blues (2:29)
15. Robert Johnson - Preaching Blues (Up Jumped The Devil) (2:50)
16. Robert Johnson - Stones In My Passway (2:24)
17. Robert Johnson - Cross Road Blues (2:39)
18. Robert Johnson - Travelling Riverside Blues (2:46)
19. Robert Johnson - When You Got A Good Friend (2:35)
20. Robert Johnson - Milkcow's Calf Blues (2:13)
21. Robert Johnson - Hellhound On My Trail (2:36)
22. Robert Johnson - From Four 'til Late (2:22)
23. Robert Johnson - Honeymoon Blues (2:15)
24. Robert Johnson - Stop Breakin' Down Blues (2:15)
25. Robert Johnson - Malted Milk (2:21)
26. Robert Johnson - Little Queen Of Spades (2:18)
27. Robert Johnson - They're Red Hot (3:02)
28. Robert Johnson - Drunken Hearted Man (2:24)
29. Robert Johnson - Love In Vain (2:18)

Vol. 05:
01. Bukka White - District Attorney Blues (2:42)
02. Bukka White - Bukka's Jitterbug Swing (2:35)
03. Bukka White - Special Streamline (2:52)
04. Bukka White - Shake 'em On Down (2:58)
05. Bukka White - When Can I Change My Clothes (2:56)
06. Bukka White - Promise True And Grand (3:06)
07. Bukka White - Po' Boy (2:53)
08. Bukka White - The New Frisco Train (2:57)
09. Bukka White - Sic 'em Dogs On (2:20)
10. Bukka White - High Fever Blues (2:47)
11. Bukka White - Pinebluff, Arkansas (2:46)
12. Bukka White - Strange Place Blues (2:49)
13. Bukka White - Parchman Farm Blues (2:36)
14. Bukka White - Sleepy Man Blues (2:48)
15. Bukka White - I Am In The Heavenly Way (3:05)
16. Bukka White - Black Train Blues (2:54)
17. Bukka White - Aberdeen, Mississippi Blues (2:32)
18. Bukka White - Good Gin Blues (2:20)
19. Bukka White - The Panama Limited (3:06)
20. Bukka White - Fixin' To Die (2:45)

Vol. 06:
01. Big Joe Williams - Baby Please Don't Go (2:45)
02. Big Joe Williams - Crawlin' King Snake (2:47)
03. Big Joe Williams - Long Tall Woman, Skinny Mama Too (3:53)
04. Big Joe Williams - Highway 49 (3:27)
05. Big Joe Williams - That Thing's In Town (3:44)
06. Big Joe Williams - King Biscuit Stomp (2:35)
07. Big Joe Williams - Sloppy Drunk Blues (2:45)
08. Big Joe Williams - Peach Orchard Mama (2:40)
09. Big Joe Williams - Jump, Baby, Jump! (2:42)
10. Big Joe Williams - Delta Blues (2:38)
11. Big Joe Williams - Stack Of Dollars (3:10)
12. Big Joe Williams - Throw A Boogie Woogie (2:39)
13. Big Joe Williams - Drop Down Blues (2:53)
14. Big Joe Williams - Somebody's Been Worryin' (3:13)
15. Big Joe Williams - Don't Leave Me Here (2:56)
16. Big Joe Williams - Banta Rooster Blues (2:56)
17. Big Joe Williams - Blues Left Texas (3:18)
18. Big Joe Williams - I'm Getting Wild About Her (2:45)
19. Big Joe Williams - Walk On, Little Girl (2:53)
20. Big Joe Williams - Mellow Peaches (3:08)
21. Big Joe Williams - P Vine Blues (3:08)
22. Big Joe Williams - No.13 Highway (2:22)
23. Big Joe Williams - I Got A Bad Mind (2:19)
24. Big Joe Williams - Arkansas Woman (3:13)
25. Big Joe Williams - I Done Stop Hollering (3:58)

Vol. 07:
01. Leadbelly - Midnight Special (3:04)
02. Leadbelly - John Hardy (3:12)
03. Leadbelly - Where Did You Sleep Last Night (3:00)
04. Leadbelly - T.B. Blues (3:09)
05. Leadbelly - Easy Rider (3:14)
06. Leadbelly - Alberta (3:09)
07. Leadbelly - Rock Island Line (2:35)
08. Leadbelly - Alabama Bound (3:03)
09. Leadbelly - You Can't Lose-A Me Cholly (3:04)
10. Leadbelly - New York City (2:58)
11. Leadbelly - Roberta (3:05)
12. Leadbelly - Leaving Blues (3:03)
13. Leadbelly - When The Boys Were Out On The Western Plains (2:54)
14. Leadbelly - I'm On My Last Go Round (3:12)
15. Leadbelly - Mother's Blues (2:33)
16. Leadbelly - Pretty Flowers In My Back Yard (2:24)
17. Leadbelly - Pick A Bale Of Cotton (2:56)
18. Leadbelly - Sail On Little Girl (3:12)
19. Leadbelly - Fannin Street (2:33)
20. Leadbelly - Packing Trunk Blues (2:54)
21. Leadbelly - The Bourgeois Blues (3:21)
22. Leadbelly - Good Morning Blues (2:53)
23. Leadbelly - The Boll Weevil (3:01)
24. Leadbelly - Shorty George (5:01)
25. Leadbelly - Goodnight Irene (2:40)

Vol. 08:
01. Skip James - Devil Got My Woman (3:10)
02. Skip James - Cypress Grove Blues (2:55)
03. Skip James - Little Cow And Calf Is Gonna Die Blues (2:47)
04. Skip James - Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues (2:59)
05. Skip James - Drunken Spree (3:01)
06. Skip James - Cherry Ball Blues (2:47)
07. Skip James - Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader (2:51)
08. Skip James - Illinois Blues (2:51)
09. Skip James - How Long Buck (2:59)
10. Skip James - Four O'clock Blues (3:02)
11. Skip James - 22-20 Blues (2:51)
12. Skip James - Hard Luck Child (3:02)
13. Skip James - If You Haven't Any Hay Get On Down The Road (2:37)
14. Skip James - Be Ready When He Comes (2:49)
15. Skip James - Yola My Blues Away (2:55)
16. Skip James - I'm So Glad (3:14)
17. Skip James - What Am I Gonna Do Blues (2:53)
18. Skip James - Special Rider Blues (3:05)

Vol. 09:
01. Mississippi John Hurt - Frankie (3:23)
02. Mississippi John Hurt - Nobody's Dirty Business (2:54)
03. Mississippi John Hurt - Ain't No Tellin' (2:53)
04. Mississippi John Hurt - Louis Collins (2:59)
05. Mississippi John Hurt - Avalon Blues (3:03)
06. Mississippi John Hurt - Big Leg Blues (2:52)
07. Mississippi John Hurt - Stack O' Lee (2:55)
08. Mississippi John Hurt - Candy Man Blues (2:44)
09. Mississippi John Hurt - Got The Blues (Can't Be Satisfied) (2:49)
10. Mississippi John Hurt - Blessed Be The Name (2:45)
11. Mississippi John Hurt - Praying On The Old Camp Ground (2:35)
12. Mississippi John Hurt - Blue Harvest Blues (2:50)
13. Mississippi John Hurt - Spike Driver Blues (3:13)
14. Blind Willie Johnson - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning (3:04)
15. Blind Willie Johnson - You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond (3:09)
16. Blind Willie Johnson - God Moves On The Water (2:58)
17. Blind Willie Johnson - Jesus Is Coming Soon (3:12)
18. Blind Willie Johnson - John The Revelator (3:18)
19. Blind Willie Johnson - Cold Was The Ground - Dark Was The Night (3:19)
20. Blind Willie Johnson - Trouble Will Soon Be Over (3:06)
21. Blind Willie Johnson - Let Your Light Shine On Me (3:08)
22. Blind Willie Johnson - It's Nobody's Fault But Mine (3:08)
23. Blind Willie Johnson - The Soul Of A Man (3:12)
24. Blind Willie Johnson - If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down (3:11)

Vol. 10:
01. Muddy Waters - Country Blues (3:33)
02. Muddy Waters - I Be's Troubled (3:05)
03. Muddy Waters - Burr Clover Farm Blues (2:53)
04. Muddy Waters - Ramblin' Kid Blues (Partial) (1:10)
05. Muddy Waters - Ramblin' Kid Blues (3:15)
06. Muddy Waters - Rosalie (3:02)
07. Muddy Waters - Joe Turner (2:46)
08. Muddy Waters - Pearlie May Blues (3:22)
09. Muddy Waters - Take A Walk With Me (3:04)
10. Muddy Waters - Burr Clover Blues (3:13)
11. Muddy Waters - I Be Bound To Write To You (First Version) (3:25)
12. Muddy Waters - I Be Bound To Write To You (Second Version) (2:52)
13. Muddy Waters - You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone (Number One) (3:21)
14. Muddy Waters - You Got To Take Sick And Die Some Of These Days (2:08)
15. Muddy Waters - Why Don't You Live So God Can Use You (2:07)
16. Muddy Waters - Country Blues (Number Two) (3:34)
17. Muddy Waters - You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone (Number Two) (3:40)
18. Muddy Waters - 32-20 Blues (3:24)

10CD set of the greatest innovators of the Delta Blues - 25 artists across 224 tracks. Featuring Charlie Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Big JoeWilliams, Lead Belly, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Willie Johnson and Muddy Waters.

Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 01
Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 02
Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 03
Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 04
Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 05
Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 06
Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 07
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Get Milestones Of Legends Vol. 10

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Various Artists - Bawdy Blues

File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Source: LL (from CD)
Released: 1977
Styles: Blues
Time: 43:08
Size: 99,4 MB
Covers: Full

(3:47) 1. Memphis Slim - Sweet Root Man
(2:57) 2. Tampa Red - Let Me Play with Your Poodle
(3:32) 3. Victoria Spivey - I'm a Red Hot Mama
(2:49) 4. Lonnie Johnson - Jelly Roll Baker
(5:55) 5. Memphis Slim - Churning Man Blues
(2:36) 6. Pink Anderson - Try Some of That
(4:34) 7. Memphis Slim - Steady Rollin' Blues
(3:50) 8. Tampa Red - Jelly Whipping Blues
(2:55) 9. Victoria Spivey - That Man
(3:21) 10. Memphis Willie B - Car Machine Blues
(4:24) 11. Memphis Slim - If You See Kay
(2:23) 12. Blind Willie McTell - Beedle Um Bum

Erotic, humorous, and loaded with double entendres, these dozen tunes were recorded between 1956-1961 by Memphis Slim, Tampa Red, Victoria Spivey, Lonnie Johnson, Pink Anderson, Memphis Willie B, and Blind Willie McTell.

Bawdy Blues

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VA - Rough Guide To Gospel Blues

Size: 174,6 MB
Time: 74:29
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Blues Gospel
Art: Front

01 Rev. Gary Davis - I Am The Light (2:59)
02 Blind Willie Johnson - I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole (3:00)
03 Mississippi John Hurt - Praying On The Old Camp Ground (2:34)
04 Bukka White - The Promise True And Grand (3:02)
05 Rev. Edward W. Clayborn - (Your Enemy Cannot Harm You (2:54)
06 Blind Roosevelt Graves - I'll Be Rested (When The Roll Is Called) (2:26)
07 Blind Boy Fuller - Twelve Gates To The City (2:40)
08 Blind Joe Taggart - Scandalous And A Shame (2:53)
09 Mother McCollum - Jesus Is My Air-O-Plane (3:17)
10 Tallahassee Tight - Got Heaven In My View (3:03)
11 Skip James - Be Ready When He Comes (2:52)
12 Julius Daniels - Slippin' And Slidin' Up The Golden Street (3:09)
13 Blind Mamie Forehand - Wouldn't Mind Dying If Dying Was All (3:24)
14 Lil' McClintock - Mother Called Her Child To Her Dying Bed (3:08)
15 Bo Weavil Jackson - I'm On My Way To The Kingdom Land (2:58)
16 Memphis Minnie - Let Me Ride (2:56)
17 Blind Gussie Nesbit - I'll Just Stand And Wring My Hands And Cry (3:13)
18 Blind Willie McTell - Georgia Rag (3:09)
19 Blind Willie Davis - I've Got A Key To The Kingdom (3:10)
20 Henry Thomas - Jonah In The Wilderness (2:52)
21 Barbecue Bob - When The Saints Go Marching In (3:05)
22 Bessie Smith - On Revival Day (A Rhythmic Spiritual) (2:53)
23 Charley Patton - Jesue Is A Dying-Bed Maker (2:50)
24 Sam Collins - Lead Me All The Way (2:39)
25 Blind Lemon Jefferson - All I Want Is That Pure Religion (3:10)

The huge musical influence of the church has meant that gospel music and the blues have long been intertwined. From the true guitar evangelists such as Blind Willie Johnson and Reverend Gary Davis to blues legends Charley Patton and Skip James, these recordings illustrate how the line separating the Lord's song and 'the devil's music' was very thin.

Rough Guide To Gospel Blues

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Blind Willie McTell - Atlanta Twelve String

File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Source: LL (from CD)
Released: 1992
Styles: Blues
Time: 44:49
Size: 103,4 MB
Covers: Full

(2:33) 1. Kill It Kid
(2:54) 2. The Razor Ball
(3:02) 3. Little Delia
(2:46) 4. Broke Down Engine Blues
(3:06) 5. Dying Crapshooter's Blues
(2:49) 6. Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
(2:46) 7. Blues Around Midnight
(2:49) 8. Last Dime Blues
(3:08) 9. On the Cooling Board
(2:56) 10. Motherless Children Have a Hard Time
(4:00) 11. I Got to Cross the River Jordan
(3:12) 12. You Got to Die
(2:39) 13. Ain't It Grand to Live a Christian
(3:22) 14. Pearly Gates
(2:40) 15. Soon This Morning

In 1949, a brief flurry of interest in old-timey country blues resulted in this 15-song session by Blind Willie McTell for the newly formed Atlantic Records. Only two songs, "Kill It Kid" and "Broke Down Engine Blues," were ever issued on a failed single, and the session was forgotten until almost 20 years later. McTell is mostly solo here, vividly captured on acoustic 12-string (his sometime partner Curley Weaver may have been present on some tracks), and in excellent form. The playing and the repertory are representative of McTell as he was at this point in his career, a blues veteran rolling through his paces without skipping a beat and quietly electrifying the listener. Songs include "Dying Crapshooter's Blues," "The Razor Ball," and "Ain't I Grand to Live a Christian." -- Allmusic.

In 1948, the year the tracks included on "Atlanta Telve String" were recorded, lone wolf bluesmen weren't exactly the hippest thing in music. Most of the blues records being released and sold during that time featured blues shouters and crooners backed up by horn or piano driven proto R&B combos. It is a minor miracle that the fledgeling Atlantic label chose to cut a session's worth of material by Blind Willie McTell. Astute businessmen who surely must have realized the limited marketbility of these tracks, the brothers Ehrtegun were clearly either fans of McTell's clasic 20's & 30's sides or were blown away by his audition and just couldn't pass up the opportunity to record him. At any rate, the performances cut during McTell's Atlantic session constitute some of the finest solo blues ever laid to wax. These tracks reflect McTell's highly individualistic style, which was neither entirely urban nor country, nor a product of any particular geographical region. Revelations from this session include his peformances of "Motherless Children," "You Got To Die," and several other gospel blues that betray McTell's musical debt to the equally idiosyncratic (and equally visually impaired)Texan Blind Willie Johnson. More representative of McTell's earlier work are the boisterous ragtime numbers "Kill It Kid" and "Razor Ball"-the only two performances form the session released as singles. The two best performances form the session, however are "Little Delia" and "Dying Crapshooter's Blues. Every performance on this disc features powerful, yet nuanced, singing and virtuoso guitar work. -- Amazon.

Atlanta Twelve String

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Blind Willie McTell - Complete 1940 Library Of Congress Recordings

File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Source: LL (from CD)
Released: 2000
Styles: Blues
Time: 41:26
Size: 95,9 MB
Covers: Full

(2:56) 1. Just As Well Get Ready, You Got To Die: Climbing High Mountain, Trying Get Home
(1:56) 2. Monologue On Accidents
(1:58) 3. Boll Weevil
(2:33) 4. Delia
(3:11) 5. Dying Crapshooter's Blues
(1:38) 6. Will Fox
(4:38) 7. I Got To Cross The River Jordan
(3:08) 8. Monologue On Old Songs: Old Time Religion, Amen
(1:21) 9. Amazing Grace
(5:44) 10. Monologue On History Of The Blues: Monologue On Life As Maker Of Records: Monologue On Himself
(1:49) 11. King Edward Blues
(3:05) 12. Murderer's Home Blues
(2:43) 13. Kill-It-Kid Rag
(2:50) 14. Chainey
(1:51) 15. I Got To Cross De River O'jordan

By the time Georgia native William Samuel "Blind Willie" McTell earned ten dollars by sitting down in a hotel room in Atlanta on November 5, 1940, to preserve his artistry on 15 transcription platters for the Library of Congress, he had achieved a degree of fame by having recorded some 85 sides for multiple labels during the years 1927-1936. This 2000 release of McTell's Library of Congress recordings served as a welcome addition to several volumes of chronologically stacked McTell that had appeared on Document in 1990. McTell was a skilled 12-string guitarist, an expressive vocalist, and a well-versed interpreter of ragtime, spirituals, blues, and a wide range of rural folk forms. He performed well for the Library of Congress, sometimes narrating and explaining the social background for his music while fielding John Lomax's rather careless and insensitive questions. What you get here is an excellent spectrum of McTell's stylistic range and repertoire. His slide maneuvers on "Amazing Grace" are strikingly reminiscent of Blind Willie Johnson's technique. The overall content of this hotel room recital points directly to McTell's Atlantic session of November 1949. -- Allmusic.
This is a very good collection of spirituals, blues and rags, played and sung with panache for the Lomax field-recording clan. It's rare to hear McTell singing hymns and he's a remarkably moving, if not sincere, performer of these religious numbers. The slight flaw with this disc is inconsistency, as McTell was apparently asked to provide samples of the different types of material he knew. The disc has a unity of purpose, however, that makes it more listenable from start to finish than most compilations of 78 rpm blues recordings. The conversation between McTell and the Lomaxes is very interesting. McTell is asked about Blind Willie Johnson, and from the tone of the inquiry it sounds as if the Lomaxes thought they had the other "Blind Willie" when they arranged this recording session. (That would account for the initial preponderance of spirituals.) This is a remarkable historical document and a superior McTell disc. -- Amazon.

Complete 1940 Library Of Congress Recordings

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Various - Great Blues Guitarists: String Dazzlers

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:30
Size: 138.5 MB
Styles: Pre-war blues, Acoustic blues
Year: 1991
Art: Front

[2:56] 1. Lonnie Johnson - Hot Fingers
[3:05] 2. Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang - A Handful Of Riffs
[3:15] 3. Texas Alexander - Work Ox Blues
[3:16] 4. Sylvester Weaver - I'm Busy And You Can't Come In
[3:01] 5. Blind Willie McTell - Georgia Rag
[2:53] 6. Blind Willie McTell - Warm It Up To Me
[3:11] 7. Sylvester Weaver - (Untitled)
[2:51] 8. Sylvester Weaver - (Untitled)
[3:00] 9. Blind Willie Johnson - When The War Was On
[3:08] 10. Blind Willie Johnson - Nobody's Fault But Mine
[2:50] 11. Big Bill Broonzy - How You Want It Done
[3:15] 12. Big Bill Broonzy - Getting Older Every Day
[2:56] 13. Casey Bill Weldon - Guitar Swing
[3:15] 14. Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang - Bull Frog Moan
[2:50] 15. Blind Lemon Jefferson - Black Snake Moan
[2:58] 16. Joshua White - Little Brother Blues
[2:55] 17. Joshua White - Prodigal Son
[2:54] 18. Tampa Red - Denver Blues
[2:49] 19. Lonnie Johnson - Away Down In The Alley Blues
[3:05] 20. Lonnie Johnson - I Love You, Mary Lou

Ten excellent blues guitarists are heard on 20 selections dating from 1924-40 on this enjoyable CD reissue from the Columbia/ Legacy series. Included are Sylvester Weaver (the first blues guitarist to record an unaccompanied solo), the team of Lonnie Johnson & Eddie Lang (who are heard on a pair of duets and with singer Texas Alexander), the influential Big Bill Broonzy (superb on "How You Want It Done?"), the always passionate Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, Casey Bill Weldon, Blind Lemon Jefferson ("Black Snake Moan"), Joshua White and Tampa Red. Three previously unheard selections are included on this fine overview but completists will probably prefer to skip over the set in favor of the more comprehensive Document CDs. ~Scott Yanow

Great Blues Guitarists: String Dazzlers mc
Great Blues Guitarists: String Dazzlers zippy

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Blind Willie McTell - Statesboro Blues

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 49:07
Size: 112.5 MB
Styles: Prewar blues, Delta blues
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[2:32] 1. Statesboro Blues
[2:17] 2. Mr. Mctell Got The Blues
[3:10] 3. Writin' Paper Blues
[3:09] 4. Stole Rider Blues
[3:02] 5. Mama 'tain't Long Fo' Day
[2:42] 6. Three Women Blues
[2:54] 7. Dark Night Blues
[2:38] 8. Loving Talking Blues
[3:21] 9. Drive Away Blues
[3:15] 10. Love Changing Blues
[2:58] 11. Rollin' Mama Blues (Barrelhouse Mama Blues)
[3:12] 12. Lonesome Day Blues
[3:09] 13. Mama Let Me Scoop For You
[3:05] 14. Searching The Desert For The Blues
[2:44] 15. Teasing Brown
[2:34] 16. This Is Not The Stove To Brown Your Bread
[2:17] 17. Mr. Mctell Got The Blues-Take 2

These tracks were recorded between late 1927 through February 1932 for RCA Victor, and while there are other more comprehensive Willie McTell-compilations, this one is a very good starting place for anyone not familiar with the prewar blues master.

McTell was a magnificent guitarist and a fine, expressive singer, and songs like "Writin' Paper Blues", "Stole Rider Blues", "Love Changing Blues", and the classic "Statesboro Blues" are not just among his best singles, they're simply some of the finest, most sophisticated prewar blues singles ever recorded. And the beautiful slide guitar-workout "Mama 't'Ain't Long Fo' Day" is perhaps the most inspired song of the lot, one of the most remarkable blues tunes you'll ever hear, played by a true master of his craft. ~Docendo Discimus

Statesboro Blues mc
Statesboro Blues zippy

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