Looking at the chronological history of recorded country blues, the two sides, included here by Ed Andrews, certainly qualify as the first. Recorded in Atlanta, Andrews plays a twelve-string guitar with his strumming technique, interspersed with short bass runs and simple vocal style marking him as an early blues practitioner. Virtually nothing is known of Kid Brown. 'Bo-Lita', a mid-tempo blues, with accompaniment probably by Troy C. Snapp on piano, was recorded for the short-lived Black Patti label in 1927. Though recorded in Atlanta and accompanying himself on the twelve-string guitar, much of Emery Glen's guitar style is reminiscent of some of the Memphis players. On 'Two Ways To Texas' the melodic riffs bring to mind, Furry Lewis. Two distinctively different sides by Sammy Brown make him a stylistic non-entity. On 'Barrel House Blues' his vocal performance is accompanied by an unknown guitarist and has much of the feeling of the more primitive country blues of the time, whereas 'The Jockey Blues', with probably Cripple Clarence Lofton on piano, is typical of urbanized blues. Brown seems more comfortable in the latter piece and lyrically it is a unique work. Lewis Black's recordings are some of the most primitive and intriguing early blues ever recorded. They have a pure African feel, combined with his troubled vocal delivery and poetic lyrics. With his smooth chordal guitar, horn-like kazoo and clear tenor voice, Johnnie Head may have come from a vaudeville / medicine show or even a jazz background and it is unfortunate that these two sides comprise his entire recorded output. A native of the Arkansas / Memphis area, Mooch Richardson was an accomplished musician. The variety in guitar parts and lyrical composition attest to this. The songs, with Lonnie Johnson's accompaniment, have much of the same feel as the latter's session with Texas Alexander but given Richardson's talent it is a mystery as to why OKeh deemed it necessary to pair him with Johnson. The two blues and two 'novelty' songs of T. C. Johnson and 'Blue Coat' Tom Nelson again represent a wide repertoire steeped in the medicine show tradition. The assorted T. C. Johnson groups show an incredible mastery of styles, from blues to gospel to the hillbilly and pop tunes of the day.

Track Listing

• Ed Andrews - Barrelhouse Blues
• Ed Andrews - Time Ain't Gonna Make Me Stay
• Kid Brown And His Blue Band - Bo-Lita
• Emery Glen - Back Door Blues
• Emery Glen - Two Ways To Texas
• Emery Glen - Fifth Street Blues
• Emery Glen - Blue Blazes Blues
• Sammy Brown - Barrel House Blues
• Sammy Brown - The Jockey Blues
• Lewis Black - Rock Island Blues
• Lewis Black - Gravel Camp Blues
• Lewis Black - Corn Liquor Blues
• Lewis Black - Spanish Blues
• Johnnie Head - Fare Thee Blues - Part 1
• Johnnie Head - Fare Thee Blues - Part 2
• Mooch Richardson - T And T Blues
• Mooch Richardson - Mooch Richardson's Low Down Barrel House Blues - Part 1
• Mooch Richardson - Mooch Richardson's Low Down Barrel House Blues - Part 2
• Mooch Richardson - Helena Blues
• Mooch Richardson - Big Kate Adams Blues
• Mooch Richardson - Burying Ground Blues
• Blue Coat Tom Nelson And T C Johnson - JC Johnson's Blues
• Blue Coat Tom Nelson And T C Johnson - Blue Coat Blues
• Blue Coat Tom Nelson And T C Johnson - G Burns Is Gonna Rise Again
• Blue Coat Tom Nelson And T C Johnson - In The Morning

Additional Details

Label: Document Records

Genre: Blues

Run Time: 70 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 01/20/07

UPC: 714298516920