Document Records' 3rd Sampler: 'This album is a parade of excellence.'

Intended as a sampler of Document's vast catalogue, Gary Atkinson obviously had great fun programming it and he has indeed come up with 'some of the very best in American Roots Music'. That the most primitive' track (One String Sam) is also the latest (1956), as well as among the most passionate, is just for starters. Few of us need to be told that some of these performances are immortal classics, but it is easy to take them for granted and I wondered when I had last actually heard Sonny Boy Williamson's 'Mellow Chick Swing' for one. Marilyn Scott's wonderful bit of bawdy with backchat still resists belief that it was recorded in a studio. Imaginative choices show that Gary knows his catalog. Jazzbo Tommy probably wouldn't have sprung to most people's minds and still less The Four Blazes' five-minute plus medley of current jive tunes from AFRS Jubilee 234. Professor Hull's track, unissued in 1935, comes on like the missing link between Louis Dumaine and George Lewis. The other jazz tracks are just as well chosen. Of the two country tracks, the Williamson is a storming, but lightweight reading of 'John Henry', which sounds startlingly like a skiffle version. This album is a parade of excellence.

Cast & Crew

Director: 

Track Listing

• ARTHUR 'BIG BOY' CRUDUP - Where Did You Stay Last Night?
• MARILYN SCOTT - I Got What My Daddy Likes
• SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON - Mellow Chick Swing
• ONE STRING SAM - My Baby Ooo
• NORFOLK JAZZ QUARTET - Stand By The Bedside Of A Neighbor
• WILLIAMSON BROTHERS & CURRY - Gonna Die With My Hammer In My Hand
• BARBECUE BOB - Jambooger Blues
• PETER CLEIGHTON (DOCTOR CLAYTON) - Black Snake Blues
• PROFESSOR HULL'S ANTHEMS OF JOY - Everybody Talkin' 'Bout Heaven Ain't Goin' There
• HARLEM HAMFATS - Hamfat Swing
• JAZZBO TOMMY & HIS LOWLANDERS - Blaze Face Cow
• ANDREW 'SMOKEY' HOGG - Kind Hearted Blues
• SONNY TERRY - Harmonica & Washboard Breakdown
• RAMBLIN' THOMAS - Ground Hog Blues
• BIG BILL BROONZY: - How You Want It Done?
• HERSCHEL BROWN - New Talking Blues
• MEMPHIS NIGHTHAWKS - Wild Man Stomp
• IDA COX & HER ALL-STAR BAND - Hard Times Blues
• THE FOUR BLAZES - Chicago Blues
• SHOESHINE JOHNNY (JOHNNY SHINES) - So Glad I Found You

Additional Details

Label: Document Records

Genre: Blues

Language: English

Run Time: 59:54 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 08/20/21

UPC: 714298900323