Some Recent Country Blues Collections- Part IV

 This month we continue our look at a new series put out by Allegro Records in conjunction with the Document label. The series is under the Classic Blues imprint with each set titled "The Essential" and are budget priced 2-CD sets (each have 36 songs apiece) devoted to reissuing classic blues from both well known artists and and neglected figures.

 So far Allegro/Document has issued over two dozen volumes in their new Classic Blues series and we'll take a look at the following: Cow Cow Davenport, Buddy Moss, Bumble Bee Slim, Mississippi Sheiks, Memphis Jug Band and Blind Willie McTell.

 Cow Cow Davenport: The Essential rounds up a fine collection of barrelhouse blues from a figure who's little remembered today. Davenport was a tremendous boogie-woogie piano player as is amply demonstrated on this wide ranging and lively collection that spans from 1925-1945. Davenport is best remembered for his immortal "Cow Cow Blues" and and we're treated to his definitive solo version from 1928 as well as the original from 1925 with vocals from long time partner Dora Carr. Davenport employed a number of singers and in addition to Carr there are fine vocals from Lovin' Sam Theard particularly on "You Rascal You" (a song Davenport claimed to have composed), "State Street Blues" plus more obscure vocalists like Jim Towel who shines on the evocative "I've Been Hoodooed" and the colorfully named Hound Head Henry who proves himself a fine, sensitive blues singer. The set is liberally sprinkled with knockout solo pieces like the stunning "Slow Drag" and stomping barrelhouse numbers like "Back In The Alley", "Atlanta Rag" and "Chimes Blues." Despite his reliance on vocalists Davenport was a fine singer best showcased on a 1938 session with jivey gems like "Railroad Blues", "The Mess Is Here" and "I Ain't No Ice Man" all featuring Sam Price on piano (arthritis affected his playing during this period).

 Bumble Bee Slim is another little remembered bluesman despite being one of the most popular bluesman of the 30's cutting close to 200 sides during the decade. Slim was a fine vocalist and serviceable guitarist who based his style on the popular urban blues of Leroy Carr and played an important role in the development of the Chicago blues style. Bumble Bee Slim: The Essential is a well chosen and varied collection filled with many memorable original songs and exceptional playing from Slim's friends such as Big Bill Broonzy, Scrapper Blackwell, Casey Bill Weldon, Memphis Minnie and others. This set includes some of Slim's best numbers including "Bricks In My Pillow" (updated by Robert Nighthawk in the 50's), "Policy Dream Blues", "Rambling With That Woman", No Woman No Nickel" and the marvelous "This Old Life I'm Living" featuring tremendous bottleneck playing from Casey Bill Weldon. Also included are a pair of very up to date 1951 sides including the wonderful "Sometimes" featuring some honking sax.

 Buddy Moss: The Essential showcases the killer fret work of this Atlanta guitarist who's always been held in high esteem by blues aficionados but remains a mostly neglected figure. Atlanta had a vibrant blues scene in the 20's and 30's and Moss ran with the city's best including the legendary Blind Willie McTell, Barbecue Bob and Curley Weaver. Perhaps Moss would have made a greater impact if not for a six year jail stretch (1935-1941) that derailed his career at the height of his powers. This collection is of very high quality including stellar performances like "Jealous Hearted Man", "Red River Blues", "Joker Man Blues" with the Georgia Browns (Curley Weaver and Fred McMullen) and "Dough Rolling Papa." Moss briefly revived his recording career in 1941 cutting sides with Sonny Terry and McGhee including the remarkable guitar workout "Joy Rag" plus first rate numbers like "Struggle Buggie" and "I'm Sitting Here Tonight" before the war-time recording ban effectively ended his recording career. Moss briefly returned to the limelight in the 60's achieving some success during the folk blues boom before passing in 1984, a largely forgotten figure.

 With all respect to Buddy Moss, I agree wholeheartedly with Bruce Bastin's quote that "the most remarkable Georgia Bluesman was undoubtedly Blind Willie McTell." Despite some surprising omissions Blind Willie McTell: The Essential more than makes the case for McTell's greatness. Between 1927-1956 McTell hustled his way onto numerous recording sessions for a variety of labels with absolutely no regard for exclusive contracts. In that nearly thirty year span McTell was amazingly consistent laying down some of the blues greatest recordings and displaying his astonishing guitar work, mostly on 12-string, and superb vocals. McTell's repertoire was wide ranging switching between blues, ballads, pop and religious pieces with ease. This collection showcases McTell's versatility featuring all time blues classics like the immortal "Statesboro Blues", "Stomp Down Rider", "Mama 'Tain't Long Fo' Day" and moving religious pieces like "I Got To Cross De River O' Jordan" and "Amazing Grace" both from a 1940 Library of Congress session recorded by Alan Lomax. Other highlights include stellar duets with longtime partner Curley Weaver on "Honey, It Must Be Love" and the stunning "Talkin' To You Mama." A fine set.

 The Memphis Jug Band were one of the greatest, and certainly most popular, of the jug bands to record in the 20's and 30's. The group was formed by Will Shade who employed a revolving cast of Memphis greats such as Will Weldon, Hattie Hart and Memphis Minnie. The band played loose, ragged, good time music drawing from blues, ragtime, vaudeville, folk, and jazz. The group cut some 80 titles between 1927-1934 until the popularity of jug band music waned. Memphis Jug Band: The Essential collects some of their greatest sides including all-time classics like "Cocaine Habit Blues" ("Hey, hey honey take a whiff on me"), "On the Road Again" and "Stealin' Stealin'." There's plenty more including infectious gems like the kazoo driven "Son Brimmers Blues" from their first session, "Whitewash Station Blues", the tough "Meningitis Blues" with Memphis Minnie on vocals and and the lonesome blues of "Beale Street Mess Around." A thoroughly entertaining set.

 Musically the music makes for great listening with good song selection and excellent sound quality. Also these are budget priced meaning cost is about what you would pay for a single disc. The only problem are skimpy liner notes and no discography. Of course if you're reading this you have Internet access and are just a click away from all kinds of blues information. Try All Music Guide which has bio's on almost all these artists plus thorough discographies and Pre-War Blues & Gospel Records which will provide you with the dates. With that in mind newcomers who are interested in any of these artists will find these CD's the perfect place to start their collection.

 Check out our past reviews of country blues:

-Country blues reviews part 1
-Country blues reviews part 2
-Country blues reviews part 3

Related Links

Allegro Records

Document Records

All Music Guide

Pre-War Blues & Gospel Discography