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The
Bluesville Story
From 1949 through
1971, Prestige Records, owned and run by Bob Weinstock, was among the
most famous and successful of the independent jazz labels. Perhaps only
Blue Note, which had its reign during roughly the same period, provided
Prestige with significant competition. By the late 50's the company was
looking to branch out and new categories were created within the
Prestige catalog. There was the Folklore series, there was Moodsville,
Swingsville and then there was Bluesville.
The
birth of Bluesville came at a time when when a young white audience
turned their attention away from folk music to acoustic blues. An
important factor was the release in 1959 of Samuel Charter's ground
breaking book The Country Blues. In 1961 Charter's hooked up with
the label and played a important role getting talent for the label and did
much of the producing.
In addition to Charters there were a number of others whose
dedication helped the label grow including Mack McCormick of Houston who
provided a slew of Lightnin' Hopkins records. In all Hopkins recorded 11
LP's for the label. Bluesville's roster grew quickly including
artists such as Reverend Gary Davis, Sonny Terry & Brownie
McGhee, Roosevelt Sykes, Big Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon and Memphis
Slim among numerous others. A number of older artists such as Tampa Red
and particularly Lonnie Johnson found a new home at Bluesville in which
to revitalize their careers. In addition the label also caught some
important artists on record for the first time including Pink Anderson
(except for two sides cut in the 20's), Baby Tate, Memphis Willie B.,
Wade Walton and Doug Quattlebaum to name a few.
The Bluesville label tended to take a mainly folkloric
approach to blues recording primarily acoustic artists. In line with
this the label also cut records by folk singers such as Tracy Nelson, Dave
Van Ronk, Geoff Muldaur and Tom Rush among others. There were some
notable exceptions including LP's by urban artists such as Otis Spann, Billy Boy Arnold and
Homesick James.
The Bluesville series produced
many releases in a short amount of time. Lightnin' Hopkins was the
label's best selling artists but many of the lesser known artists sold
only a couple of hundred copies. Because of this many of these original
records are extremely rare and go for high fees on the collectables
market. Luckily Fantasy records now owns the Prestige catalog and has
been reissuing many treasures from the vaults.
Samuel Charters
was quoted as saying that the "Prestige/Bluesville
catalog was one of the last great sweeps of the blues as social document
and as the years pass this becomes increasingly meaningful as a measure of Bluesville's
achievement."
Listening to The Bluesville Years (an ongoing reissue series now
at 12 volumes) make these words resonate all the more strongly. The
recordings on the Bluesville label provide a vivid and entertaining
snapshot of the mid-'60s blues scene.
Essential Listening
The Bluesville Years Vols. 1-12:
This series of compilations as been uniformly
excellent from the start. All are well chosen with
great sound and detailed liner notes by none other than Samuel Charters
himself. The compilations are generally formed around themes such as In
the Key of Blues focusing on piano blues and Feeling Down on the
Southside focusing on Chicago blues.
Below is a short list of single artist titles
meriting attention (many other great Bluesville records have yet to be
reissued):
Lightnin Hopkins:
Complete Prestige/Bluesville Recordings: This
is a seven-CD box set that repackages all 11 LPs that Lightnin' Hopkins
recorded for Bluesville during the first half of the 1960s.
Sunnyland Slim:
Slim's Shout: Stellar
1960 outing from this great Chicago pianist. Adding to the fun is great
tenor sax by King Curtis.
Homesick James:
Blues on the Southside: Cut
in 1964 this is probably the best record he's laid down. Great
bottleneck guitar in the Elmore James style.
Otis Spann:
The Blues never Die!: One
of Spann's best records cut in 1964 featuring great harmonica and vocals
from James Cotton. Backed by Muddy Waters and his band.
Billy Boy Arnold:
More Blues on the Southside: Tough
set of Chicago blues featuring Arnold's strong harp playing. Mighty Joe
Young helps out on guitar.
Lonnie Johnson: Blues & Ballads: Lonnie
Johnson teamed up with acoustic rhythm guitarist Elmer Snowden (who had
not recorded since 1934). Excellent set
of smooth blues.
JimmyWitherspoon:
Evenin' Blues: One of his best
for the label featuring T-Bone Walker on guitar.
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee:
At the 2nd Fret: Great live set from the early
60's.
Rev. Gary
Davis: Harlem Street Singer:
Impassioned set of 12 religious numbers cut in 1960.
Roosevelt
Sykes: Honeydripper:
A fine set from 1961 from this always worthwhile pianist.
Little Brother Montgomery:
Tasty Blues: Superb 1960 date
from this legendary pianist. His first date as a
leader since his classic 1930's sides.
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