A Roundup Of New & Noteworthy Blues Reissues

 As we do on a semi-regular basis it's time to take a look at some fine new reissues that have been stacking up here at Bad Dog Blues. This time around we take a look at one of Canned Heat's best late period records, an Otis Spann collection and three collections of field recordings including the very first recordings by R.L. Burnside.

 With the death of founding member Alan Wilson in 1970 Canned Heat seemed to have lost their heart and soul. The band has stuck around in various incarnations (including a 2003 release) putting out solid but not overly exciting records. 1988's "Reheated" is one of their more inspired later dates featuring original members drummer Fito de la Parra and bassist Larry Taylor plus stellar guitar work from Junior Watson and James Thornbury. Includes fine numbers like a reworking of "Bullfrog Blues" first cut on their 67' debut, "I Love to Rock and Roll", "Mercury Blues" and the jumping "Nit Wit."

 The finest Post-War Chicago pianist, Otis Spann manned the piano chair in Muddy Waters' band for nearly two decades and left behind a legacy of exceptional albums under his own name. "I Wanna Go Home" is part of Hightone's Heritage of the Blues series celebrating 2003 as the year of the blues. This collection draws on two Testament dates from the mid-60's emphasizing the group recordings featuring Johnny Young, James Cotton, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters. Not among Spann's best but features worthwhile cuts like a low-down "Tin Pan Alley", dueting with Muddy on a gospel-tinged "I Wanna Go Home" and "One Room Country Shack."

 "Angola Prison Spirituals" is a moving collection of religious music recorded by noted folklorist Harry Oster at the notorious Angola Penitentiary in the late 50's. The first 13 cuts come LP of the same name first issued on the Folk-Lyric label plus nine more tracks, two from Robert Pete Williams albums cut for Arhoolie and seven more that have never been issued before, all recorded by Oster. The recordings by Robert Pete Williams, Robert "Guitar" Welch and the duo of Andy Mosley (washboard) and "Hogman" Maxey (guitar) have close affinities to country blues. Williams, who cut numerous blues albums, is a stand out on moving, intense numbers like "Dyin' Soul" and the topical "So Much Is Happenin' In The News." The album's centerpiece is the stunning "Rise And Fly" by the Angola Vocal group. This mournful eight minute "rap" is a litany of the harsh realities of prison life recited by a lead singer as the group moans with sympathy in the background. This is as moving, passionate and powerful a record as you're ever likely to hear.

 If the above record deals with the harsh realities of prison life, "Blues In The Mississippi Night" deals with the everyday injustices blacks lived with day in and day out not so long ago. The stories here are not told by unknown convicts but by three of the greatest bluesman of all time: Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim, and Sonny Boy Williamson. The day following a concert at New York's Town Hall in 1947, Alan Lomax took them to Decca Studios, asked them to play a few songs and to discuss the blues. Lomax encouraged them to speak candidly about racism and that's exactly what they did. They talked about their personal encounters with racism, lynch mobs, prison and how the blues acted as a safe way to release the anger and resentment they felt. The bulk of the recordings are conversation with a few actual songs including Memphis Slim's philosophical "Life Is Like That" and the previously unreleased "Black, Brown, and White Blues" by Broonzy.

 While R.L. Burnside is acclaimed as a Mississippi blues master he was no overnight sensation. Burnside didn't make his recording debut until he was over 40 and up until the mid-'80s was primarily a farmer and fisherman. "First Recordings" takes us back to 1967-68 when George Mitchell was looking to make some blues field recordings. It was Othar Turner who pointed him to Burnside when he said "if you want a man who can flat lay down the blues, I know who that be." Burnside does just that on this superb solo set of earthy, rhythmic Mississippi blues. Songs like "Goin' Down South", "Jumper on the Line" and "Poor Black Mattie" are timeless and still form the core of Burnside's repertoire.

 There's no shortage of reissues coming out and this being the year of the blues we should see an increase in the next few months especially as public radio/TV gear up for the airing of a number of highly anticipated blues programs. Stayed tuned in the future as we take a look at more reissues.

(Jeff Harris)