No comments about Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1957-1960,Vol. 4.

2 comments about Negro Prison Blues and Songs.

1. I wish anybody had mentioned this about this album before I bought it, so I'm telling you: this edition has been post-processed with a reverb that surely wasn't there when Lomax recorded it. Sometimes it's not especially intrusive, but sometimes it's aggressively metallic and artifical. Serves me right for trying to cheap out, and failing to listen to the clips. If this bugs you as it does me, do yourself what I'm going to do next time, buy the Rounder edition of "Prison Songs (Historical Recordings From Parchman Farm 1947-48)".



2. This is an excellent recording with almost no context. The liner notes (all of two paragraphs) don't say anything about when the songs were recorded of how Lomax got access to the prisoners. The sound is excellent.

No comments about House Rockin' and Blues Shoutin'!.

No comments about Retro Jump.

No comments about Swing Is the Thing.

No comments about Best of Blues.

No comments about Chicago Blues Masters, Vol. 3.

1 comments about Blues Masters, Vol. 10: Blues Roots.

1. We're all pretty sure we knew where the blues came from - the delta, right? The streets of Chicago? But the songs here prove that the blues is the people's music, invented and crafted by working folks. At first my interest was historical, but these songs are so close to the emotional bone that they slip under the skin and stay there. "Russia Let That Moon Alone", for example, is hilarious on first listen, prophestic afterwards. ("Time done change" she sings over and over, until you friggin' believe it!) Or One String, a homeless man who uses a tin can and a one string guitar, but is harsh and melodic at the same time. This is my favorite Blue Masters album, and I own them all. Buy for the education - stay for the fun!

No comments about Dirty Blues, Vol. 3.

No comments about The Art of the Motorcycle: Songs of the Open Road.