St. Louis Jimmy Oden – Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 1932–1944 – Document Records DOCD-5234

This generous 25-cut Document Records release includes one of the most heralded and quite rare blues tunes (if one thinks of the enormity of the genre’s offerings) that have sustained a peak position of recognition and importance, “Goin’ Down Slow.”  St. Louis Jimmy Oden, a blues vocalist and piano artist who began his recording career quite early in the 1930s, like so many blues musicians of immense talent, continues to somewhat toil in the realm of anonymity outside of the most rabid of blues historians.

Here we find the earliest of Oden’s recordings, cut between September 22^nd, 1932 and December 14^th, 1944 for a variety of labels including Champion, Varsity, Decca, Bluebird, with an unissued OKeh side also part of the mix.  What is highly interesting across the expanse of these superb tunes is that Oden is not found on the piano except for one selection, “Patrol Wagon Blues,”; rather, his early blues collaborator Roosevelt Sykes provides the piano energies while Oden sings.

There are various other blues associates lending support and texture to these pleasing sides who provide enjoyable violin, double bass, clarinet, guitar, and washtub bass resonances.  Names such as the aforementioned Sykes, Big Bill Broonzy, Alfred Elkins, Armand “Jump” Jackson, and Charly Jordan, among others, frame Oden’s vocals in their best light.     

The sound on this vital reissue is very good, and the whole of the collection serves as an ideal introduction to Oden’s broad blues expertise and appeal.

Essential, indeed, to any serious blues collection!