Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup – Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order 1941-1956 Vol. 2 – 6 September 1946 To 11 March 1949 – Document Records DOCD-5202

This 22-cut collection of Crudup’s blues from the leader in chronicling early blues, Document Records, presents a fascinating glimpse into the bluesman whose sound certainly wasn’t like anyone else’s, what with his somewhat elementary guitar style, yet someone whose influence was so profound as someone no less than Elvis Presley counted Crudup’s “That’s All Right” as the framework for his colossal rockabilly smash “That’s All Right Mama,” along with Crudup’s “My Baby Left Me’ and “So Glad You’re Mine,” two other Crudup compositions that helped vault Presley into the American musical conciseness.  All three of these Crudup tunes were initially made for the RCA Victor label, an imprint he stayed with until 1954.  In many ways it can be strongly argued that Crudup was one of the architects of rock-n-roll. 

The Crudup sides here were all cut in Chicago, Illinois with Crudup on guitar and vocals, Ranson Knowling on bass, and Judge Riley on drums.  By this time, Crudup was employing the electric guitar exclusively, singing in a highly expressive “just below shouting” piercing style; there seems be an element of gospel fervency to his delivery, one that could be reasonably argued for given his early church and gospel group involvements.

Crudup’s tunings confound this reviewer; I just can’t easily discern them, but he implements them to great, albeit rudimentary effect.  Their ringing quality gnashes and claws, and it ideally partners with his singing style.

In addition to the impact Crudup’s music had on Presley, artists such as Slade, Elton John, and Rod Stewart have all taken certain of his music and recorded it.

That thin line between the blues and rock-n-roll was one that Crudup walked to matchless effect, and due to his broad influence and overall sonic framework, arguing that Crudup’s body of work is an enduring and important piece of the wider blues understanding is exceedingly reasonable.

Therefore, this is a highly essential blues document, and one you should hold in your collection!