Various Artists – Son House And The Great Delta Blues Singers (1928-1930) – Document Records DOCD-5002 

If you are a frequent reader of the Curt’s Blues blog’s (and if you are, a sincere “thank you” is sent your way), or if you are new to the blog (and if you are, a hearty “welcome” is offered to you), you are aware that I do not list individual song titles in my reviews, nor do I also indicate individual artists along with their respective contributions when compilations are examined.

But in the case of a blues anthology that contains such a vast wealth of blues history and significance as this one, it becomes imperative that each blues artist and their individual contribution be acknowledged and celebrated.

Specifically, blues artists and song titles:  

 Son House

• My Black Mama – Parts I & II
• Preachin’ The Blues – Parts I & II
• Dry Spell Blues – Parts I & II
• Walkin’ Blues

Willie Brown

• M & O Blues
• Future Blues

Kid Bailey

• Mississippi Bottom Blues
• Rowdy Blues

Garfield Akers

• Cottonfield Blues – Parts I & II
• Dough Roller Blues
• Jumpin’ And Shoutin’ Blues

Joe Calicott

• Fare Thee Well Blues
• Traveling Mama Blues

Jim Thompkins

• Bedside Blues

Blind Joe Reynolds

• Outside Woman Blues
• Nehi Blues
• Married Man Blues
• Third Street Woman Blues

Rube Lacy

• Mississippi Jail House Groan
• Ham Hound Crave

While this awe-inspiring compilation includes the indispensable 1930 Son House sides, it is also essential due to its offerings by haunting Delta blues influences Willie Brown, Kid Bailey, Garfield Akers, Joe Calicott, Jim Thompkins, Blind Joe Reynolds, and Rube lacy.  In this reviewer’s estimation, this collection is absolutely the finest Delta blues primer available.  It is collectively primeval, grueling, unvarnished blues truth.  Each blues offered is at the summit of pre-war Delta blues, and worthy of any true blues fan’s undivided attention.

As with some pre-war compilations, sound quality, at times, is challenging, but the historic nature of this astounding anthology renders that marginal inconvenience arguable. 

This collection is readily available, and if your blues library does not have a copy, now’s the time to turn that shortcoming into a virtue; pick this one up now! 

Without any hesitancy, this is essential blues work!