Before The Blues – The Early American Black Music Scene, Vol. 2 (Mr FofR)

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Sep 6 2005

Title: Before The Blues: The Early American Black Music Scene, Vol. 2
Artist: Various
Style: “Given that the history of recorded blues corresponds roughly with that of the record industry, the compilers of the three-part Before the Blues series may as well be digging around in the Garden of Eden for old records. The digitized scratches on many of the 69 songs included say one thing about this music: it’s old! And wondrous. We tend to attribute babe-in-the-woods innocence to music recorded under the shortening shadow of the 19th century, when William Howard Taft was still waddling about and automobiles and airplanes were novel. But these songs provide evidence that bloodshed, substance abuse (mostly drinkin’ and cokin’), and complex human emotions were hardly taboo subjects for rural America’s musical pioneers. Volume 2 of the Yazoo triad of CDs is highlighted by selections from a few august bluesmen (Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Patton) and a bunch of long-forgotten black entertainers (Geeshie Wiley, Golden P. Harris). In tandem, they provide a window upon a time when recorded music was just finding its footing” — Steven Stolder
Review: Amazon | Yazoo Records | AMG
My Rating: 8/10

“A fascinating and highly entertaining exploration f the early roots of black music in America. This pioneering project depicts the rich American musical scene that existed throughout the 1800s with classic performances of ragtime, old modal songs, breakdowns, ballads, religious music and more. Featured here are great performances by many of the most legendary names in American music history, and this project follows the evolution of blues from its early modal precursors and early fundamentalist religious music. Extensive notes and photos communicate and exciting sense of discover, and outstanding remastered sound quality brings these rare old recordings to life.” — Yazoo Records Blurb

Tracklist:
1. Dallas Rag — Dallas String Band
2. How Long — Frank Stokes
3. Skin Game Blues — Peg Leg Howell
4. K.C. Moan — Memphis Jug Band
5. Just A Spoonful — Charley Jordan
6. Doggone My Good Luck Soul — Hattie Hudson
7. There’s A Brown Skin Girl Down The Road Somewhere — Eck Robertson
8. You’re Going To Leave The Old Home Jim! — Lulu Jackson
9. Deep Blue Sea Blues — Tommy McClennan
10. Cold Morning Shout — South Street Trio
11. Been Listening All The Day — Blind Joe Taggart
12. Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues — Charlie Patton
13. I’ll Lead A Christian Life — Golden P. Harris
14. The Old Folks Started It — Minnie Wallace
15. Vine Street Drag — Tennessee Chocolate Drops
16. It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine — Blind Willie Johnson
17. Last Kind Word Blues — Geeshie Wiley
18. Guitar Stomp — Roland & Scott
19. Jack O’Diamond Blues — Blind Lemon Jefferson
20. Reuben Oh Reuben — Emry Arthur