Rural Blues - A Study of the Vocal and Instrumental Resources

Compiled and Annotated by Samuel B. Charters

RBF Records – RF 202

Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 1960
Genre: Blues, World, & Country
Style: Country Blues, Delta Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 I Can't Stand It: Will Shade
A2 Shelby County Work House Blues: Hambone Willie Newbern
A3 From Four Until Late: Robert Johnson
A4 You Can Leave, Baby: Furry Lewis
A5 Milk Cow Blues: Kokomo Blues
A6 Roberta Blues: L'il Son Jackson
A7 Thousand Woman Blues: Blind Boy Fuller
A8 If I Get Lucky: Arthur Crudup
A9 Down the Highway: Charlie Pickett
B1 Milk Cow Blues: Kokomo Blues
B2 Take Your Burden to the Lord: Blind Willie Johnson
B3 New Highway 51: Tommy McClennan
B4 Mama T'ain't Long Fo' Day: Blind Willie McTell
B5 Take Your Fingers Off It: Charlie Burse
B6 My Wife Drove Me From My Door: Charley Lincoln
B7 Skin Game Blues: Peg Leg Howell
B8 Goin' Back To Florida: Lightnin' Hopkins
B9 Standing at the Crossroads: Robert Johnson
C1 One Kind Favor: Lightnin' Hopkins
C2 Nobody's Fault But Mine: Blind Willie Johnson
C3 Warm Up: Furry Lewis
C4 Bukka's Jitterbug Swing: Bukka White
C5 Coal Man Blues: Peg Leg Howell
C6 Southern Can Mama: Blind Willie McTell
C7 Airy Man Blues: Papa Charlie Jackson
C8 Little Cow and Calf is Gonna Die Blues: Skip James
C9 New How Long How Long Blues: Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell
D1 Harmonica Stomp: Sonny Terry, Oh Red, and Blind Boy Fuller
D2 Shiney Town Blues: Frank Stokes
D3 Trouble in Mind: Brownie McGhee
D4 Mean Old Frisco: Arthur Crudup
D5 Sporting Life Blues: Brownie McGhee
D6 Solo: Virgil Perkins
D7 Tippin' Round: Charlie Burse
D8 Mama Don't Low It: Ham Gravy and Washboard Sam
D9 Key to the Highway: Moochie Reeves
[Credits]
Producer and Liner Notes: Samuel Charters, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
Taken from unreleased recordings, previous Folkways releases, and early blues recordings, this two-disc set offers an introduction to the vocal styles, ornamentation, and instrumentation of this "highly personal, expressive idiom." Copious liner notes by Samuel B. Charters accompany the musical material.

Blues Roots / Mississippi

Folkways Records – RBF 14

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country Blues, Delta Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 Canned Heat Blues: Tommy Johnson (3:43)
A2 Big Fat Mama Blues: Tommy Johnson (3:18)
A3 Big Road Blues: Tommy Johnson (3:24)
A4 Barbecue Bust: Mississippi Jook Band (2:42)
A5 My Grey Pony: Big Joe Williams (3:12)
A6 Cigaret Blues: Bo Carter (3:22)
A7 All Around Man: Bo Carter (3:03)
B1 I Believe I'll Dust My Broom: Robert Johnson (3:05)
B2 Honeymoon Blues: Robert Johnson (2:24)
B3 That Lonesome Train Took My Baby Away: Charlie McCoy (3:02)
B4 Whiskey Head Man: Tommy McClennan (2:52)
B5 Bertha Lee Blues: Robert Petway (3:00)
B6 Miss Louisa Blues: Sonny Boy Williamson (3:04)
[Credits]
Compiled & Annotated: Samuel Charters, Designer: Ronald Clyne, Photographer: Ann Charters
[Notes]
From the early blues of Son House, Willie Brown, and Charley Patton to the assertive music of the Depression, the Mississippi delta has produced songs and singers with a fierce honesty that has ensured the style's enduring popularity. This selection features a range of songs and extensive liner notes.

Rural Blues: A Study of the Vocal and Instrumental Resources

RBF Records – RF202

Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1960
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Country Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 I Can't Stand It: Will Shade
A2 Shelby County Work House Blues: Hambone Willie Newbern
A3 From Four Until Late: Robert Johnson
A4 You Can Leave, Baby: Furry Lewis
A5 Milk Cow Blues: Kokomo Blues
A6 Roberta Blues: L'il Son Jackson
A7 Thousand Woman Blues: Blind Boy Fuller
A8 If I Get Lucky: Arthur Crudup
A9 Down the Highway: Charlie Pickett
B1 Milk Cow Blues: Kokomo Blues
B2 Take Your Burden to the Lord: Blind Willie Johnson
B3 New Highway 51: Tommy McClennan
B4 Mama T'ain't Long Fo' Day: Blind Willie McTell
B5 Take Your Fingers Off It: Charlie Burse
B6 My Wife Drove Me From My Door: Charley Lincoln
B7 Skin Game Blues: Peg Leg Howell
B8 Goin' Back To Florida: Lightnin' Hopkins
B9 Standing at the Crossroads: Robert Johnson
C1 One Kind Favor: Lightnin' Hopkins
C2 Nobody's Fault But Mine: Blind Willie Johnson
C3 Warm Up: Furry Lewis
C4 Bukka's Jitterbug Swing: Bukka White
C5 Coal Man Blues: Peg Leg Howell
C6 Southern Can Mama: Blind Willie McTell
C7 Airy Man Blues: Papa Charlie Jackson
C8 Little Cow and Calf is Gonna Die Blues: Skip James
C9 New How Long How Long Blues: Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell
D1 Harmonica Stomp: Sonny Terry, Oh Red, and Blind Boy Fuller
D2 Shiney Town Blues: Frank Stokes
D3 Trouble in Mind: Virgil Perkins
D4 Mean Old Frisco: Arthur Crudup
D5 Sporting Life Blues: Brownie McGhee
D6 Solo: Virgil Perkins
D7 Tippin' Round: Charlie Burse
D8 Mama Don't Low It: Ham Gravy and Washboard Sam
D9 Key to the Highway: Moochie Reeves
[Credits]
Producer and Liner Notes: Samuel B. Charters, Designner: Ronald Clyne, Photographer: Ann Charters
[Notes]
Taken from unreleased recordings, previous Folkways releases, and early blues recordings, this two-disc set offers an introduction to the vocal styles, ornamentation, and instrumentation of this "highly personal, expressive idiom." Copious liner notes by Samuel B. Charters accompany the musical material.

The Country Blues: Edited by Samuel B. Charters

RBF Records RF1

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1959
Genre: Blues
Style: Country Blues, Memphis Blues, Delta Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 Matchbox Blues: Blind Lemon Jefferson (2:54)
A2 Careless Love: Lonnie Johnson (2:58)
A3 Walk Right In: Cannon's Jug Stompers (2:57)
A4 Low Down Rounder's Blues: Peg Leg Howell (2:53)
A5 Statesboro Blues: Blind Willie McTell (2:35)
A6 Stealin', Stealin': Memphis Jug Band (3:01)
A7 You Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond: Blind Willie Johnson (3:12)
B1 Alabama Woman Blues: Leroy Carr (2:53)
B2 Special Agent: Sleepy John Estes (2:53)
B3 Key to the Highway: Big Bill Broonzy (3:02)
B4 Fixin' to Die: Bukka White (2:51)
B5 I'm A Guitar King: Tommy McClennan (2:51)
B6 Preachin' Blues: Robert Johnson (2:54)
B7 I Been Treated Wrong: Washboard Sam (3:22)
[Notes]

The Country Blues features a range of styles and a collection of recordings not included in other Folkways compilations. This selection—mostly recorded between 1927 and 1931—includes such gems as a test pressing of Robert Johnson's "Preaching Blues" and local releases from the 1920s.

Delta Blues: Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Skip James, Son House

Roots RL-339

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Remastered
Country: Austria
Released: 1971
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 Ramblin' On My Mind: R.J. (San Antonio, Nov 23, 1936)
A2 Come On In My Kitchen: R.J. (San Antonio, Nov 23, 1936)
A3 Phonograph Blues: R.J. (San Antonio, Nov 23, 1936)
A4 Cross Road Blues: R.J. (San Antonio, Nov 27, 1936)
A5 Little Queen Of Spades: R.J. (San Antonio, Nov 23, 1936)
A6 Drunken Hearted Man: R.J. (Dallas, Jun 20, 1937)
A7 Stop Breakin' Down Blues: R.J. (Dallas, Jun 20, 1937)
A8 Love In Vain: R.J. (Dallas, Jun 20, 1937)
B1 Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues: C.P. (Richmond, Jun 14, 1929)
B2 Four O'Clock Blues: S.J. (Boston, Nov 1964)
B3 Drunken Spree: S.J. (Boston, Nov 1964)
B4 Illinois Blues: S.J. (Boston, Nov 1964)
B5 How Long Blues: S.J. (Boston, Nov 1964)
B6 Sundown: S.H. (Rochester, Sep 23, 1969)
[Credits]
Robert Johnson (vocals/guitar) Charley Patton (vocals/guitar) Skip James (vocals/guitar/piano) Son House (vocals/guitar)
Compiled and Produce: Evelyn Parth, Remastered: Hans Peter Strobl
[Notes]
Discographical Details from Blues and Gospel Records 1902-42 by John Godrich and Robert Dixon (revised edition, Storyville 1969) and from Blues Records 1943-1966 by Mike Leadbitter and Neil Slaven (Hanover Books Ltd).

Robert Johnson : King of the Delta Blues Singers

Columbia CL-1654

Format: Vinyl, LP, Mono, Compilation
Country: United States
Released: 1961
Genre: Blues, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Delta Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 Crossroads Blues (11/27/36) 2:28
A2 Terraplane Blues (11/23/36) 2:58
A3 Come On In My Kitchen (11/23/36) 2:46
A4 Walking Blues (11/27/36) 2:28
A5 Last Fair Deal Gown Down (11/27/36) 2:38
A6 32-20 Blues (11/26/36) 2:50
A7 Kindhearted Woman Blues (11/23/36) 2:50
A8 If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day (11/27/36) 2:34
B1 Preaching Blues (11/27/36) 2:50
B2 When You Got A Good Friend (11/23/36) 2:35
B3 Rambling On My Mind (11/23/36) 2:49
B4 Stones In My Passway (6/19/37) 2:25
B5 Traveling Riverside Blues (6/20/37) 2:43
B6 Milkcow's Calf Blues (11/20/37) 2:14
B7 Me And The Devil Blues (11/20/37) 2:30
B8 Hellhound On My Trail (11/20/37) 2:36
[Credits]
Robert Johnson (guitar/vocals)
Cover Painting: Burt Goldblatt, Producer: Frank Driggs, Remastering: Stanley Weiss
[Notes]
King of the Delta Blues Singers is a compilation album by American blues musician Robert Johnson, released in 1961 on Columbia Records. It is considered one of the greatest and most influential blues releases ever. In 2003, the album was ranked number 27 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Robert Johnson: King of the Delta Blues Singers Vol.II

Columbia 30034

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Mono
Country: United States
Released: 1970
Genre: Blues, World, & Country

Reverse side of the jacket

Style: Delta Blues
[Tracklist]
A1 Kind Hearted Woman Blues (2:27)
A2 I Believe I'll Dust My Broom (2:54)
A3 Sweet Home Chicago (3:00)
A4 Rambling On My Mind (2:50
A5 Phonograph Blues (2:39)
A6 They're Red Hot (2:55)
A7 Dead Shrimp Blues (2:32)
A8 Preachin' Blues (2:45)
B1 I'm A Steady Rollin' Man (2:31)
B2 From Four Till Late (2:20)
B3 Little Queen Of Spades (2:15)
B4 Malted Milk (2:18)
B5 Drunken Hearted Man (2:25)
B6 Stop Breakin' Down Blues (2:20)
B7 Honeymoon Blues (2:14)
B8 Love In Vain (2:25)
[Credits]
Robert Johnson (guitar/vocals)
Cover Art: Daily Planet / Tom Wilson, Typography: Nick Fasciano, Liner Notes: Pete Welding
[Notes]
Cover caption: "Robert Johnson first records in a makeshift studio in a San Antonio hotel room - November, 1936." A wonderful follow-up to the first compilation (King of the Delta Blues Singers) of Robert Johnson's small library of recorded work. This album boasts the first album appearance of "Love in Vain," as well as a number of other blues classics penned by the artist. "Sweet Home Chicago," "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom," "They're Red Hot," and "Malted Milk" are all present (and all covered by a multitude of artists -- the Blues Brothers, Elmore James, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Eric Clapton, respectively). As is generally the practice with Robert Johnson albums, a painting stands in for the cover (there are only two known photographs of the artist in the first place, and every other album released uses one of them). The music is certainly impeccable -- the self-accompanying bassline boogie was one of Johnson's greatest contributions to the blues, and it's displayed in all its beauty here. To top this, there's the beauty of his melodic work, and the interplay with his semi-gruff voice that help to make his songs memorable. He is the true legend of the blues, and anyone with even the slightest curiosity in that genre or rock needs to own both this album and its predecessor, or else the box set released in 1990 that covers both of them. (AllMusic Review by Adam Greenberg)