Search - Son House :: Son House & the Great Delta Blues Singers

A direct link with Africa

nadav haber | jerusalem Israel | 07/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After listening to these remarkable performances for the first time, you will never be the same. These recordings have been an essential part of my life for almost 20 years, never loosing an inch of their initial impact on my soul. Son House's songs here overshadow any of his "rediscovery" albums. His totally African approach to rythem and voice are blended with Mississippi mud and oppression to create amazing and original performances. Garfield Akers is a huge surprise. His style is even more raw than House's. It is an incredible shame that he only recorded two songs. You play this in African villages and they will try to recognize which tribe is the singer from. Willie Brown may be the "poor Willie Brown" from Robert Johnson's "Crossroad". His two and only songs presented here are to me the most perfect Delta Blues ever recorded. You will enjoy him telling you how the woman he wanted to kill lay across her bed and "looked so ambitious" so he took back everything he said. Kid Baily and Rube Lacy are another two splendid delta bluesman with an African style. The rest are great but to me not AS great as the ones mentioned above. This is the chore of real blues."

A collection with the roots of the great american music

Jostein Berntsen | Porsgrunn, Norway | 04/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Son House is certainly the king here. But all the other performers here were also top-notch delta blues performers of the 20's-40's. Son House is leading of this collection with his classic Grafton, Wisconsin 1930 recordings. Incredibly powerful, magic and enduring music that set the stage for things to come. That voice is just stupendous! His slide guitar is a killer too. Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters were avid followers of this man and incorporated some of Mr. House's songs, and way of playing in their music. The first 6 songs is from 3 officially released 78's in 1930. 'Walking blues' was a test recording, that ironically was not recorded for official release, though being one of Son House's theme songs. A great song anyway, and you can hear the inspiration that influenced a lot of blues artists up to this day. Another seminal figure here is Willie Brown. He used to travel around with Charley Patton and Son House in the delta, being a superb accompanist and guitar player. His two only recordings are masterpieces of the genre, powerful and classic stuff with strong lyrics. The other performers on this CD collection are all great performers in their own right. Blind Joe Reynolds was a more engimatic figure of whom little details are known, but his songs are great with fine guitar playing. Ruby Lacy was an influence on Son House and his two songs here are typical of classic delta blues. He became a Reverend some years later. You won't find much better blues than this anywhere."

The Greatest

Caesar | college | 10/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In my opinion, Son House was the greatest of the Mississippi Delta bluesmen, whether you are listening to his astounding Library of Congress tracks from the 1940s, his historic studio album with Columbia in 1965, or his frightening live performances during the blues revival. The songs on this collection, however, are from his first and only session for Paramount way back in 1930--there are seven tracks in all.Son House's playing was phenomenal. He was ferocious on the slide guitar and his growling and moaning vocals can--and will--make your skin crawl. "My Black Mama" (which was later reworked into his most famous song, "Death Letter Blues"), is Son at his best. "Preachin' the Blues", unfortunately, doesn't exist in a highly listenable format (the only known copy is a damaged 78) and is clouded by white noise, but much of it has been digitally cleaned. This is such a powerful song--and one of Son's signature tunes--that it has wisely been included on this collection.Document has also included songs from Son House's contemporaries, namely Willie Brown, Rube Lacy, Kid Baily, Garfield Akers, and Blind Joe Reynolds. While shadowed by the geniuses of Son House, Skip James, Tommy Johnson, and Charley Patton, these 'lesser' artists should not be overlooked. Each had his own style and the tracks included here are great. Standouts include Willie Brown's "Future Blues", Garfield Akers' "Cottonfield Blues", and Rube Lacy's "Mississippi Jailhouse Groan".This collection is valuable to any fan of the Delta blues--those who are fans of the great Robert Johnson (who isn't?) will learn that he found much of his inspiration in these recordings. While Johnson has surpassed House in fame and recognition, it's arguable that he held the highest talent. Only Son House can make your hair stand on end with his wrenching weeps and groans."