Description

“Wyman, it turns out, has great taste. There are plenty of superb performances from the likes of Bessie Smith, Charlie Patton, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, BB King – the cream of the crop.

All the cuts are in good, remastered sound, clear but with a minimum of hiss, and the extensive notes are written with an eye to the memorable anecdote and the connection between this music and the rock ‘n’ roll that might be more familiar to many listeners. There’s no denying that what is here is some of the greatest American music ever scratched into wax, and this set makes a fine introduction to a proud heritage. “

– Will Meyerhofer (Barnes & Noble)

The CD insert is signed by Bill  

Tracklisting:

Disc 1

1. Goin’ Crazy With The Blues – Mamie Smith
2. Lock & Key – Bessie Smith
3. All I Want Is A Spoonful – ‘Papa’ Charlie Jackson
4. Black Snake Moan – Blind Lemon Jefferson
5. Church Bells Blues – Luke Jordan
6. Southern Rag – Blind Blake
7. What’s The Matter Blues – Frank Stokes
8. Stack O’Lee Blues – Mississippi John Hurt
9. Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie – Pinetop Smith
10. Indiana Avenue Stomp – Montana Taylor
11. The Duck Yas-Yas-Yas – Tampa Red & Georgia Tom
12. Shake It & Break It (But Don’t Let It Fall Mama) – Charley Patton
13. Come On Mama, Do That Dance – Frankie ‘Half-Pint’ Jaxon
14. Blue Goose Blues – Jesse ‘Babyface’ Thomas
15. The Dirty Dozen – Speckled Red
16. South Carolina Rag – Blind Willie Walker
17. Pussy Cat Blues – Bo Carter
18. Searching The Desert For The Blues – Blind Willie McTell
19. Cows, See That Train Comin’ – Joe Pullum
20. West Dallas Drag – Rob Cooper
21. Rambling With That Woman – Bumble Bee Slim
22. W.P.A. Blues – Casey Bill Weldon
23. Honky Tonk Train Blues – Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis

Disc 2

1.  Terraplane Blues – Robert Johnson
2.  Ice Pick Mama – Walter ‘Cowboy’ Washington
3. Gamblin’ Jinx Blues – Black Boy Shine
4. Peetie Wheatstraw Stomp – Peetie Wheatstraw
5. Good Boy – Big Bill Bronzy
6. Alley Boogie – Georgia White
7. Meat Shakin’ Woman – Blind Boy Fuller
8. Railroad Blues – ‘Cow Cow’ Davenport
9. Special Agent (Railroad Police Blues) – Sleepy John Estes
10. Roll ‘Em Pete – Joe Turner
11. Jersey Belle Blues – Lonnie Johnson
12. Brown Skin Girl – Tommy McClennan
13. Beer Drinking Woman – Memphis Slim
14. Me & My Chauffeur Blues – Memphis Minnie
15. Baby, Please Don’t Go – ‘Big’ Joe Williams
16. Dive Bomber – Pete Johnson
17. Carolina Blues – Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
18. Kid Man Blues – Big Maceo
19. Boogie Chillen’ – John Lee Hooker
20. You’re Gonna Miss Me (When I’m Dead & Gone) – Muddy Waters
21. Rockin’ & Rollin’ – ”Lil’ Son’ Jackson
22. 3 O’Clock Blues – B B King
23. Dust My Broom – Elmore James

Released 2001