CD-Charts Position 111
Average Rating:

For Your Pleasure

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Walter Beasley

Release Date August 18, 1998
This CD does have some good tunes, but I won't say Beasley's performance in this album is worth saying "10 thumbs up!" I haven't heard his other albums, but I found his play is some what bland. Personally I prefer a bit more playfulness in a musician, so the melody is not the only thing that could move you. $0.02

CD-Charts Position 112
Average Rating:

Hard Time Killing Floor Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Skip James

Release Date July 15, 2003
His voice is out of this world and the songs sublime. This music sticks with you

CD-Charts Position 113
Average Rating:

Blues Singer

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Buddy Guy

Release Date June 03, 2003
First of all, let it be said that Buddy Guy is an electric Blues guitarist, and not a pre-War "Country Blues" artist. His guitar playing on the Skip James track really shows that Buddy was simply clowning around at these sessions and is also very limited on an acoustic guitar. The subtleties and nuances that Skip James provided us with in the song, on both the 1931 recording and on later versions, is totally missing from the Buddy Guy version. Johnny Shines, who is one of the greatest Bluesmen of the second half of the 20th century, has a song on this album that is covered by Buddy Guy, according to the liner notes from this album. The only problem is that the Buddy Guy track doesn't resemble the Shines version in any way. The music and lyrics are ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 114
Average Rating:

Acoustic Stories

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: R. L. Burnside

Release Date September 23, 1997
This is my favorite acoustic R.L. Burnside CD. The songs are done in the tradition of Son House and Robert Johnson. The tempo is slow and thoughtful utilizing a single note style with a rhythmic counterpart.

This CD will appeal to those who enjoy the music of Son House, Robert Johnson, Robert Nighthawk, Elmore James and Lightnin' Hopkins. Other Burnside acoustic CD's that are equivalent to this CD are "Mississippi Blues" (French Import)(5 STARS) and "My Black Name A Ringin"(4.5 STARS)

CD-Charts Position 115
Average Rating:

Mississippi Fred McDowell

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Mississippi Fred McDowell

Release Date September 05, 1995
I love old Delta blues, but sometimes the poor sound quality of the early recordings puts me off. I just want to hear good music, not go on some sort of anthropological expedition, you know what I mean? This set of recordings, like the other reviewers say, was done with more modern equipment in the early 1960s, not the '30s or '40s. And, although they were made in Fred's house, and were certainly mono, the quality is pleasantly high, especially the guitar. They remind of the "house" recordings of blues mandolinist Yank Rachell: clear with a real sense of immediacy.

This disk is relatively inexpensive, and more than worth the money. If you enjoy Delta blues, soulful singing, and slide guitar, just buy it and enjoy.

CD-Charts Position 116
Average Rating:

King of the Delta Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Robert Johnson

Release Date October 07, 1997
A reviewer below has made a mistake, or his review was misfiled: This compilation is not to be confused with "King of the Delta Blues SINGERS." THAT is the compilation which contains the alternate take of "Traveling Riverside Blues." It and its companion, "King of the Delta Blues Singers, Volume 2" also have much better mastering than any other Robert Johnson collections that I am aware of. Unfortunately, between them, ten alternate takes have yet to be upgraded from either mastering of the "Complete" collection.

I have not heard "King of the Delta Blues"--I am basing this information on the song sample Amazon has provided. But given the song lineup, this is a confusingly unnecessary product.

CD-Charts Position 117
Average Rating:

The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Sonny Boy Williamson II

Release Date June 08, 1993
I saw recently where Elvis Costello had this, or some other SBW collection, in his current Top Ten play list. That got me thinking.

Handyman owns a fairly deep collection of wide ranging, well-worn and warped blues LPs.
My most heavily traveled avenue of interest being the post-war 1950's Chicago blues scene.

I have a few vinyl volumes of SBW Chess material. Those recordings are desert island blues picks for me.

Sonny Boy Williamson's take on the blues has a particular funky edge, a particular off-beat that I cannot describe in musical terminology, but which I have always found distinctive and attractive.

The goldmines of the frontliners; Muddy Waters, Howlin'Wolf, Elmore James,John Lee Hooker, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 118
Average Rating:

I Do Not Play No Rock 'N' Roll: The Complete Sessions

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Mississippi Fred McDowell

Release Date May 02, 2006
Although it can't be counted as among the classic ones this CD gives glimpse of what and who McDowell is.

CD-Charts Position 119
Average Rating:

All Night Long

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: Junior Kimbrough

Release Date September 23, 1997
I first heard about Junior Kimbrough through the music of the Black Keys. Their cover of Everywhere I Go was so amazing, that I had to hear more of their influences and where they were coming from. When I was down in Mississippi at a blues festival, I managed to get this at a record store.

Junior Kimbrough is one of the most unique and original blues musicians ever. His style cannot be touched. The closest it comes to is John Lee Hooker, but even Hooker didn't come out with something so hypnotic and intense as this. Junior plays guitar in a natural, unpolished way. He doesn't play anything complicated, but in a way, it is complicated. The bass and drums rumble along with the hypnotic riffs that Junior pulls out, and the short guitar solos are just icing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 120
Average Rating:

Mississippi Delta Bluesman

CD-Charts > Music > Delta Blues
by: David "Honeyboy" Edwards

Release Date January 23, 2001
This dynamite CD is actually a reissue of the vinyl LP put out in 1979 by Folkways in NYC. I brought HoneyBoy Edwards to New York several times in the 1970s. Verna Gillis of Soundscape picked him up & waxed this solo session for Folkways (Moe Asch). The virtue of a simple, clean "back porch" recording came from her no-frills production: She put HoneyBoy in front of a couple of good mikes and this is the result! The late Bob Palmer wrote the notes. The original cover was a photo taken by "yours truly" of HoneyBoy playing at the "Foghat Tribute to the Blues" concert, but this reissue has replaced it with new "art." Judging from the samples, the sound transfer is fine! This is the FIRST HoneyBoy set to buy. Then find his 1940s session, '50s singles and the LP on Wolf (Austria) ... Read More: