CD-Charts Position 91
Average Rating:

Leadbelly Sings For Children

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: Leadbelly

Release Date March 23, 1999
Not only was Huddie Ledbetter a geat Blues songwriter he was also the King Of The Twelve String Guitar which made him unique among his contemporaries. Anybody who has tried to play a 12 string guitar knws it takes a lot of strength and muscle . This album contains some fine and unforgettable tracks such as 'Good Morning Blues", "Irene Goodnight", "Rock Island Line" and "Midnight Special" which was inspired by his time in Prison. The story behind this song is that if a train's light shone on a Prisoner then he would soon be released. The greatness of this artist can be seen by the many cover versions of his songs which were released by many well known artists such as Johnny Cash and John Fogarty. It is interesting to note just where Huddie got ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 92
Average Rating:

Trouble in Mind: Doc Watson Country Blues Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: Doc Watson

Release Date April 08, 2003
I first fell in love with Doc Watson when I got the 'Songcatcher Two' CD. This I got as a gift for my husband because he loves blues, and I love it too. Doc Watson's voice is one of a kind and his command of so many instruments impressive. If you love blues, this is for you.

CD-Charts Position 93
Average Rating:

Woodstock Album

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: Muddy Waters

Release Date October 24, 1995
After 27 years recording for Chess Records, this April 1975 album was Muddy's last for the label - and I think it's a bit of a forgotten gem.

PAUL BUTTERFIELD provides fabulous bluesy Harmonica throughout, PINETOP PERKINS plays piano (guest vocals also on Kansas City & Caldonia) with both GARTH HUDSON and LEVON HELM of THE BAND throwing in Keyboards/Accordion and Drums/Bass respectively. While it's a straight-up blues album for the most part, Hudson's Accordion playing gives some of the tracks a slightly swing/Cajun feel - and is a genuine surprise and treat for it too. Special mention should also go to Paul Butterfield's harmonica playing, which is fantastic throughout - clearly enthused by the mere proximity of the great man! In fact in ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 94
Average Rating:

Chickasaw County Child: The Artistry of Bobbie Gentry

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: Bobbie Gentry

Release Date April 13, 2004
this amazing and brilliant album convincingly demonstrates the deep talent and stylistic and vocal range of a very underated artist. there is so much more to her than "Ode to Billy Jo". albeit that song is certainly a pop masterpiece.i listened to this record again and again and never grew tired of it.indeed it kept on feeding me with its nutrient rich visuals and poetic mysteries.not only that but it inspired me with alternative perspectives from the rural south so refreshing in this day of corporate farms and pre-packaged lifestyles.it is Faulkererian in its complexity and insight into human nature and its relatinship to the natural world.again i highly reccomend this brilliant album.

CD-Charts Position 95
Average Rating:

Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen - Live in Dallas

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
from: The Blue Shoe Project

Release Date February 12, 2007
If you like traditional, old style blues, you will love "Live in Dallas." Put this in the CD player, shut your eyes and it will transport you back to the good old days when music was meant to be played loudly, in smokey bar rooms with old friends. Buy it. This one won't disappoint.

CD-Charts Position 96
Average Rating:

Dinah Jams

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: Dinah Washington

Release Date June 01, 1990
When you open up the CD and you see the picture of all of those legends playing together in this incredible 1954 session, as a jazz fan it's hard not to be overwhelmed. For let's see... you've not only got the fabulous Miss D, but add into the mix Brownie, Clark Terry & Maynard Ferguson as your trumpet trio, Herb Geller on alto sax with the very underated Harold Land on tenor, Richie Powell & Junior Mance on piano, George Morrow and Keeter Betts on bass, and of course Brownie's right hand man, Max Roach on drums. Now you tell me, as a fan of jazz, what more do you need to be motivated to make this purchase? This is one of the most memorable jam sessions ever in the history of jazz music.

I've listened to this CD over and over and over again. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 97
Average Rating:

A Child's Celebration of Folk Music

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 23, 1996
I too am a "concerned mother who ACTUALLY read the lyrics" (sniff!) and I'm extremely concerned that people who are that offended by such a playful, mild phrase are raising children. Please. Lighten up, or indulge in Barney.

Beautiful, layered work on this cd: a pleasure to listen to, dance to, sing along with. From age 2 to 38 in this house, we're enthralled.

CD-Charts Position 98
Average Rating:

The Best of John Lee Hooker 1965 - 1974

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: John Lee Hooker

Release Date March 24, 1992
This collection of John Lee Hooker's recording from 1965 to 1974 is intended to redeem an otherwise misguided period of his career. Like many other blues musicians, John Lee was rediscovered during the folk revival of the early 60s and hustled into the studio to cash in. Because John Lee was a post-war Delta bluesman, he wasn't solely an acoustic act. His boogie style was well served by an electric guitar and backing musicians.

If you listen to the full releases from this period, there are a lot of missteps and ill-conceived experiments. But John Lee's genius is too brilliant to hide. Some great tracks appear among the gaffes.

This collection was lovingly put together by someone who really knew John Lee's music, especially from this period. This ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 99
Average Rating:

Blues Masters: The Very Best of T-Bone Walker

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: T-Bone Walker

Release Date June 20, 2000
Nice introduction to the work of T-Bone Walker! He was one of the best of the bluesmen. The liner notes from the CD provide nice background to Walker's work. Many heard him live when he was well past his prime, not knowing the full skills of his art.

Even two songs illustrate. . . .

"Bobby Sox Blues" was an early popular song of Walker's. The backing group supports his singing well. He displays a smooth singing voice. The song itself spoofed the teenagers' giddiness over Sinatra and Eckstine.

And then there is his iconic ""Stormy Monday. . . ." This is one of the great blues tunes. Walker's voice serves this song well. The backing instruments have a clean sound and back the singer very nicely. The liner notes say that "If T-Bone had ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 100
Average Rating:

Great Ladies of Jazz

CD-Charts > Music > Traditional Blues
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 16, 1995
Great Ladies of Jazz is a very solid CD that features some really great songs performed by some of the very best female jazz singers ever. The quality of the sound is fantastic; and the artwork is very well done as well.

"It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" is a live track of the great Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady Of Song; and Ella swings this out like the pro she always was! The piano arrangement is stunning and Ella really throws herself into this number. If you listen it's immediately apparent that Ella enjoyed a great rapport with her audience, too--she usually did! Ella was the best of them! Ella returns for "Our Love Is Here To Stay;" I love that horn treatment and the overall musical arrangement works wonders for "Our Love Is Here To Stay." I love it! ... Read More: