Track Listing

1. My Black Mama, Pt. 1
2. My Black Mama, Pt. 2
3. Preachin' the Blues, Pt. 1
4. Preachin' the Blues, Pt. 2
5. Dry Spell Blues, Pt. 1
6. Dry Spell Blues, Pt. 2
7. Levee Camp Blues
8. Government Fleet Blues
9. Walking Blues
10. Shetland Pony Blues
11. Camp Hollers
12. Delta Blues
13. Special Rider Blues [Take]
14. Low Down Dirty Dog Blues
15. Depot Blues
16. American Defense
17. Am I Right or Wrong?
18. Walking Blues
19. Country Farm Blues
20. Jinx Blues, Pt. 1
21. Jinx Blues, Pt. 2

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89016 in Music
• Released on: 2004-04-12
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Son The Father (and Holy Spirit) Of Delta Blues

No mistake about it, this is a solid 5 stars.

And, in my opinion, the first 6 tracks earn this CD those 5 stars on their own, regardless of the quality of the rest of the album.

This sequence of tracks is from 1930, Son's first recording session, and is, quite simply, the most exquisite blues cry I have EVER heard.

I don't generally like using superlatives when it comes to the blues - the best thing about the genre is that it has provided such a good platform for so many individuals to explore their own music (and souls) from, each making a unique contribution. But, in the case of this music, THIS music, I'm prepared to stick my neck out.

Son House may not be the guitar virtuoso that Robert Johnson is (although he's no slouch), but he has a much better voice and, to me, this results in a more richly emotional experience. I feel as if my 10 year acquaintance with RJ (and others) has led me, inevitably and inexorably, towards a place from where I might gaze upon the peerless majesty of the great Son God Himself, having established the appropriate neural connections in my brain, so that I be capable of properly seeing what I am looking at!

Well, Robert (and you, Muddy), I see! I SEE! I really do!

Most of the rest of the album is also sublime, with numerous, flawless, gems (Walking Blues, Shetland Pony Blues, Depot Blues, Am I Right Or Wrong, The Jinx Blues). And don't mind the sound quality - to me, it simply acts as a constant reminder of what a fragile and precious thing we possess in this body of work.

Please believe me when I say that, anyone who already loves Robert Johnson's music, but has yet to discover that of Son House, and who buys this CD as their first introduction to the man, is in for one of the most riveting and pleasurable listening experiences in their lives as soon as they press 'Play' for the first time! I only wish I could relive that moment over and over again! As it was, I played it endlessly for over 8 hours on the first listening, and only got about 3 hours sleep that night!

poor sound
selection is good, but the sound quality is worse than an old tape I copied from a friend when I was a kid, some 15 years ago!

Vital, painful, essential
Son House was rediscovered in 1964, having vanished from the musical landscape in 1942, after the deaths of friends like Robert Johnson and Charley Patton. Torn between his Baptist upbringing and the blues, fear of God won out.

Son House was the true founder of the Delta Blues and Robert Johnson's mentor. Why he remains largely unsung despite (or probably because of) his 60s revival is a mystery. Unlike the post rediscovery recordings these songs come from 3 sessions in 1930, 1941 and 1942.

The 6 tracks from 1930, in particular, is stark and otherworldly. Feel the power of the Devil on one shoulder and God on the other. Essential.