Down Home Blues Classics: Texas 1946-1954

Various
Down Home Blues Classics: Texas 1946-1954
Boulevard Vintage

A four CD European Public Domain reissue of Texas down home blues has just been re-released after being unavailable for several years. This is one of a series of reissues that makes available some terrific 'country' blues from the years following the end of World War II. Including a booklet from blues scholar Neil Slavin, the first disc is devoted to 25 of the finest early recordings of Lightnin' Hopkins including classics like "Katie Mae," "Short haired Woman," "Let Me Play With Your Poodle," "Tim Moore's Farm," and "One Kind Favor." The other three discs include selections from Frankie Lee Sims, Mercy Dee, Lil' Son Jackson, Clarence Garlow, Texas Alexander, Smokey Hogg and many others. I note that the fabulous 4 disc set devoted to early Chicago postwar blues is also available.

I purchased this CD. This is one of a number of short reviews I have written for the 2015 Holiday Gift Guide edition of Jazz & Blues Report. Here is a performance by Smokey Hogg of "Worried Blues," to give a sample of what is on this compilation.