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Son House - The Original Delta Blues (1965)

Track listing:
  1. Death Letter 4:22
  2. Pearline 4:34
  3. Louise McGee 6:14
  4. John The Revelator 2:32
  5. Empire State Express 3:41
  6. Preachin' Blues 5:46
  7. Grinnin' In Your Face 2:08
  8. Sundown 6:14
  9. Levee Camp Moan 9:31
  10. Pony Blues 5:19
  11. Downhearted Blues 6:04

Notes

Columbia/Legacy's The Original Delta Blues is a fine distillation of the label's double-disc set Father of the Delta Blues, containing 16 highlights from that comprehensive overview of his '60s rediscovery recordings. Curious listeners who are intimidated by the size of the previous set are advised to pick up this terrific sampler instead.

After being rediscovered by the folk-blues community in the early '60s, Son House rose to the occasion and recorded this magnificent set of performances. Allowed to stretch out past the shorter running time of the original 78s, House turns in wonderful, steaming performances of some of his best-known material. On some tracks, House is supplemented by folk-blues researcher/musician Alan Wilson, who would later become a member of the blues-rock group Canned Heat and here plays some nice second guitar and harmonica on several cuts. This two-disc set features alternate takes, some unissued material and some studio chatter from producer John Hammond, Sr. that ocassionally hints at the chaotic nature inherent to some of these '60s "rediscovery" sessions. While not as overpowering as his earlier work (what could be?), all of these sides are so power packed with sheer emotional involvement from House, they're an indispensable part of his canonade.