Mississippi Blues Vol. 1 (1928-1937) / Various

There are echoes of some of the great Mississippi blues-men of the 1920s and 30s this disc. Though, Mose Andrews "Ten Pound Hammer", has some very distinctively Mississippi descending bass figures, Mattie Delaney's "Down The Big Road" is derived from Charlie Patton's "Pea Vine Blues", "Poor Boy" Lofton's "Dark Road" is a version of Tommy Johnson's "Big Road Blues" and Mississippi Bracey's "Cherry Ball" recalls Skip James's recording of the same title, although rather distantly. Louise Johnson recorded at the same session as Charlie Patton and Son House, and both men can probably be heard shouting encouragement in the background, but these four wonderful tracks need no such celebrity connection to make them memorable. There are more surprising influences on the Mississippi Moaner, whose pair of tracks are copies of the style of Texas singer Blind Lemon Jefferson (well, not surprising really, given how popular Jefferson's records were) and Webster Taylor, whose yodelling choruses come directly from the white country singer Jimmie Rodgers. This album contains much to interest, and provides enjoyable listening for, anybody who wants to look a bit deeper than just the big names in from the Country Blues. There is little or nothing known for certain about most of the artists here. Perhaps it is these mysterious figures who best fit into the shadowy Delta mythology.