Classic Blues from the 1920's - 1950's Vol 17

We have been collecting this calendar and CD combination since we first discovered it and are always pleased with the latest edition. The calendar is a 12x12-ish wall hanger with tons of fantastic photos, amazing ad artwork and lots of tidbits, along with each day's blues related births and deaths. The CD is a jam-packed 22-song release with plenty of truly classic songs and always - somehow - includes previously unreleased, recently discovered tunes.

The music runs the gamut from early, horn-driven B.B. King's "Got the Blues" (he appears on the cover this year) to Victoria Spivey's torchy'n' frightening "Blood Thirsty Blues", to the acoustic, fiddle-laden numbers from the Mississippi Sheiks, to the sultry Leola Wilson (with the amazing Blind Blake, although he is not highly audible)  to the rawness of Blind Lemon Jefferson and the smoothness of the more jazzy Lonnie Johnson, not to mention the naughtiness of Bessie Smith's "Shave 'Em Dry". Unreleased cuts this time are three from Juke Boy Barner, a Texas bluesman in the vein of Jimmy Reed and Lightnin' Hopkins - 2 versions of "Life is a Cheater" along with "I Got Hip To It".

Lots more, of course, and all great. I always highly recommend this terrific package! Fun and enlightening! Dig it!