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Blues | Public Domain 4U

Kansas Joe McCoy – “Pile Driver Blues”

Kansas Joe McCoy and his wife Memphis Minnie were stars in the Memphis and Chicago blues music scenes. Together they recorded the hit “Bumble Bee” in 1929 for Columbia Records, and a stack of other great vinyl 78 sides. “Pile Driver Blues” features Kansas Joe singing over their trademark lead and rhythm guitar interplay. Jimi Page and others in the English blues and rock scene would draw heavily on their influence a few decades later.

Frank Stokes – “I’m Going Away Blues”

Frank StokesOften hailed as the “Father of the Memphis blues” guitar style, Frank Stokes recorded dozens of 78 RPM sides for Paramount and Victor Records in the 1920’s. Under his own name and as part of the Beale Street Sheiks, Stokes introduced a touch of show biz professionalism to what had been a mainly folk music tradition. Playing the southern minstrel and vaudeville circuit, he influenced not only blues artists, but also country singers like Jimmie Rodgers. “I’m Going Away Blues” features a country fiddle with Stokes’ acoustic blues strumming and sublime vocal performance.

Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins – “Snatch It Back Blues”

Walter “Buddy Boy” Hawkins is one of those great pre-war blues artists for whom it is hard to find biographical info. What is known is that he recorded several sides for Paramount in the late 1920’s, capturing his sublime vocal and guitar style for posterity. “Snatch It Back Blues” tells of a life of train-hopping and vagabonding in the American south, and is a folk blues classic.

Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie – “When The Levee Breaks”

A peculiar detail about Chicago Blues legend Joe McCoy is that he had a lot of stage names. Best known as Kansas Joe McCoy, he also performed and recorded as Georgia Pine Boy, Hallelujah Joe, Hillbilly Plowboy and Mud Dauber, to name just a few. Joe was married for a time to blues guitar great Memphis Minnie (who’s real name was Lizzie Douglas) and they made this classic record together in 1929. This song was much later recorded by Led Zeppelin. Here’s the timeless original, hot off the 78RPM vinyl.

Charley Patton – “High Water Everywhere Parts 1 & 2”

The “Father Of The Delta Blues,” Charley Patton lived from around 1887 to April 28, 1934. His performances and recorded works became blueprints for the greats who followed in his footsteps, from Robert Johnson to Howlin’ Wolf to well, everybody. High Water Everywhere, Parts 1 & 2, are songs penned by Mr. Patton about the Great Mississippi Flood he witnessed and survived in 1927. While the two distinct parts work as individual pieces, together they tell a complete, epic story. And he just rocks, so hard.