This double-CD set is a little misleading. It is definitive, but only in terms of McTell's Columbia and Okeh sides -- you won't find "Statesboro Blues" or his other earliest sides here, because they were done for Victor. But the material that is here is all worthwhile, and this is the best single source for McTell's work for those labels (done under a variety of names) from the mid-'30s, very nicely remastered and thoroughly annotated, although producer Lawrence Cohn concedes that even    [ read more ]

CD $18.98

This recording has a less-than-stellar reputation, principally because it was done so late in McTell's career, and it is true that he lacks some of the edge, especially in his singing, that he showed on his other postwar recordings. On the other hand, his 12-string playing is about as nimble as ever and a real treat. McTell cut these sides for record store owner Ed Rhodes, who had begun taping local bluesmen at his shop in Atlanta in the hope of releasing some of it -- McTell took to the idea of   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

There are some box sets that seem like overkill, beyond the pale for all but the very most hardcore fans, and others -- a little more obvious in their justification -- that never achieve much currency beyond the ranks of the serious fans and as easy Christmas ideas for their relatives. And then there are the ones that, based on the sheer credibility of the artists involved -- Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra -- become practically standard-issue for any seriou   [ read more ]

CD $27.53

The second volume in Document's series opens with the first of two October 1931 sessions pairing Blind Willie McTell with the Atlanta street singer Ruth Willis; although her vocals remain the primary focus, these tracks contain some of McTell's most impressive instrumental work, with his playing deceptively simple and loose. Curley Weaver lends second guitar to a number of other performances, allowing McTell's 12-string to return to its proper position of prominence; also included are his ear   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

CD $11.38

CD $22.78

Atlanta street singer Blind Willie McTell was a solid 12-string acoustic guitar player with a surprisingly versatile voice who rolled up blues, spirituals, and rags into a distinctive style all his own. This collection brings together several of his mid-'30s 78 RPMs, including early versions of his signature songs, like the elegant and oft-covered "Statesboro Blues" and "Broke Down Engine Blues," as well as the lovely (but lesser known) "Love Changing Blues." There are more comprehensive a   [ read more ]

CD $10.43

CD $20.88

CD $16.13

This set from Sony reissues the Blind Willie McTell Library of Congress recordings, cut in 1950 and previously issued on Biograph with a different cover but the same track sequence. Highlights among the 20 remastered tracks are the Delta blues classics "Brown Skin Woman," "A to Z Blues," and two takes each of "Pal of Mine" and "Sending up My Timber." This disc is missing a few crucial tunes but is still recommended to anyone who has the slightest interest in early American {\ac   [ read more ]

CD $13.28

Statesboro Blues focuses on 17 classic performances by Blind Willie McTell. These tracks were recorded between late 1927 through February 1932 for RCA Victor. This is revelatory material recommended to anyone not familiar with the prewar blues master of the 12-string guitar. "Dark Night Blues," "Stole Rider Blues," and the title cut, "Statesboro Blues," are among the highlights along with four tracks recorded under the pseudonym Hot Shot Willie & Ruby Glaze and two featuring {$McTell   [ read more ]

CD $11.38

No one less than Bob Dylan penned the lyric that stated, "nobody can sing the blues, like Blind Willie McTell." McTell's '20s and '30s work reminds one slightly of Robert Johnson's work in the '30s, with notable differences. While McTell has the same dexterity as a guitarist, combining single-note runs with rhythmic aplomb, his singing is never as shrill or as tortured as Johnson. Still, it's easy to imagine that Johnson might have picked up something in timing and delivery from {&"D   [ read more ]

CD $17.08