BLIND WILLIE McTELL - Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Vol.1 (1927-1931) DOCD 5006 (1990) FLAC (tracks), lossless

 Of all the compilations of McTell's early work, this is probably the most rewarding, because it includes both his Victor songs (including "Statesboro Blues") and his Columbia sides (which have been issued separately by Columbia-Legacy), and RCA-BMG seems to be in no hurry to put any of the Victor material out as a comprehensive collection. The songs all have some noise -- there are no "masters" to speak of on acoustic blues of this vintage -- but none of it is overly obtrusive, and the orderly chronology is very illuminating. Subsequent volumes from Document are also worthwhile, but Sony-Legacy does have superior workmanship in dealing with much of the same material. Bruce Eder
Tracklist:
01. Writin' Paper Blues
02. Stole Rider Blues
03. Mama,'Tain't Long Fo' Day
04. Mr. McTell Got The Blues #1
05. Mr. McTell Got The Blues #2
06. Three Women Blues
07. Dark Night Blues
08. Statesboro Blues
09. Loving Talking Blues
10. Atlanta Strut
11. Travelin' Blues
12. Come On Around To My House Mama
13. Kind Mama
14. Teasing Brown
15. Drive Away Blues
16. This Is Not The Stove To Brown Your Bread
17. Love Changing Blues
18. Talkin' To Myself
19. Razor Ball
20. Southern Can Is Mine
21. Broke Down Engine Blues
22. Stomp Down Rider
23. Scarey Day Blues