THE GREAT HARP PLAYERS — The Complete Works 1927-1936 of WILLIAM FRANCIS & RICHARD SOWELL, OLLIS MARTIN, EL WATSON, PALMER McABEE, GEORGE "BULLET" WILLIAMS, BLUES BIRDHEAD, ELLIS WILLIAMS, ALFRED LEWIS, SMITH & HARPER | DOCD-5100 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although one may think of the blues harp beginning with Little Walter, the first Sonny Boy Williamson, or Sonny Terry, a variety of harmonica players did record in the '20s. Some of their recordings were technical displays that featured them imitating everything from animals to trains, while other players were more blues-oriented. This valuable CD has two selections from the guitar-harmonica team of William Francis and Richard Sowell; Ollis Martin's "Police and High Sheriff Come Ridin' Down"; six pieces by Eli Watson (including "El Watson's Fox Chase"); two cuts apiece by Palmer McAbee, Ellis Williams, Alfred Lewis, and the team of Smith & Harper (which is the only music on this CD recorded after 1930); plus four songs/displays from Blues Birdhead (including "Get up off That Jazzophone") and George "Bullet" Williams (highlighted by "Frisco Leaving Birmingham" and "The Escaped Convict"). Fascinating music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    William Francis And Richard Sowell–    John Henry Blues
Guitar – William Francis
Harmonica – Richard Sowell
2    William Francis And Richard Sowell–    Roubin Blues
Guitar – William Francis
Harmonica – Richard Sowell
3    Ollis Martin–    Police And High Sheriff Come Ridin' Down
Vocals, Harmonica – Ollis Martin
4    El Watson–    Pot Licker Blues
Guitar – Charles Johnson
Harmonica – El Watson
5    El Watson–    Narrow Gauge Blues
Guitar – Charles Johnson
Harmonica – El Watson
6    El Watson–    El Watson's Fox Chase
Harmonica, Speech, Vocals [Effects, possibly] – El Watson, Robert Cooksey
7    El Watson–    Bay Rum Blues
Bones – Unknown Artist
Harmonica – El Watson
8    El Watson–    Sweet Bunch Of Daisies
Harmonica – El Watson
9    El Watson–    One Sock Blues
Harmonica – El Watson
10    Palmer McAbee–    Lost Boy Blues
Harmonica – Palmer McAbee
11    Palmer McAbee–    McAbee's Railroad Piece
Harmonica – Palmer McAbee
12    George "Bullet" Williams–    Touch Me Light Mama
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
Vocals [perhaps] – Wiley Barner
13    George "Bullet" Williams–    Frisco Leaving Birmingham (Take 2)
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
14    George "Bullet" Williams–    The Escaped Convict (Take 2)
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
15    George "Bullet" Williams–    Middlin' Blues
Harmonica, Speech – George "Bullet" Williams
Speech – Unknown Artist
16    The Bubbling-Over Five–    Don't Mistreat Your Good Boy Friend
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Soprano Saxophone, Violin, Piano, Banjo, Guitar – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Bob Brown
17    The Bubbling-Over Five–    Get Up Off That Jazzophone
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Soprano Saxophone, Violin, Piano, Banjo, Guitar – Unknown Artist
Vocals – Bob Brown
18    Blues Birdhead–    Mean Low Blues
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Piano – Unknown Artist
19    Blues Birdhead–    Harmonica Blues
Harmonica – Blues Birdhead
Piano – Unknown Artist
20    Ellis Williams–    Buttermilk Blues
Guitar, Spoons – Unknown Artist
Harmonica – Ellis Williams
21    Ellis Williams–    Smokey Blues
Guitar – Unknown Artist
Harmonica – Ellis Williams
22    Alfred Lewis–    Mississippi Swamp Moan
Harmonica, Vocals [Effects], Speech – Alfred Lewis
23    Alfred Lewis–    Friday Moan Blues
Harmonica, Vocals [Effects] – Alfred Lewis
24    Smith And Harper–    Poor Girl
Vocals [duet], Harmonica, Guitar – Smith And Harper
25    Smith And Harper–    Insurance Policy Blues
Guitar [2nd g.] – Unknown Artist
Vocals [duet], Harmonica, Guitar – Smith And Harper

BLIND BLAKE — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 2 : 1927-1928 | DOCD-5025 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist/singer Blind Blake's entire recorded output has been made available on four Document CDs. Vol. 2 covers a busy seven-month period and features Blake in several different diverse but equally rewarding settings. He performs solo; backs singers Elzadie Robinson, Bertha Henderson, and Daniel Brown; and holds his own with clarinetist Johnny Dodds and percussionist/xylophonist JImmy Bertrand in a jazz set. There are many memorable numbers among the 25 songs on this CD, including "Southern Rag," "He's in the Jailhouse Now," "Hot Potatoes" (an exuberant instrumental with Dodds), "Southbound Rag," and "No Dough Blues." Blind Blake at his best, but get all four volumes. Scott Yanow

Blind Blake’s guitar brilliance shines in this collection, featuring collaborations with top jazz and blues talents. His mastery of “ragtime guitar” dazzles on “Southern Rag”, where he blends African rhythms, Gullah influences, and sharp chord changes. This track reflects his roots and pioneering style. Blake’s versatility is evident in his accompaniment of artists like Elzadie Robinson and Bertha Henderson, where he switches effortlessly between guitar and piano. His one-man band approach on “Panther Squall”, using harmonica and guitar simultaneously, showcases his ingenuity. Blind Blake Complete Recorded Works Vol 2  Highlights include:

    Johnny Dodds: Clarinet brilliance on “Hot Potatoes” and “Southbound Rag”
    Jimmy Bertrand: Slide whistle and xylophone adding texture
    Bertha Henderson: Vocals complemented by Blake’s piano on “Let Your Love Come Down”
    Elzadie Robinson: Energetic performance on “Pay Day Daddy”

This volume captures Blake’s unique blend of blues, ragtime, and early jazz, solidifying his place as a guitar legend. DOCD-5025
Tracklist :
1    Blind Blake–    You Gonna Quit Me Blues 2:43
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
2    Blind Blake–    Steel Mill Blues 3:10
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
3    Blind Blake–    Southern Rag 2:50
Guitar, Speech – Blind Blake
4    Blind Blake–    He's In The Jailhouse Now 2:42
Banjo – Gus Cannon
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
5    Blind Blake–    Wabash Rag 2:51
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
6    Blind Blake–    Doggin' Me Mama Blues 3:11
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
Xylophone, Vocals, Speech – Jimmy Bertrand
7    Blind Blake–    C.C. Pill Blues 3:11
Clarinet – Johnny Dodds
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
Slide Whistle – Jimmy Bertrand
8    Blind Blake–    Hot Potatoes 3:01
Clarinet – Johnny Dodds
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
Slide Whistle, Wood Block, Vocals, Speech – Jimmy Bertrand
9    Blind Blake–    Southbound Rag 3:19
Clarinet – Johnny Dodds
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
Xylophone – Jimmy Bertrand
10    Elzadie Robinson–    Pay Day Daddy Blues 2:51
Clarinet – Johnny Dodds
Guitar, Whistle – Blind Blake
Vocals – Elzadie Robinson
Xylophone – Jimmy Bertrand
11    Elzadie Robinson–    Elzadie's Policy Blues 3:10
Clarinet – Johnny Dodds
Guitar – Blind Blake
Vocals – Elzadie Robinson
Xylophone – Jimmy Bertrand
12    Blind Blake–    Goodbye Mama Moan 2:46
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
13    Blind Blake–    Tootie Blues 2:59
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
14    Blind Blake–    That Lovin' I Crave 2:40
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
15    Bertha Henderson–    That Lonesome Rave 3:09
Guitar – Blind Blake
Vocals – Bertha Henderson
16    Bertha Henderson–    Terrible Murder Blues 2:58
Guitar – Blind Blake
Vocals – Bertha Henderson
17    Bertha Henderson–    Leavin' Gal Blues 2:49
Guitar – Blind Blake
Vocals – Bertha Henderson
18    Blind Blake–    No Dough Blues 2:52
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
19    Bertha Henderson–    Lead Hearted Blues 2:33
Guitar – Blind Blake
Vocals – Bertha Henderson
20    Bertha Henderson–    Let Your Love Come Down 2:27
Piano – Blind Blake
Vocals – Bertha Henderson
21    Blind Blake–    Rumblin' And Ramblin' Boa Constrictor Blues 2:49
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
22    Blind Blake–    Bootleg Rum Dum Blues 2:54
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
23    Blind Blake–    Detroit Bound Blues 3:06
Guitar, Vocals – Blind Blake
24    Daniel Brown –    Beulah Land 3:08
Guitar – Blind Blake
Piano – Tiny Parham
Vocals – Daniel Brown
Washboard – Unknown Artist
25    Blind Blake–    Panther Squall Blues 2:52
Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica [possibly] – Blind Blake
Harmonica [possibly] – George "Bullet" Williams