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Album Details

• Artist: Charlie Patton
• Album: Complete Recordings 1929-1934
• Label: JSP Records
• Year of Release: 2002
• ME Rating: Indie Classic
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-03-22

The Acknowledged King Of The Delta Blues was treated to one of the most lavished boxed sets in the box set history when Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues came out in 2001. But the set had a lofty price tag attached to it. The next year JSP Records came out with this set that was ever bit as inclusive as the Revenant set but less than half the price. I wouldn't have known about this 5 disc collection if the person at the record store that I was about to order the Revenant set from hadn't mentioned this one. It's a honking large collection of cool scratchy old blues, the ones that sound great in old used book stores. One note here, even though these recordings have been remastered they are still extremely scratchy. You have to remember how old these recordings are and that we are lucky to still have record of them. Once you listen to Patton you will realize why he was dubbed the King of the Delta Blues. Delta Blues wouldn't have become what it is known as if it wasn't for Charley. One nice thing with this five disc collection is that it's not just Charlie Patton here. There are some other blues artist's of the time featured as well. Some of them include Bertha Lee, Delta Big Four, Patton & Lee, Son House, Henry Sims, Edith North Johnson and Walter Hawkins. These other sides fit in quite nicely and just add some depth to the collection of Patton material. While Complete Recordings doesn't quite have the same packaging qualities as the Screamin' and Hollerin' set, it does provide much value for your money. If you just want a smattering of Patton, look for his Yazoo disc, Best of Charley Patton, 23 select songs that are essential.

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