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While recording in the South in the early 1960s, producer, writer, and music historian Samuel Charters was inspired not only by the sound of Furry Lewis's guitar, but by the patterns of movement in... more

Moses Asch purchased the "race records" heard on this album in 1941 for 15 cents each. Demonstrating some of the musical styles characteristic of the American South that proved influential in shaping... more

This second volume continues Folkways' The Country Blues (FW00RF1) and is the result of efforts in the early 1960s to find singers who were previously known only as names on commercial recordings.... more

As the Depression's early days brought Southern musicians to Northern cities, the Chicago blues scene absorbed and incorporated these new arrivals. Ensembles grew, the blues became more popular, and... more

This album features big-voiced blues pianist and singer Memphis Slim and legendary bassist Willie Dixon, who is credited with having helped create the Chicago blues sound. Several tracks from this... more

Singing and begging are about the only two ways a blind man can make a living in farm country. Several years after Blind Willie Johnson's death in 1949, Samuel B. Charters tries to get to know the... more

Taken from unreleased recordings, previous Folkways releases, and early blues recordings, this two-disc set offers an introduction to the vocal styles, ornamentation, and instrumentation of this... more

These artists formed the blues backbone of Folkways: Big Bill Broonzy (Mule-Ridin' Blues), Leadbelly (Leaving Blues), Rev. Gary Davis (Candy Man), Big Joe Williams (Don't Leave Me Here), Lightnin'... more

Lucinda Williams' take on Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor joins 21 more by these blues titans: Just a Dream Memphis Slim; Jelly Jelly Josh White; Tell Me, Baby Lightnin' Hopkins; When Things Go Wrong... more

Six decades of bending, blowing, wailing blues beauty—20 tracks including eight unissued performances at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival: Gillum Blues Jazz Gillum; Crow Jane Blues Sonny Terry;... more

Here are 20 classic cuts from the blues kings of the Mississippi Delta, the land where the blues began: "C.C. Rider" Big Bill Broonzy, "Death Letter Blues," "Sun Goin' Down" Son House, "Married Woman... more

From N'awlins to Chicago, here are 20 vintage blues cuts full of famous flying fingers! Includes Hesitation Blues James P. Johnson; No Special Rider Blues Little Brother Montgomery; Pinetop's Boogie... more

Rural and urban, black and white, country and coastal—it all blended together in Piedmont blues. Here's a stellar set of classics in that fascinating blues style: "Mamie" John Cephas and Paul... more

Recorded in '59 (before the height of the folk/blues revival), Hopkins' first acoustic session has since been recognized as an out-and-out blues classic. He's as witty and charming as he is... more

Reissue of the 1961 Folkways album, boasting new, 24-bit mastering! Includes Roosevelt's duet with Memphis Slim on Memphis Slim Rock; All My Money's Gone; Sweet Old Chicago, and more.

The classic 1957 release from one of the greats of gospel blues, a rough diamond of hard, pure country gospel expression, at odds with the earthly concerns of the blues and yet entwined with the... more

The folk-blues icon's powerful voice and commanding 12-string-guitar playing are far clearer on these '40s cuts than on earlier ones. You'll hear him solo and with Woody Guthrie, Cisco Houston and... more

Chicago Earl Hooker was a dazzling guitar player whether playing it straight or with a slide. This collection of 14 tracks features 10 from 1968/69 and 4 from 1952/53, and features a wonderful... more