LEGACY 48867 : SON HOUSE - Father of the Delta Blues : Complete 1965 Sessions
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 EDDIE JAMES "SON" HOUSE JR.                      b. 1902/MAR/21, RIVERTON, MS
                                                  d. 1988/OCT/19, DETROIT,  MI

"Legacy has done it again with this fine release. These are the last recordings of a major blues figure and they're monumental in underscoring his place as a master blues artist. These sessions show House stretching out and doing lengthy versions of several Delta standards which he created. House began recording i l928, eight years before Robert Johnson, whom he knew and is said to have influenced. Indeed, one cannot play Delta slide guitar and not play licks which Son House brought into the country blues language. Of the few recordings he made, these are the most realistic. And his performances are really commanding, especially on disc one which captures all of the 1965 rediscovery album. (That was originally released as Columbia CS 9127 and is long out of print. It's available as an expensive, imported CD.) His versions of "Death Letter," "Pearline," and "John the Revelator" are emotional and stunning. "Pearline" is a quintessential example of call and response between singer and slide guitar. "John" is a superb acappella performance, intense and passionate. This disc alone is worth the price of the set. It remains one of the hallmarks of recorded blues. Disc two contains fifty minutes, twelve tracks, of unreleased alternate takes and unissued masters. Not all of the tracks are equal in performance to disc one. There are a few false starts and some cuts show House's limitations, missed changes, forgotten words. They're reminiscent of Lester Young's last recordings. Where the voice is unsure and the hands are slowed, the instrumental voicings are clearer than ever. These recordings become a primer of the Delta blues and are actually more accessible because of their "limitations." The tracks are digitally restored, the background is quiet and Son's presence emerges fully without being at all forward. Al Wilson, of Canned Heat, plays tasteful, supportive guitar or harmonica on a couple of cuts. Disc two has Son and his guitar in different spots. An odd mix. Given son's inestimable importance, this is not only a welcome historical reissue, it's an essential album and should be in every collection."

~ Blues Access

"Singer/guitarist Son House's name has become a synonym for the rough, intensely emotional Delta blues style. These 1965 recordings are a rediscovery of a very significant nature in that we get to hear a master redefine his craft. In addition to remastering the songs that appeared on the original release, this complete collection contains an entire second disc with 12 previously unreleased recordings. Includes "Death Letter," "Pearline," "Preachin' Blues," and "President Kennedy.""

~ Roundup newsletter

"After being rediscovered by the folk-blues community in the early 60s, Son House rose to the occasion and recorded this magnificent set of performances. Allowed to stretch out past the shorter running time of the original 78s, House turns in wonderful, steaming performances of some of his best-known material."

~ Cub Koda .