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    Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950

    06/30/1992

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    All Music Guide Review

    Roots 'n' Blues: the Retrospective presents five hours of music over four discs, covering the traditional recordings made by Columbia Records and its associated labels from 1925 to 1950. As an all-inclusive survey of American roots music, this set is an invaluable library piece and a good reference, but where this collection really stands out is in its presentation. The collection does a better service than the more academic studies by including a variety of styles -- including early string band recordings, spirituals, jugbands, blues, cajun and country music, mixing the better known artists with the more obscure -- in the end, the diversity makes for good listening as well as a good learning experience. ~ Chris Woodstra, All Music Guide

    Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950 Track Listing

  • Track#
  • Title
  • Artist
  • time
  • lyrics
  • 1
  • White House Blues
  • Poole, Charlie & The North Carolina Ramblers
  • 3:25
  • Sound Clip for White House Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 2
  • High Sheriff
  • Aiken Country String Band
  • 2:53
  • Sound Clip for High Sheriff from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 3
  • The Last Scene of the Titanic
  • Hutchison, Frank
  • 3:30
  • Sound Clip for The Last Scene of the Titanic from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 4
  • Suitcase Blues
  • Thomas, Hersal
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for Suitcase Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 5
  • Death's Black Train Is Coming
  • Gates, J.M.
  • 3:11
  • Sound Clip for Death's Black Train Is Coming from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 6
  • Cow Cow Blues
  • Carr, Dora
  • 2:50
  • Sound Clip for Cow Cow Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 7
  • Washington County Fox Chase
  • Vance's Tennessee Breakdowners
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Washington County Fox Chase from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 8
  • I'm Going to Take the Train to Charlotte
  • Carson, Fiddlin' John
  • 3:05
  • Sound Clip for I'm Going to Take the Train to Charlotte from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 9
  • (Untitled Track)
  • Stoneman, Ernest Trio
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for (Untitled Track) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 10
  • Low Down Blues
  • Whistler & His Jug Band
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for Low Down Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 11
  • Paul and Silas in Jail
  • Phillips, Washington
  • 2:42
  • Sound Clip for Paul and Silas in Jail from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 12
  • Blind Pig Blues
  • Barbecue Bob
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for Blind Pig Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 13
  • Chattanooga Blues
  • Allen, Austin & Lee
  • 3:04
  • Sound Clip for Chattanooga Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 14
  • (Untitled Track)
  • Tedder, Sherman
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for (Untitled Track) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 15
  • Hokum Blues
  • 3:25
  • Sound Clip for Hokum Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 16
  • Worried Blues
  • Bentley, Gladys
  • 2:45
  • Sound Clip for Worried Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 17
  • Empty Bed Blues, Pt. 1
  • Johnson, Elizabeth [blues]
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for Empty Bed Blues, Pt. 1 from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 18
  • Empty Bed Blues, Pt. 2
  • Johnson, Elizabeth [blues]
  • 3:22
  • Sound Clip for Empty Bed Blues, Pt. 2 from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 19
  • Blue Grass Twist
  • South Georgia Highballers
  • 2:48
  • Sound Clip for Blue Grass Twist from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 20
  • Moonshiner and His Money
  • Bowman, Charlie & His Brothers
  • 3:10
  • Sound Clip for Moonshiner and His Money from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 21
  • Johnson City Blues (#)
  • Green, Clarence
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Johnson City Blues (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 22
  • Warming by the Devil's Fire
  • Blakey, Johnny
  • 3:25
  • Sound Clip for Warming by the Devil's Fire from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 23
  • (Honey) It's Tight Like That
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for (Honey) It's Tight Like That from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 24
  • Big Leg Blues
  • Hurt, Mississippi John
  • 2:51
  • Sound Clip for Big Leg Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 25
  • Hallelujah
  • Daniels-Deason Sacred Harp Singers
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for Hallelujah from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 26 (2)
  • Liberty
  • Brown, Herschel & His Happy Five
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Liberty from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 27 (2)
  • My Sportin' Man
  • Smith, Mamie
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for My Sportin' Man from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 28 (2)
  • Mean Low Blues
  • Blues Birdhead
  • 3:13
  • Sound Clip for Mean Low Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 29 (2)
  • C.C. & O. Blues
  • 3:05
  • Sound Clip for C.C. & O. Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 30 (2)
  • Ortonville
  • OKeh Atlanta Sacred Harp Singers
  • 3:11
  • Sound Clip for Ortonville from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 31 (2)
  • Dear Black Eyes (Chere Yeux Noirs)
  • Doucet, Slim
  • 3:00
  • Sound Clip for Dear Black Eyes (Chere Yeux Noirs) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 32 (2)
  • Roosevelt's Blues
  • Sykes, Roosevelt
  • 2:47
  • Sound Clip for Roosevelt's Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 33 (2)
  • Gin Mill Blues
  • Hokum Boys
  • 3:27
  • Sound Clip for Gin Mill Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 34 (2)
  • Osson
  • Falcon, Joseph
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for Osson from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 35 (2)
  • Sweet Milk and Peaches (Breakdown)
  • 3:00
  • Sound Clip for Sweet Milk and Peaches (Breakdown) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 36 (2)
  • Soldier's Joy
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Soldier's Joy from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 37 (2)
  • They May Not Be My Toes
  • Moore, Whistlin' Alex
  • 3:02
  • Sound Clip for They May Not Be My Toes from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 38 (2)
  • The Jazz Fiddler
  • Mississippi Sheiks
  • 3:13
  • Sound Clip for The Jazz Fiddler from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 39 (2)
  • I Have to Do My Time
  • Johnson, Lonnie
  • 3:09
  • Sound Clip for I Have to Do My Time from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 40 (2)
  • Lonesome Frisco Line
  • 3:17
  • Sound Clip for Lonesome Frisco Line from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 41 (2)
  • Back to the Blue Ridge
  • 2:55
  • Sound Clip for Back to the Blue Ridge from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 42 (2)
  • Darn Good Girl
  • 2:51
  • Sound Clip for Darn Good Girl from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 43 (2)
  • West Jackson Blues
  • Carter, Bo
  • 3:17
  • Sound Clip for West Jackson Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 44 (2)
  • You Had Too Much
  • 3:19
  • Sound Clip for You Had Too Much from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 45 (2)
  • Oh! Glory Glory
  • Silver Leaf Quartet
  • 3:13
  • Sound Clip for Oh! Glory Glory from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 46 (2)
  • Don't You Remember the Time
  • Freeny's Barn Dance Band
  • 3:16
  • Sound Clip for Don't You Remember the Time from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 47 (2)
  • Walkin' Georgia Rose
  • Pelican Wildcats
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for Walkin' Georgia Rose from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 48 (2)
  • Police Station Blues
  • Wheatstraw, Peetie (The Devil's Son-In-Law)
  • 3:03
  • Sound Clip for Police Station Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 49 (2)
  • Hallelujah Side
  • Tindley Quaker City Gospel Singers
  • 3:16
  • Sound Clip for Hallelujah Side from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 50 (2)
  • Highway 61 Blues
  • Batts, Will
  • 2:42
  • Sound Clip for Highway 61 Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 51 (3)
  • Doughboys Theme Song No. 1
  • ODaniel, W.Lee & his Light Crust Doughboys
  • :41
  • Sound Clip for Doughboys Theme Song No. 1 from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 52 (3)
  • Ida! Sweet as Apple Cider
  • ODaniel, W.Lee & his Light Crust Doughboys
  • 3:09
  • Sound Clip for Ida! Sweet as Apple Cider from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 53 (3)
  • Doughboys Theme Song No. 2
  • ODaniel, W.Lee & his Light Crust Doughboys
  • :29
  • Sound Clip for Doughboys Theme Song No. 2 from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 54 (3)
  • Bell Street Lightnin'
  • McTell, Blind Willie
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for Bell Street Lightnin' from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 55 (3)
  • Jersey Bull Blues
  • Patton, Charley
  • 3:04
  • Sound Clip for Jersey Bull Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 56 (3)
  • Every Morning Blues (#)
  • Roland, Walter
  • 2:44
  • Sound Clip for Every Morning Blues (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 57 (3)
  • D Blues
  • Barnes, H.M. Blue Ridge Ramblers
  • 2:48
  • Sound Clip for D Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 58 (3)
  • La Valse des Yeux Bleu (Blue Eyes Waltz)
  • Breaux Freres
  • 3:11
  • Sound Clip for La Valse des Yeux Bleu (Blue Eyes Waltz) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 59 (3)
  • Skin Game Blues
  • Bogan, Lucille
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Skin Game Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 60 (3)
  • Good Woman Blues
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Good Woman Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 61 (3)
  • Sissy Man
  • White, Josh [1]
  • 2:49
  • Sound Clip for Sissy Man from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 62 (3)
  • My Lovin' Gal Lucille (Blue Yodel No. 2)
  • Rhythm Wreckers
  • 2:46
  • Sound Clip for My Lovin' Gal Lucille (Blue Yodel No. 2) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 63 (3)
  • Just Inside the Pearly Gates
  • Anglin, Jack
  • 2:25
  • Sound Clip for Just Inside the Pearly Gates from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 64 (3)
  • Hard Rocks in My Bed
  • Bumble Bee Slim (Amos Easton)
  • 2:40
  • Sound Clip for Hard Rocks in My Bed from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 65 (3)
  • Tired Feelin' Blues
  • Two Charlies
  • 3:03
  • Sound Clip for Tired Feelin' Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 66 (3)
  • One Eyed Sam
  • Baker, Eldon & His Brown County Revellers
  • 2:51
  • Sound Clip for One Eyed Sam from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 67 (3)
  • Poor Naomi Wise
  • Harper, Ant Idy
  • 3:36
  • Sound Clip for Poor Naomi Wise from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 68 (3)
  • South Bound Blues
  • Moore, Prince
  • 3:01
  • Sound Clip for South Bound Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 69 (3)
  • C & A Blues
  • Broonzy, Big Bill
  • 2:58
  • Sound Clip for C & A Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 70 (3)
  • My Last Five Dollars
  • Curry, George
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for My Last Five Dollars from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 71 (3)
  • Memphis Blues
  • Nite Owls
  • 2:21
  • Sound Clip for Memphis Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 72 (3)
  • Pourquoi Tu M'Aime Pas
  • Alley Boys Of Abbeville
  • 3:46
  • Sound Clip for Pourquoi Tu M'Aime Pas from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 73 (3)
  • Have Mercy on Me
  • Campbell, Benny
  • 2:32
  • Sound Clip for Have Mercy on Me from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 74 (3)
  • Shout for Joy (#)
  • Ammons, Albert
  • 2:25
  • Sound Clip for Shout for Joy (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 75 (3)
  • Flower Blues
  • Kelly, Jack
  • 2:30
  • Sound Clip for Flower Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 76 (3)
  • Onion Eating Mama (#)
  • Carlisle, Cliff
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Onion Eating Mama (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 77 (3)
  • Brown's Ferry Blues (#2)
  • Callahan Brothers
  • 3:06
  • Sound Clip for Brown's Ferry Blues (#2) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 78 (3)
  • Slick Capers Blues
  • Doyle, Little Buddy
  • 2:35
  • Sound Clip for Slick Capers Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 79 (3)
  • Poor Boy Blues
  • Gillum, Jazz
  • 2:54
  • Sound Clip for Poor Boy Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 80 (4)
  • We Got to Get Together
  • Edwards, Frank
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for We Got to Get Together from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 81 (4)
  • You've Got to See Mamma Ev'ry Night (Or You Can't See Mamma at All)
  • Sweet Violet Boys
  • 2:49
  • Sound Clip for You've Got to See Mamma Ev'ry Night (Or You Can't See Mamma at All) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 82 (4)
  • I'll Fly Away (#)
  • Humbard Family
  • 2:49
  • Sound Clip for I'll Fly Away (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 83 (4)
  • Cross Cut Saw Blues
  • Hollins, Tony
  • 2:48
  • Sound Clip for Cross Cut Saw Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 84 (4)
  • Black Snake Blues
  • Clayton, Peter J.
  • 2:51
  • Sound Clip for Black Snake Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 85 (4)
  • Step It up and Go
  • Black Cats And The Kitten
  • 2:48
  • Sound Clip for Step It up and Go from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 86 (4)
  • Papa's Going Crazy, Mama's Going Mad
  • Atcher, Bob & Randall
  • 2:38
  • Sound Clip for Papa's Going Crazy, Mama's Going Mad from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 87 (4)
  • Cotton Eyed Joe
  • Hofner, Adolph
  • 2:29
  • Sound Clip for Cotton Eyed Joe from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 88 (4)
  • Old Vets Blues
  • Burke, Poor Boy
  • 2:53
  • Sound Clip for Old Vets Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 89 (4)
  • Black Rat Swing
  • Little Son Joe
  • 2:52
  • Sound Clip for Black Rat Swing from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 90 (4)
  • Macy Special
  • Merriweather, Big Maceo
  • 2:42
  • Sound Clip for Macy Special from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 91 (4)
  • It's Funny What Love Will Make You Do
  • 2:47
  • Sound Clip for It's Funny What Love Will Make You Do from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 92 (4)
  • Army Blues
  • Penny, Hank & His Radio Cowboys
  • 2:36
  • Sound Clip for Army Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 93 (4)
  • Who But You
  • Clark, James [Piano]
  • 2:38
  • Sound Clip for Who But You from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 94 (4)
  • Tomorrow May Be Too Late (#)
  • Harris, Homer
  • 3:05
  • Sound Clip for Tomorrow May Be Too Late (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 95 (4)
  • Burying Ground Blues (#)
  • Waters, Muddy
  • 2:30
  • Sound Clip for Burying Ground Blues (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 96 (4)
  • Goodbye Old Pal (#)
  • Monroe, Bill [1] & His Bluegrass Boys
  • 2:23
  • Sound Clip for Goodbye Old Pal (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 97 (4)
  • Dixie Cannonball
  • Autry, Gene
  • 2:40
  • Sound Clip for Dixie Cannonball from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 98 (4)
  • Run on for a Long Time
  • Landford, Bill & The Landfordaires
  • 2:34
  • Sound Clip for Run on for a Long Time from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 99 (4)
  • Baby, Please Don't Go (#)
  • Williams, Joe
  • 2:57
  • Sound Clip for Baby, Please Don't Go (#) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 100 (4)
  • I'm Toiling
  • Fields, Myrtle
  • 2:43
  • Sound Clip for I'm Toiling from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 101 (4)
  • Two by Four Blues
  • Right, Willie (Boodle It)
  • 2:56
  • Sound Clip for Two by Four Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 102 (4)
  • You Can't Go Halfway (And Get In)
  • Bailes Brothers
  • 2:46
  • Sound Clip for You Can't Go Halfway (And Get In) from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 103 (4)
  • Heaven's Radio
  • ODay, Molly & The Cumberland Mountain Folks
  • 2:49
  • Sound Clip for Heaven's Radio from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 104 (4)
  • Plow Hand Blues
  • Howard, Rosetta
  • 2:46
  • Sound Clip for Plow Hand Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 105 (4)
  • Grunt Meat Blues
  • Memphis Seven
  • 2:47
  • Sound Clip for Grunt Meat Blues from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 106 (4)
  • Until I Found the Lord
  • Deep South Boys
  • 2:25
  • Sound Clip for Until I Found the Lord from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


  • 107 (4)
  • I Know My Jesus Won't Deny Me
  • 2:41
  • Sound Clip for I Know My Jesus Won't Deny Me from Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950


    • Credits of Roots n' Blues: The Retrospective 1925-1950

    • Dan Sing
    • Guitar, Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part
    • Lawrence Cohn
    • Producer, Executive Producer, Compilation Producer, Liner Notes
    • Josh White
    • Guitar, Speech/Speaker/Speaking Part, Performer, Vocals


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