Guitars Wizards (1926-1935)

Description

'Guitar Wizards (1926-1935)' is a wonderful LP reissue showcasing some of the finest six-string players who lived in the Carolinas and along the Atlantic Coast during the period. While always less prominent than its Mississippi and Memphis counterparts, the region has one of the oldest blues traditions. Yet, its recorded legacy remains slim in comparison. Many musicians here had to travel to major cities for recording opportunities. The most successful was Blind Blake, a very popular and influential recording artist with ties to Chicago and the coast. An average singer and lyricist, Blake's reputation rests almost entirely on his superb guitar technique. He makes four appearances on 'Guitar Wizards,' the most impressive of which is the dazzling "Guitar Chimes Blues." Blake sounds completely relaxed, taking his time to pause to repeat a chord or a figure or to turn graceful, syncopated lines. A tasteful stroll is also included in the standard singer's "You're Gonna Quit Me Blues" and an example of his ragtime style on "Wabash Rag." In contrast, there's a sense of recklessness in Sam Butler's fast-paced selection. His replies seem to jump ahead of the vocal, then wait for it to catch up. The results are thrilling on performances like "Jefferson County Blues" and "Some Scream High Yellow." As for Tampa Red (whose technique earned him the "Guitar Wizard" label), he plays in an energetic style, with clear, punctual notes broken by his characteristic, weeping slide interruptions.