The Rural Blues: A Study Of The Vocal And Instrumental Resources

There are several editions of this box set, each with its own variations in tracklisting, artwork, and liner notes. This version has orange lettering on the front cover, a 1960 copyright, and catalog number RF 202 on the front of the box and on the booklet, and catalog number RF-202 on the disc labels. © 1960 by Record, Book, and Film Sales, Inc. "This material is intended as a study of the musical resources of the rural blues. It is not often recognised that Afro-American music is marked by considerable variation within its various styles and that a style like the blues is a unique musical idiom. It is hoped that this study will clarify these idiomatic characteristics." Includes a large, 8-page booklet with a scholarly essay. The examples by Will Shade and Charlie Burse were recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, in December, 1956. Track A1 is from unissued material in Samuel B. Charters' collection. Other material from this session was issued on Folkways Record FA2610, "American Skiffle Bands." The examples by Furry Lewis were recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 24, 1959 and October 3, 1959. Tracks C2 and C6 are from the first recording session, when Furry used a pocket knife; tracks A4 and C4 are from the second session, showing the use of a bottle neck. All these examples are from unissued material in Samuel B. Charters' collection. Lightnin' Hopkins was recorded in Houston, Texas, on February 4, 1959. Track C1 is from unissued material in Samuel B. Charters' collection. The other examples are issued on Folkways Record 3469, "Lightnin' Hopkins." The examples by Virgil Perkins were recorded in Houston, Texas, in November, 1955. This material, and the example by Moochie Reeves, recorded in Mobile, Alabama, in July, 1954, is previously unissued and from Samuel B. Charters' collection. Runouts are stamped except for the "DTC" hand etching.