Label: Story Of Blues.
Release Date: October 1, 1991.
Recording Date: July 30, 1934 & October, 1939.
Styles: East Coast Blues, Regional Blues, Pre-War Country Blues.
Four long-forgotten singer-guitarists have all of their recordings reissued on this interesting CD. Bob Campbell is heard on four numbers, Tampa Kid (who does his best to emulate Tampa Red), and Poor Bill (who might be William White) are heard on two songs apiece, and Sam Montgomery made it into the studio enough to cut eight sides. Other than Montgomery (who is joined by a second guitarist on four of his eight selections), all of the performances are unaccompanied solos with vocals. The music is surprisingly good considering that virtually nothing is known about the four performers. Serious blues collectors will want this music, which hints at the great musical treasures that were never -- or just barely -- documented. ~ Scott Yanow
Credits: Bob Campbell - guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Charley Jordan - guitar; Charles Manson - guitar; Sam Montgomery - composer, guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; Kid Prince Moore - guitar; Paul Oliver - photography; Rudi Steager - executive producer; Tampa Kid - guitar, performer, primary artist, vocals; William "Poor Bill" White - guitar, vocals; Big Joe Williams - composer.
Notes: Discographical details from Blues And Gospel Records 1902-1943 by John Godrich and Robert Dixon (third edition, Storyville 1982). Considering the extreme rarity of the original 78s, condition is generally better than might be hoped, but it must be borne in mind that only one or two copies are known to exist of some titles.
Tracks: 1) Dice's Blues - Bob Campbell; 2) Shotgun Blues - Bob Campbell; 3) Starvation Farm Blues - Bob Campbell; 4) Worried All The Time - Bob Campbell; 5) Keep On Trying - Tampa Kid; 6) Baby Please Don't Go - Tampa Kid; 7) Way Up On The Mountain - Poor Bill; 8) A Hundred Women - Poor Bill; 9) King Of Knave - Sam Montgomery; 10) King Of Knave No. 2 - Sam Montgomery; 11) Blue Devil Blues - Sam Montgomery; 12) Mercy Mercy Blues - Sam Montgomery; 13) Low In Mind Blues - Sam Montgomery; 14) Baby Please Don't Go - Sam Montgomery; 15) I'm Through With You - Sam Montgomery; 16) Honey Dripper - Sam Montgomery.
Notes: 1) 15483-1 New York City, July 30, 1934; 2) 15484-2 New York City, July 30, 1934; 3) 15503-2 New York City, August 1, 1934; 4) 15515-1 New York City, August 2, 1934; 5) 90878-A Chicago, September 22, 1936; 6) 90879-A Chicago, September 22, 1936; 7) 1037-1 New York City, c. October, 1939; 8) 1038-1 New York City, c. October, 1939; 9) 18962-2 New York City, April 8, 1936; 10) 18963-1 New York City, April 8, 1936; 11) 18966- New York City, April 8, 1936; 12) 18968-2 New York City, April 8, 1936; 13) 18991-1 New York City, April 10, 1936; 14) 18994-1 New York City, April 10, 1936; 15) 19001-2 New York City, April 11, 1936; 16) 19002-2 New York City, April 11, 1936.