Quality recordings

[steadyrollinman]

Hi Michael,

Several weeks back in another thread, you referred to various old recordings which were of particularly high quality. One of which was a good recording of Blind Willie Johnson playing Dark Was The Night. I recently heard a Charlie Patton recording Of High Sheriff Blues, which was one of the clearest recordings of Charlie Patton I've ever heard. Could you please point us in the right directions as to where we can find more of these recordings? In particular BWJ and CP?

Much appreciated.


Regards,


Chris

[steadyrollinman]

Hi Michael,

Noticed you've not been around. Any suggestions on this post?



Chris

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

My apologies, I missed this thread.

I am trying to remember what compilation the 'very very very clean' Blind Willie Johnson track went onto. It was either a Catfish Records release, or another project the Catfish guys were involed with. I will let you know when I find it! Meanwhile....If anybody knows.....

The track was not cleaned up with any digital gubbins, it was just the cleanest 78 record that anyone had heard. It has probably turned up on dozens of compilations since then.

Have you heard the 'Pristine Classical' Robert Johnson remasters? If not, get a set! It is a very good job. Most of the tracks sound better than ever, however a few sound worse!!!! It is well worth getting hold of....really.

Shine On
Michael.

[steadyrollinman]

Thanks for that Michael.

I seem to recall you saying that a particular track was taken from an old 78, which was one of the cleanest surviving records. IT was BWJ performing Dark was the night. You also went on to talk about Casey Bill Weldon, another of my favourites. If you come across the thread please let me know.

I did get the Pristine RJ stuff along with most of their US roots stuff. I agree, most of it is an improvement, some not. Did you know that the original RJ King of the delta blues singers (1st vinyl released in the 60's was re-issued several years ago and actually sounds better that the Pristine stuff. IMO

Worth checking out.


Regards,

[percythewonderant]

Without a doubt the best version of Blind Willie Johnson's 'Dark Was The Night Cold
Was The Ground' appears on "Desperate Man Blues" soundtrack album.
The reason that it is an OST is that there is a great DVD of Joe Bussard (the obsessive collectors obsessive collector), called 'Desperate Man Blues' which documents his life.

If anyone is begining to realise that the old stuff sounds best without being unduly cleaned compressed and modified, It is well worth giving a listen to the material that Joe Bussard, puts out on old hat records. Very clean 78s transfered without being changed by the process.

'Down in the Basement' is well wirth a listen as are his other releases.

[steadyrollinman]

Thanks Percy,

Checked the website out and it looks like the stuff I want get. Have you got the Desperate Man Blues DVD?

Chris

[percythewonderant]

I have the DVD and the CD and various other Old hat and Joe Bussard Stuff. The Blues Calendar -
bluesimages.com/
is another great place to buy rare and newly discovered stuff thats transfered from 78. Oh yes and check out 'The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of' - on Yazoo too. JSP box sets and.....................blah blather blah blah............some hours later...........
I guess that you know about Red Lick? If not-
www.redlick.com/

[percythewonderant]

If you want obsessive collecting - this is a nice story
bluesimages.com/html/rarest_sun_45_record.html