Son House

The Complete Blues on Snapper is another respectable reissue series coming on the heels of 2003's PBS special Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues. Son House' Delta Blues highlights 20 exemplary performances recorded between May 28, 1930, through July 17, 1942, including "Preachin' the Blues," "Levee Camp Blues," "My Black Mama," and "Dry Spell Blues." Collectors should note that these tracks have been cleaned up to the point where the high end is flattened out and a bit muddy, but still, this is revelatory primeval material recommended to anyone not familiar with one of the pioneering Delta blues guitarists. The series is nicely packaged in a digipack with a 12-page booklet. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide