Buy any blues LPs on the Arhoolie label you come across. Arhoolie was started in 1960 by a blues enthusiast named Chris Strachwitz, who still runs the label. Strachwitz has exceptional taste and, as far as I can tell, has never put out a bad record. I've long used one Arhoolie LP, the wonderfully - titled Country Negro Jam Session, as a reference record. It's extraordinary late 1950s field recordings of Louisiana blues musicians. The music is raw and haunting and the recordings are sometimes astounding. You can hear birds in the trees in the distance (if your system is good enough the birds will sound as if they're coming from outside your room) and floorboards creaking under the musicians. There's also a jaw - dropping recording of a music therapy session at a state mental hospital that is unlike anything you've ever heard. The LP has been reissued on CD with additional tracks.
Blues from the 50s/60s/70s
Im very interested in build a nice collection of blues from the 50s to 70s and found that vinil is the way to go because the great qwuality and variety. I need help with names of the best performers and great recordings of those years. Would you help me with some titles and details of what specials recordings I need to find? thanks in advance