BLUES ORIGINALS VOLUMES 1-6-RARE 6 LP SET USA ISSUE 1972--NEAR MINT

	£		20
	$		26

BLUES ORIGINALS Volumes 1 - 6.

I am selling around 200 records that were owned by singer/songwriter,John Cooper. John wrote songs that were used on Jimmy Webb albums and he was also close friends with folk/blues guitarist, Davy Graham.

John sadly passed away recently and his family have asked me to sell some of his record collection so they can donate the proceeds to the Ayrshire hospice, who looked after John in the last few months before his demise.

The record collection includes many rare folk, blues and rock albums,EP's and singles from the 60's and 70's in varying conditions. Please bookmark me over the next few months as I plough through the records.

BLUES ORIGINALS Volumes 1 - 6.

Beautiful set of 6 LP’s pressed in 1972, superbly packaged with thick card supplying super graphics and lots of relevant information. Produced in the USA by Atlantic, those LP’s are a must for any blues enthusiast / collector. All the records are in stunning NEAR MINT condition. The sleeves are in very good plus / excellent condition.

Vol 1: Blind Willie McTell Atlanta Twelve String

Atlantic SD 7224 0598

Vol 2: Professor Longhair New Orleans Piano

Atlantic SD 7225 0598

Vol 3: Various Artists Texas Guitar-T-Bone Walker, Guitar Slim, Lawyer Houston, Al King, Raye Agee, R S Rankin.

Atlantic SD 7226 0598

Vol 4: Various Artists Blues Piano Chicago Plus. Little Johnny Jones, Floyd Dixon,Little Brother Montgomery, Frank “Sweet” Williams, Meade Lux Lewis.

Atlantic SD 7227 0598

Vol 5: John Lee Hooker Detroit Special

Atlantic SD 7228 0598

Vol 6:Jimmy & Mama Yancey Chicago Piano

Atlantic SD 7229 0598

Below is a review of the albums by blues expert, Radio 2 DJ and musicologist, Charles Gillett, now sadly passed away..

I feel a little bit sneaky about reviewing these albums because, in a minor sort of way, I was responsible for their release. That is I arranged and led the expedition into the Atlantic vaults that unearthed the masters used for this series. However, that event took place almost two years ago and I had no hand in what followed. So, I don't feel too bad about giving them a well deserved plug.

I can still remember the excitement when 15 titles by Willie McTell were discovered - we only thought there were four- and the thrill of knowing that Longhair tapes were safe and sound after almost 20 years of dust gathering. I experienced a similar kick when I first saw the end result of what started out as purely a piece of discographical research.

Well, so much for that; let's take a look at the albums themselves.

Blind Willie McTell was recorded by Atlantic in Atlanta Georgia, his home at the time of his death. Blind, he eked out a fairly good living by singing to his own guitar accompaniment on the streets and had recorded prolifically in the 'twenties and 'thirties. He was a popular figure and rightly so for he was an entertainer rather than a straight blues singer. Willie's vast repertoire included gospel songs, sentimental ballads, dance tunes and, of course, blues and allowed him to cater for just about anyone. These titles were cut in 1949 and range from 'Kill It Kid', one of his best known ditties, to 'Ain't It Grand To Live A Christian'-and the very humorous 'Dying Crapshooter's Blues', which deals with the somewhat unorthodox funeral arrangements for an Atlanta gambler. Willie possessed a clear and distinctive voice and plays the hell out of his big guitar. Sound quality, almost surprisingly, is excellent. A must for folk, blues and even Rock collectors.

But for let it rockers, the Longhair is bound to be the most interesting thanks to his associations with Dr. John and the city of New Orleans. Recorded in that city between 1949 and '55 all the titles feature a solid, sax-led band and the knocked-out voice and piano technique of Fess. 'Tipitina'. 'Mardi Gras In New Orleans', 'Ball The Wall' and 'In The Night' are just some of the highlights presented in unique rhumba-boogie fashion. This is straight, no-nonsense R&B for the good times and will prove, once and for all, just why Longhair is such a revered figure. Even Dr. John's gumbo will lose its flavour after one taste of the Professor's congo-mombo.

Volume three had to be issued, but only an out-and-out blues freak will want it, for it features the entire output of Texan Lawyer Houston - eight titles - and though he may be a great song writer, he never varies the tempo, key or melody line throughout. Ray Agee's magnificent 'Tin Pan Alley' is the choice item on this anthology which also brings us the work of T-Bone Walker, Guitar Slim, Al King and R.S. Rankin, none of whom are anywhere near their best.

The next one is better. We have Little Johnny Jones, one of the best blues pianist Chicago produced, strongly supported by Elmore James. Jones' 'Chicago Blues', issued here for the first time is going to become one of those all-time classics. The mixture of pounding, boogie piano and bottleneck guitar is unbeatable. And there's three more tracks in a similar vein. The rest of this collection is devoted to. Meade Lux Lewis, Sweet Williams, Little Brother Montgomery and Floyd Dixon. The first three play traditional blues 'n boogie in superlative style, but Dixon is a little out of place with his shout vocals and R&B band. 'Two Piano Blues', however, is a great example of after hours music and has a real 'alley' feel to it. Even the sax-man comes across with a truly, mellow solo.

The last two are basically old albums repackaged. The Yancey, recorded shortly before his death is a little week musically, because the man himself was a little weak at the time. But he was the father of Chicago boogie and his work, even at the end, was of real worth. Compare this one with Yancey's earlier recordings and you'll be disappointed; compare it with what passes for piano blues today and you'll wonder what you've been missing.

Hooker's set, though most of the numbers have already been available, does have 16 tracks of which one makes its first appearance. Recorded in 1953, at a time when the man was at his peak as a pure bluesman, the music is a knockout — 'Wobbling Baby' really belts along and on 'Stuttering Blues' Hooker puts his speech impediment to good use. This one had to be reissued and it's good to see it around once more and in a superior package.

The packaging! This is beautiful. Each record comes in a stiff, superly designed, open-out cover that provides detailed notes, photos, and discographical data. That this all became possible, is largely due to the enthusiasm and hard work of Peter Lowry and he deserves our thanks. The only thing about the entire series that irritates me, is that someone has messed around with my Longhair notes and has credited me with a lot of things —sometimes quite lunatic — that I would never have said even when drunk.

With a low start price you could get yourself a real bargain.

I use Record Collector's Rare Record Prices Guide grading as the the system employed in the condition-grading of vinyl records offered for auction

Mint

Never been played or item still sealed.

Near Mint

In brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in soundquality. Cover and contents nearly perfect.

Excellent

Shows some signs of being played but very little lessening in sound quality. Cover and contents might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good +

Better than Very Good: Obviously been played but no significant deterioration in sound quality despite light surface marks. Very little wear and tear on cover and contents, no major defects.

Very Good

Obviously been played many times but no major deterioration in sound quality despite noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on cover or contents, no major defects.

Good+

Better than Good: Sound quality has deteriorated but with no distortion.Light scratches and occasional mild scratch. Cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges but not spine splits or discoloration.

Good

Sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion. Mild scratches. Cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration.