MOG Editorial Review

A noted influence on everyone from Muddy Waters to the White Stripes, Son House managed to expand what blues meant simply by being himself, capable of conjuring up elements of folk and gospel through his soulful rasp and intricate playing style that epitomized the Delta sound. Unlike many of his fellow legends from the genre's formative years, Son House had plenty of recorded material during his heyday in the '30s and '40s collected here, with the grainy production values adding an extra haunting layer to classics like the title track and "Levee Camp Blues." It may not be as flashy as the sound he influenced, but Son House's soul and energy are undeniable regardless of recording quality and sensibility.