The Immortal Charlie Patton, No. 1: 1929-1932

AMG Review of The Immortal Charlie Patton, No. 1: 1929-1932

Todd Kristel
All Music Guide

Contrary to its title, this album features songs recorded by Charley Patton (whose first name is sometimes spelled "Charlie" in 1929, 1930, and 1934. Assembled with the help of blues collectors James McKune and Pete Kaufman, who let the compilers transfer the music from their 78 rpm recordings, the album features a dozen performances by this country-blues pioneer. The selections include "High Sheriff Blues," "Stone Poney Blues" (a version of Patton's "Pony Blues"), "Poor Me," and three songs on which Patton is accompanied by fiddler Henry Sims: "Going to Move to Alabama," "Runnin' Wild Blues," and the ballad "Elder Green Blues." The music is generally good, despite the unavoidably poor fidelity, but this album has been eclipsed by subsequent Patton compilations that better serve the needs of both casual listeners and serious blues specialists.