Slide Guitar: Bottles, Knives, & Steel, Vol. 1

Read About This Recording

This is a great introduction to the world of slide guitar. From the opening chords of Bottleneck Blues, you know you're in for something special. These blues were red hot, and the sound of slide guitar, powered by bottlenecks, knives and steel, fueled that sound with urgency.

These recordings for Columbia, OKeh, Vocalion and other labels were mostly made during The Great Depression. With links to Hawaiian slack key guitar and roots in one-stringed instruments, slide guitarists produced haunting, unforgettable sounds. Leadbelly's passionate vocals match his gritty slide solos on Packin' Trunk Blues. Delta blues legend Robert Johnson is represented with Traveling Riverside Blues. Bukka White's Bukka's Jitterbug Swing and Special Stream Line feature some incisive slide, vocals and washboard! Casey Bill Weldon's I Believe I'll Make A Change features mandolin, guitar and piano. Other highlights include Blind Willie Johnson's God Don't Never Change and High Sheriff Blues by Charlie Patton.

In tough times, there has always been healing power in the blues. Digitally remastered, with liner notes by Roger Spottswood.

-Richard Antone

Contents

Bottleneck Blues; Untitled*; God Don't Never Change; Dark Was the Night; St. Louis Blues; Experience Blues; Guitar Rag; You Can't Get That Stuff No More; High Sheriff Blues; Homesick & Lonesome Blues; Packin' Trunk Blues; I Believe I'll Make a Change*; Don't Sell It (Don't Give It Away); Muscat Hill Blues; Traveling Riverside Blues*; Bukka's Jitterbug Swing; Special Stream Line; Swing Low, Chariot; Pearline.

(*Previously unissued.)

Buddy Woods, Huddie Ledbetter, Blind Boy Fuller, Georgia Tom, Charlie Patton, Walter Beasley, Ruth Willis, The Wampus Cats, Bukka White, Sister O.M. Terrell, Son House, Barbecue Bob, Vocals; Casey Bill Weldon, Tampa Red, Willie Johnson, Sylvester Weaver, Robert Johnson, Guitars.