Resentment and despair leavened with wit and humor…isn't that the blues? It is here as you encounter 103 tracks that vent even as they entertain with dazzling musicianship: "Last Fair Deal Gone Down"... more

Dependent on residencies for income, early blues pianists had to be adaptable to whatever instrument—in whatever condition—they happened upon in their travels. Ergo St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans... more

These 103 tracks chronicle the fascinating nexus of urban and rural blues that started gathering steam in the '20s. From the sophisticated to the raw, these recordings capture an extraordinary... more

Beale Street was the street. Black man's street. More slickers come off Beale Street than come out of New York. So many slick people came from down that way, learnt how to gamble, learnt how to con,... more

You'll encounter lots of big names and killer cuts among these independent-label blues gems—and also 20 tracks that have never been released 'til now! You get 100 sides in all: Little Mary; Cheatin'... more

This grizzly of a Bear Family box packs 307 tracks into 10 CDs, bringing together their best (and rarest) blues, R&B and gospel sides plus Sam Phillips productions that were issued by Chess, RPM,... more

One of the great pianists and songsmiths of prewar blues, Carr managed to record lots of influential sides with guitarist Scrapper Blackwell before alcoholism took his life at age 30. Here are 4 CDs... more

Blues is everywhere, not just in the Delta or in Chicago, these vintage East Coast blues records have been overlooked again and again. Now's their time to shine: Bad Love; Cold Mama; Mean Old Blues... more

Not only was this Mississippi singer/guitarist a revered bluesman, but he famously played a role in the birth or rock 'n' roll, as Crudup super-fan Elvis Presley covered three of his classic cuts:... more

Studio owner, label head, talent scout…Bob was a crucial figure in Bay Area blues in the '40s and '50s. Here's the first comprehensive look at his legacy: 107 sides including Jelly, Jelly; Tell Me... more

Every fan of blues and roots music should own these vintage sides by these looming giants of country blues. Among the 104 pieces of history here: Walkin' Blues; Special Rider Blues Son House; Devil... more

This trailblazing African-American label owner/producer (who died in early 2011) had such a good relationship with his artists that many said they did their best-ever work for him. Here are 4 CDs of... more

One of the sparks that ignited the British blues boom was Paul Oliver's 1960 book Blues Fell This Morning. It's been cited as a catalyst by countless UK artists; here are 4 CDs of seminal tracks... more

In the wake of Jimmy's recent death at the ripe old age of 91, these 98 tracks take us back to the early recordings that started him on the path to blues glory. The pianist's rockin' R&B sides up to... more

Here are 2 CDs of sides that this revered piano/guitar blues duo recorded in the last year of Carr's brief life plus a wealth of key cuts by other great bluesmen in their circle. Along with Tampa Red... more