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

After cutting his teeth with Kenton, Dorsey and Goodman and while still playing with Woody Herman, Getz emerged as one of the top sax stylists in jazz with these 1946–52 recordings. This exhaustive... 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

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

The Delmores inspired acts as varied as the Statlers and the Everly Brothers with their beautiful harmonies and songs; here are over four hours of their early best: The Nashville Blues; Down South;... more

Bunny's daredevil trumpet work in his own band and also with Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller made him one of the most revered jazz musicians of the '30s. You'll hear him with Dorsey, Miller, Bing... more

Treasured as a crucial link between the old-timey Appalachian string bands and the great postwar bluegrass bands, J.E Mainer's Mountaineers stand at the center of this 100-track collection. You'll... 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

Richmond, Indiana's Gennett label didn't have the clout of Victor or Columbia—but a tour through this track list will tell you that they were a key player in early jazz recording. Check it out: Just... 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

It all started here, with the prime, early recordings of the Father of Bluegrass! His Columbia hits Kentucky Waltz; Footprints in the Snow; Sweetheart, You Done Me Wrong; Wicked Path of Sin; Toy... more

Personality, humor and fantastic fiddling jump from these 101 sides from the golden age of the string bands. Detailed annotation joins a heap of hillbilly delights by Earl Johnson (Leather Breeches;... 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

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

In a prolific career Nat King Cole cut 1600 recordings. Most were led by a voice that would have made anything sound good. Cole is remembered best as a balladeer surrounded by strings, but this... more

Django is usually classified as a swing guitarist, but he did, in fact, continue to evolve, adapt and amaze during the age of bop. Here are 5 CDs that bear that out; Stephane Grappelli and Peanuts... more

100 tracks documenting the gypsy jazz guitar master's stay in Rome, where he tackled an astonishingly diverse repertoire including Nuages; Minor Swing; Debussy's Reverie; Over the Rainbow; Nature... more

A whopping 92 seminal sides by one of THE architects of the blues! These vintage tracks influenced generation after generation of bluesmen: Screamin' and Hollerin' Blues; I'm Goin' Home; I Shall Not... 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

Austin and Lee Allen rose to radio and stage stardom in Chattanooga in the '20s and stayed hot in the '30s. These 94 tracks include their classic A New Salty Dog plus Jake Walk Blues; Reckless Night... more