Matchbox Bluesmaster Series Set 3

Contents

CD 1: Memphis Harmonica Kings (1929-30)

CD 2: Texas Alexander Vol. 2 (1928-29)

CD 3: Ramblin Thomas (1928-32)

CD 4: Country Girls (1926-29)

CD 5: Rufus & Ben Quillian (1929-31)

CD 6: De Ford Bailey & Bert Bilbro (1927-31)

Volume 3 of the CD release of the iconic Matchbox Bluesmaster LP series from the 1980s with extensive notes from world authority on the blues, Paul Oliver. Memphis in the late 1920s was, by any standards, an extraordinarily musical city. On and around Beale Street the roster of guitarists, pianists, harmonica players, jugblowers, banjo pickers and the like was seemingly inexhaustible, And if it was the sidewalk musicians you were listening to, you might hear Noah Lewis blowing his harmonica for tips. In spite of the large number of records that he made and the similar approach on each of them to the blues he was singing, Texas Alexander continued to be one of Okeh’s best sellers and a highly popular artist… We know very little about Ramblin’ Thomas. In his way, he was a poet, with a use of imagery and turn of phrase in his blues which was far more inventive than that of many better-known singers.