Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1927)

Performer: Blind Lemon Jefferson
Producer: Johnny Parth
Distributor: Allegro Corporation (Dist

Notes: Personnel includes: Blind Lemon Jefferson (vocals, guitar); George Perkins (piano). Recorded in Chicago, Illinois in 1927. Includes liner notes by Bob Groom. Personnel: Blind Lemon Jefferson (vocals, guitar); George Perkins (piano). Liner Note Author: Bob Groom. Recording information: Atlanta, GA (03/14/1927-10/??/1927); Chicago, IL (03/14/1927-10/??/1927). Volume two of Document's near-complete recorded works of Blind Lemon Jefferson presents 22 sides waxed for Okeh and Paramount during a seven month period between March and October 1927. On tracks six, nine, and ten he is accompanied by pianist George Perkins, and this adds another dimension to an artist who was almost always heard by his lonesome. Lemon's adept handling of the guitar and his disarmingly expressive voice account for the fact that some folks fall in love with his distinctive sound after hearing him sing two or three tunes. For this reason, truly devoted listeners will regard three decidedly different versions of the "Match Box Blues" as a burst of good fortune rather than something esoteric intended only for musicologists. True to Lemon's multifaceted personality, this collection is packed with colorful images and subject matter drawn from all walks of life. He sings about what happens when the Mississippi River overflows its banks, of sexuality and infatuation, of locomotives, loose change, and bed linen infested with parasites, of Jesus rising from the dead, and, most famously, about his own grave, which he asks be kept clean. The upbeat "Hot Dogs" features Lemon knocking out rhythm with his feet and dexterously picking away at the guitar while keeping up a steady stream of friendly banter. Although this excellent disc and its three adjacent volumes on Document are highly recommended, JSP's four-CD Blind Lemon Jefferson set has since proven to be the best way to acquire and absorb this wonderful artist's complete works, not least because of the "cleaned up" audio. On the other hand, there is something to be said for hearing these records through varying degrees of authentic 78 rpm surface noise. For this reason those who really love their Lemon will not flinch at the prospect of owning both sets. ~ arwulf arwulf

One of the first recorded blues artists, Blind Lemon Jefferson was also one of the genre's most influential musicians. His dexterous, percussive guitar style, and haunting vocals set the standard for country blues artists. Were it not for the fact that his extant recordings from the 1920s are scratchy and low-fi, perhaps he and not Robert Johnson would be universally acclaimed as the paramount figure of early blues history.

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