I am grateful for that there was a record in 1940. I love this CD

Son House's voice is raw, deep, emotional. When I first listened to this I was slack-jawed. It's no wonder why he made such a big impact on Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Kind of makes you wonder how much great music Son House played during those years; it's a real shame there isn't more of this that's recorded. Son House is a blues legend; and this collection of recordings is all that's needed to back up that statement. Raw blues to the core.

Son House is my favourite of the Missippi Delta Blues Singers, largely because of this recording. Mr. Eddie James House, Jr., (1902? Riverton, Mississipi - 1988 Detroit, Michigan) has a low gravelly voice which is full of pathos. He sings convincingly of life's hard times. I feel an eery connection as his songs awaken feelings of lost love and the frustration of hopeless poverty. And I have never even been to Mississippi ;D. To say that Mr House "did not play a guitar as much as assault it" is an unfair oversimplification of his rustic style. On this CD, he exhibits two different approaches. When playing with an ensemble (Levee Camp Blues, Government Fleet Blues, Walking Blues and Shetland Pony Blues, for example) he establishes the rhythm. He plays barred chords supporting Mr. Joe Martin on mandoline and Mr. Leroy Williams on harmonica. It would be silly and uncharacteristic of a Delta Blues format to expect a mandolin or harmonica to take on this reponsibility. On the songs which feature Mr House alone, he displays a great deal of melodic expertise. Low Down Dirty Dog Blues is a fine example. He maintains a standard Blues bass with turn around while augmenting his singing with fills played on the higher strings. But the strongest feature is his singing which is stunning, and his poignant lyrics. My favourite line is "if I don't go crazy, I believe I'll lose my mind." If you are interested in the Folk Blues of the Mississippi Delta, this is an important recording for you.