After being rediscovered by the folk-blues community in the early '60s, Son House rose to the occasion and recorded this magnificent set of performances. Allowed to stretch out past the shorter running time of the original 78s, House turns in wonderful, steaming performances of some of his best-known material. On some tracks, House is supplemented by folk-blues researcher/musician Alan Wilson, who would later become a member of the blues-rock group Canned Heat and here plays some nice second guitar and harmonica on several cuts. This two-disc set features alternate takes, some unissued material and some studio chatter from producer John Hammond, Sr. that ocassionally hints at the chaotic nature inherent to some of these '60s "rediscovery" sessions. While not as overpowering as his earlier work (what could be?), all of these sides are so power packed with sheer emotional involvement from House, they're an indispensable part of his canonade.
CD 1
01 Death Letter
02 Pearline
03 Louise McGhee
04 John The Revelator
05 Empire State Express
06 Preachin' Blues
07 Grinnin' In Your Face
08 Sundown
09 Levee Camp Moan
CD 2
01. 01 Death Letter (Alternate Take)
02. 02 Levee Camp Moan (With Al Wilson) (Alternate Take)
03. 03 Grinnin' In Your Face (Alternate Take)
04. 04 John The Revelator (Alternate Take)
05. 05 Preachin' Blues (Alternate Take)
06. 06 President Kennedy
07. 07 A Down The Staff
08. 08 Motherless Children
09. 09 Yonder Comes My Mother (With Al Wilson)
10. 10 Shake It And Break It
11. 11 Pony Blues
12. 12 Downhearted Blues
