Scrapper Blackwell will always be best remembered for playing the guitar on a lengthy set of duets released under the name of pianist/singer Leroy Carr. His own solo recordings from the same era did not make him famous but they are certainly worthy. This set of CD's have all of Blackwell's dates as a leader from the era. Blackwell is showcased on unaccompanied solos, playing on one song apiece with singer Bertha "Chippie" Hill, Leroy Carr (though this time Blackwell is the vocalist and leader), Robinson's Knights of Rest (a trio also including clarinetist Arnett Nelson), and singer Teddy Moss, plus four songs backing the vocals of Black Bottom McPhail. Highlights include "Penal Farm Blues," "Mr. Scrapper's Blues," the two-part "Trouble Blues," "Be-Da-Da-Bum," "Hard Time Blues," and "Mix That Thing." Excellent music that shows just how underrated Scrapper Blackwell continues to be.
Vol.1
01. Kokomo Blues 03:05
02. Penal Farm Blues 03:23
03. Mr. Scrapper's Blues 02:51
04. Down And Out Blues 02:54
05. Trouble Blues Part 1 03:04
06. Trouble Blues part 2 03:02
07. Non Skid Tread 03:11
08. Be Da Da Bum 03:33
09. Springtime Blues 03:15
10. Rocky Luck Blues 02:58
11. Mean Baby Blues (Robinson's Knights Of Rest) 02:50
12. Rambling Blues 02:35
13. Blues Day Blues 02:48
14. Down South Blues 02:59
15. Sneaking Blues 02:50
16. Hard Times Blues 02:52
17. Back Door Blues 02:51
18. Down In Black Bottom 03:03
19. My Dream Blues 03:04
20. Whiskey Man Blues 03:16
21. Mix That Thing 02:57
Vol.2
01. Morning Mail Blues 03:27
02. Blues That Make Me Cry 03:16
03. Mean Mistreatin' Mama 02:41
04. She's Alright With Me 02:42
05. D Blues 02:46
06. A Blues 03:06
07. My Old Pal Blues [Dedicated to the Memory of Leroy Carr] 03:02
08. Bad Liquor Blues 02:48
09. Alley Sally Blues 02:52
10. No Good Woman Blues 02:40
11. The Death of Leroy Carr 03:03
12. Smoky Mountain Blues 03:10
13. Motherless Boy Blues 02:43
14. Wayback Blues 02:52
15. Texas Stomp 03:29
16. Sail on Sail on Blues 03:08
17. Hey Lawdy Mama 02:59
18. Little Girl Blues 03:56
19. Life of a Millionaire 03:44
20. Little Boy Blue 03:14
21. Blues 04:06