Newport Folk Festival: Best of the Blues 1959-1968 presents live performances from many of the top blues players of the era. From Skip James to Mance Lipscomb to Memphis Slim, these musicians play mostly acoustic blues before an appreciative audience. From the first disc, Mississippi John Hurt's six-song set is a standout. Piedmont fingerpicking and resonant vocals highlight "Sliding Delta," "Candy Man," and "Pallet on Your Floor." Muddy Waters delivers fine versions of "Walkin' Blues" and "I Can't Be Satisfied," but his acoustic guitar lacks the rude punch that usually flavors his blues. Still, these songs make for interesting comparison to his electric work. Disc two finds Reverend Gary Davis belting out "Samson & Delilah" and "I Won't Be Back No More." Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry offer a rousing set, including a previously unreleased version of "Drink Muddy Water." Their spunky "Key to the Highway" proves once again that the blues can sometimes be joyful, while "My Baby Done Changed the Lock on the Door" reminds one to keep an eye on one's girl and best friend. Lightnin' Hopkins brings an urban touch along with -- shocking though it may be -- an electric guitar. Always laid-back and relaxed, there is something timeless about his performance of "The Woman I'm Loving, She's Taking My Appetite" and "Baby Please Don't Go." Like John Lee Hooker, his timing and approach are all his own. Many players like Son House had been brought back from obscurity thanks to the folk revival, so the historical value of this music cannot be overstated. With nearly three hours of music and a live audience, it is also the next best thing to having been at Newport during these exciting years. These discs are highly recommended to anyone with even a passing interest in acoustic blues.
Disc 1
- Mississippi John Hurt - Sliding Delta
- Mississippi John Hurt - Candy Man
- Mississippi John Hurt - Coffee Blues
- Mississippi John Hurt - Stagolee
- Mississippi John Hurt - Here I Am Lord Send Me
- Mississippi John Hurt - Pallet On Your Floor
- Skip James - Devil Got My Woman
- Skip James - Hard Time Killing Floor Blues
- Son House - Preaching Blues
- Son House - Death Letter Blues
- Son House - Empire State Express
- Son House - Son Blues
- Bukka White - Aberdeen Mississippi Blues
- Mississippi Fred McDowell - Louise
- Mississippi Fred McDowell - If The River Was Whiskey
- Muddy Waters - Walkin' Blues
- Muddy Waters - I Can't Be Satisfied
Disc 2
- Robert Pete Williams - Levee Camp Blues
- Robert Pete Williams - Midnight Boogie
- Robert Pete Williams - On My Way From Texas
- Mance Lipscomb - Freddie
- Mance Lipscomb - So Different Blues
- Mance Lipscomb - God Moves On The Water
- Jesse Fuller - San Francisco Bay Blues
- Jesse Fuller - I Double Double Do Love You
- Reverend Gary Davis - Samson & Delilah
- Reverend Gary Davis - I Won't Be Back No More
- Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry - The Train is Leaving
- Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry - Drink Muddy Water
- Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry - Long Gone
- Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry - Key To The Highway
- Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry - My Baby Done Changed
- Sleepy John Estes - Clean Up At Home
Disc 3
- Lightnin' Hopkins - The Woman I'm Loving
- Lightnin' Hopkins - Baby Please Don't Go
- Lightnin' Hopkins - Shake That Thing
- John Lee Hooker - Tupelo
- John Lee Hooker - Bus Station Blues
- John Lee Hooker - Let's Make It
- John Lee Hooker - Great Fire Of Natchez
- John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom
- John Lee Hooker - I Can't Quit You Baby
- Memphis Slim - How Long
- Memphis Slim - Black Cat Crossed My Path
- Memphis Slim - Harlem Bound
- Memphis Slim - Piano Instrumental
- Muddy Waters & Otis Spann - Blow wind Blow
- Muddy Waters & Otis Spann - Flood
- The Chambers Brothers - See See Rider
- Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Blues With A Feeling
- Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Born In Chicago
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