Bear Family Records has announced their intention to release a box set of Memphis Blues recordings made between 1914 and 1969. The 20-disc compilation will include a huge collection of 534 Blues recordings made in Memphis by musicians from the city and region.
According to a press release from the German label: “The box presents the recorded Memphis Blues as defined by the performers and their recording companies during the years 1914 to 1969 – the period when blues in its various forms was issued on single discs, 78 rpm and then 45 rpm, for consumption largely by the original audience – the people who listened on street corners, in juke joints, at local house parties, or in the bars, night clubs and theatres of Memphis.”
Thee hundreds of performers featured in the set include:
- W. C. Handy
- Beale Street Frolic Orch
- Memphis Jug Band
- Memphis Stompers
- Gus Cannon’s Jug Stompers
- Jim Jackson
- Frank Stokes
- Minnie Wallace
- Robert Wilkins
- Furry Lewis
- Jed Davenport
- Memphis Minnie
- Kansas Joe
- Fleming and Townsend
- Jimmie Lunceford
- Douglas Williams
- Allen Shaw
- Charlie Burse
- James DeBerry
- Buddy Doyle
- Memphis Slim
- Jack Kelly
- Bukka White
- Joe Hill Louis
- Rufus Thomas
- Al Jackson Band
- Rosco Gordon
- Howlin’ Wolf
- B. B. King
- Bonita Cole and Bill Harvey
- Ford Nelson
- Willie Nix
- Junior Parker
- Harmonica Frank
- James Cotton
- Doctor Ross
- Elvis Presley
- Little Milton
- Tuff Green
- Willie Mitchell
- Bobby Bland
- Willie Cobbs
- Albert King
- Willie Sanders
- Big Amos
- Cliff Jackson
- Ike and Tina Turner
Also included is a 360 hardcover book featuring an introduction by Charlie Musselwhite. Compiled with contributions by more than two dozen researchers, it features performer biographies, along with notes on every song and recording. Discs will be presented in an LP size box.
