The Slide Guitar: Bottles, Knives, & Steel, Vol. 1

This is a great introduction to the world of slide guitar. From the opening chords of Bottleneck Blues, you know you're in for something special. These blues were red hot, and the sound of slide guitar, powered by bottlenecks, knives and steel, fueled that sound with urgency.

These recordings for Columbia, OKeh, Vocalion and other labels were mostly made during The Great Depression. With links to Hawaiian slack key guitar and roots in one-stringed instruments, slide guitarists produced haunting, unforgettable sounds. Leadbelly's passionate vocals match his gritty slide solos on Packin' Trunk Blues. Delta blues legend Robert Johnson is represented with Traveling Riverside Blues. Bukka White's Bukka's Jitterbug Swing and Special Stream Line feature some incisive slide, vocals and washboard! Casey Bill Weldon's I Believe I'll Make A Change features mandolin, guitar and piano. Other highlights include Blind Willie Johnson's God Don't Never Change and High Sheriff Blues by Charlie Patton.

In tough times, there has always been healing power in the blues. Digitally remastered, with liner notes by Roger Spottswood.

-Richard Antone

This CD is a hodgepodge sampling of blues records featuring mostly pre-war slide guitarists ranging from the simplicity of Barbecue Bob (who was much better-known as a pianist) and Sylvester Weaver to the sophistication of Blind Willie McTell (backing Ruth Willis on "Experience Blues") and Tampa Red. Among the highlights are Blind Willie Johnson's wordless "Dark Was the Night" and Tampa Red's goodtime "You Can't Get That Stuff No More" and also featured are Charley Patton, Blind Boy Fuller, Leadbelly, Casey Bill Weldon, Buddy Woods, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Sister O.M. Terrell and Son House. With the exception of two later cuts, all of the music (which includes a pair of previously unreleased selections) dates from 1927-40. An interesting if not quite essential sampler. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide