Country
music began life as the white man's version of the
blues
. Termed "hillbilly music" until the early '50s,
country
embraced
' form and themes, a template it continues to follow today, albeit dressed up in slicker clothes. It's still all about the hazards of love and the struggle to survive and find a good time in a world growing increasingly difficult.
Hillbilly Blues
kicks off with the classic
Jimmie Rodgers
recording of
"Blue Yodel"
and continues on through some two-dozen early
tracks, including the gently swinging
"That's All"
by
Merle Travis
, a not-yet-quite-
bluegrass
"Blue Yodel # 4"
Bill Monroe
and the odd-sounding vocal and guitar combination of
Darby & Tarlton
. An early
Chet Atkins
instrumental,
"Guitar Blues,"
reveals the accomplished style and skill that defined his whole career as a guitarist. Remastered from old 78s, the sound quality is surprisingly good. This is recommended for those interested in the roots of
. ~ Steve Leggett