News

Jack White’s Third Man Records label, not merely content to issue unique offerings of the ex-White Stripe’s music on a variety of formats, is now getting into the historical catalogue business with three forthcoming LPs of vintage blues masters.

The new venture, Document Records, will present “the building blocks and DNA of American culture,” as the announcement put it. This first wave of recordings features the early works of Charley Patton, the lauded “Father of the Delta Blues”whose powerful voice influenced a young Howlin’ Wolf and whose guitar showmanship anticipated Jimi Hendrix’s theatrics; Blind Willie McTell, whose “Statesboro Blues” was an early signature tune for The Allman Brothers; and The Mississippi Sheiks, a guitar/fiddle ensemble whose “Sittin’ on Top of the World” was covered by everyone from Dylan to Sinatra.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaaQebrwfkU]

All titles will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and features new artwork and detailed liner notes. All titles are available to order now and will be available in shops January 29. Hit the jump for order links and track lists for each title!

Charley Patton, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Volume 1 (Document/Third Man Records TMR-154, 2013)

1. Mississippi Boweavil Blues
2. Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues
3. Down the Dirt Road Blues
4. Pony Blues
5. Banty Rooster Blues
6. It Won’t Be Long
7. Pea Vine Blues 
8. Tom Rushen Blues 
9. A Spoonful Blues 
10. Shake It and Break It (But Don’t Let It Fall Mama)
11. Prayer of Death – Part 1 
12. Prayer of Death – Part 2 
13. Lord I’m Discouraged 
14. Lord I’m Discouraged (Alternate Take) 
15. I’m Goin’ Home 
16. Going to Move to Alabama

Blind Willie McTell, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Volume 1 (Document/Third Man Records TMR-155, 2013)

1. Writin’ Paper Blues
2. Stole Rider Blues 
3. Mama, Tain’t Long Fo’ Day 
4. Mr. McTell Got the Blues (Take 1) 
5. Mr. McTell Got the Blues (Take 2) 
6. Three Women Blues 
7. Dark Night Blues 
8. Statesboro Blues
9. Loving Talking Blues
10. Atlanta Strut
11. Travelin’ Blues 
12. Come On Around to My House Mama 
13. Kind Mama 
14. Drive Away Blues
15. Love Changing Blues

Mississippi Sheiks, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Volume 1 (Document/Third Man Records TMR-156, 2013)

1. Driving That Thing – Mississippi Sheiks
2. Alberta Blues – Mississippi Sheiks
3. Winter Time Blues – Mississippi Sheiks
4. The Sheik Waltz – Walter Jacobs and Lonnie Carter
5. The Jazz Fiddler (Take A) – Walter Jacobs and Lonnie Carter
6. The Jazz Fiddler (Take B) – Walter Jacobs and Lonnie Carter
7. Sitting on Top of the World – Mississippi Sheiks
8. Stop and Listen Blues – Mississippi Sheiks
9. Lonely One in This Town – Mississippi Sheiks
10. We Are Both Feeling Good Right Now – Mississippi Sheiks with Bo Chatman
11. Cracking Them Things – Mississippi Sheiks with Bo Chatman
12. Grinding Old Fool – Mississippi Sheiks with Bo Chatman
13. Jake Leg Blues – Mississippi Sheiks with Bo Chatman
14. Back to Mississippi – Mississippi Sheiks with Bo Chatman
15. West Jackson Blues – Mississippi Sheiks with Bo Chatman