Blues Bytes

January 1998

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1997 was a landmark year for blues reissues, highlighted by the plethora of compilations from MCA Records to celebrate Chess Records' 50th Anniversary. Alligator Records also began releasing great hits retrospects of some of their key artists. Not be to overlooked was HighTone's purchase of the High Water recordings made by Dr. David Evans at Memphis State University in the 1980s. Below is my top ten list of 1997 blues reissues.

--- Bill Mitchell

Bill Mitchell's favorite reissues of 1997
(click on the album title to see the original review)

Jimmy Rogers1. Jimmy Rogers - The Essential Chess Recordings
2. Various Artists - Chess Blues Piano Greats
3. Robert Lee McCoy - The Bluebird Recordings
4. Various Artists - The Aristocrats of the Blues
5. Jessie Mae Hemphill - Feelin' Good
6. James Harman - Extra Napkins
7. Little Walter - His Best
8. Albert Collins - Alligator Deluxe Edition
9. Various Artists - Chess Soul
10. Various Artists - Takoma Eclectic Sampler

Reader Choices

Bob Corritore (host of "Those Lowdown Blues" on KJZZ, Mesa, AZ

Jimmy Rogers - Complete Chess Recordings
Various Artists - Aristocrats of the Blues
Lowell Fulson - My First Recordings
Sonny Boy Williamson - The Bluebird Recordings
Various Artists - Chess Blues Piano Greats
Jessie Mae Hemphill - Feelin' Good
Robert Lee McCoy - The Bluebird Recordings
Tommy McClennen - The Bluebird Recordings
Various Artists - I Can't Be Satisfied: Early American Woman Blues Singers
Jimmy McCracklin - The Walk

Bill Jacobs

Rory Block - Gone Woman Blues
Jessie Mae Hemphill - Feelin' Good

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