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4.5
Blind Willie McTell (1901 - ?) had a career that spanned from the 1920s into the (1950s). This CD has songs (12-string guitar and vocals) that were recorded in Atlanta in 1949 with the better recording equipment that was available by that point in time, and while his voice was still good and his guitar playing had matured. It's probably the best you will find for his blues. Many of the bluesmen from the 1920s had faded away by the late 1940s, although some (like Son House) were still around. Blind Willie McTell was one of the bluesmen who spanned across from the 1920s era of prohibition and speakeasies, through the Great Depression, and into the more modern era post World War II.Some of the blues on the recording range into the spiritual. It is a good overall collection from someone who had lived through a range of the country's eras.There is no real information available on the 1949 session other than the fact that he showed up and recorded the 15 songs which were later released on this CD. By the late 1950s, blues had fallen out of favor and were being replaced by rock and roll. It is known that Blind Willie McTell was still alive in the 1960s, but details of his death are unknown. He seemed to fade away.
