Blind Willie McTell - Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1927-1931)

Of all the compilations of Mctell's early work, this is probably the most rewarding, because it includes both his Victor songs (including "Statesboro Blues") and his Columbia sides (which have been issued separately by Columbia-Legacy), and RCA-BMG seems to be in no hurry to put any of the Victor material out as a comprehensive collection. The songs all have some noise -- there are no "masters" to speak of on acoustic blues of this vintage -- but none of it is overly obtrusive, and the orderly chronology is very illuminating. Read More