Things don’t get any bluesier than back porch picking, strumming and singing by Son House (1902-88), who recorded this album back in 1964, and is finally reissued again. He had a visceral, gut level approach to his singing, while his finger picking was like an old time calliope, and his slide work was like Lou Brock. This album is as personal and intimate as it gets, giving avuncular introductions and stories as on “Louise McGhee”, delivering messages like Reverend Gary Davis on “Preachin’ Blues” and showing the red clay under his nails on “Forever On My Mind” and “Empire State Express”. You feel like you’re sitting in House’s parlor, relaxed and cozy, and the embodiment of the folk blues is giving you a bit of his marrow. Grab this one and hold on tight!