One of the masters of the rural blues, also known as “Piedmont Blues” was Blind Boy Fuller, aka Fulton Allen (1904-41). Fuller had a picking and singing style not unlike contemporary Rev. Gary Davis, but a bit more earthy and much more secular in its topics. This 2 disc, 51 song collection gives an excellent overall view of a color of the blues that has influenced artists ranging from Eric Clapton to Joe Bonamassa.
Fuller’s voice has an avuncular drawl, sounding like he’s singing on a porch or street corner (which he did many a time) on pieces like “Ain’t It A Crying Shame” and “Worried and Evil Man Blues”. His picking is calliope in style, shown on “Rag Mama Rag” and “Black Bottom Blues”, with a sly humor displayed on ”Big Leg Woman Gets My Pay” and “Boots and Shoes”. Harmonica man Sonny Terry joins in for a couple tunes like “Bus Rider Blues” and “Bye Bye Baby” and Bull City Red joins in with the washboard on “Shake It Baby”. Blue highway blues.