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By TONE Scott
There has been a traditional blues revival happening over recent years. It can be said, sadly but honestly, that The Blues, for many years, through the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s, were virtually dead with regard to the desire for the genre in the mainstream. With the global rebirth of widespread music collecting spurred on by the resurrection of the vinyl record as a popular form of retail music media, came the revival of many classic era genres, including The Blues. With this came new and modern recording acts creating music in virtually every faction of the blues genre, still living legacy artists recording and releasing new material, and legacy as well as new independent record labels reissuing classic blues recordings, welcomed by every record collector who reveres the music.
The thing about collecting blues recordings is that, just like almost every other genre, there is an endless amount of records that can be had for curating a collection. Aside from classical music and Ragtime (a genre within itself), The Blues is one of, if not thee earliest form of western music that was ever recorded for industry. It was 1920 when cabaret singer, Mamie Smith and her band the Jazz Hounds recorded “Crazy Blues,” of which would be considered the earliest blues piece first recorded for cylinder and 78rpm shellac records, though some sources will argue that credit should go to Victor Military Band and their 1914 song, “The Memphis Blues – One Step,” as the first blues recording ever. Eventually, the Mississippi Delta would give birth to bona fide gospel-tinged music about suppression, depression, racial inequalities, drinking, love, relationships, and the like, all from the standpoint of early Black America in the Deep South. Early blues was and is a true representation of Americana, and one that eventually influenced almost every other genre of music that came after its inception.
Since the turn of the century and more specifically after the boom of the vinyl revival, record labels have been gradually increasing their output of classic traditional blues music, releasing reissues back out into the ethers for those music aficionados of whom it wasn’t feasible to seek out and spend hundreds of dollars on original pressings. Over the past recent years, more and more blues reissues have been inundating the music market, helping to supply blues fans with a healthy supply of collectibles, introducing younger generations to the genre, and assisting in reviving its popularity to the masses. Goldmine has gathered together some of our favorite and most impressive blues reissues over the past half decade and has individually reviewed every one of these releases for quality both in sound and presentation. We aim to highlight the music, the media, and the record labels who respect the genre enough to supply us with a plethora of great classic era and late-legacy blues recordings.
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Bear Family Records
As one of the most revered and praised record labels by Goldmine, Bear Family Records has been issuing and reissuing rare and forgotten recordings since 1975. Based in Holste, [northern] Germany, the label and its subsidiaries have become synonymous with highly collectible music media for the serious aficionado of historic and classic era Jazz, Blues, Rock & Roll, Folk, Americana, Kraut Rock, R&B, Soul and almost every other mainstream genre you can put your mind (and your ears) to. They are purveyors of some of the most thorough collections of music, almost always combining exhaustive historical information in conjunction with the recordings they release. With regard to The Blues, their catalog contains many examples of rarities and collector-worthy albums and compilations to choose from for the serious blues fan, and they’ve been doing all of this for almost as long as Goldmine has been around. Below are three examples of some of the more recent blues reissues that have impressed us and triggered our collector-senses.
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JIMMIE VAUGHAN | Strange Pleasure (2023) — The brother of the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie has gained true modern legendary status in his own right, and rightly so. As one of the younger albums we are highlighting, Strange Pleasure was the solo debut studio album for Vaughan. Originally released in 1994 on Epic Records (cat# EK 57202), the album was only ever issued on compact disc, except for in the U.K. where it was also issued on vinyl record as a single disc, 11-track release. At its almost 30 year anniversary, in 2023, Bear Family Records took this now iconic blues record and reissued it on vinyl for the first time worldwide. The record label took it a giant step further in the direction of ‘audiophile,’ reissuing the record as a double LP on 180 gram discs, mastered at 45rpm for incredible premium sonics, all housed in a heavy cardstock gatefold cover. This album sounds insanely good! It contains the original track-list but adds a track-12 — a never-before-heard extended version of the album’s most familiar rhythm & blues-tinged Texas blues swinger, “Boom-Bapa-Boom.” A numbered limited edition of 1500 units worldwide, still available here. (vinyl only) Bear Family Records (cat# BAF218051)
JOE TURNER | Blues No. 5 (2023) — Known as a ‘blues shouter,’ Joe Turner (aka, Big Joe Turner) was a bona fide superstar in the mid-century realm of blues vocalists, whose music exemplified a heavy emphasis on Rhythm & Blues stylings. In 1959, Turner released his fifth studio LP, Big Joe is Here, on Atlantic Records (cat# 8033) released only in mono, and what is now considered one of the artist’s most sought after original releases. Three years subsequent to this, in 1963, Atlantic Records France would strip two songs from the album (“Don’t You Cry,” “After My Laughter Came Tears”) and released it as a 33⅓ rpm 10-inch album, and retitling it, Blues No. 5 (cat# 332015), to this day remaining as one of the most rare Turner album variants in the artist’s discography. In 2023, Bear Family Records took great initiative to revive this rarity, paying deep attention to detail with regard to the remastering and manufacturing of this reissued version which mimics the original almost ‘to the T.’ It possesses an elevated sound quality, but without negating the rudimentary historic sonics of the original recordings, making it possible for a collector to own a copy and experience the record without having to pray you’ll find an original. On light blue translucent wax as a limited edition of 500 units worldwide, still available here. (vinyl only) Bear Family Records (cat# BAF11039)
THE MEMPHIS BLUES BOX Original Recordings … 1914-1969 (2023) — Bear Family Records is known for many unique qualities, but one that stands out is the fact that this record label does box sets like nobody else. In 2023, Bear Family launched quite literally the most comprehensive collection of historical blues music that we have ever seen; rarities collected that span an entire 55 years of selections over the historic and classic blues periods — from the beginning up unto the crossover period where classic rock music began its love affair with The Blues. This massive 20 compact disc compilation is lathered with over 500 tracks of every faction of traditional blues music that a collector could envision. It is chock full of so many rarities starting from 1914 to 1969 — selections only ever released on 78rpm records and 45rpm singles — that it will deliver for the listener a guaranteed mind blowing experience. The compilation contains many little-acknowledged historic blues artists such as, Blind Mamie Forehand, Furry Lewis, and Memphis Jug Band, to more well known icons by the names of B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and even rare Elvis Presley. The attention to detail in reproducing the playback sound of these recordings is beyond impressive, reverberating modern clarity yet without deconstructing the classic sound that you’d expect to hear with rare blues music. To top it off, in quintessential Bear Family tradition, this box set also accompanied by one of the most exhaustive music books recalling the history of blues music as it pertains to the musical selections contained within, all over 360 pages in a hardbound cover. This release is not cheap, but it is worth every dollar, pound, euro or yen that you will spend to gratefully bring this unmatched box set release into your collection. Available only on compact disc, here. Bear Family Records (cat# BCD 17515)
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BMG
The Germany-based Bertlesmann Music Group has been a forerunner in the worldwide distribution of music and music media for decades, beginning in 1985 as RCA / Ariola International and two years later as the BMG Music we have all come to be familiar with. It was their early-millennial short-lived partnership with Sony Music which made that conglomerate the biggest supplier of music and music media in the world. In 2008 the partnership dissolved, with the BMG Music reforming as an sole independent entity simply known as BMG releasing many classic reissues of music, over every genre imaginable that they have acquired into their massive catalog.
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JOHN LEE HOOKER | Boom Boom (2025) — In 1992, shortly after the legend’s comeback, Hooker would release what would be his third to last studio album the artist would ever record before his passing in 2001. Boom Boom was released on the Virgin Records subsidiary, Pointblank Records, and was available on cassette and compact disc worldwide and on vinyl LP only in limited countries including the U.K. The album was highly regarded as it featured Hooker performing revived and recorded interpolations of some of his most memorable classic material with guest musicians that included some of the most notable modern names in blues at the time. It received almost instant critical acclaim for its reproductions featuring names such as Jimmie Vaughan, Deacon Jones, Charlie Musselwhite and Robert Cray as guest players on the album, and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album the following year. The album has received sporadic CD reissues since its inception but had never been reissued on vinyl record until now. In 2025, music giant, BMG, took the opportunity to revive this later era modern blues classic, taking the source music from the original master tapes and reissuing this album on vinyl and compact disc, remastered for the first time since its original 1992 release. The vinyl variant contains the original remastered track-list while the compact disc variant adds two bonus tracks (“Dimples,” “Ain’t No Love in This House”) never available on the original song sequence, and a 12-page booklet with extensive liner notes by Jas Orbrecht. Hands down; BMG did an incredible job bringing this album back to life. Get a copy for yourself here. BMG (cat# vinyl 964163361 / CD 964168662)
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Craft Recordings
Craft Recordings, for almost a decade now, has been the silent purveyor of high quality reissues revered by the audiophile without the label blatantly branding itself as an audiophile record company. It exists under the legendary Concord Records umbrella of imprint record labels and serves the purpose as the reissue outlet for Concord’s vast and expansive catalog of music. It continues to release ultra-premium music media over all genres, respected for the sonic and packaging quality of its releases in every way, shape, and form.
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ALBERT KING with STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN | In Session (2024) — In 1999, before the acquisition of the Fantasy Records / Stax Records catalogs in 2004 by the Concord Music Group, Stax Records released one of the best legacy live in studio performances of late blues music. On December 6, 1983, one underappreciated classic legend and one highly accoladed modern legend of the blues music lexicon gathered together to create absolute electric blues magic. Legendary electric blues guitarist, Albert King, and the modern king of Texas blues, Stevie Ray Vaughan, collided to create one of the most memorable blues recordings over the past half century; a recording that holds its weight in gold to this day. It was only ever released on compact disc album until three years later when audiophile label Analog Productions attempted to reissue the original mastered recording on heavy weight vinyl (180 gram) cut for 45rpm play back over a double LP, but would not be released until 2009. They attempted this once more in 2015, but this time remastered on 200 gram vinyl, still with the original 11-song track-list, and once more remastered in 2022 but back to 180 gram discs. In 2024, Craft Recordings seemed to one-up the Analog Productions reissues, by releasing this modern blues classic with the entire recording session intact, adding four additional never-before released selections over a massive 3xLP package, remastered for 33⅓ rpm playback on three 180 gram vinyl discs, and included the entire package on compact disc as well. We feel this is the definitive copy, and man does it sound sensational! Both still available here … don’t hesitate. Craft Recordings (cat# vinyl CR00675 / CD 00888072525634)
Bluesville Series:
180 gram heavy weight, original-styled tip-on jackets, replica side labels, collector-worthy remastered classic blues vinyl reissue series from Craft Recordings, all from the original master tapes and issued on vinyl only. Goldmine has chosen four of our favorites, and you can as well, with many more in the series to choose from, here. Though not marketed as ‘audiophile,’ we feel many discerning audiophiles will approve of these remasters.
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BLIND GARY DAVIS | Harlem Street Singer (2024) — One of the princes of classic era gospel-tinged country blues, Reverend Gary Davis came forth with his third solo album release in 1960, presented as the gospel-themed east coast blues / country blues record, Harlem Street Singer. It was originally released in the U.S. on the Prestige Records imprint, Prestige Bluesville (cat# BVLP 1015) as a mono-only pressing, recorded, mixed and mastered by the legendary Rudy Van Gelder. Almost all of the selections over the album were composed by Davis with the exception of a few standards, and was blatantly colored with a religious theme based on Davis’ faith. It was an extremely well recorded rudimentary acoustic blues record becoming one of the artist’s most revered. Concord Music Group (owners of the Bluesville catalog) commissioned the re-envisioning of this album in 2024 for inclusion in their already successful Bluesville Series. This remastered version comes along like a breath of fresh air. For the serious blues aficionado who might be familiar with the original variant or an early reissue, believe us, you haven’t heard this record until you experience Craft’s idea of how it should sound, now in stereo!. Craft Recordings (cat# CR00748)
JIMMY REID | I’m Jimmy Reed (2024) — The 1958 debut album from the infamous delta blues-influenced electric bluesman Jimmy Reid is alone an iconic recording within the annals of blues music. Reed’s fantastically melodic style of singing often would assist in crossing his music over to rhythm & blues audiences, with its swinging, danceable cadences. I’m Jimmy Reed was originally issued by the Chicago-based Vee-Jay records (cat# VJLP 1004) and portrayed the artist’s Chicago influenced electric guitar playing simultaneously with his virtuoso blues harp accompaniment, making this just as much of a true harmonica blues album as anything else. Craft Recordings’ decision to implement this classic into its Bluesville Series was a smart move on their part, and a blessing to truly fanatical blues collectors who chase premium sound as well as the historical aspect of the original, with some selections recorded as early as 1953. Moreover, the all analog lacquer masters redone by mastering engineer, Mathew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab, and manufactured at the legendary Quality Record Pressings facility, resulted as a true audiophile issue of this highly revered album by the master Jimmy Reed. Craft Recordings (cat# CR00747)
PINK ANDERSON | Vol. 1: Carolina Blues Man (2025) — Sharing the Bluesville Series spotlight with his debut duo partner, Reverend “Blind” Gary Davis (whose 1956 debut album was billed to both artists together), super-legendary bluesman Pink Anderson is a rarely-acknowledged genre icon. His debut solo release, Carolina Blues Man, is exemplary of foundational piedmont blues syncopated finger picking and traditional delta blues singing style and arrangements. His age, 61 at the time of this 1961 original release, meant that the artist spent his life experiencing the blues coming into being as a recorded form of music and eventually taking the path of a blues recording artist himself as early as 1928. This album — his first full-length LP after over 30 years as a recorded bluesman — contains material that might have sounded like his first contributions to music in his youth, but the 1961 original on Prestige Bluesville (cat# BV 1038) must have sounded 10 times better than his seminal 1928 78rpm shellac of “Papa’s ‘Bout To Care.” Now, however, 64 years subsequent to its original release, Carolina Blues Man, can be heard with the ultimate in high quality sound all due to the care and concern for the music, by Craft. The Bluesville Series remaster does not distort the rudimentary sound of the original, yet delivers it as more life-like and present. Such a great pleasure to listen to it in this modern dynamic. Craft Recordings (cat# CR00843)
TERRY CALLIER | The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier (2025) — While not traditionally considered a blues artist, Terry Callier’s debut album was rooted in deep legacy folk; a genre that borrowed greatly from The Blues, and was revered by many true blues fans of the time. The New Folk Sound of Terry Callier set itself apart from his subsequent albums which took on more of a ‘soul folk’ identity, thus his debut being branded something like a mixture of folk music and blues with remakes of historic standards that had their ties to the slavery era (similar to traditional blues music). These are reflected with Callier’s renditions of songs such as, “900 Miles,” and “Cotton Eyed Joe,” which were interpolated by everyone from Woody Guthrie, to Dylan, to Nina Simone. The original 1966 release was put out on Prestige Records (cat# PR 7383), highly sought after by collectors, and today can fetch a price tag of $700.00 to upwards of a $1000.00 for a respectable VG+ copy. It was only reissued one time by Prestige before 1970, and did not see another until 1995 on compact disc. However, in 2018, Craft Recordings reissued the album on vinyl for the first time in over 50 years, with bonus material and in standard modern packaging. Nevertheless, to make their attempts a true modern collectors item, they did it again in 2025, replicating the original track-list and packaging (classic heavy gauge tip-on sleeve) with an over-the-top remastering job pressed on heavy weight vinyl. Second only to owning an original, this is the authoritative copy that every blues (and folk) collector should own. Craft Recordings (cat# CR00844)
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Delmark Records
Delmark Records; the legendary blues and jazz label launched in 1953 (as Delmar Records, St. Louis, MO), has, since 1958, been a Chicago-based staple for blues music that has served as host to some of the most legendary record releases and recording artists in history. Founder, Bob Koester, in 2018, bequeathed the company to now President and CEO, Julia A. Miller, and Vice President, Elbio Barilari, who continue managing the legacy of the label by reissuing classic blues and jazz and growing it further by supporting modern artists on their roster.
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JUNIOR WELLS‘ C.B.B. with BUDDY GUY | Hoodoo Man Blues (2022) — If this album isn’t a classic blues monument, then we don’t know what is. Originally recorded and released at the tail end of 1965 on Delmark (cat# DS 9612), Hoodoo Man Blues has become not only one of the biggest (if not thee biggest) selling record on the label, but one of the most revered Chicago blues/rhythm & blues recordings in the annals of The Blues. As far as we are and most are aware, this was the only Junior Wells release to be billed to Junior Wells’ Chicago Blues Band. The album contains participation from like-legend, Buddy Guy, who being contracted with Chess Records at the time almost stopped him from being able to get full credits for his performance on the album. Delmark label founder, Bob Koester, who also produced the album, was dogmatic about giving Wells his creative freedom, resulting in a raw and organic Chicago blues masterpiece. In the few years succeeding the original release, the album was reissued quite a handful of times, but modern reissues on vinyl with tighter and higher tolerances in manufacturing have been few and far between. Nonetheless, since the transfer of leadership at Delmark, the label has committed to reviving many of the most classic (and rare) recordings in their historical catalog, including this one. It is a fantastic reissue, available on vinyl and CD here. Delmark Records (cat# vinyl DS 612 / CD DD-612)
MAGIC SAM BLUES BAND | Black Magic (2017) — It is quite an unfortunate thing to have so much talent and be ultimately recognized as legend, but having left this earth to soon to enjoy your own legacy. The name Magic Sam is synonymous with mid period classic era Chicago blues and a name that is exulted by serious blues aficionados worldwide. With his untimely passing in 1969 (born 1937), the artist only ever released two full-length albums prehumously under the moniker, Magic Sam Blues Band, this album being his second and final. And while there have been a massive amount of posthumous Magic Sam releases (both unreleased material and compilations), his debut and this one are considered must have originals by almost every blues collector you will speak to. Originally released via Delmark in 1969 (cat# DS 620) — just days before his death — Black Magic contains some of the artist’s most revered selections. Delmark has rereleased the album many times since then, but as with the Wells record, modern day vinyl presses manufactured under more modern standards have been few. However, not too many years ago, Delmark took care of this by reviving this record from its back catalog and presents blues fans with a modern day copy that is sure to impress … and you don’t have to spend close to $100.00 for a decent copy of an original. Available on vinyl and CD here. Delmark Records (cat# vinyl DS-620 / CD 620)
OTIS RUSH | So Many Roads: Live in Concert (2017) — Released in 1975 in Japan only, on the Trio Records label and originally titled, Blues Live! (cat# PA-3086), this live performance recording of the iconic Otis Rush in the Land of the Rising Sun, is incendiary! Live blues recording are becoming more and more prevalent in modern times, especially with the rise and modern revival of traditional blues disciplines, but in the classic era, they were available, but not nearly as ubiquitous. In 1978, Delmark would purchase the recording for U.S. release, retitle it, So Many Roads – Live in Concert (cat# DS-643) and has owned the rights to it ever since. The album was reissued a few time circa the 1990s on compact disc, but a modern vinyl and CD copy didn’t come to fruition until recently. Delmark has remastered this explosive live blues performance from the original master tapes and presents them to you as vibrant as it would have been attending the show in Japan in 1975. The reproduction of this album by Delmark presents the performance with the best quality sonics achievable, perfect for blues aficionados who revere the live album format, on vinyl and CD here. Delmark Records (cat# vinyl DS 643 / CD DE 643)
ROBERT NIGHTHAWK | Bricks In My Pillow (2017) — A historic era icon in the realm of very early blues, Robert Knighthawk (born 1909) has contributed his great works to the lexicon of blues music from as early as the mid 1930s. Having recorded a plethora of compositions and released music under many earlier monikers (e.g., Petie’s Boy, Ramblin Bob, Robert Lee McCoy, Robert McCollum), Nighthawk coincidentally only ever released one full-length live LP before his death in 1967. Since then, many posthumous albums and compilations have been released of past and unreleased recordings, including 1978’s, Bricks In My Pillow, on Pearl Records (cat# PL-11). In the late ’90s, Delmark must have acquired the Pearl catalog as they reissued this compilation album for the first time on compact disc (1998), with the only vinyl reissue happening ten years prior, only in Japan. Since then, in brilliant Delmark fashion, this album has been gracefully made available once again on vinyl record, reissued from the original tapes. It originally contained early past Nighthawk selections combined with a nice handful of never before released material from the artist. This vinyl record reissue sounds bluesy-raw yet pristine all at the same time. Currently on vinyl only, here, yet the out of print CDs can still be found via music dealers all across the internet. Delmark/Pearl Records (cat# PL-11)
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Elemental Music
Another modern day purveyor of top-quality classic album reissues over multiple genres (mostly jazz, blues, and soul); Elemental Music has become respected by music collectors and curators worldwide. The brainchild of Spain-based producer, Jordi Soley and international jazz guru, Zev Feldman (Resonance Records, Dip Digs Music, Reel to Real, and Time Traveler Recordings), Elemental and its label imprints have been reissuing popular, rare, and archival recordings for over a decade.
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B.B. KING | Indianola Mississippi Seeds (2017 / 2023) — Segueing into the 1970s, B.B. King was already a living, breathing legend within the rudiments of traditional down-home Chicago-style electric blues. 1970’s, Indianola Mississippi Seeds (ABC Records, cat# ABCS-713) was a leap into uncharted territory as the artist delve into infusing other sounds and production ideologies into his standard Chicago blues traditions. While the album still greatly exemplifies his root style, he would commission the musical savvy of likes of Carole King, Joe Walsh, and Leon Russell to assist him in the overall outcome of the album. The end result was B.B. in rare form over a hotbed of electric blues, with tinges of rock (by way of what would be considered early southern rock), and pop undertones with the accompaniment of string sections over a few of the selections. It is truly one of the artist’s best bodies of work, hands down. Since the mid ’80s the album was only ever reissued on compact disc, until Elemental Music would bring it back to life on a 180gram vinyl pressing in 2017. In 2023, the label took a second opportunity to revive the album and did it better than well again. Whether you seek out a copy of the 180gram or the currently available remaster (here), you’ll win either way … both sound incredible! Elemental Music (cat# 620901)
B.B. KING | Live in Japan (2024) — Following the release of Indianola Mississippi Seeds the year prior, King would embark on a world tour that included Japan; at the time a country that was showing a rapidly growing increase of interest in blues music in the mainstream. The success of ‘Indianola’ was monumental and Japan was waiting for King to grace their presence with regard to live performances. Recorded on March 4 and 7 in 1971 at Sankei Hall, Tokyo; the album would release later that same year. Live in Japan (cat# GW 131-20) was part of a slew of live album releases launched by ABC Records in 1971, but would only ever be released in Japan until its first worldwide compact disc reissue in 1999, however, not ever being reissued on vinyl until last year. In 2024, the masterminds at Elemental took the initiative to present this monumental live King recording just the way Japan received it 54 years ago, remastered and presented on a 140gram double gatefold LP; the way of the original. It is a fantastic sounding pressing honing the classic feel of the original (that we’ve only heard on CD) combined with modern day mastering and pristine vinyl record manufacturing available to all blues fans here. Elemental Music (cat# 620909)
MUDDY WATERS | Muddy, Brass and the Blues (2023) — A Chess Records classic; the 1966 Muddy, Brass and the Blues release (cat# mono LP-507 / stereo LPS-507) was a monument and a massive shift in his only then seven album discography. Not only was Waters crossing over vocally into heavier rhythm & blues and soul territory, but he was stripped of his guitar (performed only by Pee Wee Madison and Sam Lawhorn), and was allocated only to vocals. There are points in time as you ride through this album where his vocal ability can be assimilated to the soul and passion of peers such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and the like. Horns an organ were added to Waters’ more common previous traditional Chicago blues orchestration structure and production ideologies. This is were fans of blues music and fans of R&B came together to meet at Muddy Waters. Since the album’s inception, with only a couple of sporadic vinyl reissues between 1989 and 2018 (the latter only in Russia), Elemental does a fantastic job bringing this record back to life on stereo vinyl in the U.S. music market as well as from almost any reputable virtual music seller across the globe. You’d be hard pressed to find an original in ‘acceptable,’ collectible condition online or in a record shop without spending upwards of a couple hundred dollars, yet you can get a high-quality-sounding mint modern replica (140gram disc with legacy side labels and LP cover) for a fraction of the cost, here. A Goldmine highly recommended reissue. Elemental Music (cat# 620884)
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Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
The fine musical minds at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab are without a doubt the audiophiles ‘drug dealer’ on a kingpin level. Having created the idea of audiophile recordings almost 50 years ago, and today still leading that market; MoFi has coincidentally not lent their magical hands to many classic blues recordings. However, the few that they have produced in the realm of traditional blues, has been a great friend to classic era blues music aficionados who hope and pray that Mobile Fidelity might gift more of their elevated skillset to the genre.
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MUDDY WATERS | Folk Singer (2023) — Quite possibly one of the most recognizable and iconic blues records of all time; the Chess Records 1964 release of Muddy Waters’, Folk Singer (cat# LP 1483), is about as classic delta blues as circa 1960s delta blues gets. Owning a copy (or several) seems to be a requirement of sorts if you are in any way, shape, or form, a true curator of blues music. While there is a great shortage with regard to ever obtaining an original mono copy or an original altered stereo variant for cheap (or at all for that matter), there is no shortage of reissued versions in all formats of music media from over the past 61 years since its release. There have even been several successful attempts at audiophile-level remastered reissues on LP and CD worldwide (several of which Goldmine has access to), but to this day, none can touch the MoFi. We had to put this to the test as we traditionally do with all Mobile Fidelity recommendations, using a 2008 JVC Records XRCD from Japan and a 45rpm-mastered 200gram vinyl pressing from Analogue Productions. Both of the competitors resonated with absolute magnanimous results, with no complaints, in fact, everything to rejoice about. Nonetheless, neither could hold a candle to Mobile Fidelity’s ‘One Step’ lacquer cutting process and SuperVinyl compound pressing, remastered as well for 45rpm playback. In our most experienced opinion, this is the absolute definitive copy of this legendary delta blues masterpiece that one can obtain. This Ultradisc One Step of Folk Singer comes packaged as a beautiful box set, numbered and limited to 10,000 copies worldwide, and still available here. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (cat# MFSL45UD1S-023)
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ORG Music
With the second era of wide success for fully independent record labels at an all time high, indie labels outside of the umbrella of major music conglomerates are once again experiencing more and more of an attraction by recording artists and consumers alike. A decade and a half ago, ORG Music committed itself to residing outside the ‘umbrella,’ with a vow to put out modern artist music with substance, but even more, become one of the most respectable classic reissue labels in the world today. They have done exactly what they set out to do, and continue to do it, to the approval of many discerning and die-hard music collectors all across the globe.
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BIG BILL BROONZY | The Midnight Special: Live in Nottingham 1957 (2020 / 2023) — As a generous contributor to the historic lexicon of blues, yet not quite a modern day household name with regard to the genre; Big Bill Broonzy was a major player in the realm of early Chicago-style blues and country blues music. In the early ’30s, Broonzy would begin a life as a recorded blues musician for the Paramount label, releasing his first 78rpm shellac single, “Station Blues” (as Big Bill Broomsley), launching a professional life as a recording musician that would only last 27 years. With his influential international reputation at an all-time high, in the mid ’50s Broonzy would perform several unpublished live dates in West Bridgford, Nottingham, England, at the Dancing Slipper Ballroom, the last of which would be recorded a year before his untimely death in 1958. In 1978, the British independent jazz label, Spotlight Records, would issue these live recordings, releasing them on the LP titled, Trouble in Mind (cat# SPJ-900) with only one compact disc reissue ever occurring 22 years later. However, the minds at ORG Music saw the value in approaching a remastered vinyl reissue in 2020 and subsequently again in 2023, titled, The Midnight Special: Live in Nottingham 1957, filling the void where more modern reissued Broonzy recordings were needed. This reissue has turned out to the tune of immaculate, remastered diligently by the iconic Dave Gardner. Available on vinyl only, here. ORG Music (cat# ORGM-2173-P)
CHARLEY PATTON | Father of the Delta Blues… (2024) — When you are noted as creating a style within a genre of music, you remain as the only one that will ever retain that reputation. As the title of the album states, blues monument, Charley Patton, holds the almost total consensus as the progenitor of the delta blues style. The artist began his professional recording career in 1929, releasing his 10-inch 78rpm shellac recording of, “Pony Blues,” on the historic Paramount label (cat# 12792). Though Patton would never release an original music full-length LP before his very early death (1891-1934), he recorded a slew of now extremely collectible shellac singles which were released before his passing, and many more posthumously from archival recordings created in his early career. In 2024, ORG Music joined the plethora of reputable labels that have reissued his original singles in compilation form over the past half century plus. However, when you leave something this important and this essential up to ORG Music, you can bet that they not only do it right, but do it best. Their compilation — Selections From Paramount Recordings — contains the earliest of Patton’s recordings originally issued on Paramount beginning in 1929. Moreover, as many ORG releases can boast, the project was remastered by the one, Dave Gardner, and released for RSD Black Friday 2024 in limited edition, available on vinyl only, here. To follow this up flawlessly, on November 28, 2025, ORG will issue, Selections From Paramount Recordings, Vol. 2, as another RSD Black Friday release, and which contains a chronological continuation of Patton’s Paramount-issued gems. Goldmine was made privy to an advanced copy and gave it our in-depth attention. We reveled in the rudimentary and foundational sound of historic era delta blues that has been given a ‘respectable’ facelift with homage to the original recordings, and coming to the conclusion that there is everything for the blues fanatic to anticipate this upcoming Record Store Day / Black Friday, again. ORG Music (cat# Vol. 1 ORGM-2307 / Vol. 2 ORGM-2344)
SISTER ROSETTA THARPE | Live in 1960 (2017-2024) — Not directly referred to or widely regarded as a ‘blues’ musician; Sister Rosetta Tharpe wears a few crowns that closely associate within the realm of the classic era of music. Known mostly for her contributions to gospel, jazz (big band), and rhythm & blues (moonlighting in the arena of very early rock & roll), she loosely holds titles such as ‘The original soul sister,’ and ‘The godmother of rock & roll.’ However, with regard to her gospel roots and her prominent place in early rhythm & blues, her music is widely accepted and revered within serious blues music circles. Tharpe toured Europe in 1960, however, with Omega Records (her current label) nor Verve Records (her subsequent label home) not taking advantage of this captured live recording. In the spirit of true archival music releases (something very popular today), in 1991 the legendary New Orleans-based Southland Records (est. 1948) obtained the ‘lost’ recording and issued Live in 1960 on compact disc album for the first time ever (cat# SCD-1007). Over 25 years later, ORG Music in partnership with Southland, took advantage of the fact that this archival treasure had never seen the grooves of a vinyl record, put their money where their heart is, and did something about it. In 2017 they released their initial remastered variant of Live in 1960 for the first time on vinyl, ever. Since then, based on demand, ORG has repressed successive variants of this album with the latest in 2024, again, all remastered by the master, Dave Gardner. Goldmine delved deep into their most recent variant and was impressed by this pristine yet truly organic and archaic sounding recording. Available solely on vinyl, here. ORG Music (cat# ORGM-2100)
SKIP JAMES | The Complete 1931 Sessions (2022 / 2024) — Another early progenitor with regard to recorded delta blues/country blues music; Nehemiah Curtis “Skip” James was Mississippi born and born to front the blues movement from the earliest reaches of recorded music. Though not as widely regarded in his younger years — growing substantially more popular during the music era of the mid-century, toward the last throes of his life — it was his earliest recordings that we now adhere to having the most impact, and those that are the focus of this album. His very first recordings were completed between 1930 and 1931 for the iconic Paramount label, where he recorded nine 10-inch 78rpm shellac singles which were all released in 1931 — hence, The Complete 1931 Sessions. There have been various reissued compilations with regard to this music, though most if not all either incomplete or extending beyond the Paramount Sessions. However, in 1982, Matchbox Records (UK) released the complete chronological sessions on vinyl, with the only reissues (except for one) being found only on compact disc since. However, with the mindset of giving these historic recordings a boost in sonics and returning them to vinyl, ORG Music and mastering engineer, Dave Gardner, revived these recordings into possibly the best sonic capture available today. We highly recommend this complete compilation over any of the previous others (vinyl or CD) purely for its remastered audio achievement, and the simple fact that good luck getting any of these recordings on the original music media, and if you actually find any, good luck affording them. On translucent blue vinyl, here. ORG Music (cat# ORGM-2245-TB)
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Ruf Records
Founded in 1994 by blues legend Luther Allison’s manager, Thomas Ruf, the label was initially established to support the career of Allison. Since then, the Germany-based record label has been an independent forerunner in traditional blues and blues rock recording artists, playing host to some of the biggest names in these genres, from legends such as Canned Heat, Savoy Brown, Buddy Miles, Mitch Ryder, and Jeff Healy, to modern icons Samantha Fish, Devon Allman, Royal Southern Brotherhood, and many others.
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OMAR KENT DYKES & JIMMIE VAUGHAN | On the Jimmy Reed Highway (2025) — Though this album doesn’t quite fall in the realm of ‘collectible-worthy’ as do all the previous releases we’ve covered, Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan’s duo album, On the Jimmy Reed Highway, holds to a theme that most blues aficionados will adhere to. It has been almost 20 years since the original launch of this album by Ruf, having been released in 2007 only on compact disc (cat# RUF 1122). In 2025, the label thought it worthy enough of a modern classic to reissue this fantastic album on vinyl for the first time ever. It truly was the right move to make, as not only is On the Jimmy Reed Highway a great collaborative effort by two modern day blues icons, but, though the CD sounds absolutely pristine, this thing sounds even more amazing on a 180gram analog format. Dykes & Vaughan gather together here to honor and pay tribute to one of their most admired influences — the legendary Jimmy Reed. With exception of the album’s title track; an homage to Reed, as well as one other track, all selections are past Reed favorites, either written by and or previously originally recorded by Jimmy Reed. Even more, the production contains featured performance and studio assistance by the likes of Lou Ann Barton, Gary Clark, Jr., and the legendary blues harp player, James Cotton, before his death 10 years after recording of this album. So, we digress; this is absolutely collector-worthy and we highly recommend it. Let’s go blues fans! Currently only available on vinyl, here, but you can still find CDs online from sellers. Ruf Records (cat# RUF 2116) —GM
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Contact TONE Scott at [email protected]. Please put Adventures of a Music Collector (Blues Reissues) in the subject line.
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Find a selection of great Blues music in the official Goldmine store: (Click below)
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TONE Scott is a career-long American music industry professional. As a Grammy Award nominated, platinum selling songwriter/ composer/ producer/ vocal arranger, he has worked with some of the world’s most renowned recording artists. As a published music journalist, he has been a feature writer for many internationally renowned music publications. Currently on staff at Goldmine magazine, he is Sr. Contributing Editor with four reoccurring online columns — The TONE of Soul, Adventures of a Music Collector, Eclectic Discoveries and Jazzology — as well as a prominent feature-article writer for the magazine’s print edition, including the reoccurring article series — Modern Music Must-Haves. He is an acknowledged music historian, having contributed liner notes for many album releases, as well as an expert record collector with over three decades of dedicated music collecting experience. As a content creator he hosts his own YouTube channel – TONE Scott – were he produces vlogs revolving around his music industry career and his life as a music collector. He is also the host of Record Store Spotlight; an online show that highlights independent record stores everywhere. Follow TONE Scott on all social media, including his YouTube channel by visiting his Linktree page, HERE.