I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release of Son Houses recordings, Forever On My Mind which was recorded at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana on November 23, 1964. This recording is incredible but extremely significant for me. I believe that Son House is possibly the best blues player that ever walked the earth and if not, certainly in small company. This release is not only extremely clear, but just looking at the cover brings House to life. I, like most grew up seeing House in those shaggy old films and mostly in black and white photos. Here pictured is House, likely in the late 60's or early 70's bringing him from an ancient blues player to a man who lived during my lifetime. Looking more real than my memory of my childhood friend, Richard Coalman who could easily have been born before House. This release is made up of tracks that House released elsewhere except the opening track, Forever On My Mind, which had never been released by House. With his distinct style on his old National resonator, House sounds like he's right here with me in the room. This is as real as it gets. His humming along with his playing is off the hook. It's not so much that the recording is modern day (it really is quite good), but House's playing and singing is so authentic and human and his resonator so perfect, that you get totally absorbed. Preachin' Blues is another great track and the resonator rings so clearly under House's rich vocal lead. Excellent! Of course included is one of House's trademark tracks, Death Letter. With a much more relaxed pace than I'm used to, it feels more like a country blues than his "traditional" delivery. Another of my all time favorite House tracks is Louise McGhee. His powerful strumming/picking style so nicely compliments his emotional singing it's hard to imagine a more perfect expression of feeling. Wrapping the release is Levee Camp Moan with House lightly sliding on resonator under his own vocals. This is the best release of the year... no matter what else is released... no kidding. Excellent job by Dan Auerbach with Waterman for getting this done.
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