Blues - discography (selected)

Asch Recordings AA-1 - "The Asch Recordings, 1939-1947; Vol. 1:
Blues, Gospel and Jazz."

Asch Recordings AA-2 - "The Asch Recordings, 1939-1947; Vol. 1:
Blues, Gospel and Jazz."

Columbia Records G-30008 - "The Story of the Blues" (2 LPs) 1969. This 
set was compiled by Paul Oliver to accompany his book of the same name. 
Probably the best survey of this medium.

Folkways Records FJ-2801 - "Jazz - The South" (1 LP) 1958.
Precursors to the jazz style, edited by Frederic Ramsey, Jr.

Folkways Records FJ 2802 - "Jazz - The Blues" (1 LP) 1966.
includes Blind Lemon Jefferson, Ma Rainey, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton,
Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong.

Folkways Records FA-2691 - "Music Down Home: An Introduction to Negro
Folk Music, USA" (2 LPs).

New World Records NW-252 - "Roots of the Blues" (1 LP) 1977.
produced by Alan Lomax, this is an excellent collection, beautifully
annotated, of (mostly) field-recordings of pre-blues styles.

New World Records NW-259 - "Cuttin' The Boogie: Piano Blues and Boogie
Woogie, 1926-1941" (1 LP) 1977.

New World Records NW-256 - "Sweet and Low Blues: Big Bands and 
Territory Bands of the 20s" (1 LP) 1977.

New World Records NW-278 - "Georgia Sea Island Songs" (1 LP) 1977.
includes some of the music found in Parrish.

Okeh Records (1918-1969) is directly associated with the release of
many significant "race" records. In 1920, it issued "Crazy Blues" by Mamie
Smith, the first blues record by a black artist. Epic Records (CBS) released 
a 5-volume LP set of compilations in the '80s. These include Okeh re-
releases and some previously unissued Columbia recordings. The liner 
notes for these collections are quite good.
Epic EG-37318 - "Chicago Blues" (2 LPs) 1982, reissues:
includes Brownie McGhee, Memphis Minnie, Johnny Shines, Muddy Waters, 
Big Joe Williams, others.
Epic EG-37649 - "Rhythm & Blues" (2 LPs) 1982, reissues:
includes Smiley Lewis, Big Maybelle, Titus Turner, Johnnie Ray, several
vocal groups and orchestras, even Little Richard.

RBF Records RBF-11 - "Blues Rediscoveries" (1 LP) 1966. Compiled by 
Samuel B. Charters.