Topic: meaning of the blues box set

[jaycee]

for those of you who are not aware, its the 50th anniversary of paul olivers, book. blues fell this morning, to celebrate this, jsp records have just released a 4 cd box set compiled by max haymes no less. plus a 1st for jsp records, it comes with an 80 page glossy booklet, written by max haymes. i reckon this will be the pre war blues release of the year. by a long long way. this really is a well thought out very classy release, and a fitting tribute to, paul oliver.

[Stuart]

Found a link:

http://www.earlyblues.com/Meaning%20In%20The%20Blues%20-%20JSP%204-CD%20Set%20Intro.htm

(Other sources give it a 5/17 release date in the U.S.)

[jharris]

While I think the 50th anniversary of Oliver's book is certainly worthy of celebration I have reservations about the project. Call me a curmudgeon but I'm just not a fan of Max Haymes. I have not been impressed with the liners I've read by him and found his Railroadin' Some a hard slog (I couldn't finish it). Also, personally, I would be more interested in collection of Oliver's 1960 recordings when he made recordings throughout the US. While much of this is available on Arhoolie, there's some unreleased material and out of print recordings plus all those interviews he recorded would be nice to have in longer format. Some snippets of these appeared on the companion record to Conversation With The Blues but I would love to hear more.

[Bunker Hill]

Call me a curmudgeon but I'm just not a fan of Max Haymes. I have not been impressed with the liners I've read by him and found his Railroadin' Some a hard slog (I couldn't finish it).

The Blues & Rhythm reviewer wasn't too enamoured either detailing at length the literary and factual shortcomings of the work.

[jaycee]

some interesting thoughts i personally think the tracks on the box set have been compiled very intelligently by max haymes. i have'nt read his notes in the booklet that comes with the set so i can't really comment just yet as to how well they have been written.
but i also own the railroadin' some book and found it a very absorbing read. but at the end of the day each to his own i suppose.

[Stumblin]

Oh, Lord God!
I'm going to have to declare myself bankrupt. Actual financial bankruptcy, in addition to my habitual moral bankruptcy.
I've never heard of Max Haymes until just now, so cannot venture a valid, informed opinion of the bloke & his doings.