The Song Planner

Early Recorded Blues

tagStarted 1910s blues-titled records; major Black blues commercial breakthrough in 1920Peak 1920s-1930s shellac eraLast big hit foundational through archive releases, reissue labels and historical playlists

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Blues → Classic / Vaudeville / Early Recorded Blues

Early Recorded Blues covers the acoustic 78 rpm era when blues first entered the commercial record business. It includes classic female blues, country blues, piano blues, jug bands, gospel blues and early urban performers. The category is about recording history as much as sound: short sides, acoustic or early electric recording limits, regional scouting, race-record marketing and the preservation of performances that otherwise might have vanished.

History

Mamie Smith's 1920 "Crazy Blues" made the industry chase Black blues buyers, while earlier blues-titled records often came from white bands or published-song culture. Through the 1920s, labels recorded Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Blake, Charley Patton, Blind Willie Johnson, Memphis Minnie and many others. Field trips and talent scouts captured regional voices, but the archive reflects business decisions and segregation as much as musical reality.

Defining artists

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Essential listening

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Sources

  • recording-history references
  • Library of Congress "Crazy Blues" essay
  • 78 rpm blues discographies
  • artist catalogs