Field Recordings:

It was after the proven success of the Classic Blues started that Race Records labels decided to record the undiluted male country blues singers. The record companies set temporary studios in hotels, hired halls, schools, and, store fronts in the South. These sessions are known as ‘Field Recordings’.[13]  The first songster to sing rural blues on record was Ed Andrews in Atlanta, March or April 1924.[14] However the first commercial rural blues recording success was Papa Charlie Jackson, recorded by Paramount later the same year.[15] At the time, the sales were made by mail order and the advertisement was done by a promotional booklet, “The Paramount Book of the Blues.[16]  Jackson’s recording contained titles like “I am Alabama Bound,” “Salty Dog,” “Spoonful” and “Shake that Thing”.  The recording featured Jackson’s six-string sophisticated banjo playing, full of complicated multi-pattered picking and freely melodic sense of rhythm. [17]

Although Blues style originated in the Mississippi Delta, the first recording star of country blues was Texan musician Blind Lemon Jefferson.[18]  Blind Lemon Jefferson recorded for Paramount. As expressed by Son House, Blind Lemon Jefferson was ‘one of the crack-batters in record making’.[19]  Jefferson’s first recording was released in 1926.[20]  His recording success was unbeatable in the Northern cities as well as in the South.[21]  Jeffersson’s live fit the stereotype of bluesmen that he well portrayed in his songs: violence, the spectra of death and imprisonment, transience of relationships, no money, always on the move, but always with a good sense of humor.[22]  Hiss repertoire includes not also blues but also ragtime and church music.[23]  Like many other Race Record artist, Blind Lemon Jefferson was denied any royalties from his recordings.[24]

Another recording blues songster of the time was Blind Blake. Blake featured a very fluent guitar playing accompanying a warm and relaxed, slightly wistful voice charged with an ironic feeling. His voice lacked the harshness of rural blues singers. And, his lyrics expressed urban disenchantment and disintegrating hopes.[25]

As the Race Records market boomed in the years 1927-1930, record labels had talent scouts in all parts of the country. Portable equipment was brought to locations in the South to record an increasing number of country talents.[26]  Field recording sessions presented several difficulties. Hazards of field recordings included not only difficulties with the equipment but also finding appropriate locations for the sessions. These field recordings were manufactured by five companies. Then they were issued as race records under seven main labels: Columbia and Okeh; Paramount; Vocalion and Brunswick; Gennet; and, Victor. Between the cities where the field recording sessions were done are: Atlanta, Memphis, Dallas, New Orleans, San Antonio-Texas, and Birmingham-Alabama.[27]

Although Atlanta recording sessions were mainly oriented to hillbilly music, some blues artists were also recorded there.[28] Between the blues songsters recorded in Atlanta are Blind Willie Mc Tell, Peg Leg Howell, Barbecue Bob, and, Charley Lincoln. [29]  Memphis was one of the most thriving blues cities of the South and consequently a great site for field recordings.[30] The list of blues artists recorded in Memphis includes: Rev. Robert Wilkins, Tommy Johnson, and Ishmon Bracey.

Talent scout H.C. Speir, , a white record store owner from Jackson Mississippi,[31]  was very involved with the recording of Delta blues musicians like Charley Patton, Tommy Johnson, Ishmon Bracey, the Chatmons and many others. He organized most of their recording sessions must of them done at a music store in Jackson, Mississippi, others in Memphis and others in the North. [32]  

Rural Blues artist Charley Patton was discovered by Henry Speir.[33]  Between 1929 and 1934, Patton recorded nearly seventy songs. His repertoire included not only blues but also African American ballads, ragtime, Tin Pan Alley hits and church songs. Apart from Texas Blind Lemon Jefferson, Patton represents the first generation of bluesman. The popularity of the blues performers and recordings in the rural community stemmed from the blues lyrics representing the concerns and reality of the African Americans.[34]

Artists Robert Johnson, on the other hand, was recorded in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.  Robert Johnson’s short life is surrounded by mystery. His legacy to popular music emerged from his recordings.  They const of twenty-nine songs recorded in a period of two years. Johnson’s recordings have influenced many great musicians in the history of popular music.  However, at the time of their first release these recordings were hardly considered a hit. Business wise, only “Terraplane Blues” became a minor success. However, because of Johnson’s posthumous reputation, the reissued of his work in CD in the 1990 was a surprise million seller.[35]