The development of urban blues began with the migration of rural African Americans to the industrial cities of the North beginning in the 1930s. By the 1960s, urban blues bands had become amplified, using electric guitars and bass. Some bands would add harmonica and saxophone to the musical mix. This collection, part of Arhoolie’s “American Masters” series, features individual selections from blues musicians and singers such as Big Mama Thornton (who sang the original recording of “Hound Dog”), Sonny Boy Williamson, and Joe Turner. Liner notes include a list of each track’s original album.

Track Listing