Big Big News. Can't wait! Craft Recordings on Instagram: "Labels of Note: BLUESVILLE RECORDS We’re kicking off #BlackHistoryMonth with a crash course in the illustrious history and catalog of @bluesvillerecords! First established in 1959, the Bluesville label brought this highly influential genre to listeners everywhere with an impressive list of albums released across just a few short years. Now, we’re excited to share that #BluesvilleRecords is officially BACK, and we’ve got a big announcement coming very soon… Make sure you’re following along for more #blues news this month and beyond!"
I have the AP of Going Away and think it’s fantastic. I was positive I had two AP reissues of Bluesville records and scoured the shelves thinking I may have inadvertently filed it away with the jazz records… Kenny Burrell - Bluesey Burrell on Moodsville was the record I was thinking of On the plus side, I pulled it and added it to the listening stack for tonight. Kenny joins Lightnin’ on Bluesville and Candid. Not a bad way to kick off the weekend! Edited as I meant to say: can’t wait to see the reissue list for 2024 and I look forward to reading and learning on this thread whilst adding some classics to my modest blues collection.
Evenin' Blues was reissued in the AP series and also as an OBC. Although it's not Bluesville, it's about as good as the blues get. Jimmy Witherspoon is dang good. I wonder if they will include OBCs or be strictly sticking to BV catalog only. Discogs, which is nothing official, mixed in titles outside the BV catalog. https://www.discogs.com/label/50599-Prestige-Bluesville
I really hope they reissue the Brooks Berry and Scrapper Blackwell LP, 'My Heart Struck Sorrow' , and the Shirley Griffith, 'Saturday Blues'. Not the biggest names in their catalog but great, great music that's impossibly hard to find these days if you don't have a fortune to spend at Discogs.
Just spent an enjoyable 40 minutes listening to Evenin’ Blues. Thank you. I’m contemplating buying it from Acoustic Sounds. The shipping costs are far more reasonable than they used to be for those on the other side of the pond. I’d still have to add another couple of records to the package to make it worthwhile. Curious to see the line up too and the direction they’ll take. Equally as curious to read what makes visitors to this threads wish list. Keep em’ comin’!
I almost bought Evenin' Blues twice Forgot that I had already purchased it and have yet to open and play it. I had a sabbatical from blues and jazz. I have a few records to catch up on.
I spent the Discogs money - twice - for fair-but-not-great quality condition vinyl/sleeve of the Berry/Blackwell. That record never made it to CD, so I had no choice. Needless to say, I join you in your hope.
Lonnie Johnson with Elmer Snowden "Blues & Ballads" is my only OBC. 1990 Phil Delancie (presumably all analog) stereo mix. I'd be thrilled if they did the mono for this series.
First titles are up John Lee Hooker – Burning Hell + Skip James – Today! (Bluesville Series) LP Bundle Burning Hell (Bluesville Series) (180g LP) Today! (Bluesville Series) (180g LP) Announcing the launch of Bluesville Records — Craft’s revitalized reissue series and editorial platform which honors America’s bedrock music genre. In addition to releasing foundational blues titles from such legendary labels as Prestige, Vee-Jay, Riverside, Vanguard, Stax and Rounder, Bluesville Records will also elevate the legacies of the trailblazing artists behind these albums while honoring their immeasurable impact on modern music. For more information, visit bluesvillerecords.com and follow Bluesville Records on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Each handpicked Bluesville title will be released on vinyl in partnership with Acoustic Sounds. The first two titles, John Lee Hooker’s Burning Hell and Skip James’ Today!, will arrive June 7 and are available for pre-order today. The rollout will continue throughout the year and beyond, with classic titles from Albert King, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jimmy Reed and Blind Gary Davis, among others. The albums will feature all-analog mastering (AAA) by GRAMMY®-nominated engineer Matthew Lutthans (The MasteringLab) and will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl at QRP. Faithfully reproduced tip-on jackets round out every release, while obis will offer insightful reflections on the album by GRAMMY®-winning producer, writer and musician, Scott Billington. Additionally, each title will be available to stream in remastered hi-res audio.
So this is going to be basically an Original Jazz Classics type deal but for blues releases done on their family of labels: Veejay Vanguard Stax Riverside Prestige Specialty Rounder
Awesome to see they are stepping outside the BLP label. This opens it up nicely. QRP pressings are icing on the cake. Congrats to Matt!!
I’m definitely in for Burning Hell. I’ve got the Pure Pleasure of Skip James Today so I probably don’t need another copy. Too bad Craft doesn’t have Delmore Records too and would put out some Magic Sam albums.
SKIP JAMES TODAY Hell yes. I missed the previous KG cut. Skip is probably my favorite blues artist @MLutthans any stories about cutting this one? Do we think these will make Amazon etc? Not exclusive to Craft right?
Bluesville has a number of great titles/artists that have not been reissued to date. I own approx. 60 original Bluesville titles, and will certainly be interested in seeing which titles get picked. My minty original Burning Hell, along with the Acoustic Sounds 45 release is all I need, but a decent reissue by Craft will be a welcomed title for many. Nice choice!
Oh man do I hope they truly do The Complete Prestige / Bluesville Recordings box for Lightnin' Hopkins they are showing in the video! It's 7CDs, so I sort of doubt it, but... hopeful!
Also just want to say props to Craft for doing these at this pricepoint. Thirty bucks is amazing for a single AAA LP cut direct from the masters, and if you do a bundle you're looking at $26 a piece before taxes/shipping. That's a great value in 2024 I notice Jazz Dispensary is the same for a single LP, yeah? I wonder why OJC goes up to $40
These seem to be standard price of their regular release at $30. The OJC line they charge Tone Poet prices "because they can" is my educated guess.
No one knows for sure but KG and RTI are certainly more of a premium charge. I'm very happy with QRP so fine by me.
