I asked this question in the comments secition of the post below, but I thought I’d ask it up front also. Does anyone know where to buy

Hand Me My Travelin’ Shoes: In Search Of Blind Willie McTell

in the States? Having a large % of your readers located in Europe makes me feel like I’m missing out on a lot of things, like cheap prices on Document Records and this biography.

Trikont Records is another wonderful European based recorded label, whose compilations are much easier to find than Document’s here in the States. I’ve been pouring over their early harmonica recordings compilation titled “Black & White Hillbilly Music” this past week - and it’s a perfectly sequenced album - flowing between black and white artists with ease helping make those connections between playing styles easier to grasp. The harmonica was important because it was cheap, portable and easy to play but a lot more versatile than the kazoo, so it allowed people of all races and classes a chance to play and hear a lot of different styles of harmonica playing. Of course with the folk revival of the 60s and onward it seems a lot of the nuances of the harmonica have been lost and everyone just plays it like kazoo. This disc is a revelation on just how versatile the harmonica is - and how so many groups incorporated it into their playing style. Two of the tracks I liked the most were from Nelstone’s Hawaiians a country duo named for the two members Hubert Nelson and James Touchstone and also their use of Steel Guitar which at this time was more associated with Hawaiian music more so than country or guitar. The sound of steel guitar and the harmonica in duet is not something I’ve heard before , but it shows that they are perefect match for each other.

Buy the disc here!

Nelstone’s Hawaiians - Just Because (1929)
Nelstone’s Hawaiians - Mobile Country Blues (1929)

Thanks to the couple of people who sent me some of the 1960s Black Ace recordings. These were recorded by Arhoolie in 1960 during the start of the blues/folk revival and this song in particular shows that Black Ace was still incredible slide guitar player some 40 years after he first recorded. It’s a shame he wasn’t able to support himself recording during those in-between years - or even record more during his first and last sessions he was certainly capable of recording wonderful music.

Black Ace - Bad Times Stomp (1960)

First, I’d like to take back all the awful things I said about the Reds. I’m sorry. Though I’m still skeptical because we give up so many runs.

Arnold Wiley was a session player for most of his career, he backed Margaret Whitmore on “‘Taint A Cow In Texas” which was posted on Honey sometime ago. He also recorded with his brother as Wiley & Wiley, this track is a solo instrumental track that shows off his piano playing skills to their fullest while not being overly bogged with showing off his technical ability that it looses sight of being an enjoyable song.

Arnold Wiley - Windy City (1929)