HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Blind Willie McTell

Birth of the Blues: Blind Willie McTell

Blind Willie McTell

Born blind in Thomson, Georgia, on 5 May 1898, Blind Willie McTell was yet another blues musician who first recorded in 1927, he 29 years of age at the time. American Music has his first session of that year gone down on October 21 in Atlanta: 'Stole Rider Blues' / 'Mr. McTell Got the Blues' (Victor 21124) and 'Writing Paper Blues' / 'Mamma, Tain't Long Fo' Day' (Victor 21474). His first sessions had been on October 17 toward issue in 1928: 'Three Women Blues' / 'Statesboro Blues' (Victor V38001) and 'Dark Night Blues' / 'Loving Talking Blues' (Victor V38032). Stokes was a traveling performer and recorded for several labels under various pseudonyms before ending up busking for change in Atlanta. He last recorded in 1956 before beginning to preach at Atlanta's Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

'Writin' Paper Blues' Blind Willie McTell

21 Oct 1927 in Atlanta Matrix 40308-1 Victor 21474

Composition: McTell

'Loving Talking Blues' Blind Willie McTell

17 Oct 1928 in Atlanta Matrix 47188-3 Victor V-38032

Composition: McTell

'Come On Around To My House Mama' Blind Willie McTell as Blind Sammie

30 Oct 1929 in Atlanta Matrix 149302-2 Columbia 14484-D

Composition: McTell

'Southern Can Is Mine' Blind Willie McTell as Blind Sammie

23 Oct 1931 in Atlanta Matrix 151904-1 Columbia 14632-D

Composition: McTell

'Broke Down Engine Blues' Blind Willie McTell as Blind Sammie

23 Oct 1931 in Atlanta Matrix 151905-1 Columbia 14632-D

Composition: McTell

'Stomp Down Rider' Blind Willie McTell as Georgia Bill

23 Oct 1931 in Atlanta Matrix 405002-1 Okeh 8936

Composition: McTell

'My Baby's Gone' Blind Willie McTell (guitar) w Curly Weaver (vocal) [45 Worlds]

18 Sep 1933 in NYC Matrix 14038-2 Vocalion 02668

Composition: ?

'Lord, Send Me an Angel' Blind Willie McTell

19 Sep 1933 in NYC Matrix 14050-1

Not issued at the time See 'Atlanta Blues 1933' JEMF-106 / 1979

Composition: ?

'Ain't It Grand to Be a Christian' Blind Willie McTell w Kate McTell (wife / vocal)

23 April 1935 in Chicago Matrix C 9934 Decca 7140

Composition: Charlotte McCrossan 1934

'Amazing Grace' Instrumental by Blind Willie McTell

Recorded Nov 1940 by John and Ruby Lomax for the Library of Congress

Composition: John Newton: comp 1772 / pub 1779

'King Edward Blues' Blind Willie McTell

Recorded Nov 1940 by John and Ruby Lomax for the Library of Congress

Composition: McTell

Among titles that McTell documented in 1949 was 'Little Delia' concerning the shooting death of fourteen year-old Delia Green by fifteen year-old Mose Houston in Savannah on Christmas Eve of 1900.