One of the more interesting installments in Document's attempt to release all of
Tampa Red's recorded works in chronological order, this 12th volume covers the years 1941 to 1945.
Red was playing electric guitar by this point, and most of the tracks here are proto-templates for the electric Chicago blues sound, although a bit more reined-in and refined. The lead track, "Georgia Georgia Blues," is perfect
Tampa Red, with solid guitar, an easy-rolling vocal, and -- of course -- a kazoo break. "Detroit Blues" is another highlight, and this disc also features two of
Red's best hokum pieces, the risqué "Let Me Play With Your Poodle" and the equally as daring "She Wants to Sell My Monkey." You can tell the musicians are having fun here, and even the gloomier blues cuts are sung with a wink and a grin. This is what country blues sounded like after moving to the city and settling in, and
Tampa Red's urbane tone balances perfectly between the old and the new.
–
Steve Leggett, Rovi