Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1994)

About this title: Temple's first recordings, beginning with the classic "Lead Pencil Blues" and three other songs (best of all, "Pig Boat Whistle") from his May 14, 1935 sessions for Vocalion. "Lead Pencil Blues" was the first known use on record of the "walking bass" (Temple called it "running bass") figure on the bottom string, which would become a blues commonplace in just a few years, popularized by Robert Johnson. Alas, these were also the most country-sounding records that Temple ever recorded--their lack of success convinced producers that Temple needed a more sophisticated sound, and all of his ... read more

Tracks:

1. Lead Pencil Blues [Temple]
2. Jacksonville Blues
3. Big Boat Whistle
4. The Evil Devil Blues
5. New Vicksburg Blues
6. Louise, Louise Blues
7. Snapping Cat
8. So Lonely and Blue
9. New Louise Louise Blues
10. Peppin' Through the Keyhole
11. Pimple Blues
12. East St. Louis Blues
13. Gimme Some of That Yum Yum Yum [Temple]
14. Hoodoo Women
15. Mama's Bad Luck Child
16. Mean Baby Blues
17. Beale Street Sheik
18. What Is That Smells Like Gravy
19. Every Dog Must Have His Day
20. Fare You Wel
21. Stavin' Chain
22. County Jail Blues
23. Gonna Ride 74

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.