The Paramount Years

Step aside, Top 40 hits, we're diving deep into the lost gems of yesteryear with Blind Blake's The Paramount Years 1926-32. This album is a time machine, whisking us back to the roaring twenties when jazz ruled the airwaves and bathtub gin flowed freely. Blind Blake's virtuoso guitar skills are on full display throughout this collection, with intricate fingerpicking and lightning-fast runs that will leave you questioning whether there are actually ten fingers on his hands. From the rollicking "Diddie Wa Diddie" to the melancholic "West Coast Blues," Blake's versatility knows no bounds. But what truly sets this album apart is Blake's storytelling prowess. Each song is a vignette, a snapshot of life in the early 20th century, from the love-lorn ballads to the toe-tapping dance numbers. Blake's lyrics are as sharp as his guitar playing, painting vivid pictures of a bygone era with wit and charm. The Paramount Years 1926-32 is a must-listen for any music aficionado looking to expand their horizons beyond the mainstream. So sit back, pour yourself a Prohibition-era cocktail, and let Blind Blake transport you to a time when the music was as wild and untamed as the era itself. Cheers to the past, and to Blind Blake, the unsung hero of the jazz age.