Bukka White

Born Booker T. Washington White in 1909, the son of a railroad worker, Bukka White became one of the most distinctive voices in American blues. His 1937 recording of "Shake 'Em On Down" is considered definitive — it became a hit while White was serving time at Mississippi State Penitentiary, known as Parchman Farm, and he wrote about the experience in "Parchman Farm Blues" (1940). Bob Dylan covered his "Fixin' To Die Blues," which helped spark White's rediscovery in 1963 by guitarist John Fahey and Ed Denson, propelling him into the folk revival of the 1960s.

His influence reached far beyond the Delta. Led Zeppelin's "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" on Led Zeppelin III draws heavily from "Shake 'Em On Down," as does "Custard Pie" on Physical Graffiti. The North Mississippi Allstars recorded a celebrated version of the same song, and "Parchman Farm Blues" was recorded by Jeff Buckley, issued posthumously on the bonus disc of Grace.

Disc 1 features White's 1960s revival recordings produced by John Fahey. Disc 2 presents a complete White concert recorded in Bremen, Germany — never previously released in North America and unavailable for over 40 years.