Father of Folk Blues

Recorded for Columbia Records after a more than 20-year retirement from music, 'Father of Folk Blues' captures Son House's raw, declamatory vocal power and percussive bottleneck guitar playing, which he had to relearn for the sessions. The album's stark, clear production by John Hammond puts House's emotional intensity front and center, presenting core blues themes of hardship and salvation with visceral force. These landmark recordings reintroduced his foundational Delta blues style to a new, younger audience during the 1960s folk revival and firmly cemented his enduring legacy.