"Public Domain is critical to our society. PublicDomain2ten's collection of musical gems is fabulous." Matthew King Kaufman, Fun Fun Fun Recordings
Henry Thomas – “Texas Easy Street” mp3
Born in 1874 in Big Sandy, TX, Henry Thomas was part of the first generation to be born out of slavery. He learned to hate cotton, but found solace in songwriting. “Texas Easy Street” was recorded in the mid-1920s and shows how Henry Thomas truly made his guitar swing. This is some heavy blues from Uncle PD to you. Enjoy!
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Leadbelly – “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” mp3
More than any other black folk-blues artist of his time, Leadbelly helped expose his race’s vast musical riches to white America and helped preserve a folk legacy that has become a significant part of this nation’s musical treasury. Kurt Cobain sang this song on Nirvana’s Unplugged album.
Blind Willie Johnson – “Praise God I’m Satisfied” mp3
Blind Willie Johnson, Texas blues man and virtuoso of the “bottleneck” or slide guitar, was born in Marlin, Texas, about 1902, and blinded at age seven. Johnson’s unique voice and his original compositions influenced musicians throughout the South, especially Texas bluesmen.
In 1928, he recorded this (the original) version of “Corrine, Corrina,” which later became a hit for Big Joe Turner. The general consensus is Bo Carter (born Armenter Chatmon) had the dirtiest mind in all of blues recording various sexually charged songs, like, “Banana in Your Fruit Basket.” I say that’s going beyond the innuendo boundary. To this day his character is still unequaled. Enjoy!
