The ongoing Rough Guides series showcasing the great blues and jazz masters of the first half of the 20th century has covered some of the most important and influential artists ever recorded, and Blind Willie McTell is a highly welcome addition to the burgeoning catalogue. The 12-string guitar virtuoso from Georgia with the exquisitely plaintive voice died in obscurity in 1959 at the age of 58 and so did not survive long enough to enjoy a new lease of life in the 1960s blues revival, as did the likes of his fellow pre-war contemporaries Son House and Mississippi John Hurt. Yet he left a legacy of wonderful songs, 25 of which are included on this collection, all recorded between 1927 and 1935, and featuring such landmarks as ‘Statesboro Blues’ and ‘Mama 'T Ain't Long Fo’ Day’.

Arguably the genre compilations in the series – which have included country blues, gospel blues and jug band blues – have been even more useful for they allow the compilers to explore lesser-known artists and long-overlooked gems. Hokum Blues features 25 choice cuts in the upbeat, witty and innuendo-laden style that was popularised in the 20s and 30s by the likes of Ma Rainey, Bo Carter, Bessie Smith and Tampa Red & Georgia Tom (who recorded as the Hokum Boys). All are included here on this compilation, alongside such wonderful obscurities as Rufus and Ben Quillian's ‘Satisfaction Blues’ and Bogus Ben Covington's hilarious ‘Adam and Eve in the Garden’.