Vol. 4 in this valuable series has a variety of selections discovered too late to be included in various "complete" reissues of top early blues artists. Actually the first two performances are in a different category altogether. Way back in 1892, American artist Louis Vasnier was recorded relating and singing "Brudder Rasmus," but unfortunately the recording quality of the cylinder is so bad that it is impossible to hear what he is saying/singing. Next up is a much more rewarding and charming guitar duo from 1915 of Southern Blues, which really fits more into Hawaiian-style music than blues. Otherwise, this disc has music from the 1925-37 period, with selections from Papa Charlie Jackson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Ida May Mack, Georgia Tom Dorsey, Big Bill Broonzy, Louise Johnson, Sweet Papa Tadpole, the team of Eddie Chafer and Oscar Woods, Blind Willie McTell (two previously unreleased cuts from 1933), Peetie Wheatstraw, Sam Montgomery, Casey Bill Weldon, and Andrew Hogg. After its rough start, Vol. 4 contains quite a bit of interesting music. ~ Scott Yanow