Charley Patton - Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order

Known as "The father of the Delta Blues," Charley Patton is considered to be one of the most important and influential American musicians of the 20th Century. His influence burns brightly into the modern age, with such diverse acts as Bob Dylan and the British indie band Gomez famously name-checking him in song titles.

Third Man Records, the Jack White-founded record label, is partnering with Document Records to reissue the complete works of blues legends Patton, Blind Willie McTell and the Sheiks. The albums (available on vinyl, in some cases, for the first time decades) feature new liner notes by Mick Middles and artwork by Rob Jones.

Patton, born between 1887 and 1891 in Hinds County, Mississippi, lived most of his life in the Delta. It was 1900 when Patton's family relocated to the now legendary Dockery Plantation near Ruleville, Mississippi. There, Charley learn his guitar craft under the guidance of Henry Sloan, whose distinctive guitar style proved a sringboard for Patton. His most famous song, "Pony Blues" was written when Patton was just 19.

Patton was a huge influence over a young Chester Burnett, who would later gain worldwide fame in Chicago under the name Howlin' Wolf, which, Burnett aleged, was given to him by Patton.

Patton's recording legacy is extraordinary. In the wake of his local reputation, he was introduced to Paramount Records by early  talent scout, Henry Spier. Patton would go on to record 68 songs in a tight period between 1929 and 1934. During this time of intense prolificacy he became the largest selling blues artist of his generation. Literally, he became the man responsible for elevating the blues idom to a whole new level.