World Music Network presents a vinyl issue of their 2023 blues collection Rough Guide to Railroad Blues. Since the early days of the blues, the railroad has been a constant inspiration. It was one of the easiest ways to roam the southern U.S.A., the preferred method of travel for those suffering from wanderlust or an influx of creative ambitions. One of the most poignant examples of locomotive-infused inspiration in this collection is "Midnight Special" by Leadbelly.

The train represents salvation, it can take prisoners out of prison and it can take you away from whatever backwater you want to escape. This collection opens with Bukka White's classic "Special Stream Line" a pinnacle of slide guitar virtuosity. Rough Guide to Railroad Blues is the best and only way to understand the railroad’s profound influence on the blues.

This 2024 re-release on heavyweight vinyl features remastered versions of all tracks, released via World Music Network.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Special Stream Line (Bukka White)
2. How Long Has That Evening Train Been (Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell)
3. Riding The Blinds (Eddie Mapp)
4. Midnight Special (Leadbelly)
5. Cow Cow Blues (Dora Carr with Cow Cow Davenport)
6. I Hate That Train Called The M & O (Lucille Bogan)
7. Dixie Flyer Blues (DeFord Bailey)

Side B

1. Spike Driver Blues (Mississippi John Hurt)
2. Railroad Blues (Freeman Stowers)
3. Chickasaw Train Blues (Memphis Minnie)
4. Railroadin’ Some (Henry Thomas)
5. Kassie Jones – Part 1 (Furry Lewis)
6. Kassie Jones – Part 2 (Furry Lewis)