American Primitive Vol 2, on the late John Fahey's Revenant label, is an inspired collection of pre-war blues, gospel and country in the tradition of Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. It was released in 2005, though I've only just acquired a copy….and can't stop playing it.
Rather than attempt a more detailed description, I'll refer you to Ray Templeton's thoughtful and eloquent review here.
If you like this kind of stuff – and the recordings are, of course, poor – well, try these:
Geeshie Wiley – Last Kind Words (1930)
Pigmeat Terry – Moaning the Blues (1935)
Bayless Rose – Jamestown Exhibition (1930)
William Harris – Bullfrog Blues (1928)
The Two Poor Boys – Two White Horses (1931)
Elizabeth Johnson – Be My Kid Blues (1928)
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