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The Imperial Record label, founded in 1948 in Los Angeles, is well known as the home of Fats Domino and other great New Orleans artists, as well as Texas guitar hero T-Bone Walker. On this episode of Blues Unlimited, however, we focus on some of the fantastic Country and Down Home Blues that Imperial held in their catalog over the years, from Lightnin' Hopkins, Clifton Chenier, Papa Lightfoot, Lil' Son Jackson, BooZoo Chavis, Snooks Eaglin, and many more. Partly inspired by a series of three LPs that came out more than 50 years ago, simply entitled "Rural Blues," we'll hear lots of rarities and classic sides from Imperial, as well as associated labels (such as Aladdin, which Imperial bought in 1961) and a few other operations that were on Imperial's radar as well. The three LPs -- the material for which was notably selected by Bob "The Bear" Hite and Henry Vestine of Canned Heat fame -- were originally subtitled "Goin' Up The Country" (Volume 1); "Saturday Night Function" (Volume 2); and "Down Home Stomp," and have long been considered to be classics of the genre.

Pictured: The distinctive cover art for "Rural Blues, Vol. 1."

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