by Ron Wynn
The opening volume in Rounder's mammoth eight-disc Jimmie Rodgers reissue series presents his earliest, and in some cases, most tentatively performed material from 1927 and 1928. Rodgers quickly makes the leap from raw, if engaging singer to emphatic, distinctive artist, and midway through has established a singular sound and riveting delivery, with his trademark yodel and mastery of blues inflection and sensibility in place. These cuts include the signature track &Blue Yodel,& aplus other classics such as &In The Jailhouse Now,& &Treasures Untold& and &Memphis Yodel,& as well as &The Brakemen's Blues.& Things would never be the same for Rodgers, and these were the songs that helped make him an institution.