Blind Alfred Reed: Appalachian Visionary

A singular voice from the early days of country music—Blind Alfred Reed’s poignant songs of faith, social justice, and rural life still resonate nearly a century later.

Born blind in 1880, Alfred Reed became one of the most distinctive singer-songwriters of the 1920s, crafting sharp, heartfelt songs that ranged from gospel to social commentary. Appalachian Visionary presents his complete surviving recordings, restored from original 78s, alongside an in-depth companion book that tells his remarkable story and places his music in historical context.

What’s Included

• 22 newly remastered tracks recorded between 1927–1929
• Complete recordings of Blind Alfred Reed
• 84-page PDF book with rare photographs, song lyrics, and historical notes by Ted Olson

Praise & Reviews

“It was ‘You Must Unload,’ originally recorded by Blind Alfred Reed in 1927 during the Bristol Sessions, a watershed moment for country music. Mr. Cooder… recast the tune as a folk-gospel trudge… The lyrics… sternly inveigh against material urges… Mr. Cooder didn’t tinker with its message of a straight and narrow path to heaven.”

— The New York Times

“Bruce Springsteen has performed Reed’s ‘How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live’ as a modern anthem of resilience, including in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.”

— The Democratic Daily