Early Discography
This was compiled in 1991 by Dr. Charles Wolfe for use in DeFord Bailey's biography. It does not reference the CD that the Tennessee Folklore Society issued in 1998 with 26 of Bailey's tunes recorded by David Morton in the 1970s.
This is a list of early commercial recordings only, though a number of informal concert and field recordings of DeFord Bailey are known to exist. Each session is followed by the master number of the recording assigned by the company, the title as it appears on the original disc, and the release number (or catalog number) of the original 78 rpm issue, followed by LP or CD reissue album number.
Columbia Phonograph Company: Atlanta, April 1, 1927
| 143846-2 | Pan-American Express | Unissued |
| 143847-2 | Hesitation Blues | Unissued |
Brunswick-Balke-Collendar Company: New York, April 15, 1927
| E-22475 | Pan-American Blues | Brunswick 146, Vocalion 5180 LP: County 542, Matchbox MSE 218 |
Brunswick-Balke-Collendar Company: New York, April 16, 1927
| E-22501 | Dixie Flyer Blues | Brunswick 146, Vocalion 5180 LP: Matchbox MSE 218 |
| E-22504 | Muscle Shoals Blues | Brunswick 147, Brunswick 434 LP: County 542, Matchbox MSE 218 |
| E-22506 | Evening Prayer Blues | Brunswick 148, Vocalion 5147 LP: Matchbox MSE 218 |
| E-22508 | Up Country Blues | Brunswick 147, Brunswick 434 LP: Matchbox MSE 218 |
| E-22510 | Old Hen Cackle | Vocalion 5190 LP: Matchbox MSE 218 |
| E-22511 | Alcoholic Blues | Brunswick 148, Vocalion 5147 LP: Matchbox MSE 218 |
| E-22512 | Fox Chase | Vocalion 5190 LP: Matchbox MSE 218 |
Victor Recording Company: Nashville, October 2, 1928
| 47110-2 | Lost John | Unissued |
| 47111-2 | John Henry | Victor 23336, Victor 23831 LP: Herwin 201, RCA CPL2-9507, Matchbox MSE 218 CD: RCA 6864-2-RDJ |
| 47112-1 | Ice Water Blues | Victor 38011, Bluebird B5447, Sunrise 3228, Mont. Ward M-4910 LP: Matchbox MSE 218 |
| 47113-2 | Kansas City Blues | Unissued |
| 47114-2 | Casey Jones | Unissued |
| 47115-2 | Wood Street Blues | Unissued |
| 47116-1 | Davidson County Blues | Victor 38014, Bluebird 5447, Sunrise 3228, Mont. Ward M-491O LP: Matchbox MSE 218, Yazoo 1053 |
| 47117-2 | Nashville Blues | Unissued |
NOTE: Reverse of Victor 23336 is Noah Lewis, "Like I Want to Be"; reverse of Victor 23831 is Bert Bilbro, "Chester Blues."