An influential figure in the early 20th century development of blues and popular music as a music scholar and the composer of numerous popular songs, William Christopher Handy has often been called "the Father of the Blues." When two of the finest and most popular of mid-20th century musical figures, jazz and popular music icon Nat King Cole and arranger extraordinare Nelson Riddle undertook an album dedicated to the music of W.C. Handy, the results were at once a worthy tribute and transformative. Particularly smooth vocals Cole were aptly backed by resourceful orchestrations from Riddle. From the landmark laments of "St. Louis Blues" and the loving appreciation of "Morning Star" on through to the colloquial rag of "Joe Turner's Blues," the varied facets of Handy's songs were given a lastingly freshened interpretation. St. Louis Blues was recorded in monaural and 3-channel stereophonic versions. For this deluxe hybrid SACD, both mono and stereo versions are available in standard resolution on the CD layer and in high resolution on the DSD stereo layer, while the stereo versions are also available in high-resolution 3-channel sound on the DSD multi-channel layer. Both mono and stereo versions feature the opening "Overture/Hesitating Blues" medley restored to its original full length.
