Premier blues enregistré ?

As we discovered via Samuel Charters’ book, “The Country Blues”, the first published blues was Hart Wand’s “Dallas Blues,” published (as sheet music) in March, 1912. Lyrics were added in 1918 by Lloyd Garrett. This was not only the first published blues, with “Blues” in its title, but it was actually written in the blues form. It was a big hit (and we think it’s a great song, too!) Later that year two other “Blues” were published. The second was Arthur Seals’ “Baby Seals’ Blues” in August, and finally, W.C. Handy’s “Memphis Blues” in September. Neither of these others was written in the blues form. They followed the popular cake-walk form of the era.