This exceptionally rare 10-inch pre-war shellac single features the enigmatic Texas country-blues singer and guitarist Norris McHenry, performing under his definitive recording pseudonym Blind Norris. Recorded in Dallas, Texas, and released by Decca Records in 1937, this elusive disc represents the artist's entire surviving legacy on commercial shellac. Side A features "Sundown Blues" (Matrix 61850), a haunting down-home vocal performance layered with stunning traditional instrumentation. Side B features "The Katy Blues" (Matrix 61851), an evocative, deep-blues narrative built around the iconic mid-century railway routes of the American South.

Released during the late Depression era, this 1937 Decca "Race" series printing mirrors the regional preservation of acoustic Southern country blues during a period of massive commercial migration toward Northern electric arrangements. The theme of "The Katy Blues" references the legendary Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad line, reflecting a central trope of geographic mobility, labour flight, and socio-economic escape common to Black American life in the post-Reconstruction South.

Furthermore, this particular disc boasts prestigious archival lineage, originating directly from the celebrated estate library of Michel Chaigne. Globally recognized for his uncompromising curation standards, Chaigne spent decades building a monumental library of American roots music, turning his personal archive into an authentic stamp of quality curation and historical significance.

The Entire Discovered Discography: Blind Norris is one of the most mysterious figures in pre-war discography. Aside from two unissued sessions cut for Brunswick in 1929, this standalone Decca 7290 single represents his complete known recorded output.The Whistlin' Connection: Expert session analysis links these 1937 Dallas tracks to the legendary Texas blues pianist "Whistlin'" Alex Moore, who lends his unmatched piano work and specialized locomotive vocal effects to track boundaries on both sides.Jukebox Survival Rate: Finding clean commercial copies of late 1930s Decca race records is an immense hurdle. The vast majority of these 78s were immediately placed into roadhouse jukeboxes or played on heavy tracking phonographs until the grooves were completely worn away.

The Entire Discovered Discography: Blind Norris is one of the most mysterious figures in pre-war discography. Aside from two unissued sessions cut for Brunswick in 1929, this standalone Decca 7290 single represents his complete known recorded output.

The Whistlin' Connection: Expert session analysis links these 1937 Dallas tracks to the legendary Texas blues pianist "Whistlin'" Alex Moore, who lends his unmatched piano work and specialized locomotive vocal effects to track boundaries on both sides.

Jukebox Survival Rate: Finding clean commercial copies of late 1930s Decca race records is an immense hurdle. The vast majority of these 78s were immediately placed into roadhouse jukeboxes or played on heavy tracking phonographs until the grooves were completely worn away.

Condition ReportVisual Grade (Side A / Side B): E to EE- / E to EE+ (Using standard 78 RPM grading definitions).
Side A (Sundown Blues): Excellent to Excellent Minus (E to EE-). Retains an exceptional factory sheen with only superficial sleeve wisps and a couple of non-feeling storage lines. Playback is remarkably bright, tracking with massive dynamics.
Side B (The Katy Blues): Excellent to Excellent Plus (E to EE+). An outstanding, near-archival side displaying a highly defined deep black gloss. Free from noticeable blemishes, structural mars, or heavy handling. Playback is stunningly crisp over silent baseline surface levels.
Labels: Highly defined blue-and-gold Decca graphics. The text is sharp and unmarred, displaying zero center spindle friction or flaking.

Please add our store to your saved sellers list, as we are continuously making further selections from the Michel Chaigne archive available over the coming weeks.

Postage & Packing Information
78 RPM shellac discs require uncompromising protection to ensure safe transit. This item will be sandwiched securely between layers of thick card, enveloped thoroughly in multiple layers of heavy-duty bubble wrap, and suspended within a sturdy, oversized doubleskin box to eliminate any internal movement or shifting, ensuring all perimeter voids are fully buffered against impact.

Your order will be carefully packed and promptly dispatched.