Bluesville

Original Blues Classics Sampler

Bluesville Records OBCCD-3712-2

Bluesville Records is a subsidiary of Fantasy, Inc. and this compilation is a sampling of some of the recordings acquired from their blues labels.

This twenty-four track CD is chock full of goodies starting off with "I'll Play The Blues For You" by Albert King. Next is "The Blues Never Die" highlighting the vocals and piano work of Otis Spann along with James Cotton on harmonica. Muddy Waters on the tune "Honey Bee" features his band of the period with Pinetop Perkins on piano at a live concert in Paris in 1972. John Lee Hooker is outstanding on the acoustic country blues tune "Black Snake".

Some lesser known blues figures are included in this sampler such as Blind Willie McTell, Mercy Dee Walton, K. C. Douglas and Frankie Lee Sims. Women are represented by Alberta Hunter on "St. Louis Blues," Ma Rainey on "Chain Gang Blues," and Odetta on "Hard, Oh Lord".

The closing track is a tasty rendering of "Grab Me A Freight" by vocalist Jimmy Witherspoon and features Clifford Scott on tenor saxophone and the renowned guitarist T-Bone Walker.

This compilation offers a look at some of the best performers in traditional blues and would be a worthy addition to any blues loverís collection.

by Dorothy Hill
Blues Editor

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