CD Review
Various Artists
A Salute To The Delta Blues Masters
Robert Johnson, Mississippi Fred McDowell & Charlie Patton (3-CD set)
(Telarc (2002) 83575)
by Craig Ruskey
Review date: November 2002
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
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Telarc's new box-set, "A Salute To The Delta Blues Masters," finds three previously available CD's wrapped in a neat package guaranteed to deliver some excellent listening time for anyone who prefers their blues left in its raw state. With more than 165-minutes spaced over three discs, all delivered by a wide-ranging cast of performers paying tribute to Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and Mississippi Fred McDowell, most of the tracks are highly enjoyable, even if there are a few soft spots in the bunch.
(Click on the CD cover at left to order this CD by itself)
"Hellhound On My Trail" gathers together a fine list of artists handling the Robert Johnson catalog with opening honors going to Taj Mahal with a fine version of the perennial "Crossroads" favorite followed by Honeyboy Edwards, a former running partner of RJ's, on "Traveling Riverside Blues." An early standout comes during a searing rendition of "If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day" from Chris Thomas King, whose riveting slide guitar and pinched vocals evoke the spirit of both Johnson and the Delta. Robert Lockwood had the honor of learning directly from Robert and a masterful rendition of "I'm A Steady Rollin' Man" cuts deep and finds Carey Bell handing in some wonderful harp, and while Bob Margolin is no stranger to blues, his lackluster voice doesn't hit home during an otherwise fine take of "Kindhearted Woman Blues," complete with Pinetop Perkins behind the piano. Joe Louis Walker tears through "Dust My Broom" with a vengeance, and although this track has been covered far too many times, JLW's voice and guitar blend to create magic. Two takes of "Walking Blues" appear but Keith Brown's offering is bested as Susan Tedeschi's voice rips with urgency as Derek Trucks' repetitive guitar grounds the track in Mississippi dirt, and Alvin Youngblood Hart's title offering features loping guitar and laid back harp (courtesy of James Cotton) treading the same rich landscape. Lucky Peterson is heard in a context that sheds further light on his remarkable abilities with an acoustic look at "Stones In My Passway," then Pinetop Perkins leads Margolin through a solid "Sweet Home Chicago." Gatemouth Brown, Eric Gales, and Carl Weathersby also take turns, but the jury is still debating the inclusion of Robert Palmer taking a run at "Milkcow's Calf Blues," complete with tuba, processed guitar, and stumbling drums.
(Click on the CD cover at left to order this CD by itself)
The brilliance of Charley Patton shows solidly during a "Down The Dirt Road" nod featuring almost an entirely different cast. Charlie Musselwhite is in his element for "Pea Vine Blues," but the blessing is his guitar work instead of the more familiar harp, and Snooky Pryor tosses out wrenching version of "Pony Blues" supporting himself with never-ending harmonica skills. Paul Rishell and Annie Raines delicately weave through "I Shall Not Be Moved" with fine vocals and Guy Davis takes the fore on "Some Of These Days" with T-Bone Wolk offering both banjo and mandolin. Joe Louis Walker is a hold-over from the Johnson set, and his delivery in "Sugar Mama" is nothing short of genius, then Dave Van Ronk has a slot for "Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues," although the diamond in the rough is Corey Harris during "Moon Going Down" with his backwoods guitar attack and a voice naturally similar to Patton's, whose own was as ragged and rough as a gravel road. Steve James handles both "Elder Greene Blues" and "Shake It And Break It," but unlike Harris, he pushes too hard vocally and comes out sounding contrived and trivial. Former Bluetone and Fabulous Thunderbird, Kid Bangham, might be reluctant to let go of his more youthful nickname, but he shows no trouble at all embracing maturity during a soulful and all-instrumental version of "Some Summer Day" playing completely relaxed guitar. Although seeming to be in an odd setting, his amplified playing with a small band behind him works remarkably well delivering another high point, but Colleen Harris' closer is an overly long combination of "Down The Dirt Road" and "When Your Way Gets Dark."
(Click on the CD cover at left to order this CD by itself)
The "Preachin' The Blues" tribute to Mississippi Fred McDowell combines the assets of yet another (mostly) different cast and succeeds mightily. With Paul Geremia leading off with a fine rendition of "Get Right Church," things are quickly off on the right foot and only get better with Charlie Musselwhite's offering of "61 Highway," where he picks up the guitar once again leaving his harp out of the picture (for those unaware, Musselwhite actually plays magnificent acoustic blues), and while Anders Osborne may be a newer name to some, his solid reading of "Kokomo Blues" sits comfortably with the two elder statesmen preceding him. Colleen Sexton steps back in and fares much better with a stripped and thumping take of "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning," Brian Stoltz offers some percussive slide work in a potent look at "You Gotta Move," and Tab Benoit manages to close in on the McDowell mojo during "Train I Ride," aided only by his own electric guitar. David Maxwell, known for his amazing keyboard skills and journeyman efforts on numerous projects, might be considered out of his league paying respects to a slide guitarist, but his absolutely stunning (and exceptionally recorded) piano in "I Thought I Heard Somebody Call" is worth the price of this package by itself! Sue Foley hands in "Frisco Line" sounding not unlike Memphis Minnie in spots, Kenny Neal backs himself with rack harp and distinct guitar for "Fred's Worried Life Blues," and Steve James reappears with "I Rolled And I Tumbled," this time much more relaxed and convincing than his Patton workups displayed. Johnny Sansone jumps in for a smoking, amplified harp reading of "That's Alright" and Scott Holt gets closing honors with a bare-boned, overly distorted guitar backing his whiskeyed voice during "Good Morning Little School Girl."
Repackaging these three fine discs into an affordable box should prove a smart move for Telarc but it's a better one for those who have yet to hear the stunning lineup of some of today's younger talent and older veterans as well. This one will be a necessity for those who prefer their blues raw and powerful. www.telarc.com has all the latest, up-to-date info and a catalog brimming with other interesting items.
Click on the CD cover at left to order this special 3CD pack NOW!
This review is copyright © 2002 by Craig Ruskey, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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