CD Review
Various Artists
"Earwig 20th Anniversary Sampler"
Earwig Music (2 Vol, Set-CD 4946)
by Dick Houff
Review date: December 1999
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1999 KBA Award Winner Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by the Blues Foundation
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This is the second sampler from Earwig Records. A two volume set marking their 20th anniversary. Michael Frank, producer and president, has assembled one fine package of top bluesmen and women that are representative of the label; from the beginning to the present. Earwig’s debut album was none other than the Jelly Roll Kings, "Rockin’ The Juke Joint Down," featuring the late Frank Frost (his harp delivery was a standout--beautiful and powerful), Sam Carr, and Jack Johnson. The album marked a pivotal change at the end of very tough decade for the blues--1979. Entering the 80’s, Earwig continued in the same vein, by recording some of the finest players in the business: Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards, Sunnyland Slim, Homesick James (Elmore’s cousin, and an early hero of yours truly), H-Bomb Ferguson, Floyd Jones, Louis Myers, Louisiana Red (one of my favorites), and of course we all know what John Primer can do--very popular in the Twin Cities. In regards to the above, you’ll find them for the most part on disc #1, and what an assembly! There are fifteen tracks in total, and the arrangement couldn’t be better. The same goes for disc #2 where you’ll find good company in Lovie Lee’s "Tell Me That You Love Me," and blues diva Liz Mandville Greeson’s "Life Sentence In The Blues." And what can you say about Lil’ Ed and Dave Weld, other than keep playing please--what a combination. Louisiana Red knows how to deliver on songs such as Parole Blues, and Millennium Blues (Red has an album out called Millennium Blues, on Earwig that I gave a 5 Star rating--powerful stuff). Again, we are looking at sixteen tracks for a grand total of thirty-one songs to complete the set. Earwig has given this gift to blues lovers everywhere. No collection would be complete without it--pick this one up and get into the groove.
This review is copyright © 1999 by Dick Houff, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
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