Tone-Cool Presents: The Best Of The Blues

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: As "best-of" blues collections go, the Tone-Cool/Artemis labels have put this one all over the map. You get a group of contemporary recordings by artists that range from R&B and rock oriented bands to some acoustic and marginally authentic blues, which would seem to appeal more to a popular music audience. There's nothing inherently wrong with this, but the title may be misleading for the hardcores. On the low-key spectrum, there's Hubert Sumlin, known as an electric guitarist gone acoustic for "This Is the End, Little Girl," while Paul Rishell and Annie Raines countrify "Keep Your Hands Off Her," and Toni Lynn Washington swings "Alright, OK, You Win" in jazz style. For the other extreme, Susan Tedeschi's poppish "In the Garden," Sean Costello's rock-ish "Big Road Blues," and the North Mississippi Allstars "Snakes in My Bushes" probably appeals to the jam band crowd. Somewhere in the middle the Fabulous Thunderbirds hit shuffle mode on "You Torture Me," and Taj Mahal does "All Along the Watchtower." The real deal blues need not be watered down to appeal to the masses, but apparently pop music can be elevated by the blues, which is the basic premise displayed on this compilation, which is OK at best. But definitely go for Toni Lynn Washington's full-length recordings, she's a keeper!] ~ Michael G. Nastos

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