Roots of the White Stripes [PA] [Digipak]

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Liner Note Author: Dave Henderson. The ROOTS OF series attempts to give the listener insight into a particular artist's influences. The White Stripes' raucous, neo-garage rock sound has always suggested the rawness of early American roots music, so it's no surprise that this edition showcases some classic blues and country tracks. Highlights include Blind Willie McTell's rumination on the seedy side of life, "Dyin' Crapshooter Blues" and Hank Williams party anthem "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)." A collection of 22 mostly blues tracks that either influenced or were covered by the White Stripes, this set works just fine as an anthology even without the White Stripes connection. And it isn't all blues, either, with songs like Patti Page's wry but definitely pop "I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine" and Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm," which features his trademark country shuffle, also included. Most of this set, though, is comprised of darkly themed vintage country blues 78s, and tracks like Blind Willie McTell's cautionary tale "Dying Crapshooter's Blues," Robert Johnson's "If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day," and Son House's surging, head-long "Death Letter Blues" are classics by any definition and influenced a whole lot more folks than just the White Stripes. But as they say, everything old is new again. The blues has always been there, and the White Stripes made good use of it in the 21st century without changing much of it around at all. Smart band. That template is here. ~ Steve Leggett

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