Arhoolie Presents American Masters, Vol. 2: 15 Down Home Urban Blues Classics

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Chris Strachwitz; Tom Diamant
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Editors: Chris Strachwitz; Tom Diamant. Photographer: Chris Strachwitz. A collection of urban blues from various releases in Arhoolie's catalog, this album starts out with some straightforward boogie blues with Sonny Boy Williamson, then moves into proto-rock & roll with Big Mama Thornton and some stride piano from Big Joe Duskin. Earl Hooker provides some slower guitar blues, and Charlie Musselwhite updates the blues harp tradition a bit in "Up and Down the Avenue." John Littlejohn exemplifies the Chicago scene and Joe Turner brings it back to proto-rock & roll. Katie Webster brings a full band into the picture with a higher tempo number involving the whole range of instruments, and Omar Shariff (not the actor) pumps out some stripped down piano blues with emotion at the core laid bare. Bee Houston almost sounds like a ska musician, Juke Boy Bonner combines guitar and bluesharp, and Good Rockin' Robinson presents a wailing, although rather rare, blues violin instrumental along with his vocals. Piano Red almost sounds like he's singing along with a player piano, Johnny Young provides another look at the more contemporary Chicago scene, and the album finishes on Charles Ford with a stuttering approach for the band and a rocking little solo line for his guitar. There are certainly urban blues compilations of better quality (such as the Blues Masters series on Rhino), but this one isn't bad as a quick sampler. Give it a listen if you can't find the more comprehensive items locally, and start digging deeper from there. ~ Adam Greenberg

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25