The Americana Series: The Best of the Blues, Vol. 2 [Sanctuary]

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Dave McNair; Dennis Walker; Joe Hardy; Leonard Chess; Lonnie Mack; Mike Vernon; Phil Chess; R.S. Field; Stevie Ray Vaughan; Jeff Healey Band; Tony Joe White; Willie Dixon; Bobby Robinson; Bruce Bromberg; Butch Parker; Bas Hartong (Compilation)
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: This second volume in Sanctuary's Best of the Blues series is an eclectic little gem of a compilation. Opening with the gritty, rocking "Shake Your Money Maker" by slide guitar great Elmore James, the disc's sequence moves through classic Chicago blues (the 1954 Chess single of "I'm Ready" by Muddy Waters), British blues ("If You Be My Baby" from a Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac and "When the Devil Starts Crying" from John Mayall), soul blues (Robert Cray's "Phone Booth"), and all blues points in between before coming to a close with Jimmy Reed's ragged shuffle classic "Bright Lights, Big City." Other delights here include the huge swampy blues of Tony Joe White on "Steamy Windows," an inspired pairing of Lonnie Mack and Stevie Ray Vaughan on "If You Have to Know" (from 1985), and an irresistible snort of boogie from Snooky Pryor ("Shake Your Boogie"). If there is a complaint here, it is that the album seems a bit short, but its 12 tracks were obviously carefully and lovingly chosen, and given the wide range of styles represented, it displays a remarkable coherence. Plus it rocks like a pile driver. ~ Steve Leggett

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