Release Date: 2014.
Recording Date: 1980s - 1990s.
Release Info: BCD 17232, 2 x CD, Compilation, Remastered.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Country Blues, Modern Acoustic Blues.
While the first three volumes concentrated on the past, the final installment of Bear Family's four-part Acoustic Blues series essentially covers acoustic blues recorded during the '80s, '90s, and beyond. Although there were a few unrecorded bluesmen captured on record for the first time during this era, this was a time when newer acts, who often came of age during the great blues revival of the '60s or a little later, started to emerge. Consequently, the 40 cuts showcased on this double-disc set are very much concerned with preserving tradition, so there can sometimes be a studied reserve to the performances which, when combined with crisp, contemporary recording techniques, can make this music feel very different than the blues on the previous Acoustic Blues volumes. Listen past that surface and it becomes clear there are plenty of fine practitioners of traditional blues, musicians who kept the sound and spirit of the music alive long after it was supposedly gone. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Credits: Artwork - Retrograph; Mastered By - Christian Zwarg; Reissue Producer, Liner Notes - Bill Dahl.
Tracklist:
Disc One: The 1980s
01. The Road Is Rough And Rocky - Archie Edwards
02. Lonesome Road Blues - Guitar Frank
03. I'm Feelin' Lonesome - Guitar Slim
04. Sam's Blues - Sam Chatmon
05. Big Road Blues - Boogie Bill Webb
06. Bye Bye Blues - Arzo Youngblood
07. Reno Factory - Bowling Green John Cephas
08. Worried Blues - Eugene Powell
09. Mean Old Frisco Blues - Albert Macon & Robert 'Man' Thomas
10. Devil Blues - James "Son" Thomas
11. Heartbroken Man Blues - Henry Townsend
12. Pea Vine Whistle - Blind Jim Brewer
13. Future Blues - Rory Block
14. Kind-Hearted Woman - James 'Sparky' Ruker
15. That'll Never Happen No More - Ted Bogan
16. Fishin' Blues - Taj Mahal
17. Try Me One More Time - Jo Ann Kelly
18. Broken Hearted Blues - Etta Baker
19. Trouble Blues - Paul Rishell
20. Early Morning Blues - John Dee Holeman
21. Take Me Back, Babe - Guy Davis
Disc Two: The 1990s
01. Bein' With The One You Love - Homesick James
02. Kick It In The Country - Paul Geremia
03. Big Mama's Door - Alvin Youngblood Hart
04. You Can Love Yourself - Keb Mo
05. Old Country Road - Doug MacLeod
06. High Fever Blues - Corey Harris
07. Angry Lover - Jimmie Lee Robinson
08. Sloppy Drunk - Geoff Muldaur
09. C.C. Rider - Robert Lockwood Jr.
10. I Will Turn Your Money Green - Philadelphia Jerry Ricks
11. Can't Do That No More - Roy Book Binder
12. You Don't Want Me No More - Precious Bryant
13. Pushin' My Luck - Robert Belfour
14. Come Back Baby - Eric Bibb
15. Nightmare - Jimmy "Duck" Holmes
16. Statesboro Blues - John Hammond
17. Plymouth Rock - Del Rey and Suzy Thompson
18. Black Spider Blues - Chris James and Patrick Rynn
19. Ain't Nothin' In Ramblin' - Bonnie Raitt and Steve Freund