Bluesville
Various Artists
(2007) Concord Records and Starbucks Entertainment
Hard to believe, but I’ve picked up some pretty cool CDs while waiting for my morning coffee at Starbucks. I picked up the new Paul McCartney CD there, as well as this new blues compilation called Bluesville. Bluesville was the name of a record label that recorded some of the blues greats in the 1960s after a period where those legends were struggling and largely forgotten. This CD is a goldmine of blues classics, like Albert King playing “I’ll Play the Blues for You” and Willie Dixon, the author of such blues favorites as “Back Door Man” and “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man,” with Memphis Slim singing “Sittin’ and Cryin’ the Blues.” Jimmy McCracklin’s soulful song “Yesterday is Gone” is a highlight of this CD, and Jimmy Witherspoon and T-Bone Walker performing “I’ve Been Treated Wrong” is simply a treat. Not only are there some great blues vocals happening on this CD, but there are also some of the best blues pianists performing at their best.
If you haven’t browsed the CDs in Starbucks, you should. You’d be amazed at the musical treasures you can find while waiting for your frappuccino.