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Various Artists - Retro Blues - The Roots Of Blues Music In America (2002)

Track listing:
  1. That's Alright Lightnin' Slim 2:49
  2. My Babe Lightnin' Slim 2:16
  3. Riverside Blues Otis Spann 2:49
  4. V-8 Ford James Cotton 3:55
  5. Baby Please Don't Go Big Bill Broonzy 3:14
  6. Sweet Sixteen B.B. King 6:08
  7. Papa's Little Angel Mississippi Fred McDowell 4:08
  8. Southside Boogie James Cotton 2:32
  9. Serves Me Right To Suffer John Lee Hooker 3:02
  10. Retro Blues - The Roots Of Blues Music In America-10-No Title-Lightnin' Hopkins Lightnin' Hopkins 2:36
  11. Levee Camp Blues Mississippi Fred McDowell 5:53
  12. Atlanta Special Bukka White 6:02
  13. Spike Driver's Blues Bukka White 2:50
  14. Big Fat Woman Leadbelly 1:16
  15. Treat Your Daddy Well T-Bone Walker 2:50

Notes


The fact that Park South's compilation Retro Blues: Roots of Blues Music in America starts off with Lightnin' Slim's "That's Alright," full on with electric guitar and organ, completely voids the title of this compilation. To declare that the roots of blues coincided with the electric guitar is silly because it is, of course, completely incorrect. Even though the title is erroneous, the compilation does feature some very important musicians who helped define what the blues has become in the contemporary sense. Featuring Leadbelly, Mississippi Fred McDowell, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, and other heavyweights, Retro Blues: Roots of Blues Music in America is an enjoyable listen, but if the intent is to simultaneously learn about the roots of blues, one would be better suited to track down the numerous recordings issued by the Yazoo, Smithsonian, and Fremeaux & Associes labels.