Search - Various Artists :: Jook Joint Blues 2: Crazy With the Blues

MORE GREAT RARE JUKE JOINT BLUES

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 04/23/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Two discs 72 and 74 minutes each in length approximately. These remastered (mono) tracks sound as good as possible,considering the era and conditions of recording. Overall the tracks are clean sounding,but still have that warmth and rough (but not distracting) sound associated with vinyl records. The booklets (1 in each jewel case) are informative,with complete (as possible) annotation for each track. There is also some background information on the era this music came from.



The first (4 CD) volume under the same title is one of JSP's better compilations,and this second volume is it's equal. This collection,while only two discs,has a number of artists not generally heard by blues listeners,except possibly collectors. Leo Brown,Cleo Harves,Hot Rod Happy,Pinebluff Pete,and Country Jim,are just some of the artists most listeners aren't familiar with. Alongside these unknowns are artists like Jimmy Rogers,John Brim,K.C. Douglas,Jerry McCain,and Boogie Bill Webb,who at least found some small success in music.



But no matter who the artist is,the music is all of a high caliber. The very feel of this music is exciting and visceral. This music,recorded between the years 1946 and 1957,is representative of blues played on a Friday night (and sometimes not ending until Sunday morning) wherever people gathered for a good time. The type of music that's conducive for drinking and dancing and carousing. This is music heard,possibly,on the jukebox in a small tavern or club,or at a house-party,or at one of the many "jukes" that dotted the rural countryside.



The music on this set ranges from simple voice and guitar (that still packs a wallop),to larger groups incorporating piano,drums harmonica,and even horns. But no matter what-this music should be played loud,like it was originally,all those years ago. If you do,a good time is guaranteed."