Living Country Blues: An Anthology

There are a number of clever things about Living Country Blues, a three-CD anthology that comprises a 14-LP set originally recorded in 1980 and released only in Germany (how's that for obscure?). One of the more clever things is that the music is divided up on each disc according to region. If you've ever wondered what the difference is between Delta, Piedmont, and other regional styles, really, here's a chance to explore the subtle differences. There are some oddities as well; Othar Turner performing "When I Lay My Burden Down" with the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band will sound strange to anyone used to 12-string guitar and mouth harp. The accompanying CD booklet includes bios of the artists, which will come in handy, as the average listener is likely to have heard of few of them; John Cephas, Phil Wiggins, CeDell Davis, and James "Son" Thomas are among the more well-known names that appear here. People generally think of the blues these days as electrified, up-tempo, and urban, and indeed country blues isn't as popular as it used to be. But it's still alive and kicking, as Living Country Blues proves. --Genevieve Williams