CD-Charts Position 61
Average Rating:

Music by Ry Cooder

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Ry Cooder

Release Date July 11, 1995
Ry Cooder is an American treasure; he belongs in the Smithsonian. Who else would begin a long, restless, ethno-musicological folk/rock guitar odyssey by working in that enclave of oddity known as Captain Beefheart's Magic Band? Cooder didn't exactly burst onto the scene in 1970, but, with that vintage Airstream posed in the desert, and emerging hipster friends like Randy Newman and Van Dyke Parks, he eased onto it in a big way. From the very start, Cooder focused all his attention on the song itself. He obviously loved tracking down obscure, dust-covered numbers, frequently from as far back as the Great Depression. Often they had a narrative quality, as in the splendid, "F.D.R. In Trinidad." His style was lean and elegant, flashy solos ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 62
Average Rating:

Truth Is Not Fiction

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Otis Taylor

Release Date June 24, 2003
I heard one of Mr. Taylor's songs at the end of "The Shooter" and was so moved I searched for his music to learn more. As a classic rock and classic country afficianado you might say I'm a little out of my league writing a review on Taylor's work. His music is soulful, deep, blues-y, full of emotion, powerful and thought provoking. I put the CD in my truck (I did say I'm a country fan afterall!) and lose myself in the lyrics as I travel down the road. I'll be buying more Otis Taylor and suggest you do the same.

CD-Charts Position 63
Average Rating:

Stages

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Ruthie Foster

Release Date June 08, 2004
Wow. Ruthie Foster is a rare true musical genius. The only thing better than this album was seeing her in concert. People couldn't stop talking about it in my area for weeks.

CD-Charts Position 64
Average Rating:

The Roots: The Soul of Chris Thomas King

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Chris Thomas King

Release Date September 16, 2003
I have liked everything Chris Thomas has put out, this may be my favorite Though. I especially like old style blues and Chris can be among the best. He is a very talented individual.

CD-Charts Position 65
Average Rating:

In the Mood

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Corey Smith

Release Date November 08, 2005
I have liked everything Chris Thomas has put out, this may be my favorite Though. I especially like old style blues and Chris can be among the best. He is a very talented individual.

CD-Charts Position 66
Average Rating:

Best of Lead Belly

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Leadbelly

Release Date May 02, 2000
Born Huddie Leadbetter, this singer was better known as Leadbelly. The liner notes clarify his role in music history: "It would be foolish to try and rank Leadbelly as an influential force on today's modern blues practice. . .[N]either his style of playing or singing is germane to how we do business on the bandstand these days. But Leadbelly was the first rural African-American musician to receive media exposure. . . ." This statement is perhaps overstated a bit. However, Leadbelly's almost primitive art (between vocals and guitar work) is still pretty compelling. One might also note that Pete Seeger spoke highly of him.

A look at a handful of the cuts here can provide a sense of his work.

One of my favorites is "The Bourgeois Blues." ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 67
Average Rating:

Maestro

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Taj Mahal

Release Date September 30, 2008
Born Huddie Leadbetter, this singer was better known as Leadbelly. The liner notes clarify his role in music history: "It would be foolish to try and rank Leadbelly as an influential force on today's modern blues practice. . .[N]either his style of playing or singing is germane to how we do business on the bandstand these days. But Leadbelly was the first rural African-American musician to receive media exposure. . . ." This statement is perhaps overstated a bit. However, Leadbelly's almost primitive art (between vocals and guitar work) is still pretty compelling. One might also note that Pete Seeger spoke highly of him.

A look at a handful of the cuts here can provide a sense of his work.

One of my favorites is "The Bourgeois Blues." ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 68
Average Rating:

Anthology Of American Folk Music Volume 4 (Edited By Harry Smith)

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Various Artists

Release Date May 23, 2000
It's hard to imagine that anything could be better than the original Folkways box set (Volumes 1-3), but this album is. Everything I love about V1-3, there is even more of here. The eerie juxtaposition of darkness and jubilation pretty much sums up the whole 20th Century in an hour and a half. Yes, it's short and pricey, but better in my mind to preserve Smith's original vision - after all, he scuttled the original release of this album in order to stay true to that vision.

CD-Charts Position 69
Average Rating:

Dislocation Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Chris Whitley, Jeff Lang

Release Date April 03, 2007
its a real sound. nowadays its getting harder and harder to find the authentic sound, raw, the real stuff, and this is it. Its at a different level than the mainstream stuff. Musically inspiring, relaxing. Chris was a great talent, who always kept it alive. thanks Chris, the blues is a great sound, is a great feeling.

CD-Charts Position 70
Average Rating:

The Gospel of Blues

CD-Charts > Music > Acoustic Blues
by: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Release Date September 16, 2003
Sister Rosetta Tharpe sang and played guitar when she performed; and this CD is nothing short of AWESOME! Her voice is in excellent form and the musical arrangements are very well done. The quality of the sound is rather good with just a little bit of surface noise on one or two tracks.

The CD opens with "My Man And I;" Sister Rosetta Tharpe sings with a guitar arrangement that works so well. Talk about that blues and gospel sound--Sister Rosetta Tharpe nails it spot on! However, despite the bluesy sound, the lyrics are surprisingly upbeat. She also belts this one out like a pro--excellent! "This Train" also features Sister Rosetta Tharpe's vocals squarely in the spotlight with a simple yet beautiful guitar arrangement. I predict that you will enjoy "This Train" ... Read More: