Blues worth collecting

Blues worth collecting

The Blues Collection

CD or cassette

In fortnightly parts

Orbis

$8.95

Reviewed by Graham Matthews

The Blues Collection is a series of CD or cassette recordings of Blues music. Produced in fortnightly parts, it traces the history of this genre, from traditional to contemporary singers.

Each issue has a CD, with 15 or more songs by the featured artist. A magazine is included which builds a picture of the influences and the life and times of the performer.

The collection provides a significant library of Blues music, with a variety of well-known names, as well of some that I had previously not heard of.

Of the first few weeks offerings, my pick is Bessie Smith: The Empress of the Blues (Number 9). This CD has some magnificent songs spanning the length of Bessie's career. The music is dreamy; the recording is not exactly digitally remastered, but has a really authentic feel.

The magazine for Smith traces her up and down career, as well as revealing parts of the real person. All in all it's a great listen, a good read and money well spent. If the rest of the collection lives up to this one, it will prove to be dynamite Blues.

From GLW issue 156