Various Artists - Bar Room Blues: A 12-track Program / Various (CD)

All Music Guide

Even though its not a budgetline sampler, you won't be disappointed after paying list price for Bar Room Blues: A 12Track Program highlighting artists on the Telarc blues roster that have a serious jukejoint jones. Since Telarc released its hugely successful Blues for a Rotten Afternoon budgetline sampler in 2000, other labels jumped on the bandwagon and before you knew it music consumers were being bombarded, ad nauseam, with less than interesting compilations with cute titles like Jazz for Dads or Blues for the Child. Fortunately, these 12 cuts are top notch and highlight both modern guitardriven blues by Tab Benoit, Troy Turner, Doug Wainoris, and Tinsley Ellis, along with standouts from veteran bluesmen Charlie Musselwhite "Cold Grey Light of Dawn," Junior Wells "Last Hand of the Night," Bob Margolin "My New Baby Owns a Whiskey Store," and Sam Lay "Pure Grain Alcohol." While you can safely bypass the majority of shoddy budgetline label samplers, Bar Room Blues: A 12Track Program is... one to look out for. - Al Campbell, All Music Guide Read more Less