Various Artists - Escaping The Delta (2004)

For several years, I've been trying to find time for a road trip to "The Crossroads" in Clarksdale, Mississippi and as much of the Mississippi Blues Trail as we can possibly fit in. The stars have aligned and it looks like that journey will finally happen this fall. In preparation for the trip, I've picked up a couple of blues books and more than a couple of blues CDs. So in the next few months, you'll see more blues-related posts than usual. You have been warned.

One of the books I purchased, Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues by Elijah Wald, included a CD and here we are.

Tracks: You know I was excited by the words "Blues CD Enclosed" on the book's front cover. That excitement quickly turned to disappointment. I was hoping for something a bit more illustrative where the writing in the book might mention a song followed by something like "(see CD, track 8)." Instead we're given only two tracks and now reference to the CD in the book itself. Nevertheless, they're good and influential blues tracks.

1. Traveling Riverside Blue by Robert Johnson (1937)
2. Mean Mistreater Mama by Leroy Carr (1934)

Bottom line: The lack of content is disappointing, but the two tracks are both outstanding and historic.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None