The American Folk-Blues Festival: The British Tours 1963-1966

One of the enduring ironies of popular music lies in the fact that it wasn't until British groups such as the Rolling Stones, the Animals, and the Yardbirds came to U.S. shores in the mid-'60s—singing the praises (and the songs) of bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Howlin' Wolf—that Americans discovered music that was local to begin with. Legend has it that some of the aforementioned Brits were in attendance when Wolf, Muddy, and others toured England for the concerts preserved in this 18-song package (three previous compilations were released during 2003-04). It's not hard to see why they were inspired, as this is the real deal, featuring complete performances by great artists (and some mighty fine sidemen, including guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Otis Rush, bassist Willie Dixon, and pianist Otis Spann) playing for audiences who gave them the respect they so richly deserved (and that had largely eluded them at home). Highlights abound: Junior Wells, sans harmonica and dancing like James Brown on a version of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say"; Lightnin' Hopkins, incredibly soulful as he delves deep into the Delta blues on two solo tunes; Big Joe Turner, bringing down the house with a rockin' "Oh Well, Oh Well"; Wolf, given a hero's welcome on his two numbers; and Lonnie Johnson, whose "Too Late to Cry" reveals him to be an underrated, jazz-influenced guitarist. The four bonus tracks may be the best of all: filmed outdoors at a train station in Manchester, they feature Waters, surrounded by adoring fans for "You Can't Lose What You Ain't Never Had" and "Blow Wind Blow," and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (the great blues-gospel shouter), who arrives in a horse-drawn buggy, picks up her guitar, and proceeds to strut and (quite literally) fret her way across the train platform ("pretty good for a woman, ain't it?" she says). Presented in PCM mono, this beautifully packaged compilation is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)