Various Artists - The Champions Of R&B

Blues, American-style, live and in the studio

The Champions Of R&B is a studio-recorded package of Nashville-based blues artists who are not as widely known as they should be. The exposure’s come too late for Roscoe Shelton and Freddie Waters, who’ve passed away since the sessions, but the likes of Earl Gaines, Charles Walker and Clifford Curry show they’re masters of the art of conjuring up classic soul/blues grooves with lashings of Hammond organ. E Street bassist Gary Tallent is among the backing musicians on an entertaining package produced by Fred James that, but for its sonic excellence, could have been recorded 40 years ago.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

SPV | 49802

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
<< Back to Issue 342

Login Here