Earwig 16th Anniversary Sampler CD

Earwig was founded in 1979 by Michael Robert Frank, and it quickly become one of the top blues labels, recording artists based on the quality of their music rather than on sales potential. To celebrate Earwig's 16th anniversary, this 18-song collection of music from the label's catalog was put out in 1995. There is impressive variety on the single CD, with the settings ranging from Little Brother Montgomery's solo piano to rockish blues groups and everything in between. The selections were well chosen, and although sticking to the blues (no Motown, R&B, or soul music here), the disc shows the wide variety of music that appeared in the 1980s and '90s in the blues world. Overall, this CD gives one an excellent overview of some of the treasures in the Earwig catalog. ~ Scott Yanow

This first Earwig blues sampler commemorates the 16th anniversary since label Producer and CEO Michael Frank began the label by taking Frank Frost, Sam Carr, and Jack Johnson -- The Jelly Roll Kings -- into a Memphis studio to record Rockin' The Juke Joint Down (4901). Since that magic session, these guys have made four Earwig albums between them. Earwig has concentrated on middle-aged and elder bluesmen who are under-represented in recordings and live performance. Honeyboy Edwards, Sunnyland Slim, Homesick James, and H-Bomb Ferguson - seminal figures in the history of the blues - all made new recordings on Earwig. The label also made the first album recordings of Lester Davenport, Aron Burton, Lovie Lee, Big Jack Johnson, and John Primer as bandleaders rather than as sidemen. And the label has proudly released private tapes produced by Little Brother Montgomery - one of the most important blues and traditional jazz pianists of all time. These musicians and more make up the Earwig story -- 16 years and 18 cuts -- featuring every Earwig artist at this date. Check it out!

Recording information: Chicago, IL (09/30/1976-02/03/1993); Memphis, TN (09/30/1976-02/03/1993); Phoenix, AZ (09/30/1976-02/03/1993).

Illustrator: George Hansen.

Personnel: David Honeyboy Edwards, Honeyboy Edwards, Louis Myers (vocals, guitar, harmonica); John Primer (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Iverson Minter, Homesick James Williamson, Jim Brewer, Jimmy Dawkins, Louisiana Red, Big Jack Johnson (vocals, guitar); Frank Frost (vocals, harmonica, piano, Farfisa); Leon Brooks, Willie Anderson, Lester Davenport, Little Willie Anderson, Big Leon Brooks (vocals, harmonica); Eurreal Montgomery, Robert Ferguson, Eddie Watson, H-Bomb Ferguson, Little Brother Montgomery, Lovie Lee, Sunnyland Slim (vocals, piano); Kansas City Red (vocals, drums); Aron Burton (vocals); Eddie Taylor, Marty Charters, Larry Burton, Lurrie Bell, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Steve Freund (guitar); Walter Horton, Mervyn "Harmonica" Hinds, Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell (harmonica); Eric Neuhausser (saxophone); Sam Burckhardt (tenor saxophone); Barrelhouse Chuck Goering, Chuck Goering, Pinetop Perkins (piano); Carl Snyder, Pat Hall, Eddie Lusk (keyboards); Robert Covington (drums, background vocals); Fred Below, Sam Burton, Keenath Malachi Williams, Joe Poston , Ernest Roy, Tino Cortez, James Herndon, Fred Grady, Michael Ray , Odie Payne, Ray Scott, Sam Carr (drums); Will Davis (background vocals).

Liner Note Author: Michael Robert Frank.

Living Blues (3-4/96, pp.91-92) - "...For those unfamiliar with the catalog of this splendid label, EARWIG 16TH ANNIVERSARY SAMPLER is an excellent place to start."