Earwig 20th Anniversary Collection CD

Since its formation in the late '70s, Earwig has been one of the top blues labels even if it has generally been overshadowed by such giants as Alligator, Blind Pig and Delmark. A former employee of Bob Koester (the head of Delmark), Michael Robert Frank was inspired to start his own label. In the years since, he has recorded many top unsung blues artists, as can be heard on this superlative two-CD sampler, Earwig 20th Anniversary Collection. Rather than filling in the set with a lot of tracks that are actually R&B, soul, or blues ballads, the emphasis throughout this two-fer is on the blues itself. Occasional instrumentals, spirited vocals, rocking electric blues, some more intimate acoustic country blues, and even a lone track from 1942 (David Honeyboy Edwards' "The Army Blues") are all included on this well-conceived package. Virtually every selection is a high point, for the tracks were well-chosen, so pick up this sampler and enjoy a perusal through the riches of the Earwig catalog. There are many talented blues artists to discover. ~ Scott Yanow

This second Earwig blues collection celebrates the 20th anniversary since producer and CEO Michael Frank began the label by taking Frank F2ost, Sam Carr, and Jack Johnson -The Jelly Roll Kings-into a Memphis studio to record Earwig's first album, Rockin the Juke Joint Down, in 1979. During its first fifteen years, Earwig concentrated on seminal figures in the history of the blues: elder bluesmen under-represented in recordings and live performance-artists such as Honeyboy Edwards, Sunnyland Slim, Homesick James, H-Bomb Ferguson, and Louisiana Red. Earwig 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. In the past five years Earwig has released debut albums by Chicago's blues diva Liz Mandville Greeson, South Side sould blues singer Johnny Drummer, and Detroit's Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones. Jones won a Handy Award and Living Blues' Critics Poll as Best New Artist. Earwig has also specialized in putting together band combinations not found on other labels-Lil Ed with Willie Kent and Eddie C. Campbell; Louisiana Red-in his first American album in almost twenty years-with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on harmonica; and Honeyboy Edwards with Carey Bell. This generous double CD features cuts from every Earwig artist, and original songs by these artists not found on other labels."Earwig has given this gift to blues lovers everywhere. No collection would be complete without it - pick this one up and get into the groove." -Twin Cities Blues News

Performers include: Liz Mandville Greeson, Johnny Drummer, Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones.

Personnel: Johnny Yard Dog Jones, Louis Myers (vocals, guitar, harmonica); David Honeyboy Edwards, Iverson Minter, Floyd Jones , Homesick James Williamson, Jim Brewer, Jimmy Dawkins, Lil' Ed Williams, Louisiana Red, Big Jack Johnson (vocals, guitar); Frank Frost (vocals, harmonica, piano, Farfisa, synthesizer); Willie Anderson, Lester Davenport, Big Leon Brooks (vocals, harmonica); Eurreal Montgomery, Eddie Watson, H-Bomb Ferguson, Albert Luandrew, Sunnyland Slim (vocals, piano); Thessex Johns, Johnny Drummer, Liz Mandville Greeson, Aron Burton, Willie Kent (vocals); Jim Simms (guitar, keyboard programming); Byther Smith (guitar, background vocals); Michael Dotson, Eddie C. Campbell, Marty Charters, Mike Gibb, Willie Phillips, Jimmie Lee Robinson, John Primer, Johnny B. Moore, Larry Burton, Lurrie Bell, Magic Slim, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Sammy Lawhorn, Steve Freund (guitar); Alan Hightman (slide guitar); Ron Sorin, Mark Brumbach, Carey Bell Harrington, Mervyn "Harmonica" Hinds, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Carey Bell (harmonica); Eric Neuhausser (saxophone); Hank Ford, Vicente Salerno (tenor saxophone); Elmer Brown (trumpet); Bill McFarland (trombone); Allen Batts (piano, electric piano); Jasper Buchanan, Eddie Lusk (piano, organ); Vince Willis, Pat Hall (piano, keyboa