These two discs distributed in the US by Light in The Attic Records compile a very comprehensive review of Country Music as presented by a wide variety of Black Artists, from the well known such as Sammy Davis Jr., Ike and Tina Turner (yes they did country) and Clyde McPhatter to those who didn't achieve the fame they deserved such as O.B. McClinton, and Stoney Edwards. Each of these discs is jam packed with music, they both have 24 songs apiece and it is a matter of personal preference as to which is the better disc. Each contains a wide variety of music, and most of it quite surprising and good for a variety of reasons. Who knew James Brown or Etta James did country music so well. The variety of artists is so diverse on each disc as to boggle the mind, and the performances are for the most part quite spectacular, and most all cuts show the Soul side of Country.

It is often forgotten that Country music evolved as a fusion of Folk, Celtic, Appalachian and Gospel music, and it is generally evolved in Southern United States, and a large portion of the population was/is Black. Many of the artists here come to Country music as almost a secondary form, some genuinely embraced it but the large part of them came from Blues; Ike and Tina, Solomon Burke and James Brown, and others from the Gospel church; which has phrasing more similar to white Country Music, and for some this was the music that was their first genuine love such as O.B. McClinton. There is wonderful music by Bobby Womack, Junior Parker, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Ruth Brown and Etta James to name just a few of those who made their name get put up in lights in other genres however that doesn't mean the artists that will be new to you are any the less worthy because these discs will certainly enlarge your musical knowledge. Take a long listen to the great cuts by Johnny Adams or Marge Joseph and then exhale. It doesn't matter which disc you pick up both will satisfy and the two will double your pleasure as they are filled with obscure gems that are guaranteed to please.

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Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)