Blues on Cd: The Essential Guide

Book by Murray, Charles S.

Shaar-Murray (Crosstown Traffic: Jimi Hendrix and the Post-War Rock'n'Roll Revolution, LJ 9/15/90) approaches his subject not only with an encyclopedic knowledge of the blues but also with the missionary fervor of a true, unabashed fan. His range of coverage extends from the 1920s recordings of Henry Thomas, Ma Rainey, and Bessie Smith to modern masters like the Kinsey Report and Saffire/Uppity Blues Women. As its title suggests, though, Shaar-Murray's guide is selective rather than exhaustive. Each entry presents only the artist's recommended work, and most white performers are excluded. Unfortunately, the author's choice of chronological organization does not make the information very accessible for quick searches, and the three-page index doesn't help matters much; American readers may also find British label references and catalog numbers frustrating. Still, Shaar-Murray's fresh and friendly writing and profound mastery of the subject matter make this guide worth acquiring, especially for public libraries.
Rick Anderson, Contoocook, N.H.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.