Beggin'

After nearly 20 years as a performer, Michael Burks finally issued this debut disc, and his years of practical blues experience are evident on every track. While some of the guitar pyrotechnics may be more technique than substance, it cannot be denied that this fellow can tear up his ax. He sets the stakes on the muscular opener, "Hit the Ground Running," and maintains the intensity level through moodier tunes like "Beggin' Business." While his vocals are not stellar, he has a rich, gritty quality to his singing that is nicely matched to his guitar playing.

Dinah Washington's first solo recordings (with the exception of a session supervised by Lionel Hampton in 1943) are included on this Delmark repackaging of her Apollo sides. Recorded in Los Angeles during a three-day period, the 12 selections feature the singer with a swinging jazz combo that has tenor-saxophonist Lucky Thompson, trumpeter Karl George, vibraphonist Milt Jackson and bassist Charles Mingus among its eight members. The 21-year-old Washington was already quite distinctive at this early stage and easily handles the blues and jive material with color and humor. Recommended despite the brevity (35 minutes) of the CD.

This sophomore disc from the Chicago multi-instrumentalist (but mainly harpist/vocalist) Lester Davenport follows his solo debut by a whopping 11 years. Although it's impossible to justify the wait, this is a terrific West Side Chicago blues album, confirming he's an under-recognized and way under-recorded musician. Guitarist Jimmy Dawkins (who also produced) adds more authenticity to this rugged album, one that could have been recorded for Chess in the '60s. Well, except for a rollicking instrumental entitled "To Our Lost Ones 9/11/01," and even that ignores its contemporary title, capturing the spirit of Little Walter's glory days. Piano duties are shared equally by Detroit Junior (on tracks 1-7) and Allen Batts (on 8-13)…

This double CD which is compiled exclusively by the “Blues News Magazine” is a unique collection of 26 tracks selected by the shooting star of German blues himself…