New series samples local blues across U.S.

Blues Across America: The Detroit Scene By various artists Cannondball Records: 1997 Blues Across America: The Dallas Scene By various artists Cannondball Records: 1997

by Jim Trageser
These reviews first appeared in the October 11, 1997 edition of the American Reporter.

One of the newest blues labels, Cannonball Records, has hit the ground running.

They have an album of unreleased material by James Harman out (albeit a decade in the can before release) and a new series of CDs highlighting local blues – so far touching on Detroit and Dallas.

Like Alligator's now legendary "Living Chicago Blues" series from the late '70s and early '80s, "Blues Across America" captures the sounds found in honest-to-good neighborhood bars.

To be sure, not every city has the kind of blues talent you'll find on a Friday night in Southside Chicago, but both the Detroit and Dallas discs have some pretty heavy blues with lots of good playing and singing.

Polished? Not generally. But it's spirited as all get-out, raw and heartfelt.

It's what the blues is really all about.