Violin, Sing The Blues For Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949
Nearly essential for anyone interested in old-time music,Violin, Sing the Blues for Memay be quite simply the best  single-disc anthology of the early 20th century black string-band  movement available today. The emphasis here is on the bluesy fiddle  playing heard between 1926 and 1949, but the music boasts reams of  diverse styles and playing that is simply impossible to pigeonhole.  Andrew Baxter milks his fiddle for all its plaintive worth against  brother Jim's guitar on "K.C. Railroad Blues," the Mississippi Mud  Steppers' "Alma Waltz" is as sublime as they come (perhaps the greatest  side ever recorded to feature a banjo-mandolin), and there are plenty  of other tracks featuring the now-forgotten wail of the blues violin.  But the lively tunes steal the show here: the Mobile Strugglers's  previously unissued "Memphis Blues" from 1949 is a classic breakdown;  the Tennessee Chocolate Drops's "Vine Street Drag" (featuring the fast  fiddling ofHoward  "Louie Bluie" Armstrong) showcases some true violin virtuosity; and  the Memphis Jug Band's "Memphis Shakedown" is a tour de force of energy  and great playing. Truth is, there's not a weak track here, and the  copious liner notes will keep you busy long after the CD has played  out. If you want to hear the roots of the blues, don't pass this disc  up.--Jason Verlinde