ESSENTIAL BLUES HARMONICA (2 CDs - House Of Blues/Platinum Entertainment 51416 1300 2)

If you like harmonica-driven blues, and haven’t already invested thousands of dollars in your blues collection, this release is a great place to start. It collects significant contributions from some 31 different artists and, over the course of the 2 discs, showcases the various styles of blues harmonica. The selected tracks run the gamut from the earliest blues harmonica classics all the way to contemporary tracks. It’s a great way to get your blues feet wet at a very reasonable price. It’s very likely that you’ll wish to explore further recordings by the artists which you find to be your personal favorites here.

This is a compilation of classic tracks so the quality of the chosen performances shouldn’t be an issue, and it certainly isn’t here. The sound quality varies with the dates of the particular recordings but overall the entire release is excellent. The packaging is also well done and includes an essay on the history of blues harmonica. If you’re already a blues veteran it won’t tell you anything that you don’t already know but it does serve as a good introduction for the novice listener.

My favorite tracks would include Sonny Boy Williamson’s classic "Good Morning School Girl", Charlie Musselwhite’s "The Blues Overtook Me", the rockin’ blues of William Clarke’s "Must Be Jelly", James Cotton’s "Cotton Crop Blues", and Kenny Neal’s "Going To The Country" among others. There’s plenty here for everyone’s tastes.

This is just one release in the whole House Of Blues collection so jump on in and discover the blues. If harmonica isn’t to your liking there’s probably another collection aimed at your particular interest as well. I’ve heard several releases from the series and haven’t been disappointed yet.