Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When the Library Of Congress and Fisk University sponsored the field trips which are the source of the music here I don't suppose that anyone thought that it would take until the '90s before our friends at Document Records made them available to the public for the first time. They are a fascinating glimpse into rural music with gospel being provided by a raw and rugged congregation from Church Of God In Christ, Rev McGhee (who may or may not be the famed preacher of that name who recorded in the '20s) and The Frazier Family (a group from Memphis). All the other stuff is secular blues with some tracks standing out like the two by blues giant Bukka White and the pre-war classic "Ragged And Dirty" by William Brown. Plus there's a bunch of fascinating, though very poorly recorded sides by Blind Pete & Partner. If you're still longing for more O Brother Where Art Thou style music, this compilation is worth investigating.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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