Martin Scorsese's multi-part documentary TV series exploring the roots and future of the blues was an impressive achievement, and the key themes of that series are outlined in this delightful single-disc collection. Here, alongside classic country blues classics like Robert Johnson's "Hellhound on My Trail,"Son House's "My Black Mama," and Charley Patton's "High Water Everywhere" are impressive sides by African blues players like Ali Farka Touré and Salif Keita as well as hybrid African-American North Mississippi Hill Country tracks from Otha Turner and Napoleon Strickland, all of which makes this little sampler a wonderfully expansive and clear-eyed look at both the roots and the ever-evolving present and future of the blues. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
;)
