Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 07/08/1997
Run Time: 57:44
Combining two currently popular trends in compilation albums, this disc is both a tribute record and a charity project, the subject in each case being singer/songwriter/guitarist
Rainer Ptácek, a friend of
Robert Plant, who has recorded several of his songs as B-sides. The German-born
Ptácek grew up in Chicago and now lives in Tucson, where he suffers from cancer. The set includes recordings by
Plant with
Ptácek and with
Jimmy Page, by previous tribute/charity recipients
Vic Chesnutt and
Victoria Williams, and by such other notable musicians as
Emmylou Harris,
Evan Dando of
the Lemonheads,
PJ Harvey, and
Jonathan Richman.
Ptácek appears on six of the 14 tracks, singing and/or playing National steel guitar. The songs are sparely arranged (many of them acoustic), with a distinct Delta blues feel:
Ptácek's chief influence seems to be
Robert Johnson. His lyrics are preoccupied with moral quandaries.
"He was innocent," and goes a line in the title track, "but that was a long time ago," and another song is called "I Am a Sinner." This is not easy listening by any means, but it displays a gritty determination that is appealing. And, of course, completists of the named artists will want to pick it up.
~William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
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