This compilation, a sort of soundtrack to the film of the same name, gives a nice sampling both of hardcore delta blues and a window into the passion of the documentary?s subject, Fonotone Records founder Joe Bussard.

Bussard was an avid collector of 78s and long a tireless seeker for what he called ?America?s real music.? Some classic prophets of that music are represented hear, such as Lonnie Johnson, Son House, Blind Willie McTell, as well as true heavyweights like the Carter Family, Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton.

A collector always is rewarded by great finds the more the digs, and this set includes some obscure but raw and true tracks, like ?Paddlin? Blues? by Gitfiddle Jim and Uncle Bunt Stephens? ?Sail Away Ladies.? Bussard himself contributes a song, the swirling ?Mandolin Blues.?

We know about Alan Lomax, John Hammond, and of a few others who spent most of their life in record stores, bars and shitty dives looking for the artists who told their story and the story of America in the same line. Joe Bussard belongs among those archeologists of the heart (and balls.) 10/10 -- Mike Wood (16 January, 2007)