Like a fair number of small labels dedicated to preserving a certain kind of music, Earwig was founded by a blues lover who followed a "calling" to support the music as a lifetime obsession. Now Michael Robert Frank, president and CEO of Earwig, has released "Earwig Music: 20th Anniversary Collection," a fine two-CD set, as a celebration of the label's recordings by some of the best down-home blues artists around.
In short, this is good stuff, as long as you're not looking for a new twist on the blues or a new interpretation of an old sound. This CD is for blues aficionados who like their music uncut and straight from the source. Purists of the world, rejoice for tracks by Big Jack Johnson, David "Honey-boy" Edwards, Louisiana Red, Sunnyland Slim, Homesick James and Detroit favorite Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones backed by a strong Chicago rhythm section.
