CCMusic.com

By 1997, the Burnley Festival would 'book whoever is touring and available'. In 1997, though, 'whoever was touring and available' could be important. This time capsule captures some fascinating moments: Eric Bibb at an early stage in his conquering of the roots world... Joe Louis Walker, a living legend... The revelation that is Howard McCreary... that wonderful American gift to England, Johnny Mars... The 'discovery' of the 1990 Burnley Festival, Angela Brown... The superb American touring artists Barrence Whitfield and the Holmes Brothers, both class acts. Add a gathering of the best of British blues of the 1990's and you've got a stunning show. This fascinating series of DVDs opened with the video of Louisiana Red in Chicago which had been sitting on the shelf for 30 years. Blues Archive movies of U. P. Wilson, Larry Garner and Otis Grand done in the 1990's followed. I thought that releasing those DVDs might bring other forgotten material from storerooms and garages. Here's the first one. JOHN STEDMAN