Robert Lockwood, Jr.* - DELTA CROSSROADS - CD

Blues legend Robert Lockwood, Jr.. performs a slate of Robert Johnson classics, along with new and old songs of his own, and several associated with other great Delta players. Tracks: "C.C. Rider, "'Run Your Mama," "Train My Baby, "Mean Mistreater Mama," "This Little Girl of Mine" and more! There's a stereotype about the Delta blues. You know the one: some guy sitting on a back porch somewhere, or maybe in a boxcar, with his guitar, singing about some woman who left him. But real Delta blues is far more flexible, creative, and, above all, spooky than that. It takes someone who learned from the style's master--that would be Robert Johnson, in case you're wondering--to explore the music's length and breadth, and that someone is Robert Lockwood Jr. That's why, even though he covers some of the hoariest chestnuts the Delta blues has to offer--yep, there's "Dust My Broom," and yep, there's "Love in Vain," and "Ramblin' on My Mind," not to mention Lightnin' Hopkins's "C.C. Rider," which has been covered by just about everyone who can sling an acoustic guitar--Lockwood keeps the music fresh and appealing. There's no question that he's good at what he does; he's won a W.C. Handy award, been nominated for a Grammy, and remained one of the most respected bluesmen around for decades. It would be hard to select a more clich?d title for a Delta blues album than Delta Crossroads--Lockwood does not, by the way, cover "Crossroad Blues" on this album, but that's fine; he's earned the right. --Genevieve Williams