The Rough Guide To The Blues Songsters Reborn And Remastered – A Raw, Soulful Ride Through Country Blues
Alright, let’s get into this one. The Rough Guide To The Blues Songsters Reborn And Remastered is a 2017 release by World Music Network and Music Rough Guides, and it’s exactly what you’d hope for if you’re into that gritty, old-school country blues vibe. This isn’t some slick modern take—it’s raw, real, and dripping with history. The tracks are pulled together like pieces of a puzzle from another time, and the production team (shoutout to Phil Stanton and Neil Record) did a bang-up job curating this collection.
Now, full disclosure: I’m not a blues scholar, but there’s something about this album that just sticks with you. It’s packed with classics and deep cuts alike, but two tracks really stood out for me—“How Long” and “Stackalee.”
First up, “How Long.” Man, this song feels like an open wound wrapped in barbed wire. It’s got this slow-burning rhythm that just drags you in, and the vocals? They sound like they’ve been soaked in regret and left out to dry. You can almost picture someone sitting on a rickety porch somewhere, strumming their guitar while life falls apart around them. It’s haunting in the best way possible.
Then there’s “Stackalee,” which flips the script entirely. If “How Long” is all brooding introspection, this track is pure swagger. It’s got this driving beat and storytelling lyrics that feel like they’re daring you not to nod your head along. The energy here is electric—it’s the kind of tune that could light up a juke joint or a house party in equal measure. Honestly, after hearing it, I couldn’t stop humming it for days. Days!
The mastering work by Laurence Cedar deserves props too; everything sounds crisp without losing that vintage edge. And hey, whoever designed the sleeve (Brad Haynes, according to the credits), nice touch—it’s simple but gives off those dusty-road vibes perfectly.
What gets me about this whole project is how timeless these songs feel. Like yeah, they were written decades ago, but they still hit hard today. Whether it’s love gone wrong, hard times, or just plain rebellion, the themes resonate no matter where—or when—you’re listening.
Final thought? Listening to this album feels like finding an old vinyl at a garage sale and realizing it’s gold. Except instead of paying 50 cents, you get to stream it. So go ahead, give it a spin. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself Googling “how to play slide guitar” by the end of it.
