Polished white voices and black country blues are served up on the two latest anthologies from AVID.
The poster child for pure and polished pop, Doris Day shows that she was a child on the Swing Era on these five albums. Her 1949 debut has her backed by mostly John Rarig’s orchestra, and she is spot on for “You’re My Thrill” and “You Go TO My Head”. A couple soundtracks follow, with Day teamed with Gordon McRae on “Tea For Two” and “I Want To Be Happy” .Next his her pistol packing film as Calamity Jane with Howard Keel, featuring fun tunes like “Just Blew In From The Windy City” and “A Woman’s Touch”. Back in the studio with Paul Weston’s Orchestra, she coos through “I Remember You” and “Gone With THE Wind”. Her follow-up was a bit more on the pop side, with pieces like “Stars Fell On Alabama” and “Close Your Eyes”, but no matter the framework, Day shines.
Country blues are put together by a variety of rural pickers on this two disc set. Usually considered one of the pioneers of the blues and even rock and roll, Robert Johnson’s key recordings with him and guitar are put together here in definitive fashion, with songs like “Crossroad Blues” and “Preachin’ Blues” setting the stage for modern blues and rock. Likewise, Huddie Ledbetter’s earthy picking style and voice is immortalized on pieces like “Rock Island Line” and “Goodnight Irene”. The unique slide guitar style of Charlie Patten has been inspiration for every guitarist in his wake, with his tunes such as “I Shall Not Be Moved” and “I’m Going Home” causing ripples that are still felt. Blues and ragtime singer/guitarist Blind Blake’s unique fingerpicking style is captured here in earth toned pieces like “Georgia Bound” and “You Gonna Quit Me Blues”. Hues of blues