This Ain't No Tribute Blues Cube

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About This Ain't No Tribute Blues Cube

Amazon.com In case anyone missed the individual releases of these CDs earlier in 1999, House of Blues conveniently presents all five in one handy package. Though the albums do fit the definition of a tribute, despite this box set's title, they're often decidedly odd; Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan certainly never sounded like this before. In general, it works. Zep's "When the Levee Breaks" was always a blues tune; Magic Slim just returns it to its Delta roots. Eric Clapton is firmly rooted in the blues, so it's fitting that some of the artists who influenced him--including Buddy Guy and Bo Diddley--turn out to try their hand at his material, and that younger musicians who've been undeniably shaped by his music take their turns as well. Janis Joplin was a blues singer first, a rock & roll star second, and Blues Down Deep includes appearances from Etta James, Lou Ann Barton, and Koko Taylor. What makes this set more interesting than your average tribute is that the performers involved have the skill and confidence to rework familiar songs in new ways. Just listen to what Gatemouth Brown does to "Rock n' Roll." --Genevieve Williams