Live at the W.C. Handy Blues Awards, Vol. 1 (2003)

About this title: What better place to record live blues than at the yearly W.C. Handy Awards ceremony, the genre's most prestigious event? These ten highlights of shows recorded from 1996-2001 (with 1997 conspicuously missing), capture the artists at the top of their game in front of -- and often playing along with -- their peers and influences. Some, such as Luther Allison and Rufus Thomas, passed shortly after these performances were captured for posterity, but both churn through energetic and enthusiastic renditions of their popular tunes. Allison in particular is electrifying as he blasts into "Cherry Red ... read more

Tracks:

1. Bluesifying [Walker]
2. Cherry Red Wine [Allison]
3. Low Down Dog [Turner]
4. Walking the Dog [Thomas]
5. Bad Love [Allison/Solberg]
6. Michigan Water [Williams]
7. Just Won't Burn [Tedeschi]
8. Senor Blues [Silver]
9. Hoochie Man [Rush]
10. Three Time Loser [Covay/Miller]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.