R.L. Burnside
Mississippi Hill Country Blues
Fat Possum
R.L. Burnside began playing the Mississippi Delta Blues in the 1950s, but didn’t gain a large audience until the 1990s, when he began experimenting with electronica and indie rock. Mississippi Hill Country Blues compiles early recordings from the late 1960s and the 1980s that feature little more than R.L. and his acoustic guitar. These stripped down songs truly showcase Burnside’s ability to channel the spirit of life in the Mississippi Delta. While he may be relatively new compared to peers like John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Fred McDowell, his music is every bit as fulfilling. Traditional blues fans who haven’t yet listened to R.L. Burnside are encouraged to start with this album.
Fat Possum Records, PO Box 1923, Oxford, MS 38655; http://www.fatpossum.com
