Blind Pig records, the small blues label that was begun a long time ago, has just released its 30th Anniversary Collection. This collection contains thirty-three songs representing a sample of the labels premier artists. Any blues boy would be pleased to find this gift under his tree this Christmas.

Disc One opens with the Springsteen sounding "Just Like Me" by Tommy Castro; other songs include "Honest I Do" by James Cotton, Big Bill Morganfield's "Evil", Buddy Guy and Junior Wells "Hoodoo Man Blues", "24 Hour Fool" by Debbie Davies, "Feel So Bad" by Otis Rush and ten more "Pearls From Swine". Disc Two continues with "I'm A Bluesman" by Magic Slim, John Mooney's "She Ain't No Good", Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyer's "Moving In A West Coast Way", "Sweet Man of Mine" by EC Scott, "After Hours" by Pinetop Perkins and another dozen. This collection celebrates Blind Pig's "Pearl" Anniversary.

Just when you think it can't get much better you find the bonus DVD included. Six beautifully filmed videos; Tommy Castro singing "Can't Keep a Good Man Down", Popa Chubby performing "If The Diesel Don't Get You Than The Jet Fuel Will", "Goin' To Mississippi" by Magic Slim & The Teardrops, Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers "Tough & Tender", and two more by Reverend Billy C Wirtz, and Smokin' Joe Kubek with Bnois King. Also included is a twenty-four page book with artist bio's and photographs.

All of this, with a list price of only $16.98, makes this collection one of the best stocking stuffers I've ever seen. Purchase it at blindpigrecords.com and save more.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com