Cliff is
Clifford Antone, owner of Antone's, the Austin, TX, nightclub, and Antone's Records, for which this 14-track various artists album serves as a label sampler. Antone has recorded a wide range of blues-oriented artists, and you certainly get a sense of that variety here. To cite some of the highlights:
Sue Foley sings over a lone electric guitar on "Gone Blind"; renowned guitarist
Matt Murphy gives a pop sound to "Way Down South";
James Cotton sings "Call It Stormy Monday" with an emotive, late-night feel;
Barbara Lynn fronts a full band with horns on "I'm a Good Woman";
Doug Sahm demonstrates his blues credentials on
Otis Redding's "She Put the Hurt on Me"; and
Pinetop Perkins displays his piano technique on "Ida B." The album's 15th track is a 15-minute interview with Antone himself, but the club and record company owner devotes it to praising the album's preceding performers, providing anecdotes and insights into the music and musicians he loves. ~ William Ruhlmann