As part of the
Heritage of the Blues series on Hightone Records,
Skull & Crossbones Blues provides a well-rounded retrospective of blues guitarist and onetime
Robert Johnson cohort
Johnny Shines. These 12 tracks capture
Shines in a number of different settings, including both acoustic and electric, solo, and fronting a legendary Chicago band with
Big Walter Horton,
Otis Spann, and
Fred Below.
Shines'
Robert Johnson influence is investigated on versions of "Standing at the Crossroads" and "Rollin' & Tumblin'," while material recorded in Los Angeles in the 1970s includes a snippet of guitarist
Luther Allison at the beginning of his career. The tracks have been digitally remastered and lovingly compiled by fan and Hightone artist
Dave Alvin. ~ Al Campbell