The three musicians on this disc offer a stunning insight into the enduring heart of the blues -- both the roots of the tree and the mature flower. Guitarist
Jack Owens is the greatest living exponent of a style associated with his hometown of Bentonia, MS, and her most famous son,
Skip James.
Owens accompanies his intense, rising tenor voice with an eerie minor tuning; he is joined on some cuts by his partner, harpist Bud Spires, who proves to be a brilliant musical associate. Accomplished guitarist Eugene Powell hails from Utica, MS, and was known throughout the Delta as a virtuoso in the early decades of the 20th century. His recording career began in 1936 with the Bluebird label. Well into their 80s, both artists are active both in the studio and on blues-festival stages world-wide. ~ Larry Hoffman