New York City Blues: 1940-1950 presents a window into the blues musicians who moved to New York City after the war and found themselves somewhat of a community in the Greenwich Village folk scene of the time. As a result, much of this collection strays from the general expectations of early acoustic blues recordings and instead supplies some refined performances from the likes of
Leadbelly and
Josh White, which both had success attributed to the folk community even though they were rooted firmly in blues traditions. French label Fremeaux & Associes always digs deep when assembling these packages to ensure that the should-have-been classics are seated next to the classics, and this release is no different. From the legendary
Sonny Terry to the unheard-of Dennis McMillan, New York City Blues: 1940-1950 has plenty of material to study from a historical standpoint as well as for pure listening enjoyment. ~ Gregory McIntosh