Various Artists - 35 Years of Stony Plain

Reviewed by Terry David Mulligan, host of Mulligan Stew and Tasting Room Radio

It's raining in on Salt Spring - perfect time for the lift and gift of music (plus food and wine).

Today's first CD is 35 Years of Stony Plain. Holger Peterson's double CD and bonus DVD is a joy to behold. It's a roots & blues lover’s dream, a look back at a sensational 35-year run. Holger loves the blues so much he would have started the label to give profile to certain artists but the bonus for the music world is that Stony Plain has become a blues beacon in an otherwise drab music landscape. Loved the inclusion of Blue Rodeo and Emmylou but halfway through disc two there are three tracks that say it all about the years and the label: Jeff Healey - I’m Torn Down, Rosco Gordon – No More Doggin, and Amos Garrett, Doug Sahm, Gene Taylor Band – Teardrops on Your Letter. Who else was going to put together those three tracks and all those artists? Check out Peter North's blog on this CD… and play the darn music!

This week I'm in wine country, standing at the corner of past and present.

May 6, 2011