The Rough Guide to Ragtime Blues

World Music Network seem to issue their Rough Guides to The Blues at an almost monthly rate – which suggests there is an audience for them (and in the wake of the recent BBC Arena American Epic TV series they provide a cheap introduction to early US music). Ragtime is an interesting theme for this album as it's best known as a hyper-fast African American dance music – think Scott Joplin whose piano rags were widely popularised by the movie The Sting – that predated jazz. To find blues guitarists playings rags demonstrates how influential the music was and among the 25 tunes here are such popular names as Charley Patton, Cannon's Jug Stompers, Blind Willie McTell and Memphis Minnie. Ragtime's fast, light touch makes for acoustic blues performances that are less intense than much of the genre – what is debatable here is whether all the artists included on this album were playing rags, or were inspired by the many influences (including pop crooners and Singing Cowboys) then informing blues. An enjoyable compilation that should direct new listeners towards more detailed efforts on independent US labels such as Arhoolie.