The complete recorded works of nine different artists are included on this well-produced CD. All of the St. Louis-based musicians are quite obscure, although some of the sidemen (most notably Lonnie Johnson, Roosevelt Sykes, Peetie Wheatstraw, and Clifford Hayes) were major names. The music ranges from good-time performances to lowdown blues. Vocalist Jelly Roll Anderson is backed by a small group on four numbers; violinist Henry Johnson jams on six instrumentals; and vocalists Bert "Snake Root" Hatton, Red Mike Bailey, Jimmy Strange, and Georgia Boyd are heard on their only two selections. Even more obscure is Ell-zee Floyd (who only recorded one song), Spider Carter (who had three numbers), and Jesse Johnson (heard on the two-part "I Wish I Had Died in Egyptland"). Intriguing and very rare music. ~ Scott Yanow