Various Artists – Antone’s Tenth Anniversary Anthology – Antone’s ANT0004CD 

How I wish I had been at these shows! 

The audiences were anticipatory, the venue legendary for offering the best of the blues, with so many of the great post-war blues masters were still alive, vital, and performing at high levels, that the perfect storm for capturing blues lightning in a bottle was perfectly framed.  And, indeed it was seized! 

Antone’s is a venerated name in Austin’s rich music scene, hailing from owner Clifford Antone’s obsessive love for the blues.  The club, at any of its locations (and it continues to this day) has historically provided top-tier blues stars a place to call home.  Since its inception in 1975, the club has presented B.B. King. Albert King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Muddy Waters, James Brown, Clifton Chenier, and everyone and anyone who brought iconic status to the blues and related genres of music. 

So, it is no surprise that in July, 1985 the club decided to celebrate the club’s tenth anniversary on a large scale, pulling out all the stops, and presenting a roster of talent that was astonishing in scope.  On the 13 tracks appearing here are performances by Snooky Pryor, Eddie Taylor, James Cotton, Sunnyland Slim, Albert Collins, Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Guy, Pinetop Perkins, and Otis Rush. 

And, not only were the headlining stars of unquestionable talent, but the backing blues artists also brought elevated esteem to the proceedings.  Bassists Bob Stroger and Sarah Brown, drummers Ted Harvey, Timothy Taylor, and George Rains, guitarists Derek O’Brien, Luther Tucker, Hubert Sumlin, and Jimmie Vaughan, keyboardists Denny Freeman and Mel Brown, and saxophonists Mark Kazanoff and Joe Sublett all lent their considerable acumen to the performances. 

In many cases, this was a Chicago-blues-goes-south affair (with the outliers at the time being Collins and Tucker), with many of the songs here interchangeably feature band assemblages including the same backing musicians.  And that familiarity among the Chicago blues base yielded top-shelf outcomes.  At some time or another in their long, storied careers, the Chicago bluesmen had worked together, and were comfortable within the others’ style and catalog of blues. 

It must be said that Tucker also had a broad knowledge of the Chicago scene, having first played there at the age of 16, and he also played in the house band, at one point, at Antone’s, though he spent his later years in the San Francisco area.  Collins was a favorite of Clifford Antone, so his inclusion on the anniversary show was not a surprise. 

The sound on this CD is magnificent, bordering on unmatched, with the shows having been recorded by Reelsound Recording and mixed by Malcolm Harper and Austin blues singer, and Antone’s stage manager and sound technician, Angela Strehli. 

The enthusiasm the bluesmen brought to their outings here can only be indicative of the treatment they received when Clifford Antone brought them to the club and Austin, as the lore of his care, nurturing, and generosity toward them in legendary.  He was known to pay for their needed medical, dental, and eye care, provide them instruments, and in short, tend to all their needs. 

Each time I listen to this awe-inspiring collection of blues, I am both greatly elated at the sheer brilliance on display, but also troubled that almost each bluesman presented has passed.  Nonetheless, this compilation provides the true blues fan many moments of pure blues enjoyment. 

With a bit of digging, I am convinced that a copy of this CD can be found.  For one astounding July in 1985, the blues greats arrived in Texas and offered their best efforts.  Relive it here.  Highly recommended!