Hard To Explain: Funky Blues 1968-84 / Various Hard To Explain: Funky Blues 1968-84 / Various CD

A follow-up to SHATTERED DREAMS (CDBGPD 229), this compilation takes a further look at the underground blues recording scene of the late 60s through to the early 80s when, left behind by the mainstream, blues artists tried to remain relevant by adding touches of soul and funk to their music. Of the 20 tracks, none were hits, although some were issued on bigger labels such as Stax and Modern. Artists such as Smokey Wilson, Lowell Fulson, Jimmy McCracklin used these discs as a calling card to help them gain club dates which is how they earned their living. You may not have heard of Obrey Wilson, Finis Tasby, Shakey Jake and Ice Water Slim, but they were typical of artists who musical fashion had left behind. Their struggle to create something relevant to their time created some of the wonderful fusions found on this disc. Four previously unreleased tracks and also some which appear on CD for the first time.

1. The Creeper - Freddie Robinson 2. Gimme Some of Yours (I'll Give You Some of Mine) - Artie White 3. You Upset Me Baby - Larry Davis 4. Walk on - Finis Tasby 5. Getting Down with You - Obrey Wilson 6. It's Hard to Explain - Ray Agee 7. Don't Down Me People PT 1 - Memphis Soul 8. Lovemaker - Lowell Fulson 9. Cold Sweat- Albert King 10. I Want You - Smokey Wilson 11. I Don't Understand It - Icewater Slim ; the Forth Floor 12. Go Go Train - Smokey Wilson 13. He Made You Mine - Big Daddy Rucker 14. Find Something Else to Do - Finis Tasby 15. Getting Down with the Game - Adolph Jacobs 16. I Finally Got You - Jimmy McCracklin 17. Them Love Blues - Earl Wright 18. Hey Little Girl - Tommy Youngblood 19. Sister Rose - Shakey Jake 20. It's Real - Jimmy Robins