Album Notes

Whether it is labeled as Delta Blues, Piedmont Blues, Folk Blues, or just good old-fashioned, down-home Country Blues, traditional acoustic Blues music forms a main part of our American Musical Roots and is a key part of the cultural heritage of African-Americans. This vital musical tradition has had a major influence on modern music, from folk to jazz to urban electric Blues. We are fortunate in the Pacific Northwest to have so many talented musicians who not only carry on the tradition of acoustic blues, but also continue to breathe new life into an essential art form.

Because the role traditional acoustic Blues music played in the development of American music and, more importantly, because we love to listen to it, the Cascade Blues Association (CBA) teamed up with the Portland Saturday Market to present the Acoustic Roots and Blues Heritage Festival on July 16, 2000. On a beautiful Oregon summer afternoon, in an intimate setting at the famed Portland Saturday Market, some of the most talented Blues musicians in the Pacific Northwest entertained an enthusiastic audience with several hours of down-home blues. This CD captures some of the highlights of those live performances and illustrates just how vital traditional Blues continues to be. The tracks included in this CD successfully retain the energy of the performances and demonstrate the stellar talents of the artists who participated in the event.