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Various: Big Water - The Best of Wellington Blues

It must be something in the Wellington water, or maybe it's the wind, but the nation's capital sure has its share of musicians for whom the blues has remained a vital part of their musical existence. And when this compilation claims to be a sampler of some of the best blues you'll hear in Wellington-or anywhere, then you'd better believe it. Lovingly compiled by Nick Bollinger and coming in a classy Red Rocks Records package, the album features the usual suspects, plus some newer ones, all presenting their take on the blues. As could be expected both Rick Bryant and Bill Lake feature in solo guises as well as part of the institution that is The Windy City Strugglers. Whether it's Bryant's R&B stylings or Lake's country blues the results are never less than interesting. Other well known Wellingtonians such as Marg Layton, Darren Watson and Dave Murphy put in creditable performances that are more a testament to their years of live work as opposed to the rather meager collection of recordings that bear their names. Of the newer performers Pip Payne's jump blues and Cool Disposition's Texan stylings impress, ensuring Wellington's blues heritage continues to remain an integral part of the capital's music scene.

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