20 Years Anniversary

Ruf Records was started 20 years ago by Thomas Ruf, and this two-disc celebration of its anniversary features 13 tracks by the “Girls with Guitars” and 15 tracks by the “Guys with Guitars.” Ruf, a German, got hooked on the blues after seeing Chicago bluesman Luther Allison at a club in Germany. In addition to recording him he also became his manager. Allison's ebullient version of “You Can't Always Get What You Want,” recorded shortly before he passed away in 1997 at 58, ends the “guys” disc. Ruf's slogan is “where the blues crosses over,” and most of the musicians here have crossed over to blues/rock. Featured on the “girls” disc are such sassy newcomers as Dani Wilde, Samantha Fish and Ana Popovic, plus more seasoned players like Dana Fuchs, Sue Foley, Candye Kayne and Joanna Connor. Most of their singing is too snarly for me, which is why “Skinny Girl,” a slide guitar rave-up by Erja Lyytinen, the “Finnish Bonnie Raitt,” is such a treat. Highlights on the equally high-energy “guys” CD include the Royal Southern Brotherhood's “Rock and Roll,” Cyril Neville's “Swamp Funk,” Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown's “Nuthin' Like the Blues” (a real treat) and newcomer Albert Castiglia's relaxed “Bad Avenue.” All in all a great introduction to many new artists.