Black Boy Shine

Eighteen songs by Black Boy Shine (rounded out by four more from Black Ivory King), in surprisingly good sound. Shine had no time, in the course of two years of recordings, to deteriorate in either his sound or health on record here. Most of his songs have to do with aspects of life for his black audience, and are highlighted by inventive piano playing and a surprisingly sweet, almost sultry melodious vocal style. "Hobo Blues" and "Ice Pick and Pistol Woman Blues" depict some of the more brutal and vivid sides of the life that Shine or his audience lived. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi