Combining two currently popular trends in compilation albums, this disc is both a tribute record and a charity project, the subject in each case being singer/songwriter/guitarist
Rainer Ptacek
, a friend of
Robert Plant
, who has recorded several of his songs as B-sides. The German-born
Ptacek
grew up in Chicago and now lives in Tucson, where he suffers from cancer. The set includes recordings by
Plant
with
and with
Jimmy Page
, by previous tribute/charity recipients
Vic Chesnutt
and
Victoria Williams
, and by such other notable musicians as
Emmylou Harris
,
Evan Dando
of
the Lemonheads
PJ Harvey
, and
Jonathan Richman
.
appears on six of the 14 tracks, singing and/or playing National steel guitar. The songs are sparely arranged (many of them acoustic), with a distinct Delta blues feel:
Ptacek's
chief influence seems to be
Robert Johnson
. His lyrics are preoccupied with moral quandaries.
"He was innocent,"
and goes a line in the title track, "but that was a long time ago," and another song is called "I Am a Sinner." This is not easy listening by any means, but it displays a gritty determination that is appealing. And, of course, completists of the named artists will want to pick it up. ~ William Ruhlmann