For the last 7 or 8 years, the best CDs in my collection have been the Southern Music Samplers, the CDs that come with the annual music issue of Oxford American, the Southern literary magazine. The new issue hit the stands this past week, and the CD does not disappoint!
“Southern music” is a pretty broad rubric, covering country, blues, Cajun, jazz, or even music by non-Southerners with a Southern theme (these have included songs by Dylan, Dusty Springfield and even Yo Yo-Ma in the past). This year’s roster includes music by Big Star, Richard Hell, Townes Van Zandt, Sam Cooke and Sun Ra and his Arkestra.
Not sure if OA is distributed up North, but if you see it, snap it up this month.