By Doug Levine
Washington
24 September 2007
Record companies may come and go, but for blues label Blind Pig Records, the music just keeps getting better with time. VOA's Doug Levine reports on a new compilation that celebrates Blind Pig's 30th anniversary.
![]() |
Blind Pig, now based in San Francisco, California, first garnered attention with recordings by blues masters Muddy Waters, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, Snooky Pryor, and Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.
The Buddy Guy and Junior Wells album Drinkin' TNT 'N' Smokin' Dynamite is one of Blind Pig's all-time best-selling releases, as well as albums by Magic Slim, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop and the late Luther Allison.
But, there have been other groundbreaking titles by artists outside the realm of blues, including The Gospel Hummingbirds, Chubby Carrier, The Rounders and Reverend Billy C. Wirtz.
The so-called "deep fried and sanctified" piano man Reverend Billy C. Wirtz brings some comic relief and a keen sense of boogie-woogie blues into the Blind Pig fold. Wirtz displays his talent on "Jerry Rig" from his recent Blind Pig debut, Sermon From Bethlehem.
In addition to its 30th anniversary collection, featuring 33 acclaimed blues and American roots artists, Blind Pig Records has been celebrating all year with the Legendary Rhythm And Blues Revue Tour. Four of the label's top contemporary blues artists are featured on the tour, including Bay Area blues-rock guitarist Tommy Castro.
Japan Urges Industrialized Nations to Give Mo…
East Timor Militia Leader Aquitted by Indones…
Morgan Tsvangirai Accuses Zimbabwe Government…
South African President Urges Restraint on Zi…
White House: No Missile Defense Deal Expected…
US to Send More Combat Troops to Afghanistan …
US Presidential Candidates Pay Tribute on Kin…
US Special Forces Carry Weapons, Words
Anger Rises in Senegal, West Africa, Over Soa…
EU Urges Zimbabwe to Issue Vote Result
UN Marks First Autism Awareness Day
Wait for Zimbabwe Election Results Continues
Marines Corps Museum Brings Military History …
Aide to Israeli Cabinet Minister Shot in Pale…

