The Thomas brothers, have created Angels On The Backroads, a spectacular 4-CD set of all types of blues – every one older than either of them – specially recorded in various locales from Memphis to New Orleans. Each place where recordings were made had special meaning to the old music or the artist who recorded it. Eddie performed the music and Frank recorded it all on portable equipment. Later, studio finishes, including accompanying instruments, additional voices and special narratives were added. The result is a monumental set of beautifully recorded blues, all illustrated and annotated with mini-histories of the great Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana blues and jazz artists and songs deserving of accolade.

Of special interest to Leflore and Carroll County residents are the Thomas brothers’ recordings of two Robert Johnson songs, a Sonny Boy Williamson ode, two recordings made at Swan Lake and “Avalon Blues”, a Mississippi John Hurt song recorded at The Valley Store in Avalon.

In the words of travel guide John Branston, the best CD produced by a Mississippi artist this year is Part Four of Angels On The Backroads by brothers Eddie & Frank Thomas of Iuka. The Thomas brothers (angelsonthebackroads.com) spent eight years researching, performing and producing their 65-song ode to Highway 61 and its blues and jazz artists – from the roof of the Falls Building in Memphis to the loft of St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square in New Orleans. Eddie plays guitars, trumpet and piano while Frank produces and records, often literally from the side of the road. The guitar finale, “Sweet Hour of Prayer”, which was featured on National Public Radio, is haunting.
For additional information, contact Steve LaVere – 453-5931, 374-9286