If there was any single disc in the collection that is head-and-shoulders above the rest, it’s the third one. Beginning with a stellar performance from the remarkable harmonica wizard Sonny Boy Williamson, this set contains the best music in the compilation. Williamson’s take on “C Jam Blues” and his tormented introductions to some of his numbers give us a glimpse at a performer with unrefined traits and a tough road ahead. Sadly, Williamson would die in the year following this 1964 recording.

Jimmy Witherspoon is featured in a rare performance at the 1964 National Jazz and Blues Festival in Richmond. Witherspoon is backed by Barber’s band and British jazz giants Ronnie Scott and Humphrey Lyttleton for this exclusive recording. Witherspoon’s incredible interpretation of “Have You Ever Loved a Woman?” captures the tone brilliantly and the backing jazz players aren’t the least bit overplayed, allowing for the ideal meshing of jazz and blues.

Howlin’ Wolf rips and scowls through “Howlin’ For My Baby” and then is joined by Hubert Sumlin for the outstanding “Dust My Broom.” Barber’s introductions serve the tunes well, giving a nice bit of background and pulling us into a potent version of “May I Have A Talk With You.” The only hitch is that there are only four songs from Howlin’ Wolf.

Jimmy Witherspoon is back for a Dutch radio performance from January of 1980 for the last bit of the collection. His voice is every bit as effectual here as it was in 1964 and the recording is taut with equal stability given to each instrument. Witherspoon pours himself into “Everyday I Have the Blues” and gives a different take on “Tain’t Nobody’s Business.”

All in all, Chris Barber Presents…The Blues Legacy Series: Lost & Found is a courageous effort that is run ashore far too often by poor sound mixing. The third disc is certainly the highlight of the collection and things do appear to get healthier as the compilation goes along. Happily, the class and professionalism of the musicians overcomes the meager recording quality and the personalities of individuals like Champion Jack Dupree and Muddy Waters shine through.

Chris Barber surely deserves credit for assembling these artists in a time in which blues music was a huge risk. He helped introduce a whole new style of music to Britain and audiences loved it. Barber’s partnership with the artists on this compilation are historically momentous and, for that reason alone, these records are worth a listen. In terms of overall musical value, on the other hand, there are better live recordings of most of these artists available.

(Downloads of the albums are available through Amazon. The CDs and other blues recordings are available at the Blues Legacy website.)