Various Artists - Up Jumped The Devil: American Devil Songs 1920s-1950s (Viper) There’s something about themed compilations that can be most appealing. I used to have a splendid booze and blues collection where every song referred to the demon drink, and this disc does equally good work for the devil - if you get my drift. Drawing material from old country, rock n’ roll, blues and jazz recordings, these tunes date back to a time and place where the devil was more than an abstract concept, and this is reflected in the gutsy performances that dominate this always enjoyable collection. Special mentions are reserved for Bessie Smith’s nightmare vision of hell - “Blue Spirit Blues” - and Skip James’ familiar, but still powerful “Devil Got My Woman”. Though it’s a trifle unfair to cherry pick a couple of tracks from a CD that boasts excellent material from a host of familiar names, including Gene Vincent, Fats Waller, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Robert Johnson. www.the-viper-label.co.uk Rob F. Next Past Reviews: March 07, April 07, May 07, June/July 07, Sept/Oct 07, Dec07, Jan08, Feb 08, Mar 08