The first white man signed to Chess, Charles’ voice remains a singular treasure: the stone-baked smoulder of fresh bread with the sleepy essence of summer blossom. Fifteen previously unissued cuts from 1975 to 2001 (including “Everyday”, earmarked for 1977’s ‘lost’ album), this is seriously easy fare, given colour and tone by the stellar guest list of Neil Young, Fats Domino, Willie Nelson, Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, and spotlit by Maria Muldaur’s bleary gospel duet “Homesick Blues”. Includes 19-track bonus disc of Charles’ own favourites.
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