Various Artists: 35!!! Years Bear Family Records / 3-CD boxed set, LP-size, with 208-page hardcover book. 68 tracks. Label: Bear Family Records ‎– BCD 17035 PR Country: Germany Released: 2010 Genre: Rockabilly, Rock & Roll, Country, Rhythm & Blues Conditions: Mint Playing time: 219:07 To celebrate its 35th anniversary, Bear Family did something different. Rather than compile a deluxe compilation from its compilations, it instead asked music biz friends, musicians, and songwriters to write and record "bear" songs. Most are brand new, though some date back to the year 2000. There 68 of them spread out over three CDs. Artists include Amy Allison, Deke Dickerson, Ray Campi, Ian Gomm, Jeb Loy Nichols, Louie Ortega, Roland Heinrich, Hank Shizzoe, Riders in the Sky, Charlie Pickett, Tommy Womack, Elizabeth Cook, and the Spampinato Brothers. In addition to the music, there is a 208-page, hardbound book that gives a history of the label, features testimonials from critics and musicians, and is loaded with photos of artists and the covers of virtually everything in Bear Family's catalog to date. Various Artists: Joe Strummer's Jukebox - Songs That Inspired The Man / CD-compilation with 16-page booklet Label: Chrome Dreams ‎– CDCD5024 Country: UK Released: 2008 Genre: Rhythm & Blues, Country, Country Blues, Rock & Roll, Rockabilly Conditions: Sleeve NM / CD Near Mint This compilation, unofficial and unendorsed by Strummer’s estate, serves mostly as a soundtrack to the illuminating sleevenotes by author and long-standing associate of the Clashman, RC contributor Kris Needs. As the tracks fly by, from Woody Guthrie to Ella Fitzgerald, via Richie Valens, Eddy Cochran and Chuck Berry the 16-page booklet explains Strummer’s relationship with the artists over the course of his life and musical career. It’s always going to be a pleasure to revisit I Loves You Porgy, or the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version of I Put A Spell On You, and equally so to listen to the more open-minded side of Strummer’s interest, including Andres Landero and Arsenio Rodriguez.