Earl Gaines & Roscoe Shelton - True Blues (2018)

"True Blues" is a collaboration between two titans of the Nashville scene, vocalists Earl Gaines and Roscoe Shelton.

Despite its digital release date of December 7, 2018, this album is not a new recording. It is a carefully curated archival and compilation project from the Bluesland Productions/SnailWorx label, featuring their collaborations, solo singles, and rare recordings from the late 1990s and 2000s (both artists passed away in 2002 and 2009, respectively).
The music of "True Blues" is rooted in the so-called "Nashville Sound" of the second half of the 20th century. Unlike the raw Chicago blues, the music of Gaines and Shelton has always been more refined, soft, and deeply vocal. It straddles the line between traditional blues guitar structure and the poignant, sensual delivery of Southern soul.

The album sounds warm and authentic: a dense brass section, classic Hammond organ, soft bluesy guitar solos, and, most importantly, the contrast between two great voices. Roscoe Shelton was renowned for his high, emotional, almost dramatic tenor (influenced by gospel), while Earl Gaines possessed a lower, husky, classic blues baritone. Together, they created a perfect vocal balance.