Joe Rollin Porter

Self-described as an "acoustic fingerstyle guitarist," Joe Rollin Porter plays early rural blues and American folk songs. Don't expect to hear anything too mainstream on this disc. Recorded locally at Brian Straw's Survival Kit, his new album captures Porter's ability to really hammer away at the six-string as it preserves all the intricate details of the man's playing. You can hear him slapping vigorously on the strings in "Mississippi Boll Weevil" and "Flop Eared Mule." In the press release that accompanies the album, Porter says he intended the album to be a "tribute" to the artists of the late 1920s that he covers — guys like Charlie Patton, Furry Lewis, Mississippi John Hurt, Dock Boggs, Dick Justice and Luke Jordan. It's a testament to his talent that Porter adroitly puts his own personal stamp on the songs while honoring his musical heroes. Expect to hear several tracks from the disc at tonight's show. (Niesel)