Various Artists — Destination Jail: 31 Prison Songs From Behind The

Destination Jail: 31 Prison Songs From Behind The Bars is another compilation from those swell folks at German’s Bear Family Records. As its title suggests, the theme here is being in the slammer, and everything surrounding this subject. The sound on offer moves from Rock ‘n’ Roll, Bluegrass, Country, and connected genres dating from between the ’50s & ’60s. And while it’s not as genre-spanning/ quirky as some of the label's output- it’s another well put together, and (relatively) varied collection.

The CD comes presented in a clear jewel case. This features, as always with a Bear Family Records release, a detailed booklet. It takes in a three-page essay about prisons in the US, and a general discussion about the artists featured. Then throughout the rest of the twenty-page booklet, we get a write-up about each of the tracks, and the artists that recorded them- as well as artists' pictures, vinyl labels, and theme-related graphics.

In the first half of the collection, we go from swinging country twang ‘n’ slide of Webb Pierce’s “In The Jailhouse Now “. There’s the banjo picking meets rousing ‘n’ rising backing vocals of Ronnie Hawkin’s “The Ballad Of Caryl Chessman”. We have clip-clop percussion, jazzy blue flourishes, and booming-deeper-sounding vocals of “Huntsville Prison Blues” by Troy Crane And The Three Texans.

In the second half, we have steady strum, tip-tap percussion, and slide 'n' fiddle touches of “Run” by Stonewall Jackson. There's the raw, gunning ‘n’ twisting rockabilly flow of Ron, Joe & The Crews  “Riot In Cell Block No.9”. We have the sluggish ‘n’ heavy-lidded country of “Death Row” by Jimmy Minor. Or at the other end of the spectrum the jaunting bluegrass of Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys “Prisoner’s Song” with its tinkling barroom keys, fiddle buoyancy, bright twanging guitars, and of course Mr Monroe’s rousing lead vocals.

Destination Jail: 31 Prison Songs From Behind The Bars is another well-realized and perfectly presented compilation, which will most certainly be enjoyed by those who have a penchant for 50’s-to-60’s Country, Rock ‘n’ Roll, etc. Another solid release from Bear Family Records.