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Various Artists – While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records

James G. Carlson Posted On November 26, 2014

There are a select handful of labels in today’s non-mainstream music that have proved themselves quite important to roots music and related genres and subgenres. One of those labels is the Chicago-based independent outfit Bloodshot Records, who have released more than their share of exceptional albums over the years. Twenty years, in fact. And to celebrate this, they have released a huge compilation appropriately titled While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records, for which a number of notable bands and singer-songwriters – thirty-eight, all told – did covers of Bloodshot artist songs spanning the label’s long history of releases.

Having listened to this compilation a few times now, I can say there are some really great tracks on it, some of them by scene favorites, and some of them by several of my personal favorites. The ones that really stand out for me are “Aspidistra” by Tim Kasher (originally performed by The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir on their self-titled 2007 album), “Survivor Blues” by Chuck Ragan (originally performed by Cory Branan on his 2012 album MUTT), “St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor” by Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (originally performed by Ha Ha Tonka on their 2007 album Buckle in the Bible Belt), “I Came Around” by Possessed by Paul James (originally performed by Murder by Death on their 2012 album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon), “Truck Driver” by Two Gallants (originally performed by Scott H. Biram on his 2005 album The Dirty Old One Man Band), “I Wish I Was the Moon” by William Elliot Whitmore (originally performed by Neko Case on his 2012 album Blacklisted).

There are just too many highly worthwhile songs to mention here in a single review. Get your hands on a copy of this release, all thirty-eight songs on two CDs or limited edition deluxe LPs, here. This is definitely one for the collection.