In 2007, Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt collaborated on the first volume of "Slide To Freedom" for the Northern Blues label, and it was quite well-received.  These fellows have combined their considerable chops for a follow-up, "Slide To Freedom 2: Make A Better World," which picks up right where the last one concluded.

     Doug Cox is one of Canada's most revered slide guitarists, known for his recorded works, festival appearances, and instructional workshops.  Salil Bhatt is a renowned "world music" player whose father, the legendary V. M. Bhatt, mentored Eric Clapton and George Harrison back in the Seventies.  Salil is proficient on many Far Eastern instruments, especially so on the nineteen-stringed mohan veena, which us Westerners might compare to the sitar.  Their first effort was a brilliant fusion of their talents, but we found this one to be superior.  On this set, the gentlemen are joined by a soulful, up-and-coming jazz singer from New Orleans, John Boutte.  His vocals give this one that little "something extra" to complement the surrounding string work.

     Boutte kicks things off Crescent-City-style with the leadoff title cut, the Earl King composition that fits in perfectly with his heritage.  It's also brimming with solid runs from both Doug and Salil on their respective instruments, giving this one a definitive "world" flavor.

     There are several outstanding instrumentals as well, such as "The Moods Of Madhuvanti," and "A Letter Home," where the fellows get into some serious interplay, seemingly able to feed off each other's creative energy.

     We had two favorites, too, both of which featured John's vocals.  Perhaps the most "straight blues" cut is a sweet (albeit too short for us!) slide-drenched version of George Harrison's "For You Blue."  The other is "Amazing Grace," with the subdued lead work of the strings behind John's vocals completing a sweet sound, for sure.

     Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt are two singularly different musical individuals, altho when their talents are combined, the results are astonishing.  On "Slide To Freedom 2: Make A Better World," the whole is indeed greater than the sum of the parts!!   Until next time.....Sheryl and Don Crow.