"'Classic African American Songsters' is not a "blues collection," but rather a "non-blues compilation" that includes a variety of styles, from pre-blues and blues hybrids to other genres such as ragtime, country, and Tin Pan Alley ... From song selection to the accompanying booklet, there is no doubt that Smithsonian Folkways conceived of, and packaged, 'Classic African American Songsters' with great care and precision ... Listeners interested in exploring genres that intersected, influenced and became part of the blues should purchase 'Classic African American Songsters'. The disc is a history lesson and, best of all, a fine collection of songs".
