Favored with rare songwriting insight, John Adam Estes from western Tennessee found his proper place among the country blues illuminati because of his prewar 78s for Victor Records and other labels. The quietly thunderous "Someday Baby" and twenty-two more selections hinge on his high voices exquisite tonal clarity, his self-confident delivery, his bringing intelligibility to the phrase "construction of music," and his drawing of subtle yet great feelings from his own or traditional verses. The interaction of Estess singing with Hammie Nixons harmonica, James "Yank" Rachells mandolin, and/or Jab Joness piano results in textures that heighten the musics relaxed state of enchantment. On the minus side, the songs reveal Estes to have been an unremarkable guitarist. -- © Frank John Hadley 1993 -- From Grove