From Where I Stand traces the history of a specific influence--the country tradition--on a particular group: black American musicians. In both conception and execution it"s nearly perfect. Through three discs, this 60-song box shows how country music began in the string-band era as something shared, more than less, by both black and white musicians; how country songs have been a consistent source of inspiration to R&B and soul performers from Etta James to Al Green; and how singers such as Stoney Edwards and O.B. McClinton have followed in the footsteps of Charley Pride to help in the creation of today"s brand of rock & roll-influenced country music. Which is all just to say that, for fans of country-music history, From Where I Stand is absolutely essential. --David Cantwell