Doug Sahm spent many years in the back half of his career playing to enthusiastic crowds in Scandinavia, even eking out a genuine hit or two. Much of the material on the 2012 compilation The San Antonio Hipster appears to date from the '80s or '90s, likely before Sahm corralled his old friends together to form the Texas Tornados. According to press notes, this collection consists of the personal choices of Swedish rock critic Lennart Persson, but it sure sounds as if he picked his selections from a rather limited pool. This isn't bad, of course -- Sahm was reliable and he delivers some joyous Tex-Mex rock & roll -- but the presentation is a shade too clean, the production too punchy, the backing band just a bit too tight to make this rank among his prime. Instead, it's a fine diversion for the faithful who are itching to hear a little Sir Doug they've rarely -- if ever -- heard. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
![Alabama, Greatest Hits [import]](http://d3dvedx3sqrauf.cloudfront.net/i/boxart/mid/70/8712177051502.jpg "Alabama, Greatest Hits [import]")
