Amazon.com

The second of three Allison albums issued on Motown's Gordy subsidiary in the 1970s, Luther's Blues captures the guitarist's uncovered-wire sound in its full glory. The crescendo ending of "Let's Have a Little Talk," one of five Allison originals here, is more than another standard variation on crowd-pleasing clichés. It's an apocalyptic, blues-wailing roar, with Allison's pleading vocal at its core. Berry Gordy turns up in the composer credits for one tune, "Someday Pretty Baby," which, along with "Part Time Love," trawls the company's early raw-edged back catalog. Even the funk-flavored "K.T."--an attempted hit single?--fits the mood. The three bonus tracks on this exemplary remaster nearly double the original LP's length, with a raw version of Freddy King's "San-Ho-Zay" glowing alongside an alternate version of Allison's "Bloomington Closing" and a lengthy medley from the 1973 Ann Arbor Blues Festival.--Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful, electric/electic 70's Chicago Blues
The first couple of tracks display standard Luther Allison with his very distinct nervous, but soulful bending and vibrato. However, although this is first rate material this cd suprizes even a hardcore blues/jazz/funk fan with such songs as "You've Got It". This song is damn funky as well some other tracks on the orginal copy of this cd. Now the bonus tracks make the early parts of the cd seem like it was slowed down. The Freddy King cover and Bloomington Closing have so much out-of-control, on the edge energy that I kinda listen to these songs with my mouth wide open. It shows that Luther was foremost an excellent, over-the-top guitarist. Its almost like he caught the energy of someone like Hendrix and puts a very unique twist on it, more that SRV actually. And the final bonus track is live with the crowd not wanting him to stop playing. Funny how the first part of the jam sounds like the "One Way Out" by the Allman Brothers. If you like high energy, electric blues oyu should definately get is. If you play guitar, you better check out those instrumental bonus tracks.

Fantastic reissue
This is great 70's blues! It's not overproduced, and it's got a great funky & soulful vibe throughout the entire record. An excellent place to start your modern blues collection & the cd has been remastered with bonus tracks - over 70 minutes!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Blues 101!!!
All right, students, now pay attention! Put down that racing form and pay attention right now! This here Chess Blues box set contains exactly 101 tracks. How appropriate! That makes this collection a sort of unofficial college course entitled Blues 101, and Professors Wolf, Waters, James, and Jacobs (Little Walter), etc., etc., will be your blues instructors. You will learn the Fundamentals of Blues Harp, with Little Walter ("Juke") and Sonny Boy Williamson II ("Don't Start Me to Talkin'") as your master teachers. Over here, we have a course entitled Mellow Blues, with Willie Dixon ("Walkin' the Blues") and Jimmy Witherspoon ("Ain't Nobody's Business") showing you how it's done. Then, we have instruction in Blues and the Female Voice, with Koko Taylor ("What Kind of Man Is That," "Wang Dang Doodle") and Etta James ("Somethings Got A Hold Of Me," "I'd Rather Go Blind") as your teachers. Finally, what great university would be complete without Master Classes and the best professors in the business Muddy Waters ("Got My Mojo Workin'," "I Can't Be Satisfied," "My Eyes (Keep Me in Trouble"), Howlin Wolf ("Killin' Floor," "Evil," "Going Down Slow"), and John Lee Hooker ("Walkin' the Boogie," "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer") holding court for your edification. No, there is no blues university, but if there was one, the above masters would surely be the instructors and Chess Blues would certainly be the required text. As I said, it's packed with an amazing 101 songs, many of the best blues tracks ever recorded. There are a few clunkers, but very few. You will spend many enjoyable hours listening to this collection. (Trust me, it takes a few hours to listen to 101 songs once!) Get it today, and enroll in the best blues education money can buy!

A terriffic addition to your blues collection
This handsome boxset, complete with a large booklet, is a superb addition to your blues collection, even if you already have the best of the major Chess artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson II.

There are bound to be some tracks, especially by Waters and the Wolf, that overlap with what most blues lovers already own, but the "Chess Blues" compilers have done a very fine job assembling dozens of rarer tracks by artists like Robert Nighthawk, Sunnyland Slim, Otis Rush, Memphis Minnie McCoy, Lowell Fulson, Willie Mabon, Elmore James, Jimmy Oden and many others. And these high quality tracks, which make up the vast majority of the 101 cuts, make "Chess Blues" a very welcome supplement to the many available compilations featuring Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter Jacobs.

This is it!
The Delta gave birth to the Delta Blues and Chicago gave birth to the Chicago Blues but it would not have happened without Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and, of course, the Chess Brothers. This is their legacy - no true blues fan would be without this set as part of their collection -enough said!

Box set arrives like nucular bum
Wow, this box set arrives in my discs with the force of a nuclear bomb...I bought it for [amt.] at a local record store; get the box set any way you can. You'll survive cataclysmic disaster for sure. The artists are badasses and geniuses all.

Worth 10 Stars!
Where would the music of today be without the music on this set? Every song is a classic. Phil and Leonard Chess had an ear for talent and it shows on this set. Not only do you get classics by Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf, there is also Etta James, Ko Ko Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sunnyland Slim, Robert Nighthawk, Willie Dixon (the MAN behind many of the Waters/Wolf classics) and many, many more. The booklet is fantastic and the sound quality is very good. Simply a set you can't do without. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A founding father of electric blues in general and Texas blues in particular, guitarist T-Bone Walker influenced countless blues players and, by extension, countless rock & rollers as well. The Complete Imperial Recordings date from the early to mid-1950s, when the idea of electric blues was really taking hold, and the two-disc set is a wealth of classic songs exquisitely performed. While definitely blues, there's more difference between this and the acoustic blues that predated Walker than amplification can account for; there's jazz and swing mixed in as well, as on tracks like "I Walked Away" and "Strollin' with Bone," and something of that feel has remained in electric blues ever since. From B.B. King to Buddy Guy to Stevie Ray Vaughan and beyond, Walker's influence is felt in the blues up through the present day. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Fine collection of Walker's Imperial sides
Not quite as seminal as "The Complete Capitol/Black & White Recordings", this is nervetheless an excellent collection of T-Bone Walker's 52 sides recorded for Lew Chudd's Imperial Records.

Unlike the Capitol and Black & White-waxings, this double-disc set features almost no alternate takes, just the masters and a couple of 78 versions (the only exceptions being a few alternates that have been chosen over the original masters).
And there is plenty of great stuff here...no "Mean Old World" or "Stormy Monday", sure, but a lot of excellent songs like "Glamour Girl", "The Hustle Is On", "Tell Me What's The Reason", "I'm About To Lose My Mind", "Cold, Cold Feeling," and the classic instrumental "Strollin' With Bones".

This music is not meant to be listened to in one long sitting, obviously...even lead guitar innovator Walker's smoky, jazz-flavoured blues isn't quite varied enough for that, and if you're looking for a place to start, you should go for Rhino's "Blues Masters: The Very Best Of T-Bone Walker", or the excellent "T-Bone Blues" album from Atlantic.
But these 136 minutes of music is a very fine collection for the fan who wants more, and a great tribute to the most influential electric guitar player of all time, the idiom's first true lead guitarist, and still one of its best.

Aaron Thibaux "T-Bone" Walker, my greatest inspiration.
This great musician is my greatest sources of inspiration. He created a unique combination of jazz and blues on his big, acoustic Gibson Es5, a style which can be heard in the playing of many of the legendary guitarists since the mid`40s. Great musicians behind him, great vocals & great guitar. I dedicated my new CD(on amazon.com)to the memery of Aaron Thibaux "T-Bone" Walker. T-Bone; your music is alive and well!

truly excellent value
This 2-CD set was such a pleasant surprise. It's not rough, raw blues, which has its place, but more soft, gentle blues, with a marvelous jazz feel to it.

Most of the tracks are backed by a fine, but not in-your-face horn section.

The guitar playing is superb, bluesy but melodic, and the guitar tone is perfectly adjusted to the material.

Sound quality is excellent--I'm playing it through a valve amplifier and the sound is very satisfying.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but this music is almost a bridge between jazz and blues.

T-Bone, Well Done
This collection is a great, and economical way to experience one of the giants, not only of blues gutar, but guitar period. T-Bone was one of the pioneers of electric guitar along with Charlie Christian. His Imperial works are smooth and urbane, but still pack a solid wallop. The price is right!

As smooth as the blues can get!
This is a blues collection to put on your CD player, flip it to continuous play and let run over and over all day. Blues as smooth as the finest bourbon. T-Bone is a master and it is no surprise that BB King and a lot of others learned from him. A must! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

'Mesmerizing'
I bought this CD a few months ago, and absolutely loved it.Then, recently I had the pleasure of seeing a live performance by Tab.What a phenomenal artist.I loved his music before, but after seeing the high energy performance this gorgeous man put on, I have become absolutely mesmerized by all of his music.The last track 'What I Live For' is a song that I could listen to over and over.He is one of the finest guitarists I've had the pleasure of hearing, but his vocals are just beyond belief.After this CD, I went from fan to fanatic!!

Absolutely superb!
I'd never heard this guy before I found this CD in the used section of a local store.Boy, what a surprise I got.His playing and singing is simple fantastic.Backed by an excellent set of musicians (who incidently include Reese Wynans - SRV's keyboardist), Tab explores the 12 bar blues with style, humor and feeling.His tone is awesome and his voice is so, so good that this guy deserves much more recognition and exposure.Every track is a gem.Buy it today - you'll thank me tomorrow! :)I've just ordered his other CDs.

What a great CD!
This is one of my favorite CDs. I heard Tab Benoit live several years ago and bought this CD after the concert. I have played it as much as any CD I own. Benoit's hard-rocking guitar playing is some of the best I have ever heard. A variety of styles and tempos, clever lyrics. Highly recommended.

Blazing hot boogie woogie blues
I have several of Tab's albums, but this is probably my favorite because everybody seems to be having a good time. A great bass, backed by a real pro on drums who reins in some solid rhythm and doesn't go riff crazy. Tab is consistently at his best here, and there are so many great tunes I've never heard before, all rendered to perfection. You'll find yourself playing air guitar on this one, because you can't sit down and listen. It's that kind of energy and I guarantee you'll love this one! Introduce somebody to Tab Benoit with this cd, and they'll be hooked forever.

What I Live For is only second to Benoit's first release
I may be far too prejudiced a fan to be taken seriously where Tab Benoit is concerned because I think he's nothing short of remarkable.His guitar playing is so gritty and gutsy that it almost hurts.Put aside thosenimble fingers and fiery fretwork, and let's talk about Benoit's crooning. It's his phenomenal vocalizing that sends me into orbit.NEVER have I everheard a more lazy, effortless, yet polished, slow-burning set of sizzlin'sensual pipes.I swear if I were a smoker I think I'd need a cigaretteafter each listen.Mr. Benoit's music makes me want to pull up the stakesand head to Louisiana's swampland. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Cut during a period when Buddy Guy was rarely recorded, this blustery and breathtaking live set is full of idiosyncratic solos that dart after virtually any musical urge that strikes him. Such unpredictable improvisational impulses are more familiar to jazz than blues, but along with his whisper-to-scream singing, that's what makes Guy commanding onstage. His fevered take on the standard "Outskirts of Town" is outright incendiary. This album was originally released on Isabel, a French label named--at the singer-guitarist's insistence--after his late mother, who never had a chance to see her son perform. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The Blues Giant
The original French issue title, the Blues Giant, more accurately reflects the greatness of this recording, which I would have to rank as one of my favorite blues recordings. All of the six tracks are superb, though over the years my favorite came to be the concluding slow blues, When I Left Home, which is startling in its passionate ferocity. I Smell a Rat is actually Damn Right I've Got the Blues, in another guise, by the way. Apparently blues purists often dislike this recording, but if you love electric blues guitar, don't listen to them. When Buddy is at his best (and he is pretty near so on this recording), only Hendrix can compare. Lovers of this recording might also want to pick up Pleading the Blues, an excellent Junior Wells recording featuring the very same band and recorded on the very same day. Two classic albums recorded in one day, no less.

Unbelievalbe energy and fire
I recieved this Buddy Guy cd when I was moving away from popular music and goin to classic rock, blues, and jazz. This cd still is constant rotation after owning it for over 6 years. All the songs on here are impressive and makes one wish that Buddy Guy payed less attention to the crowd and more attention to his guitar. If you prefer more hooked oriented, pop sounding contemporary blues than this isn't your thing. But then again blues isn't suppossed to sound contrived and too radio friendly. When I listen to this cd I wonder where Buddy Guy gets all this energy...it's almost like straight ahead Chicago blues with the energy of Hendrix....lotsa funk, random jazz type phrasing and interaction, tons of jamming. This is one of those cds you listen with your mouth wide open in full attention of his crazy guitar. Five years ago I picked up my Fender strat with this cd in the background. There are very few things that will make you break your guitar strings as much as trying to recreate the sounds and intensity on this cd. This is the over-the-edge style of playing that only Buddy Guy can create.

Well, Albert King's dead, and so is Albert Collins,
Stevie Ray Vaughan's gone, too, and Peter Green never really came back from his insanity; so when Clapton calls Guy the greatest (blues?) guitarist living, it's not as absurd a statement as it recently would've been. But still a false one. This man has ruined some of his own best tracks with his out-of control ,(I know, that's what you like about him), out of tune, out of time, juvenile lead work. Anybody heard of B.B.? The best lead I ever THOUGHT I heard from Buddy was on his version of "Mustang Sally", and that turned out to be JEFF BECK. Heck, even Clapton's better.

Buddy Guy: Stone Crazy!
While Guy's last album was an all star jam recorded with long time musical partner Junior Wells, featuring Eric Clapton, Dr. John and the J. Geils Band, this album returns the focus to Guy's raw, nearly out of control guitar playing and soulfully gutwrenched vocals, without any studio musicians or special guests, garnering it his "cut loose" album. Guy displays his brand of Chicago blues with the rhythmic force of his own touring band including brother Phil Guy on rhythm guitar.

This album finds Guy in top form as he performs hard hitting blues numbers with a live feel, like the thumping "I Smell A Rat", where he vents his frustrations with relationship infidelity; i.e: "I smell a rat in my house, I believe he's walkin' round' on just two legs." As well, Guy delivers a feverish rendition of "Stone Crazy", a song which he recorded for the Chess label in 1961, though on this album is re-titled "Are You Losing Your Mind?." Additional tracks like the upbeat funky rock of "You've Been Gone Too Long" and the sorrowful vocals of "When I Left Home" are some of the best on the album. Throughout the album Guy yells and moans, seeming to fly into fits of joy and sorrow between guitar breaks, leaving one with the impression of a man possessed, or totally consumed by his music. Maybe both.

"Buddy Guy, Stone Crazy!" captures everything Chicago blues is supposed to be - raw, soulful, and energetic - proving Guy to be one of the most charismatic and passionate performers of the blues genre.

perfectionists stay away, blues fans line up
If you prefer happy, slickly-produced blues records, I suggest you pass on this one. If, however, you don't mind things a little loose and close-to-the-edge, I suggest you make the purchase immediately. I bought this record because it was described as the only Buddy Guy studio album that captured the passion and spontaneity of his live shows, and I think that's a fair assessment. This isn't a by-the-numbers groover: it's something darker and more explosive. Buddy really loses himself on these performances, but while going very near the deep end, Buddy is able to keep it remarkably coherent and deeply groovy. Occasionally, he solos with such explosive energy that he loses the tempo, and there are certainly plenty of stock phrases here, but it doesn't really reduce the enjoyment. It's certainly not his best collection of songs, but you won't hear many of these anywhere else, and I think it's indispensable. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Blues Royalty
Queen Koko rules in Royal Blue. She is joined by other royalty the King, that is B.B. at the palace in Blues Hotel, new crown princes Keb Mo on the Man Next Door and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the cover of Melissa Ethridge's Bring Me Some Water, and Duke of the blues piano Johnnie Johnson on Hittin' On Me.

What Koko does so well is sing songs about relationships. Koko is a woman who stands strong and who should be taken seriously because she is an old woman in a young woman's body.

Her exuberance and power reverberates in every song.

Koko Taylor Royal Blue
This long awaited new Koko release was well worth the wait. It is classic Koko with a new twist her cover of Melissa Etheridge tune Bring Me Some Water was a little surprising but covered well.Fuel To Burn is a fun song that put you in the mood to ride all night long and ranks at the top of my list. I think my favorite song is Ernestine and song that was written by KOKO herself this song lets Ernestine know who the queen is for sure. Keep your Boody Out Of My Bed has that Koko sound by way of Chris Johnson's guitar work and that thumping bass from Kenny Hampton just makes me wanta smack somebody. Blues Hotel with guest BB King sounds like what it is two blues legends getting together and having a party and inviting the world . The Man Next Door with guest Keb Mo takes us right back to the root of the blues and Koko delivery on this song once again proves while she remains the Queen of the Blues.Be sure to listen for Keb Mo to cough up some blues noise of own. I Am A Old Woman built on A Young Womans Frame. This song just rocks the horn work is outstanding and really keeps it rocking from start to end Keep Your Mouth Shut and Your Eyes Open is a lesson from the queen on how to keep your man in line. The worst part of the CD is that it only has 12 songs and it is so good that it leaves you wanting more. KoKo please don't wait so long to give us more great music.

A GREAT cd, Kok has gained a quality in her vocie!!!
For the emty headed bozo who wrote the ignorant review "Not a member of the 'mutual admiration society'", 1st of all there isn't a mutual admiratio nsociety, and blues reviewers, at leats professional ones liek me, are nOT getting paid to plug cd's, only hateful and vengeful idiots would even think that. It's just that with blues artists, it's not liek reviewing pop music, because blues is not or at least it shouldn't be commercial, it's art, so no, there are not too many bad releases, and Koko has if anything gained something in her voice, that makes it become more appeallign each year.

I would leave a bad review for one of the Fabulous Thunderbirds cd's because they saold out to pop music, but if ther eis a alck of bad reviews in blues magazines, it's because of two things. 1) there's a lack of HATEFUL idiots like the one who wrote the "Not a member of the 'mutual admiration society'" review, so there are no spitefu lreviews. 2)There are not too many truly bad blues performances, not many artists sell out, like some of BB's rock collaboration cd's, or Cyrus cd's, or Fab. Thunderbirds.

In any case thsi is a fine effort, from koko, and she is still in fine voice, it may be a bit overproduced with too many guests, but still it's fine, and in her typically joyous fashion of shouting in her rhaspy and juke jointish vocals.

Great cd, worth pciking up.

Bottom line, another great blues cd, among the thousands of good ones out there.

Good rough blues
Koko Taylor showed her real rough side in the song Ernestine.She attracts new generations of my kind.Koko has a way of singing the blues on this album.I reccomend this be a nice gift for someone.This is a good Blues album.

KOKO DELIVERS!
I really enjoy this album and Im not a member of the Blues industry or a mutual appreciation society, but I am a guy who loves this disc because it's damn good. Just listen to the sound clips above and if you like what you hear then you certainly wont be disappointed with the rest of the CD. I rate music based on how much I enjoy it and this is a 5 star disc. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

90% Chance of Rain
First off I love this CD and listen to it all the time. The only reason I gave this CD 4 stars is that this album is very Heavily produced and at times get a little to slickish for my liking. Listen to "Sufferin' Mind" to see what I mean. But still the production doesn't alter the fact that this is a good album.

Superstar
Do you feel just a little bit weary and edgy? Maybe a little snappy? I heard it called "assertive" on television. Does your voice get a little bit hoarse on Saturday night? I mean assertive.

Well anyway you have to get Buddy, then.

Button Up the Hatch Baby
So this CD is one of Buddy's more 'commercially accessible' releases. It still smokes, and comes through clear as an electric rainbow. The song 'Feels Like Rain' is like a soothing Hendrix song, and the leads in 'Country Boy' will burn your friggin house down. Lots of wah-wah on some songs, pure clean string pluckin' on others.

So c'mon baby- button down your hatch and make love to me. 'Feels Like Rain' is gonna set America free. Let those bars and stars fly high in the sky with Buddy Guy!

One of Buddy's Top 3 CDs
I just love this CD! Every song is just great. My favorite is the title track, "Feels Like Rain". Bonnie Raitt also plays slide guitar on that track. Other guests on the CD include: Paul Rodger, Bill Payne, Richie Hayward, and even Travis Tritt (on their rendition of John Fogerty's song "Change in the Weather"). The cut "Country Man", which was also written by Guy also outstanding! It would have made an outstanding title track or lead song on this CD, however it was placed last. I think I now realize why. Every time the song ends I want to play the CD again, this time a bit louder then the last.

I originally bought this on cassette along with DAMB RIGHT, I'VE GOT THE BLUES in 1993, both cassettes are now destroyed with wear but the CDs are crisp and clear.

A fun album that is accessible to non-blues fans.
This album is a good choice for the blues fan who resides with a non-blues fan. It's not as coarse or raw as some of his other stuff(which I also love), but still retains enough of his edge to keep me interested. He clearly concentrated more time on his vocal stylings as opposed to his guitar licks. Some tracks sound a bit over-produced and lose some atmosphere as a result. Other than that, it's a fun album that is worth picking up. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

****½ - great reissue of a tremendous album
The second of Muddy Waters' Blue Sky-albums, "I'm Ready" was originally issued in 1978, one year after Muddy had found renewed commercial and critical success with "Hard Again".

Johnny Winter produced and played on both albums, and if "I'm Ready" is slightly lesser than its magnificent predecessor, it is still a tremendous album. Remastered but (thankfully) not remixed, it finds Muddy Waters reinvigorated and in the company of Chicago blues greats Jimmy Rogers and Big Walter Horton, playing a supremely confident set of gritty, muscular electric blues. And the core of the Muddy Waters band is in place as well, of course, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums and the great Joe "Pinetop" Perkins rolling the ivories.
Muddy's regular second guitarist Bob Margolin plays bass on this album, and he has contributed a wonderful, intimate six-page essay about the "I'm Ready" sessions. Margolin was instrumetal in bringing guitarist Jimmy Rogers, a member of the very first Muddy Waters band in the late 40s, on board, and at his suggestion the great Walter Horton was hired to play the harmonica. Horton's exceptional playing is constantly smouldering beneath the gritty guitar parts of Waters, Rogers, and Johnny Winter.

The numerous highlights include the hard-hitting title track, the slow grind of "33 Years", the swaggering power of "Rock Me", and of course an excellent re-recording of the classic "Hoochie Coochie Man". And this 2004 reissue adds three bonus tracks: Jimmy Rogers' "That's Alright" sung in part by himself, a magnificent, driving rendition of Bob Margolin's "Lonely Man Blues", and a stinging version of "No Escape From the Blues", a song which would appear in a significantly different version on 1981's "King Bee".

There are no weak songs here, actually, and "I'm Ready" is definitely a must-have addition to any Muddy-fan's collection. If you already own the original CD issue you might not want to shell out again in order to get three bonus tracks and some better liner notes, but if you don't, you should get it right away.
And if you do, well...these are very good bonus tracks!

ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL AND REQUIRED, PART 2
This is perhaps the greatest studio recording of the blues ever made. Re-united with 2 of his oldest colleagues, Muddy waters created a CD full of nuance, subtlety, variety, and power that enchants you all the way through. You will have an incredibly hard time not listening to this CD over and over again. "I'm Ready" says it all: Muddy was absolutely ready for this session, as were each of the remarkable musicians who accompany him herein. You will never catch a group of artists so compoletely on, all at the same time, that seamlessly they weave a sexually heated and often humourous take on the human condition. "Who Do You Trust" runs down the main suspects and highlights the sly underpinnings that compromise such endorsements. "Hoochie Coochie Man" humbles everyone who ever took on this track. "Copper Brown' is as sensual a paean as you'll ever hear, steamy as a night on the Delta. "Rock Me" is as feral a plea for sexual satisfaction as you will ever hear.
Winters captures the band so authentically that it all sounds as though it was recorded live in a single take. It wouldn't surprise me if that were so because each person's part is delivered so spot on that you could never duplicate that with an overdub. This Cd won Muddy a Grammy in 1979. Rightfully so. It should have been record of the year. 3 additional tracks are added here and they are all keepers, each a sparkling full throated gem. You are no fan of the blues unless you have this CD, and in particular this remaster. This is what justifies the whole remastering process. Brilliant! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Must Have Series From Alligator
Alligator Records hit it right on the head when they named this series, "Crucial". As in this is a crucial series that every Blues fan should add to their CD collection. I bought this CD because I'm new to the Blues and wanted to find a few new artists to add to my collection. This CD introduced me to several artists that I have now added to my collection buy purchasing several other CDs. This CD starts out with an up tempo and rousing romp with Charlie Musselwhite's "Make My Getaway" and then moves on to a Harmonica Duet by Big Walter Horton and Carey Bell. The Gems just seem to roll out one after another from there. Among the notables on the CD are Legends like Billy Boy Arnold, Sonny Terry, Junior Wells, Delbert McClinton and James Cotton. I not only recommend this CD from the Crucial Blues series but all of them, especially for new comers to blues material.

Budget-friendly collection of good blues harp
The tracks with Cephas and Wiggins, the harmonica champ Sonny Terry, and Billy Boy Arnold (best known for his work with Bo Diddley) are the standouts here. Among the many good collections of Harmonica music (particularly of the blues variety), this is highly recommended budget-friendly stuff that is for the casual fan of good music as well as the practicing harmonicist.

This is a must-have for harmonica blues fans
Each cut on this CD is a treasure. The styles range from Chicago blues, to Boogie-Woogie, Funk and Delta-Mississpi styles. The harmonica masters in each cut show off essential blues harmonica techniques and style.

This CD, which is quite reasonably priced, is a must for a harmonica buff but also a treat for any blues fan. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Contender For Blues Cd Of The Year
I have to say this cd was a surprise. Charles Wilson's last disc (the very fine independently-released YOU GOTTA PAY TO PLAY) was catchy mostly-programmed party soul blues that is popular on the "chitlin circuit". This Delmark debut is 100% organic- meaning it's actual humans playing on it- and it rips! Everything about this CD works- the band is tight and Carl Weathersby is a tour-de-force on guitar as he plays on 13 of the tracks! Charles' aching vocals are the best showcase yet for his talents- the way he soulfully owns the title track, Robert Ward's "My Love Is Real", Lee Shot Williams' "I Like Your Style", Little Milton's "Hattie Mae" and Travis Haddix' "Doctor Doctor". 15 tracks- not a dud in the bunch. He even does justice to the overdone "Cut You-A-Loose". This is a masterpiece! ... Read more

Album Description

The complete Trumpet, Chief & Fire Sessions, 64 remastered tracks. Includes a 24-page illustrated booklet. 3 papersleeves packaged in a cardboard flip-top box. 'Elmore James was a major, maybe even the main reason, why the Stones came about.' - Bill Wyman ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best blues box set ever
This reissue of the original 50-track "King Of The Slide Guitar" box set, with an additional 14 tracks, is magnificent. It presents every song Elmore James recorded for the Fire, Fury and Enjoy labels in the early 60s, with great sound and a few interesting rarities and alternate takes.

You'll need to hear Elmore's earlier recordings as well, of course (available on the fine "The Classic Early Recordings" box set, ASIN: B000000W62), but the fact that a few of his best early songs weren't re-recorded for Bobby Robinson's labels, and thus are missing from this collection, doesn't really detract anything from its greatness.
There are still so many blues classics here it's unbelievable - "Dust My Broom", "It Hurts Me Too", "The Sky Is Crying", "Shake Your Moneymaker" and "The Twelve Year Old Boy" are the best-known, obviously, but the rest of the songs are not just worth a listen, the quality ranges from good to excellent.

The brand of fiery electric blues that Elmore James played more than forty years ago had an incredible punch, often sounding more like hard blues-rock or R&B than Delta blues (partly because of the urbane arrangements featuring piano, saxophone and a rhythm guitarist). He had one of the greatest, most intense an expressive voices you'll ever hear, and his slashing slide guitar playing has made him more influential than any other single guitarist.

"King Of The Slide Guitar" also includes several terrific instrumentals, like the smouldering "Up Jumped Elmore" and the dance-friendly boogie "Bobby's Rock". And even though most of the approximately fifty different songs aren't well known outside the circle of fanatical Elmore James-fan, there is an incredible number of high-quality cuts here.
The tough rocker "Rollin' & Tumblin'" easily matches anything Cream or the Yardbirds ever did, "Done Somebody Wrong" is virtually hard rock, and the slide leads and saophone fills on the funky "Can't Stop Loving My Baby" all blend together to create the kind of blues song you normally only dream about.

This wonderful collection of music is better than any of the great Chess box sets, and that is saying something! Elmore James and the Broomdusters rock incredibly hard on their definitive reading of Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom", and they smoulder on the ultimate slow blues, James' own "The Sky Is Crying".

There are so many excellent songs here that rarely or never show up on various Elmore James-compilations: "Got To Move", "Person To Person", "Strange Angels", "You Know You're Wrong", "Hand In Hand", "I've Got A Right To Love My Baby", "She's Got To Go"....

If you only ever purchase one real blues box set, make this the one. It is more essential than even the box sets on Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Albert King's Most Experimental Album.
When the late great Albert King signed with Stax records in the 60's, they really didn't know what to do with him. Like Aretha Franklin at Atlantic (which had a hold on Stax in the 1960s). They teamed him up with Booker T and the MGs to produce a unique soul based blues that no one had ever heard. He had had several winning LPs for Stax and then put out this one. "I'll Play the Blues for You" is a concept LP (Like Issac Hayes' Hot Buttered Soul). King re-invents himself to fit into the emerging soul-funk grooves of the 1970s. However, his guitar playing is about the best it ever got!

"I'll Play The Blues For You (Parts One and Two") showcases his singing, talking blues ability and guitar. It features the only use of his famous (to blues players) bass string riff in Part 2 of the tune. SRV used it several times. "Little Brother Make A Way" is a great soul vocal and is the only double tracked vocal he ever did! "Breaking Up Sombodys Home" is a classic blues funk inspired from an earlier tune. He vamps it up with a meaty solo. "I'll Be Doggone" is a Marvin Gaye tune made into real soul (like Stax did!!!) I have never fully believed that that track is really live- oh well, it is effective! The solo has true King-style bending.

"Don't Burn Down The Bridge" is a King classic. However, he subsequently was never able to produce the power in this song in later live versions of it. The bending on this tune is the best ever in any blues music, it is Albert's finest creative hour! (I'll stick my neck out!) SRV tries in The Sky is Crying and a couple more efforts, but this is IT!!!!

"Angel of Mercy", another classic minor key blues, was originally a bonus single later added to this LP. This one also features King's finest bending and phrasing. His vocals proclaim "I can't even afford them soup!! A great tune written by Al Jackson Jr the great MG's drummer who also produced Albert's first live LP. The Bar-Kays are good backing for this album, Albert always sounded better with horns although he didn't always use them on the road.

The tune that always gets bagged in this set is "Answer to the Laundromat Blues"- well it's typical filler material- the topic is very sexist and pro-domestic violence (like JB Lenoir's "Talk To Your Daughter"), but the TONE and clarity of his guitar, bends and micro-pitches is truly amazing. I always thought this one of his best solos. The use of wah-wah second guitar dates it a bit, but I love it!

Finally, the pop inspired blues tune "High Cost of Loving" also is a track which seemed was destined for single release, it's short enough for radio play. But it never made it. The solo features great bending, timing and tone. This LP is a classic it shows why Blues is the foundation of all popular music and is the most adaptable of any music genre. B.B. King tired to do the same thing with strings in "The Thrill Is Gone", but stopped after that when he became a household name. Albert continued to experiment throughtout the 1970s.

Fine, soulful 70s blues
There are no fewer than three albums by Albert King titled "I'll Play The Blues For You" - a 1999 album which also includes some sides by John Lee Hooker, a 1977 live recording, and this one, which is the original, or at least the first.

Released on Stax in 1972, "I'll Play The Blues For You" doesn't quit match his magnificent second LP, "Born Under A Bad Sign", but it is a very enjoyable, melodious blues record, even if it lacks the raw, gritty power of men like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.
Albert King's soulful vocals are supremely smooth and confident all the way through, and this album includes some of his best recordings of the 70s, "I'll Play The Blues For You", "High Cost Of Loving", and "Little Brother (Make A Way)" among them.
The title track would be even better without the spoken soliloqy half way through part one, but King's fluid guitar playing couldn't be better. When Stevie Ray Vaughan was a boy, he wanted to be Albert King, and you can understand why when you hear King's sparse, melodious soloing, every note ringing clear as a bell.

The Memphis Horns back Albert King on this album, without overwhelming him in the slightest, a credit to the excellent mix and the relatively lean production.
This funky, soul-influenced slice of urban blues is one of King's best Stax sets, and one of his best studio albums, too.
Definitely recommended.

Serene At The Top of His Game
The title cut alone makes the set worth it - this is the single best piece of music Big Albert ever cut for Stax without the M.G.s, and he bloody well yanks the Bar-Kays into line with every one of his trademark crying guitar notes. It's also almost the last studio album of his career in which he could make the case that while he was keeping step in the modern world he didn't and wouldn't forget the blues. He turns a lesser Marvin Gaye chestnut ("I'll Be Doggone") into greasy Southern-fried blues, and he's so damn charming that you'll forgive him for trying to re-write his classic "Laundromat Blues" as laughably as he does here. If that's the only clinker, so be it - by this point in the game, Big Albert had earned the right to it, and anyway, he's poking at himself as much as anything else, which not too many bluesmen had the serenity to do well.

Best damn blues LP/CD ever! With props to the two below.
My favorite Albert King LP, 'cause, it has the Stax/Barkays folks on it and it is definitely phonkay, dig? It has the title cut, which is like the Cadillac Mack Daddy's theme song--plus it has my favorite creepin' days (when I was younger, of course) song "Breaking Up Somebody's Home"...and the great "I'll Be Doggone". It's good damn blues done damn right.

THE BEST DAMM BLUES ALBUM/CD EVER
I first bought this vinyl album in 1972, and have played it over the years and still do, but I was glad to see it on CD format, Albert is the King of Blues! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A consistent album by a great, underrated blues artist
This is, unfortunately, the last in a series of albums Luther Allison recorded late in his career. He was started to become well-known again in the United States, after spending many years in Europe. (He died on tour soon afterward.) It proves to be one of the strongest, most consistent albums Allison ever recorded. One highlight is LIVING IN THE HOUSE OF THE BLUES, which has his typical soul-piercing guitar licks, as well simply a great "bone-chilling" blues feel to it. There is also a wonderful acoustic duet with Luther's son Bernard Allison. As he began to do only on his last few albums, Allison uses all original material, often highlighting social issues. The lyrics are not always profound, but they are heartfelt, as the singing and guitar playing certainly are. Anyone who generally enjoys modern, Chicago-style blues (with strong doses of rock and funk influence) would like almost anything Allison recorded. This is among his best albums.

Last and best recording.......talk about going out on top!
It is a shame that Luther had to leave us so soon. He was seemingly just reaching his creative peak before he was taken from us. He managed to leave us this impassioned piece of work, a combination of searing guitar work and emotion-filled vocals. His last three cd's with alligator records: "Soul Fixin Man" (1994), "Blue Streak" (1995), and "Reckless" (1997) are all superb, with this one being the best in my opinion. There is not a clunker to be found here. Luther mixes up slow numbers with uptempo tracks and it's all good. If i had to pick any highlights, they would have to be "Living in the House of the Blues" and "Drowning at the Bottom". These two songs also happen to represent the loudest and most powerful tracks on the cd. They capture perfectly Luther's ablity to transmit emotion in his playing and singing. His use of a Gibson les paul guitar is a refreshingly different sound to the abundance of blues players out there that use fender's. The les paul has a certain "growl" to it's sound that a fender tele or strat can't match. Luther uses his les paul to great advantage, releasing an energy while playing that few if any guitarists can attain. His voice seems to be an extension of his guitar sound: deep, soulful, and a little rough around the edges. I highly recommend this cd to any lover of blues.

Luther IS What The Blues Are About
It's a rare thing to find a Blues Artist who can deliver top notch performances both vocally and with an instrument, in this case a wailing guitar, but that's what Luther Allison was all about. He was a soulful, gritty singer that could rip out a gutsy,rocking blues vocal performance and just as easily deliver a smooth, laid back song with feeling. Luther does both on Reckless, but the listener is never bored. Each song is delivered with the message that Luther means what he is singing. Oh yeah, and let's not forget that fantastic guitar work that first got me hooked on his music. He comes out ripping on Low Down and Dirty and from the first solo to the end you are at his command.The CD doesn't let up from there and I honestly think it is difficult to pick one or two highlights, because there are no clunkers. Luther's guitar almost seems like an extension of his voice as he rips out riffs that complement his singing throughout. He also doesn't fall into that trap of only knowing three riffs like some Blues guitarists. He showed a dynamic range on this CD that only made his death harder to take, because you were left looking forward to the next one. Buy this and any other Luther Allison CD you can get your hands on!

Living in the house of the blues
An excellent example of Allisons talent and hard core blues approach. It was recorded in Memphis , a step away from BB KIngs club and the links to blues greats like Freddy King are evident . This is a very good collection, one of his toughest songs is Pain.

POWERFUL STUFF
RECKLESS IS ONE OF THE BEST BLUES CD EVER MADE WITH PURE POWER AND PASSION PUT INTO EVERY SONG AND NOTE. THIS WAS LUTHER LAST CD BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY AT THE TOP OF THE GAME. GREAT SONGS ARE "LIVING IN THE HOUSE OF THE BLUES" AND "A BLUES THING" AND A GREAT ACOUSTIC DUET WITH HIS SON BERNARD "DROWNING AT THE BOTTOM" ... Read more

Album Description

For over 15 years now, CORKY SIEGEL’S CHAMBER BLUES has been delighting audiences throughout the U.S. with its unique hybrid of classical chamber music and blues tradition.Blending blues harp and piano with a string quartet and percussion, Chamber Blues is innovative, yet immediately accessible.CORKY SIEGEL’S TRAVELING CHAMBER BLUES SHOW is the first LIVE recording of this extraordinary ensemble.

The CD puts Corky’s creative genius on full display as he and his group refine this new musical genre right in front of their audience’s eyes and ears. It’s a sound renowned writer Studs Turkel describes as "a joyous marriage of classical music and the blues." ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

A fantastic collection of old-time music, "Folks, He Sure DoPull Some Bow!" captures vintage fiddle music at that rarecrossroads where the blues, jazz, and something that would one day becalled folk were all in their infancy. For fiddle virtuosos performingbetween 1927 and 1935, quite simply, anything goes. Banjo IkeyRobinson's red hot "My Four Reasons" swings with humor and pizzazz,the State Street Boys' "Rustlin' Man" features the down-and-out bluesvocals and fiddling of Big Bill Broonzy , and the Mississippi Sheiks'jazzy, but blues-inspired "Lazy Lazy River" musically straddles bothsides of the Mason Dixon Line. For many listeners, the more esoterictracks will stick out: Bo Chatman (a.k.a. double-entendre blues king Bo Carter) is heardfiddling behind Alec Johnson's goofy vocals on "Sister Maud Mule" (andin the spotlight on his own "Good Old Turnip Greens"); the GeorgiaYellow Hammers' "G Rag" is the product of a then-rare integratedrecording session; and Abrew's Portuguese Instrumental Trio performs"Cabo Verdranos Peca Nove" with incredible fiddling on what must be oneof the first attempts at a crossover world-music disc. It's allhere--great remastering, in-depth liner notes, and wonderful playing. Eachrelease from Old Hat--Violin, Sing the Blues forMe and Music from the Lost Provinces--feels definitive, and this gem iscertainly no different. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (5)

If you want to hear "fiddle" music don't buy this!
This is a review for normal people. If you are a fan of standard fiddle do not buy this CD. It is a bunch of badly recorded, half hearted, boring and sloppy songs thrown together on an overpriced CD. Save yourself $... or if you like this type of music just go buy some old Little Rascals episodes on DVD. Then you will get the same music you hear on this plus the bonus of the Little Rascals. Now I know why we think of Blues guitar players not fiddle players when this music is discussed. The other reviewers seem to think some of the names on this CD will be familiar to you. Don't believe them, unless names like "Abrew's Portuguese Instrumental Trio" or "Dixieland Jug Blowers" are familiar to you. I am just hoping to prevent normal music lovers from stepping into this pile and losing $... like I did. I play banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer and guitar all badly, but I could get a gig with these bands and probably improve their sound. If you are the artsy type that digs this kind of stuff and you can't wait to grow a goatee, turn the lights down low, fill the room with smoke (oops, bad for your health), put your sunglasses on and crank this baby up; I hope you don't mind being stuck by yourself all the time because no one else is going to put up with this lousy music. Go find something with Chubby Wise in it if you want to hear some real fiddle playing. Help support some little known, up and coming fiddle players that need to buy food and pay rent with royalty checks by buying their music instead of making these labels, that get this junky music for free or almost free, super rich.

Worth the check
The music on this cd is fun, its interesting, and its instructive. More than that, it is vital music for anyone who wants to understand the musical culture of this country in general, and the history of fiddling, the blues, jazz, and much much more. Black fiddling along with Black banjo playing were vital forces in black music across the scale from classical to delta blues. Now people are surpised there is sucha thing as black fiddling, or blues fiddling. Listen to this music. More than that, the music here is good to listen to. If you think you know the blues, you will recognize familiar names of Lonnie Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy. You get to hear both of them hear playing their first instrument, the fiddle!
But all this music is a lot of fun

In response to some comment, I have played bluegrass and old timey music for about 40 years, and also play guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle, the first two well enough to play with recording artists since around 1967.

This is not white country music. It is black country music and some black proto Jazz. Professional bluegrass fiddlers and professional violinists I know who I have introduced to this record think it is amazing, interesting, and educational. It is just nice to listen to as well.

Anyone familiar with African American blues music, jug band music, or 1920s and 1930s two-beat Jazz will find familiar figures on this record. If you don't know who Lonnie Johnson and Big Bill Broonzy are, you are seriously uneducated about American music, not just African american music.

BTW Fiddling encompasses all non-classical styles of playing the violin, not just white "country" and bluegrass styles.

Wow, did this one sneak up on me!
After the first song or two, I was almost ready to shut this off... almost, that is. The way it started out, it had about as much sound quality as a scratchy old background soundtrack to a Little Rascals movie.

But by the third song, I was hooked. Wow, this stuff is amazing. This is blues at its heart, pure and unadorned, and gushing forth with an energy that its high-fidelity counterparts can't hope to match.

And what a treasure trove of unknown gems! I find myself listening to this album over and over -- whether in the background or at the center of my attention, it mysteriously seems to work both ways.

Get this album!

Fabulous set of African-American fiddle music
Another astonishing album from the truly great, tiny independent Old Hat label... This features rare old recordings of fiddle music, some old-timey and some straight blues, made during the height of the Great Depression. There are a few familiar names, such as Peetie Wheatstraw and Peg Leg Howell, but for the most part this is pretty ultra-obscure material (even including one track of music by immigrants from Cape Verde (!) This is high-quality stuff, and comes with generously informative liner note... Highly recommended!

Oh, scrape them strings!
Compliments to Marshall Wyatt and his fledgling label. He's batting 1000 so far. This CD and the other two releases on Old Hat are wonderful pieces of American musical history. This one gives a wonderfully broad listen to the many voices of the nation's fiddling. It'll wake you up and set your synapses to dancing! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Soulful singer and guitarist Tab Benoit has never made secret his devout allegiance to the Louisiana music tradition. With The Sea Saint Sessions, Benoit, ably assisted by several Crescent City stalwarts, takes his music back to the source, setting up shop at the famed hit factory to cook up a sonic gumbo that successfully recaptures the spontaneity of the classic Sea Saint sound. Benoit's guests conjure up some of the studio's old musical magic as "Big Chief" Monk Boudreaux infuses Mardi Gras Indian spirit into "Monk's Blues," Meter man George Porter Jr. funkifies "Making the Bend," and Cyrille Neville sings on his own "Plareen Man". But it is Benoit's distinctive guitar lines--somehow both supple and hard-edged--and the impeccable elasticity of his regular rhythm section that makes the music work. Most of the material is Benoit's own, although he pays tribute to Louisiana legend Guitar Slim with a take on the classic "Sufferin' Mind" and dips into the Howlin' Wolf songbook for a rendition of "Howlin' for My Darling". --Michael Point ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Bayou Country Blues
I'm a brand new "Tab" fan. What I appreciate most about him is the fact that he doesn't try to blow you away every time. His guitar playing adds color and texture to his songs instead of high caliber fire power. Don't get me wrong, Tab can shake the rafters but to me, that's preferable to burning the whole house down. He's also not a one dimensional performer. His vocals are warm and expressive and it's clear that he knows how to sing. Pick up this album and enjoy some New Orleans blues, slow cooked but sizzling.

One Of His Best!
Tab Benoit's latest Mona Lisa,The Sea Saint Sessions (Telarc) once again blends Delta blues with cajun bayou spice for a sound that belongs uniquely and souly to him. I say souly because that is exactly what you will find in abudance on this barn burner of a record due largely to Tab's commanding raspy vocals throughout, but particularly on "Solid Simple Thing," and "What I Have To Do," Benoit has a liking for cutting tracks live in the studio in one or two takes which gives The Sea Saint Sessions a radiant spontaneous feel over all eleven numbers. The sparkling and very funky "Hustlin Down In New Orleans," which evokes memories of Little Feat, finds Neville Brothers guitarist Brian Stoltz exquisitely trading off licks with Benoit while the very bluesy "Monks Blues," showcases Big Chief Monk Boudreaux's gruffly smooth vocals and segues neatly into the driving beat of "Making The Bend," a high energy piece featuring George Porter's booming bass line. What I find truly amazing about the three numbers just mentioned is that they were co written and performed with the guest artists as these sessions were taking place with minimal rehearsal or refinement. Now that, ladies and gents, is spontaneity at it's finest. All but two tracks are originals, with the covers consisting of a smoking version of Howlin' Wolf's "Howlin For My Darlin," that contains a completely wicked guitar solo, and "Plareen Man," the volcanic closing number contributed by Cyril Neville who is on hand for lead vocals and percussion. Two other pieces that are thoroughly enjoyable and if they fail to get your hips shaking immediately might mean you are dead, are the album's opening frenetic tune "Baby Blue," which has Brian Stoltz sitting in and the following "Boat Launch Baby," that I can hear covered easily by any of the top zydeco/cajun bands. Backing Tab are his usual comrades, Carl Dufresne on bass and Darryl White on drums who are one of the most powerful rhythm sections it's ever been my pleasure to hear. I mean these two guys just blast through a tune like dynamite. As for Mr.Benoit.... he's positively maginificent on this outing firing off melodic runs up and down the fretboard while at times bending notes until they seem ready to break into a million pieces while singing his heart out in his slightly nasal but soulfully expressive voice. Tab Benoit has for years been grossly underrated as both a blues guitarist and singer and is finally beginning to receive the national recognition he has always deserved as both a musician and a fine songwriter. Last year's Wetlands was a great album but The Sea Saint Sessions just plain knocked me out of my socks and across the room. One of his best that should not be missed!

Tab who?
Ok, I never heard of him until I walked into a record shop and saw his CD on the end cap. So I went over and gave it a listen, and man oh man, I became an instant fan. This cd is full of Blues mixed in with some cajun beats. The guitar has a quality that is honest and true. You feel like you are in a juke joint right there with him. Needless to say I bought the cd and play it all the time. A great find! Go make the same find for yourself. You won't regret it.

As good as the "Red" Albumn
I've been a Tab fan since his first albumn. I've always felt his second albumn (What I Live For) (or the "Red Albumn" as we call it) was his best at capturing his live essence. But this albumn matches it! Tab's distinct voice and guitar really demonstrate an understanding and mastery of the blues.

For all blues lovers
If you love the blues, this is the real deal. One of my favorite Tab CD's. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Freddie King is a legend for some very good reasons. First, his clean single-string solos virtually define the modern Texas blues sound (although King himself honed his chops in Chicago). His playing was electric and country, skillful yet simple. Second, he had an uncanny knack for melodic invention. You can listen to a Freddie King solo once and whistle it the rest of the day. Last but not least, he was a remarkably expressive singer, soaring to a falsetto even more powerful than that of B.B. King. All this brilliance is here in one tidy package. You'll get the impassioned soul of "Have You Ever Loved a Woman." You'll get rumbling classics like "I'm Tore Down" and "Going Down." And best of all, you'll take your baby steps toward arena blues stardom listening to instrumentals like "San-Ho-Zay," "The Stumble," and "In the Open"--the songs that made Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan bequeath their souls to the unholy guitar. But bear in mind, if all those guitar heroes were so influenced by Freddie King, why is it that they don't sound anywhere near as great as him? Find out for yourself. And remember, the highest pitched string is the one closest to the floor. --Ken Hohman ... Read more

Reviews (14)

freddie, the under-appreciated king!
a lot people who overlook THIS king in favor of b.b. and albert are making a big mistake. freddie is beautifully showcased here in an excellent compilation. his instrumentals such as "hideaway", "the stumble", and my favorite, "san-ho-zay" will get you shucking and jiving. what sets freddie apart from a lot of the early blues guitarists is his tone. his tone is raw, crisp, and very biting. this is partly due to his choice of using a solid body gibson guitar, which are known to growl more than your standard fender guitar. the majority of the earlier blues guitarists used fender tele's or strat's. check out eric clapton's use of the gibson on mayall's bluesbreakers album. similar tone to freddie's, just more amplified. i just love the fat tone of freddie's guitar. his vocals are very good as well. if you can only get one freddie cd, this is the one. it has all his best studio work.

A rare gem among "best of" albums
I usually don't go for "greatest hits" or "best of" albums but this one really knocked my socks off. You get a whopping 20 tracks - not just Freddie's super famous hits but also some nice surprises - and every song is so damn good. What's amazing about Freddie is the incredible variety of sounds and blues styles he is able to get out of his guitar - there is something different and unique about every song. As usual, Freddie's vocals are incredible and his bends will blow you away. Freddie is so refreshing because of the incredible energy he brings to every song - even the slow ones.

Freddie King is absolute required listening for Blues fans of any stripe. If you have not heard Freddie much, this album would be a great introduction to the man Clapton once said was the guitarist who most influenced him. You really should buy as many of his albums as you can get your hands on, but if you have to settle for one, this one will more than suffice.

Another fine Rhino collection
Rhino Records usually know what they are doing when they assemble compilation albums and anthologies, and this Freddie King-retrospective is no exception.

A few of these songs are a bit generic, perhaps, but there are some real classics here as well, most notably the superbly catchy, oft-copied instrumentals "Hide Away", "Remington Ride" and "San-Ho-Zay" (about a third of the twenty tracks are instrumentals), the powerful, rocking blues of "I'm Tore Down" and "Going Down", and the slow, anguished "Someday, After A While" and "It's Too Bad Things Are Going So Tough".

Also, the smouldering "Have You Ever Loved A Woman" became a concert staple for Eric Clapton, who was a great admirerer of Freddie King, and cut a very good "I'm Tore Down" for his "From The Cradle" album.

King was a strong, soulful vocalist and a magnificent, versatile guitarist. His music was somewhat less gritty than that of blues greats Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, and sometimes had more of a dance-friendly pop sheen to it, but it's very good in its own right, and this is an excellent overview of his too-brief career.

Drink,Smoke & Listen
Freddie king is an amazing talent. This album is the start of modern blues as we know it. This has horn riffs along with the knock you out texas guitar playin you want to hear. Im sure king
was an influence on many blues men. he even dwells into a little funk.

The quintessential blues guitarist
I saw Freddy King play a concert in the Bronco Bowl in Dallas, Texas in the early 60's. I couldn't believe a man his size could play a Gibson with such nimble fingers. It was the most memorable concert I have ever seen. Since that time, I have to hear a guitarist play "Hideaway" before I judge his ability. If he can't do justice to Freddy King, then he might as well move back to the rhythmn section. ... Read more