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

Album Description

Full title - Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues. From thePBS series produced by filmmaker Martin Scorsese, thisrelease features 16 tracks including a brand new songreleased here for the first time 'Peace Of Mind'. Sony.2003. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

4.5 stars.
I must admit I had always thought Keb Mo was a little generic as a blues artist until I came across this CD in Scorcese box set.Put it in the CD player just to get a little better idea about where Keb is coming from and man was I surprised.This is really good.His cover of Robert Johnson's "Come In My Kitchen" is probably the best cover of this song I have ever heard."Henry" is probably my favorite, just a nice smooth relaxing song.This is a good CD to listen to on summer night, it just sounds like summer to me.All in all I'm glad I gave this CD a chance because now I see Keb is a really great modern blues artist and there aren't many of those around now.

PURE BLUES AND AWESOME!!!
I love blues and believe it or not, its my first Keb' Mo' cd.Where have I been and what was I thinking?This is one of the greatest blues cd's I have EVER heard.Its just blues in its purest form - simple, yet soul-ful, and so much meat it in, it takes time to digest it all.The arrangements are excellent - the piano or electric guitar will come in to enhance the mood or the lyrics.Its so wonderful that you HAVE to pay attention to it!You'll find that he pulls you in from whatever you are doing, to stop and listen. And what a voice - he was born to sing the blues!I'm overwhelmed - excellent musicians, great song choices, clever arrangements.This cd has it all!Next time Mr. Mo' is in town, I will be front and center!This cd is a fine wine, so sip it slowly and enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The same old blues!
Do not expect anything but the same "old" blues from this CD. However if you are true blues fans just ask to yourself: "do I really want something different?" If the answer is "no" don't hesitate a second and pick up this CD! I don't think that Ronnie Earl backed by his mate and Broadcaster former member Bruce Katz and almost the entire Muddy Waters' band was looking for anything different than playing the blues as it is written in the sacred text books when he approached the recording studio. The real strength of this album is that all the musicians involved in this project are the "cream of the cream" and the result, as easily predictable, is simply unmatchable. Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith can give lectures about how to play the blues to everyone in the business, Bruce Katz himself is nowadays one of the most talented B3 players and Ronnie Earl is probably the best white blues guitarist around. The album is a mix of originals and old tunes written by Perkins or Smith and covers of masters such as Memphis Slim, Roosevelt Sykes, Tampa Red and Sonny Boy Williamson. Despite the fact that the entire album sounds very much like a respectful and sincere homage to the greatest blues men of the past, the unmistakable stile of Ronnie Earl elevates this collection to a different level. The impression you get is to listen to something incredibly fresh and "new". He plays acoustic, slide and of course electric guitars always with the usual intensity and feeling that have made him unique in the blues guitarists scenario. All the others stellar musicians involved in the project play at their best and the final result is awesome, moreover the Audioquest production and recording are as usual simply perfect. Rate this CD "only" five stars it's a real crime it deserve much more than that!

ENJOYABLE CD!
RONNIE EARL FOREGOES THE BROADCASTERS ON THIS CD AND JOINS WITH THE ORIGINAL MUDDY WATERS RHYTHM SECTION FOR SOME OLDTIME CHICAGO BLUES. PRIOR TO THIS CD, THE COMBINATION OF PINETOP PERKINS, CALVIN JONES AND WILLIE "BIG EYES" SMITH LAST JOINED FORCES IN 1993, WITH OTHER MUDDY WATER'S MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AS "THE MUDDY WATERS TRIBUTE BAND" (SEE THEIR FINE CD, "YOUR GONNA MISS ME WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE"). THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE ALSO PURSUED SOLO CAREERS SINCE AT LEAST 1980. LIKE THE TRIBUTE ALBUM, THIS CD IS A DEDICATION OF SORTS TO VARIOUS BLUEMEN OF THE PAST INCLUDING MUDDY WATERS, MEMPHIS SLIM, CLEANHEAD VINSON, ROOSEVELT SYKES AND OTHERS. EYE TO EYE IS AN ENJOYABLE CD WITH SONGS FROM THE HEARTS OF MEN WHO UNDERSTAND THE BLUES. I DID NOT START OUT AS A RONNIE EARL FAN BUT I FAST BECAME A CONVERT AFTER LISTENING TO THIS CD. WHILE NOTHING NEW, ITS A GOOD ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.

soulful & heartfelt
ronnie earl is an amazing & talented guitarist. his playing weather it be slow or fast is sure to set your soul on fire. he dishes out some tasty licks on this disc.if you are a true fan of the blues, you must own this one.

enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The question posed by this CD's title is an open-ended one indeed, and over the course of 11 tracks, guitarist and singer Deborah Coleman attempts to answer it in myriad ways, from the sensuality of "Undeniable" to the optimistic "Lookin' for a Real Love" to the somewhat plaintive title track. Coleman, who gets more polished with every album, is in fine form here; her rich, velvety voice and top-notch guitar chops make What About Love? an uninterrupted treat from beginning to end. Whether she's telling off a lying lover in "Lie No Better" or letting her guitar do the talking on "The River Wild," Coleman has plenty to say, and she does so with the articulation and expressiveness of a maturing artist. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's not the familiar, fiery playing of Stevie Ray Vaughan that tips listeners off that this set's first disc has captured an extraordinary moment in modern blues history; it's the jarring, rising chorus of boos that accompanies it. As with previous musicians as disparate as Dylan and Stravinsky, Vaughan's willful tweaking of staid genre conventions initially infuriated purists. Though few could have imagined it at the time, Vaughan and company's July 17, 1982, show at the Montreux Jazz Festival (included here in its entirety) ignited not only a brilliant career, but a widespread revival of the blues as well.

David Bowie was there that night, but he was not booing. He secured the Texas guitarist's services for his smash Let's Dance album on the spot, nearly a year before Vaughan would make his major-label debut.

Straight from the Austin club scene, the band displays their nervous energy in a set that contains several previously unreleased/rare gems from SRV's early repertoire, including the Hound Dog Taylor romp "Give Me Back My Wig." By the time of this set's second disc, recorded just three years later, SRV was a worldwide star, the boos had turned to rousing cheers, and Vaughan's nervousness was replaced by an incendiary swagger he seemed all too happy to push into the crowd's faces. With the band (drummer Chris Layton, bassist Tommy Shannon) now augmented by Reese Wynans on organ and guest guitarist Johnny Copeland sitting in on "Tin Pan Alley," the triumphant show (11 of the 15 songs are included here) centered on the cream of SRV's first three studio albums. While some of these tracks have found their way onto other releases (Live Alive, Blues at Sunrise), the show's "Scuttle Buttin'," "Voodoo Chile," "Gone Home," and "Couldn't Stand the Weather" are released here for the first time. The set's comprehensive liner notes contain new commentary from the band's Shannon and Layton, David Bowie, early confidant Darryl Pitt, and many quotes from the guitar legend himself. All history lessons should be this riveting. --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Double disk set of live blues rock from Texas axe slinger!
This recent 2 disk set is another great live release from the vaults by Legacy. The first disk contains Stevie Ray Vaughan's first appearance at the Montreux Festival in 1982. The second disk contains a later appearance at the festival in 1985. The set contains nineteen tracks (The songs "Pride And Joy" and "Texas Flood" appear on both disks). The first disk contains an interesting set list with the inclusion of some rarely played (by Vaughan) covers of Freddie King's "Hide Away", Hound Dog Taylor's "Give Me Back My Wig" and Albert Collins' "Collin's Shuffle". The set while short (approximately 42 minutes) provided fans and musicians alike a preview of what Stevie Ray Vaughan was about. He was unsigned at the time of this first performance and while he wasn't a hit with all the fans (some even booed him), he gained the respect of musicians like David Bowie and Jackson Browne who attended this show. The musicians enabled Vaughan to further his career by inviting him to guest on an album (David Bowie) and allowing him free studio time to record what would eventually become his first album (Jackson Browne). Stevie's playing was already developed by this time and is highlighted on the Grammy nominated "Texas Flood" from the "Blues Explosion" compilation album of this festival. Vaughan's slide playing is spotlighted on the aforementioned "Give Me Back My Wig".

The second disk adds organist Reese Wynans to the band to flesh out the sound. The 1985 set is longer and contains the rare cover "Gone Home". Other highlights include the smokin' instrumental openers "Scuttle Buttin'" and "Say What!" Other notable cuts include the touching "Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love" and a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" which also contains bits of Hendrix's "Power Of Soul". Follow bluesman Johnny Copeland shares duties with Vaughan on the epic slow blues "Tin Pan Alley".

It is great to have both of these shows together to compare Stevie's evolution as a player during the three year interval. A drawback for some purchasers may be the fact that 8 of these nineteen cuts are previously released on various other Vaughan disks. Five of the eleven cuts from the 1985 show appear on Vaughan's "Live Alive" disk. It is interesting to compare that live disk with this one. I purchased "Live Alive" when it was first released and it was the first Stevie Ray Vaughan disk I bought. While I miss cuts like "Cold Shot" "Willie The Wimp" "Look At Little Sister" and the covers of "Superstition" and "I'm Leaving You (Commit A Crime", it is great to have a copy of rarely played numbers like "Hide Away", "Give Me Back My Wig", "Collin's Shuffle", and "Gone Home." This set also provides a contrast to the "Live At Carnegie Hall" disk with the many guest musicians and horn section. "Live At Montreux 1982 & 1985" shows the evolution of the stripped down trio or quartet versions of Double Trouble sans horn section and guests. This new set also presents the songs within the context of the actual concert set list rather than the more piecemeal approach of "Live Alive". Despite the fact that many of the cuts are previously released this set provides a good addition to Stevie Ray Vaughan's legacy.

Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985 [LIVE] ~ SRV & Double Trouble
This newly released cd is another example of Stevie Ray Vaughan's incredible ability playing live. At the 1982 show, the crowd wasn't being too kind to this unknown (at the time) incredible guitarist's amazing performance, or the effort he put into each and every note - They didn't welcome him from the moment he began his set. Even with the crowd booing him, Stevie still didn't let that affect his playing. He played strongly until the end, and left the stage upset from the little response from the audience and the constant booing.

When he returned in 1985 however, this was completely different. The crowd accepted him and loved him. He once again played another incredible show, this time a lot more confident with a great response from the crowd.

This 2 cd set is awesome for any SRV fan, any guitarist, or as a matter of fact, any body who has the slightest intrest in the blues at all. These cd's are up there with the Live at the El Mocambo show, and shows some of SRV's best live performances. I recommend this 2 disc set very strongly, as a huge SRV fan. Get a hold of it as soon as you can!

a good live album
I think this is a good live album. Many people say he's copying Jimi Hendrix, but he ain't copy. His guitar sounds very different. And in this concert he plays really well. The performances sound alike to the studio ones, but it's good anyway.

Excellent
This album is very good. He is a very good guitarist. His guitar sounds very different. In this concert he plays well. But his blues kinda turn into rockblues. The blues are hard. But it's ok. They are not that hard. I recomend it.

The best available live recordings of Stevie Ray
Well, first of all, the 1985 Montreux show is very good. The fact that several of the '85 cuts were released back in '86 on the "Live Alive" album is a bit of a drawback, but the performance itself is flawless. Stevie Ray Vaughan and his band perform superbly throughout the set, resulting in magnificent renditions of "Tin Pan Alley", "Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love" and several more.

But the 1982 show is the real revelation here. I have heard all the official live albums by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, and this magnificent performance outdoes them all.
It is somewhat unpleasant to hear the crowd's reaction (unlike the 1985 show, Vaughan was met with indifference and even hostility when he first performed in Montreux), but the music is white-hot.

Opening with two instrumentals, Freddie King's "Hide Away" and his own "Rude Mood", Stevie Ray Vaughan plays some of the very best and bluesist guitar you'll ever hear, particularly on a smouldering ten-minute version of "Texas Flood".
He was sometimes accused of playing ten notes when three would have done the job, but that accusation certainly doesn't hold up on these fabulous recordings.
Also, his vocal performance is superb. He rocks on "Give Me Back My Wig" and growls menacingly on "Dirty Pool", and the production is excellent. Sometimes a live album will suffer from the vocals being too low in the mix, but here the mixing is perfect. And Vaughan's playing on "Pride And Joy" and "Love Struck Baby" makes it hard to believe there was only one guitar player present.

This is one of the very best live blues and blues-rock albums I have ever heard, and if you like the genre you can't go wrong with "Live in Montreux". ... Read more

Reviews (12)

An Obnoxious Review About Jamming With Edward.
...."This is so LOOSE!" and "This is so SLIMY!" The whole album has a sort of humid, moist feel to it, and, true to its name, is jammy .. Not the bad jammy like a Spin Doctors album or something, but Cooder and Hopkins(the only TRUE players on this album) boogie through an album that sounds like a drunken take on Exile on Mainstreet. Jagger plays the part well, and stays sleazy the whole time. .., holding the album on its leash, but he doesn't seem to care that much. Watts and Wyman aren't really too interested either. I can picture them yawning the whole time.

In conclusion, if you like the Stones, this won't interest you all that much, but if you like boogie piano AND the Stones, go for it, because it's, at most, 20 bucks, and you won't regret the purchase. If you don't like the Stones at all, go back to your Saliva record.

A Behind The Scenes Look
These loosey-goosey sessions sound like they took place around the time of Exile On Main St. That album as you may know was recorded in Keith Richard's private studio in France and featured a great horn session of Bobby Keys and Jim Horn along with Nicky Hopkins on keyboards and guest appearances by Dr John and Ry Cooder. For my money Exile is the absolute pinnicle of the Stones long and storied career.

With that said Jamming With Edward brings together Jagger, (harp and vocals) Cooder, (lead and slide guitar) Charlie Watts, (drums) and Bill Wyman, (bass) and Nicky Hopkins, (piano and keyboards). The feel is intimate and ever sooo informal. The playlist includes but on recognizable blues standard, (Muddy Waters' "It Hurts Me Too") and several loose jams. Buyer beware, these recordings are not professionally mixed, the sound often muffled and under-miced. Yet, there's a very appealing charm in listening to Mick and company raveing it up with a kind of reckless abandon. Dispite all it's flaws I've come back to Edward many times over the years and delighted in this "behind the scenes" look at my all time favorite band.

JAMMING WITH MICK, BILL, RY, CHARLIE & NICKY. A+++
Jamming With Edward? On CD? From Pointblank Classics? Now who would ever think we would see this lil' ditty released
on CD? Well, it makes perfect sense since the Stones are with Virgin Records right? Right. Well this cool album was originally
issued on Rolling Stones Records back in '72 and is just a 'romping' jam by Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and
friends Ry Cooder & Nicky Hopkins, and it is super cool! The 6 lil' tunes are interesting and if there ever was a legal Stones
'boot' release to see just what some of the boys did in their spare time, this is it! No more said. Throw it on and dig one more
time the 6 lil' tunes especially "It Hurts Me Too" it is way too cool! The complete original album liner notes by Mick are
included along with new liner notes on the history of how this interesting lil' jolly release came about in the first place.

For Ry Cooder Fans
If you are a fan of Ry Cooder, buy this CD. If you are a Stones collector, consider buying this CD. Otherwise, forget it. Mick "sings" on two cuts, but his vocals are half-hearted and buried in the mix. After all, this is just some musicians noodling around in the studio (as legend tells it, they were waiting for Keith Richards to show up in the studio). Mick didn't want it released (another legend), but the others demanded so here we have it. Mostly instrumental blues noodling around, you won't find yourself listening to this alot.

NOT a Stones Album, But Great Anyway
"Jamming with Edward" is often catalogued/reviewed as a Rolling Stones release, with the result that listeners are often disappointed. It's actually a Nicky Hopkins/Ry Cooder jam session with backing by the Stones' rhythm section and a little vocalizing by Mick.

That said, it is a rare gem from the peak era of British blues-rock. It's tasteful, laid-back, funky/bluesy jamming by some of the best sidemen in the business. It also has the energy and interplay that you only get on great live-in-the-studio recordings.

Don't expect the Rolling Stones, but you may be pleasantly surprised by what you get instead. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Taj Mahal has become a blues ambassador, carrying the music to new audiences and melding it with other influences. It's altogether appropriate, then, that three of the early tracks on this three-CD set are unreleased from the Rolling Stones 1968 musical experiment, Rock and Roll Circus. This box emphasizes (but is not limited to) Taj's early career--the late-'60s through the mid-'70s--and whether he's playing solo acoustic instrumentals ("Buck Dancer's Choice"), revving up a rock band ("Statesboro Blues"), or weaving his National Steel guitar around tubas ("Sweet Mama Janisse"), the blues element is never far from center. He even brings out the Pointer Sisters, who funkify the blues standard, "Sweet Home Chicago." The latter part of the box ventures into the 1980s and '90s, and features some songs for kids. Taj Mahal makes a world gumbo of the blues, spiced with a nice hot sauce. --Robert Gordon ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Taj's Roots
I've been a fan of Taj ever since I first saw him in concert over 30 years ago. This 3 CD set is a fantastic collection of his music that explains how he's managed to span those thirty years and continually be fresh and new. Taj can- and does- find and develop the Blues roots in just about any type of music. Nowhere is that culture-spanning ability shown as crisply and clearly as it is on this retrospective set. An absolute must for any Taj fan.

A Musical Master
Blues with the guitar and harmonica, sure. Blues with a flute? Tuba???? Taj Mahal can do it all. Love some of the old chestnuts all in one place. The new "Fishin' Blues" took a little getting used to, but it definitely grows on you. The live stuff with the Pointer Sisters is great. I love listening to this guy! The only negative thing I can talk about here is the nebulous liner notes. All in all, a great buy.

One of the Seven Wonders...
Old timers may remember that in the early 70's Flo and Eddie (of The Turtles)wrote a column in Creem magazine reviewing records. They hated everything. When they reviewed Taj Mahal's Mo' Roots album they lampooned his assimilation of Carribean music and accused him of being a bandwagon jumper."...we can't wait until Taj discovers Swiss yodeling and starts wearing a Tyrolean hat",they wrote. Actually it was pretty funny, but what they didn't realize is that Taj's paternal family were West Indians, so this music was his birthright,just as much as the spirituals,slave hollers,and blues he heard from his mother's rural southern upbringing were. It's his music and it comes to him as natural as breathing. This comprehensive 3 CD set is an excellent place for novices and old pros alike to welcome the music of Taj into their homes. From The Rising Sons,Taj's seminal 60's band that included Ry Cooder, romping through "Statesboro Blues", down through the great Jesse Ed Davis led Tulsa Roadhouse band,the tuba years (yes!),and finally the steel drum laden Carribean kiss, this set is not to be missed.Yeah the liner notes are scanty, but it's the steak, not the sizzle, that matters here.Any guy that can jam the blues with Boz Scaggs and Elvin Bishop live at the Fillmore and hold his own ,on pennywhistle yet, is okay by me. So Taj, if you want to try Swiss yodeling that'll be cool too. You wear that Tyrolean hat with pride and I'll throw in a pair of lederhosen. Bring the tubas with ya.

Not a wasted note
This collection is easily one of the best box sets on the market, at least in terms of the musical content. As others have noted, there is little in the way of information (though the autobiographical essay is quite inspiring). But to hear this man play more than makes up for this. One of the true American originals, Taj Mahal is a unique voice who can blend many and varied influences into a sound unmistakably his own. Every track on this CD set is top notch. This is one of the two or three most played recordings I own. When Taj launches in to Elizabeth Cotton's "Freight Train" at the end of disc two, it is with complete love for the tradition he so clearly belongs to, and the artists who pointed him to the way. The Spirit is on this man, and it won't let go. An American classic.

Taj is great as usual. Never has let me down yet!
Taj has been a favorite of mine for a few years now. I never get tired of his voice and music. He has another gem with this one! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best album of '71 we never got to hear.
I bought this album after Smither's excellent "Train Home" and it's like seeing a new black belt in his first tournament after you've seen him as grand master.It's very good, "Train Home" is great. ... Read more

Amazon.com

That Daddy-O Daddy! is an exceptional record worthy of listeners who span the generational spectrum ought to come as no ground-shaker. Forget, for a moment, that this is a Woody Guthrie tribute--a designation signaling that whatever's to come, it'll be electric-blanket cozy--and focus instead on the talent that producer Frankie Fuchs pulled together here. There's the glorious rough stuff of Taj Mahal; Billy Bragg & the Blokes' robust riptide; Cissy Houston's graceful vocal sway; and the back-porch warble of Ramblin' Jack Elliott, among others. It's a meandering but easy-to-follow recipe of master interpreters, in other words, and one that's not afraid to intermingle ingredients. Add to that the tingly thrill of being on the receiving end of raw material mined from folk music's dear, departed pop (six unreleased, unrecorded, and in some cases unfinished tracks poke up), and you can't help feeling a little awed. Cue this up for kids as young as 2, as the whirly-twirl of tracks like "Tippy-Tap Toe" and "Little Sack o' Sugar" will set them to swooping, swaying, and singing the way Woody would've wanted. Houston's "Sleep Eye" and Bragg's "Dry Bed" soar--one's as warm as the other is high-spirited. These 16 tracks, though, are to be savored for the simple joy with which their creator so deftly dashed them off. "Howdy Little Newlycome," Guthrie's own recitation of a wonderment-filled ditty he recorded in his kitchen in 1951, caps off a perfectly executed disc that pours its heart out in the name of a plainspoken genius. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (7)

just wonderful
It really is as good as the other reviewers say. I got this for the Jimmie Dale Gilmore tune, but I burst out crying with the Syd Straw number. There's a range of styles and emotions, but all of them top-notch.

A must have!
A wonderful CD to introduce to children of all ages!!

A treasure for the whole family!
I bought this CD for myself, having heard one of the songs on the radio. I now plan on sending one to each of my three grandchildren. These songs are not only fun, they speak to children and adults alike. It is quite apparent that Woody Guthrie wrote these songs with lots of love, and an understanding of his children's feelings and fears. Taj Mahal and the other artists that perform the songs do a great job. I definitely recommend this one!

A "must" for all Guthrie fans
Daddy-O Daddy! is an impressive and entertaining collection of fifteen recordings for young listeners composed by the folk music legend Woody Guthrie and performed by a series of outstanding artists. A "must" for all Guthrie fans, as well as highly recommended for children and their families the selection range from Wood Guthrie's performance of Howdy Little Newlycome (2:38), to Kim Wilson's performance of New Baby Train (6:03); to Cissy Houston's Sleep Eye (5:40).

an amazing collection of songs
Whether you've got a "little newlycome" at home or not, say howdy to this collection of artists performing rare Woody Guthrie songs. My favorites:
"Want to See Me Grow?" -- Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore
"My Daddy (Flies a Ship in the Sky)" -- Syd Straw -- this song should be the national anthem for airplane travel!
"Dry Bed" -- Billy Bragg. Too much! A trippy song about potty training.

Get this for all the kids you know. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

what comes first?
The music or the ability? Melvin has the ability to make all of the moves on guitar. But why? Is it to make the music happen, or just to show off? When he's playing to a bunch of false-id Melvin-wannabes, the showing off is the main thing, but on record, only music will bear repeated listening, not gymnastic j*k*ng-*ff, (that's for "joking riff").

Has potential
I like Taylor's own 'Depression Blues' where he produces something new and the standard 'Tin Pan Alley' where he doesn't try to play at a million miles an hour. Obviously a guitarist with potential, but he needs to learn that more is not usually better. An example is 'All Your Love' which starts out fresh and interesting, then loses its way in attempted pyrotechnics. He even closes the album with a putrid song totally out of balance with the rest of the tracks (similar to SRV).

I was blown away!
Heard "Voodo Chile" at a friend's house (was doing a comparism to Hendrix - I think Melvin Taylor's version is much better from a technical point of view, you can actually hear the bass...) - also his technique is so smooth, so fluid it took my breath away! Also had a listen to "All You Love (I Miss Loving)", having been brought up on the Mayall (Bluesbreakers) version, and again was blown away by Taylor's version. So, I just had to have it (and the other CDs as well :> ) - whd

Melvin Taylor is the MAN!!!
This CD is one of my favorites. Melvin Taylor is the best guitar player alive in my opinion and I have seen them all. KWS, Jonny Lang, Indigenous and none of these young guys can hold a candle to Melvin Taylor. Only man alive that should be compared to Hendrix and SRV.

A God on the Guitar!!
This is an album that sits on my shelf next to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Hendrix for he is truly of their kind. His powerful yet lirical guitar playing can calm you or work you into a rage. I cannot believe he is not more famous. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

In case you haven't noticed, the glorious voice of Odetta still ringstrue at the turn of the century. Following her acclaimed 1999 comebackBlues Everywhere I Go,the remarkable folk-revival veteran offers this engaging and inspired homage toLeadbelly, who passedaway just as Odetta was beginning her own storied career. Clearly, Odettaadmires the diversity of Huddie Ledbetter's repertoire, as she herself has madeher living interpreting everything from folk ballads and 12-bar blues standardsto protest songs, work songs, children's songs, and gospel. What makes thisproject so successful are the creative and wholly original arrangements shegives these tunes. "Goodnight Irene" and "Rock Island" are reinvented as funkypiano-driven slices of New Orleans blues-boogie, with Odetta's languid phrasingperfectly contrasting the underlying rhythms, while "In the Pines" is reborn ina gospel vein with HenryButler on piano.Clarence "Gatemouth"Brown (on violin) and KimWilson (on harp) have guest spots, but Odetta commands the show throughout,understanding and inhabiting these songs as only she can, and clearly conveyingtheir pain, bitterness, and world-weariness. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Odetta: An American Treasure
Odetta has created a fantastic album of songs by the famous Leadbelly. Pete Seeger is quoted on the back stating that he first heard Odetta sing a song by C.W. Leadbetter and he has waited 50 years for her to do an album of his songs. He is thrilled with this album and so am I. Odetta has improved with age. Her voice is brilliant in delivering her unique renditions of these songs. She has lost none of her vocal strength; on the contrary, I prefer her recent works over her Vanguard albums. She has a back-up band and like her previous release on MC Records, "Blues Everywhere I Go", there is a feeling of intimacy as if one is there in person hearing this great artist. I recommend this album without a bit of hesitation. I have asked independently run CD shops to carry this album and "Blues Everywhere I Go". Odetta is truly an American Treasure and I hope there will be more albums of this caliber from her. She is better than she has ever been and that is quite a feat for an artist who is, and always has been, brilliant. This is an album to really sit and listen to and it leaves the listener wanting more. "Looking For A Home" is a true work of art due to the genius of Odetta. This is a must have for anyone who loves folk/blues music. Thank You, Thank You, Odetta!!!

Odetta's Best Work Ever
Her blues album in 99 was a good comeback and is a fine CD; you can play it while you do other things, or you can sit down and enter into it with her. But if you put this CD on, forget about anything else. It will knock your breath out, knock you to your knees, whap you upside the head, make you laugh, make you cry, and demand 100% of your attention. Most singers quit before they reach 73. Odetta has just reached the height of her power. When she was in her forties and fifties, she was merely the strongest voice in the world; now she has achieved what the Japanese call YUGEN: maturity, the full flower perfected, the absolute mastery of one who has carried greatness in her bones and has practiced her art for about fifty years. She wails, moans, laughs, rocks, and quavers. She's sexy and compelling. Her timing is genius. Her pauses are rapt, wrenching. And her passion is infectious. "In the Pines" is so far down, it makes all our lives feel up; when she confides, "I love Irene, God knows I do," it's like a sacred trust. And when she belts out the boll weevil song, you can't help laughing out loud. If you only buy one Odetta CD in your life, buy this one. If you're an Odetta fan, you probably already did, but if you didn't, get ready. Fasten your seatbelts. She enters a whole new dimension on this CD, and she'll take you with her, if you have the soul for it.

Amazing CD!
Odetta has been known as the "Female Leadbelly" for her frequent interpretations of his songs. This CD finds her doing a collection of Leadbelly's songs that come straight out of her heart. The performances are emotional and evocative. The band is excellent and plays rich, swaying grooves to back up Odetta's signature vocal style. If you are a fan of the blues, the CD is a MUST HAVE for your collection. ... Read more

Album Details

The Complete Recordings of Delbert Mcclinton and Glen Clark on the Clean Label from 1972-73. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Finally!!! Released on CD
These are two classic albums that have truly timeless music on them. Both albums have been collectors items for years. If you could find them they were $25-50. Then they were in whatever condition they were in. Usually scratched! Give a listen to "Here Comes the Blues Again" or "Cold November and you wonder why it took so long for the general public to catch on to what many of us have known for years. That being Delbert is a singing, songwriting master of country/blues. Over the past 26 years I have seen him tear up literally 100s of bars, honky tonks and small theaters. Buy this CD and then catch him live soon. He travels to all four corners of the USA so he has to come close to you sooner than later. Go to Delbert.com to see where he is playing and get there soon!!!! Buy this CD....... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Featuring former members of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Ely, and John Mellencamp's backing bands, Storyville, one would figure, would have nothing but blues and roots rock swimming in their gene pool. Guess again. On its third album, the Austin, Texas, quintet is much more funky and hard-rocking than can rightly be expected for a band with its pedigree. With Malford Milligan's soulful vocalizing providing supple counterpoint to the potent guitar tandem of David Grissom and Dave Holt, Storyville blusters through everything from slightly spacey rockers ("Fairplay") to heartfelt ballads ("Talk to Me"). While they don't do anything overtly adventurous here--like, say, cover Peter Gabriel (as they did on their 1994 debut, Bluest Eyes)--they aren't likely to be mistaken for just another run-of-the-mill Texas barbecue-and-boogie outfit. --Michael Evans ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Excellent second album, great vocals and cool lyrics.
This second album from storyville is a great addition to your blues/rock collection. The band appears to have a great hold on blues music and the songs are very smooth with some fun lyrics to go along with. Add this to your collection.

The second fantastic album from these guys
Unfortunately I think this is their last, go get it . After loving thier first album, I did not like Dog Years much on the first listen. But it grows on you quickly. I saw these guys in Austin and they were beyond comparison. Enjoy the album because I read they played their last show together this past new years eve. In addition to both Storyville albums buy the Arc Angels disc if you do not have it. Chris and Tommy (Double Trouble) played with them prior to Storyville. Even without David Grissom and Holt you will find great dual lead vocals and tasty guitarwork on the Angels album. None of these received any radio play which makes them all the more special to me. Be thankful for Texas and all the great music that comes out of there, and for artists like these who pursued their passion.

ANOTHER CLASSIC BLUES / ROCK CD
These guys can do no wrong.( and still they didn't make it ) No matter which one of their CD's you listen to, this is classic BLUES / ROCK. This is as good an example of the genre as you can get. All 3 of their CD's are must haves for anyone who likes musik. The songs are intelligent, infectious and very emotional.
MALFORD MILLIGAN is an exceptional singer who can deliver deap emotions or stirring anthems with the same class and originality. The presence of DOUBLE TROUBLE ensures a tight, bouncy and highly energetic rythm section while the guitar tandem of GRISSOM and HOLT shine throughout with expert playing and very inventive musical patterns. There is variety to burn on this CD and again there is not one dud track. I would give you my favourite tracks, but they change almost after every listen. Do yourself a favour and discover this great band. It is hard to understand that they broke up after only 3 CD's. Even harder to understand is the relative obscurity that they find themselves in. These guys should have been superstars.

Austin based band including Double Trouble
Storyville is a guitar band with some great guitar riffs and excellent vocals. This band has a slight R&B feel but also reminds me some of Bad Company. The CD just sort of grows on you and you will find that several hours after listening, that certain songs will still be playing in your head. Storyville was the first band for Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble. And I think had the expectations not been so great for this band, they might have lasted a little longer. However, because many thought they would be a supergroup, the pressure to sell tons of records was maybe a bit much. It is too bad because this is a very good band.

Dog Years is the sophomore effort from Storyville. The CD is produced by Steven Bruton and the sound is a little harder than the first CD. The songs are written by different members unlike the first CD which featured Grissom as the principle writer. Once again the killer song is a ballad, "Talk to Me". "If you can tell me what you are thinking, find the words for how you feel, understanding is forgiving, I can give you what you need, Darling talk to me". This is the chorus and what an adult piece of songwriting and Mulligan in his vocals really sells the song. When listening, try "Enough" (tr#1), "Who's Left Standing" (tr#4), and "Talk to Me" (tr#7).

Excellent cds
All three of Storyville cds are excellent. The Bluest Eyes is the best blues album of all; lyrics and music alike! A sublime dream! Since one of the reviewers ask about the availability of the Bluest Eyes: you can find it at the Waterloo store in Austin (waterloo@eden.com) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

As Good As It Gets!
Congress has designated 2003 as the Year of the Blues, and both PBS and Public Radio are producing related series'. This CD is the perfect complement, featuring blues tracks by some of the legends (e.g. B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Ruth Brown, Henry Gray) and some of the rising stars (e.g. Keb' Mo', Robert Cray, Eric Bibb, Susan Tedeschi) who keep the blues alive and thriving. Whether you're a student of the art, or just like to listen to great music, this CD is for you. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A veteran blueswoman, Rory Block proves herself both a traditionalist and an explorer through this selection of blues classics, spiritual standards, and original material with a kindred spirit. She pays homage to her musical roots with impeccable renditions of songs associated with her late mentor Son House ("County Farm Blues") and his prize pupil Robert Johnson("Last Fair Deal Gone Down," "Traveling Riverside Blues"). Yet she takes considerable liberties with the album's instrumental centerpiece, an all but unrecognizable version of the familiar "Amazing Grace," which here recalls Leo Kottke's aural adventurousness rather than the hymnal. The original "Declare" (inspired by the Bible's Book of Job) andthe traditional "Hallelu, Hallelu" both find Block multi-tracking her vocals into the call-and-response of a full gospel choir, while "Cry Out Loud" and "Mama's Stray Baby" reflect the folkier strains of her artistry. An acoustic guitarist with a stinging slide and an understated virtuosity, she's more concerned with deep grooves than hot licks. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rory, doing what she does best
Rory Block is one of today's artists out at the forefront of keeping acoustic blues alive. This CD has a lot of Rory doing what she does best: gritty blues and acoustic slide guitar.

The best songs are the one Son House and two Robert Johnson covers, Sookie Sookie, Look What The Lord Has Done. A couple of the songs are a little sappy, the one about the stray dog, for example.

A little restrained; Rory can really cut loose when she wants to. But excellent singing and playing throughout.

A fine, mellow set by this talented blues picker
An airy, loose acoustic blues set, with plenty of gentle slide guitar, and a hefty dose of straightforward preachin' gospel blues.  Some surprises, like an ethereal instrumental version of "Amazing Grace," and her spacy, stream-of-conscousness delivery throughout.  At times Block sounds a bit mannered and stuffy, in a folkie kinda way, yet the mix of relaxed, informal presentation and an overall evocative, spine-tingly feel make this record worth checking out.... Her fans will certainly dig it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Performing the old standard "Frankie and Johnnie" with an acoustic guitar is hardly a radical step in blues, but this young singer-songwriter is much more than a revivalist. Using tuba accompaniment on the opening "High Fever Blues" and covering obscurities like Memphis Minnie's "Bumble Bee Blues," the Denver-born Harris finds new spirit in traditional blues on his second album. He has the sort of effortless bluesman's voice that gave forebears Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and Muddy Waters their depth and spirit, so we can feel the worry in "Mama Got Worried" and the fear in "If You Leave Me."--Steve Knopper ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Acoustic Blues Never Done Better
I could write an elaborate review of this CD, but it is possible to condense my thoughts into a single sentence.

If you enjoy acoustic blues or would like to hear it done with a slightly original flavor, this CD MUST be in your collection.

Heard him live on"Mountain Stage" and bought it the next day
There is so much more to this album than you can hear in the little snippits online. If you want Blues, this is your CD.

A wonderful thing to stumble upon.
As I sat in traffic waiting to get into Jazzfest, whose picture was on the front of the paper, Corey Harris. He was Playing the same day and time as James Taylor so I knew I had to figure out what all the noise was about. Once you listen to this CD you will know why me and about 2000 other people stood out in the driving rain to listen to someone who looked 30 and sounded 80. I have found no better acoustic blues player in the last few years. What ever you pay for this CD will be worth the money.

It doesn't get any better than this.
Corey Harris and Guy Davis OWN this genre. This disc surpasses his earlier effort. What else does this supertalent young man have in store for us? ... Read more

Amazon.com

This mid-'60s curio would have served as an introduction to two remarkable musicians had it not been buried in the vaults at Columbia Records from 1966 until 1992. Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder were two of the unfortunate Sons, who were briefly an L.A. club phenomenon. Neither man was in full possession of his talent, and the album (produced by Terry Melcher of Byrds fame) is more rewarding as an historical artifact than as a country-blues breakthrough.--Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (6)

a gem in the rough, thumbs up!
Yes, it's loose and sometimes the vocals are out of tune, and it's not as studied and particular as the more well known Ry Cooder major label product. I dont care .... I like it a whole lot! Mining the same roots rock territory that Van Morrison was tapping into around '65, '66, before the influence of Hendrix, heavy blues, psychedelia etc - for better or worse. "Flying So High" even sounds like, ahem, Monkees! Cool by me. : )

Ry and Taj in Their Garage
I've been a huge Ry Cooder fan for years and I like Taj Mahal, too. But I can't believe I bought this album. I was so excited to find it, and so disappointed when I listened to it. I couldn't listen to more than a few songs. It sounds like Ry and Taj as junior hight school students hacking away in their garage. There is some good guitar work, but that's it. The production is terrible. It just doesn't have the same tight zip that most of Cooders records have. Sounds like an amateur bootleg.

this album rocks!
Don't let that negative reviewers' narrow idea of what "good" music is prevent you from discovering these genuine, energetic, rockin' songs. They're not all perfect, but it's worth obtaining a copy just to have tracks like If The River Was Whiskey, 2:10 Train and Sunny's Dream.

Back when they were up-and-coming
This is a great album. It may not display all of the refined talent of Taj and Ry's later work, but if you are adventurous (as Taj and Ry always have been) and interested in the their early work, you will be rewarded. I believe that Taj was right out of the Julliard School and Ry was just a teen when they recorded this album. Forgive them if their skill is not perfect, but enjoy this music for its energy and youth.

a trap for all Cooder and Taj Mahal fans
You would think this album couldn't miss with Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal. In fact, it's dreadful, not because of their fault but because of another non-entity who has about half the lead vocals. I can't even remember this person's name. He soon returned to the obscurity from which he sprang. (Hopefully, someone cut his tongue out first.) In any event, he completely ruins the album. Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal have so many great albums; anyone who thinks I'm overstating how bad this one is should make it the last thing they buy in these two superb musicians' catalogs. ... 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