Album Description

Fronted by bassman/composer Mike Rivard, Club d’Elf is a revolving supergroup of sorts, with regular guest appearances by a high-flying cast of musicians including on this 2-CD set, Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie, Rolling Stones), Kenwood Dennard (Miles Davis, Sting, Jaco Pastorius), Alain Mallet (Paul Simon), Brahim Fribgane (Peter Gabriel, Morphine), DJ Logic (Project Logic, MMW), Joe Maneri (Paul Bley), and Mat Maneri (Cecil Taylor, William Parker).With more than 146 minutes of music, the new CD, As Above, combines the highlights from a year of performances to create an other-worldly, musical journey. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Blues Master Without Peer
These discs should go a long way toward solidifying Fred McDowell's reputation as a Delta legend. His playing is fluid, his singing filled with power. I found the second set even better than the first; Fred's chemistry with the audience and the sheer brilliance of his music made for an electric performance. The quality of the recording is superb. Don't miss this one.

Must Have!
Mississippi Fred is among my 5 favorite blues masters of all time. His playing defines blues slide guitar. ''Live at the Gaslight'' finds Fred at the top of his game - it's as if he knew this was going to be his very last recording. He plays his butt off. His singing is intense. This is a great collection of songs. Sound quality is superb - it sounds like Fred is in your living room. This is a great way to relive a show I would give a million dollars to have been at. A double disc full of gems! I would highly recommend this disc... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Some smokin' jams
Hey, I can't believe there aren't any other reviews out there about this CD. Looks like Merl broke out a magical night from the old vaults. It's got some smokin jams out of Jerry, Merl, and Grisman. Track #3 will throw ya back in a groove. What kills me is they recorded most of the takes live at 3 in the morn. Guess they all had a lil' muse and candy action on that night.Anyhow, you'd be a sucka to let this pick go by. It's a "keeper" for real. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the decade following Stevie Ray Vaughan’s passing in 1990, hordes of guitarists savaged their instruments in rank emulation of the Texan. These days, have mercy, the vast majority of those firebrands have faded away, leaving the hot blues-rock guitar field largely to slide specialist Dave Hole. Not that this Aussie is some SRV-fixated holdout, mind you. Rather, he was scalding his strings as far back as the '70s, initially getting noticed on this side of the world in the early '90s. On his first concert album ever, Hole proves that his musical intelligence and his emotional honesty are as formidable as his technical skills. "Demolition Man" lives up to its title, as does "Short Fuse Blues." "Take Me to Chicago" is so good it suggests he spent his formative years in the outback studying under some Aussie Elmore James. Hole can chill too, wringing sweet truths out of "Berwick Road." --Frank-John Hadley ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Sizzling, Electrifying, Astounding.
Finally, the live one has hit the racks. As one of the most prolific bluesmen in Australia, Dave Hole has gained a large following with his unique method of playing slide guitar "upside down". Hole effortlessly punches through the 12-bar progression, flying over his fretboard like a hummingbird on amphetamines. The album was recorded over three separate dates in 2002: July 26 at House of Blues Chicago, July 27 at Chord on Blues in St. Charles, and December 17 at The Charles Hotel in Perth, Australia. The transitions from key to key and erratic volume changes provide an accurate glimpse of the onstage furor that Dave Hole Projects through his guitar. The album includes technically perfect covers of Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix, and Bullfrog Blues by Canned Heat.His band consists of Roy Daniel on Bass, J Mattes & Ric Eastman on Drums, and Bob Patient on Keyboards. Brett Lemke

WOW!
Reckless, gritty, unforgettable.Dave Hole, Australian for Blues.

Great from beginning to end!
I thought Dave Hole and Johnny Winter were the two greatest living electric blues guitarists, but with this album Dave Hole has shown a range that leaves Winter behind and places him beside the late Roy Buchanan on the pinnacle. The playing here is simply incredible and you have to hear it to believe it. We've heard all these songs before on his six previous albums, but some of the performances here transcend those. So if you want to hear the real thing, electric blues far eclipsing that of the overrated Stevie Ray Vaughan, grab The Live One right away and hold on to your hat!

Pure Explosion!
Dave Hole is a hard rockin' blues man from Australia.If you haven't heard Hole yet, be prepared for no holds barred grating slide guitar not unlike that played by Eric Sardinas.No subtleties here, just chalkboard grating, hair raising, nerve crunchingslide guitar. Hole slows down slightly for his cover of "How Long?" and "Berwick Road" but that's about it.The rest is all pedal to the metal.The cover's of Hendrix' "Purple Haze" and the 12 minute "Bullfrog Blues", done best by Rory Gallagher with his band Taste, are interesting at best.If you like to "rawk", this is your CD. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

And I though Joe Cocker had the best hands!
Goosebumps. Incredable artistry. I only wish I could fly from Oklahoma City to his next gig.

The greatest New Orleans piano player.
This is Booker near the end of his career, playing in a dinky New Orleans bar and usually half out of his head. But the fingers still knew what they were doing, even on a piano that sounds as if it's strung with rubber bands. For an introduction to Booker's playing I'd recommend "New Orleans Piano Wizard," Booker in front of a huge audience playing a superb grand piano. But Booker freaks can't get enough of his playing, and I'm one of them.

WOW!!!
Listen to "Piano Salad" and tell me how this guy plays this with only two hands? Definitely one of the finest piano players from New Orleans! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

just taste it
In my opinoin this is really a wonderfull job, he used to play harmonica amazingly, whit much taste and a lot of technique. There is a kind of complicity between guitar and harmonica that i rarely identified in someone else. the only pity is the quality of registration that surely is not the best ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The great soul singer in London
The soul you find here is both classic, enduring and a revelation to hear, played live in front of a receptive audience. Ted Hawkins was living in England when these songs was recorded live in 1988 in London, and many fans were eager to see and hear him after hearing his records. This live set has not been released until now, and it's another classic from this magnificent soul artist. Ted Hawkins had the most singular voice in soul music in modern years, and he was especially liked in England in the first years after his redicovery(1985-1990). He then hit big in US with the 1994 album 'The Next Hundred Years'. This album is the newest with Ted Hawkins' wonderful music and you can hear some songs not available on other CDs, most notable 'Please come to Boston' and 'Golden Sun'. My favourite songs are 'That's heaven to me', done originally by Sam Cooke and 'I got what I wanted'. This is a solo performance that shines from start to end, and it must have been a joy to have been there that night at the Mean Fiddler Room in London. I think you should treat yourself with this one, and you will feel happy you did. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

On Stage Tonight- Baldry's out!
Well Mr. Baldry is selling CD's isn't he. This one has got some really hot licks and vocals. Unfortunatly, it doesn't have the studio version of "Don't try to lay no Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll". That was the reason I bought the CD. After all, that is the only song some of us old rockers ever heard from Mr Baldry. I still haven't found the studio version. I guess it's toss up. Mr Baldry could sell a lot of CD's with The studio version, or he can promote his new stuff with the tickle on the song list. This CD wasn't quit worth the Bucks, but has some pretty good rifs.

Impersonate Long John and you got a carreer ahead of you
Not knowing much about Long John Baldry, I took a chance when buying this CD. Here's my tip: make sure you've heard a lot of blues (not just the famous classics) before buying a blues CD. Like so many other Blues favorites Baldry's best songs seem so much un-like his other tunes. They are up-beat and have great sing-along lyrics. However, most of the other stuff on BALDRY'S OUT is repetitive, somewhat off-key, and not catchy at all. It's hard to believe since Baldry's voice is so damn powerful and soul-touching. Maybe that's because most of the songs on the album do what the blues do: utilize lots of instruments and use up a lot of time trying lots of things with them. And that's just not what this non-blues fanatic craves. On the up-side Baldry strikes a cord with "It Ain't Easy," and "Midnight in New Orleans," two amazing hits that make great use of lyrics, backround vocals, and, of course, Baldry's voice. For instance there are the lines- "It Ain't Easy to go ahead when.. you're.. going down!!!", and " Driving down Highway 61, thinking Brother Johnson you are the one..." Overall, these two songs, along with parts of "Stormy Monday Blues," and the infamous 9+ minute "Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On The King of Rock And Roll" make this CD worthwile. And you gotta love that voice...even when singing German to the Hamburg audience.

Baldry Only Gets Better and Better
I have listened to Long John Baldry since I was in high school. Begining with the first time I heard "Don't Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll" I was hooked.

Those who have heard, and who hasn't, Eric Clapton and Elton John, have already heard Long John Baldry without their knowing it. The influence which Long John Baldry has had on their music comes out clearly in the riffs and the words.

Long John's music shows the influence of some of the greatest blues players that have been around. The vocals are fantastic. The blend of the songs on this album will take you all over blues territory along with a little jazz.

If you want to go off into blues heaven then I highly recommend this album. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Aspiring Blues Guitarists Check This Album Out!!!
This album is a literal encyclopedia, and apprenticeship for the blues guitarist! There is no date listed as to when this was recorded, but Robben shows who he is this night and one can only guess what an illustrious carear he has awaiting him. He shows the importance of the minor 6th scale, and his Mike Bloomfield influence shows strongly. Jimmy Witherspoon a man who needs no intruduction, and is missed sadly today by many, displays his usual, dazzling charm, and stage presence.

Even if your not a musician, crank this one up and enjoy! Also recommend: "Jimmy Witherspoon/Robben Ford, Aint Nothin'New About The Blues" ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best!
Anson and Sam are fantastic together. They bring the absolutely best of the old time blues to the live stage where the kids can literally get up and boogie woogie. I have seen them 6-8 times in different places and the band is very tight each time. They should NOT BE MISSED! Sam is a true treasure and entertainer and there aren't many left like him. Anson plays the guitar(s) with such feeling and soul that it just brings tears to your eyes hearing him play the real soft stuff. And when he wants to let it rip in an upbeat number, look out, cause he is unmatched!

Go See em!

Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets "live at the Emporium"
After having the pleasure of hearing this truly original Blues Band for myself at the old "Loafers" club in Raleigh, NC. I can only say that the Blues does'nt get any better than this. My complimentory copy of this CD was signed and given to me by Carl"Sonny"Leyland, who is without question one of the greatest piano players I've ever heard. As it turns out we are both fond of the cactus worm. If you're a fan of rockin'boogie woogie piano music, you really should look him up. He has three new albums available now at Amazon.com "Boogie & Blues" has my favorite piano version of "The House of Blue Light" It's Number 18 on the list. You gotta here this man play this song. The hair on your neck will stand stright up! ... Read more

Album Description

16 track album recorded in 1976. Acrobat. 2004. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Blues 101 for the entire band....
Want to learn some tunes for an "open mike" blues jam? THEN CHECK THIS DISC OUT!!! There is enough material here to keep the serious blues student busy for months. Drummers, harpists, bassists, and guitarists alike. Each one of these tunes are popular at all blues jams (Am I sounding like Jamey Abersold?) For the price it can't be beat!

Good album but...
I have a problem with how this product is advertised. Neither Junior nor Buddy play in any of the extra tracks, and they are not that good either. Buddy only sings the first 3 songs, the rest are Junior's. Buddy plays a killer version of Hideaway, and Junior's sings 'mojo working' almost as good as Muddy Waters. The extra tracks really spoil the fun.

Best blues CD I own
This may not be the best blues CD I will EVER own, but it is definitely the best blues CD I own NOW! Buddy Guy could play circles around Jimmy Page; his playing has speed, grace, and style. And Junior Wells is known as one of the greatest harmonica players who ever lived, but he was also a great singer, in fine form here. Listen to his usually low voice reach those high notes on "Come In This Old House". Wells and Guy were a great team; they do a version of "Messin' With the Kid" to bring the house down. I put this CD on more than any other blues CD I own -- including ones by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and other greats. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A MUST HAVE FOR BLUES LOVER'S
Just another of many albums produced by this wonderful artist that I'm sure that you will enjoy. Check this one out and you will see what I'm talking about. Just Fantastic. ... Read more