Reviews (16)

A CD full of Blues
This CD has been my first true exposure to the blues outside of the Blues Brothers and BluesFest in Chicago. Although Judy Henske is my favorite artist on the CD, and she sings as described in all Burke novels, I have learned to enjoy Howling Wolf and Son Seals and all of the others. I have given this CD to a few family members who introduced me to Vachss. I am also glad that Andrew Vachss was able to collect a large time span of the blues from the 1930's (?) to now. Thank Vachss for bring Burke to life and showing us the hardcore blues

like riding with burke in his plymouth
this cd gives a good sampling of different blues artist, some i were familiar with and others new to me. wide range of styles was like trying different flavours of ice cream - all great. playing this in my car and i could pretend i was in one of vachss's novels and for the first time getting to hear burke's favorite judy henske. her voice can peel paint and i mean this in a good way.

PERFECT!
The first time I read a Burke novel, I just knew he had the range and the pain for the Blues. Every time I read one of Vachss' books I found myself hearing the songs. This is the perfect accompaniment to every one of Vachss' heart-wrenching, redeeming, and true books.

And for those of you trying to get your friends to listen to the Blues or read a Burke novel, just tell them to listen to this CD. You can't go wrong with Son Seals, Katie Webster, Marcia Ball, Judy Henske, or any of the other TRUE blues artists that Vachss gives play to here.

The perfect compilation Blues CD!

Excellent introduction to the Blues, and to Andrew Vachss
Investing in this CD gives you a quick introduction to the blues, and tosses in an introduction to the works of Andrew Vachss. Powerful stuff; not for wimps.

It's the best!
I bought this album because of Mr. Vachss and his Burke books. I was curious about what he likes and also wanted to contribute for the kids. Not only does he write great books, but he knows his BLUES. This collection is wonderful! I have ordered Judy Henske's new album. For diehard fans of this, try another hard to find guy named Mickey Newbury. His NIGHTS WHEN I AM SANE is a classic and available on Amazon , or it was previously. No promises. In the meantime, Mr. Vachss, please do this again!!!!!! We trust you to take care of us with your choices. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Atlantic Piano Blues Collection Has Its Highlights, But....
In his liner notes to this Atlantic Records piano blues anthology, "Living Blues" magazine editor Jim O'Neal writes that "The Atlantic team knew what they liked; they also knew what sold." It's instructive, then, that six songs from the original vinyl release -- two each by Little Brother Montgomery and Ray Charles, one each by Professor Longhair and Joe Turner -- remain off the CD reissue 11 years later. Musical archeology only sells so far.

This carelessness of sequencing (two songs each from Jimmy Yancey and Meade Lux Lewis would have made their cases) is part of why "Atlantic Blues Piano" is weakest among the label's four volume blues series despite some exceptional performances. You get some of blues' finest pianists and samples of native city styles (Chicago, Kansas City, New Orleans. But the artists are caught either pre-ascension (Charles on a 1953 audition tape of Lowell Fulsom's "Low Society," Amos Milburn quarterbacking Texas Johnny Brown's jumpin' "After Hours Blues" with a superb intro) or post-peak (Yancey, heard without "Mama," heard here two months before his death with a somber "Mournful Blues" and salute to fellow piano great Pinetop Perkins).

O'Neil acknowledges this in his liner notes. "Most of the pianists represented on this volume were already well-established recording artists by the time they went into the studio for Atlantic," he wrote."...their Atlantic sessions were in one way or another intended to recapture or restore past glory."

That said, enough excellent music remains on this collection to earn partial recommendation. The New Orleans piano style is well-represented by Longhair's signature song "Tiptina," while Longhair disciple Dr. John rocks on a too-funky "Junco Partner" from 1971's "Gumbo." Turner (with ace Kansas City pianist Pete Johnson) provides some classic early R&B with 1956's "Roll 'Em Pete" while Lewis (helped by a young John Scofield on guitar) gallops through "Fore Day Rider" and the ballad "My Chile."

"Atlantic Blues: Piano" is worthwhile for completists, but unfulfilling for casual listeners. Blues or R&B piano fans would do better reading the artist lineup, then finding a full album from that performer. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great stuff
Not a losing track. Top of our rotation for several weeks ... Read more

Amazon.com

The celebrated performers featured on this five-disc box--John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton, Howlin' Wolf, and Sonny Boy (Rice Miller) Williamson among them--were seasoned veterans when these recordings were made between 1962 and 1965. They were, however, far from over the hill. Brought to Europe as part of an annual barnstorming tour designed to introduce the blues to the old country, the forefathers (and a few mothers) of various strains of the genre basked in their chance to show their skills to appreciative foreign audiences. They also clearly enjoyed each other's company. The nature of the American Folk Blues road shows made for some fascination collaborations: The 1962 set, for example, finds Hooker, then in his brooding prime, backed by guitar legend T-Bone Walker--on piano! Willie Dixon (the MVP here), Otis Spann, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Mississippi Fred McDowell are just a few of the other legends who turn up in this expansive document of the blues revival that topped all blues revivals. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Killer Live Blues
This is one of the best compilations of live blues available. Many of the modern and historic blues greats are represented here and are in fine voice. While some of the artists may be near the end of there career when these performances took place it dosen't matter as they give it their all. Wonderful stuff. Thanks Evidence. I am now ready for 1966 through 1971! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A lot of blues for a very low price
An excellent selection of blues covering all styles. This 2-cd set contains a lot of great music and includes very good liner notes highlighting the songs and a brief history of the artists. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Blue Stones
A good but not consistent CD consisting of Rolling Stones' tunes as performed by blues artists. The blues is supposed to strike emotional chords with the anger and sorrow and self-mocking of its lyrics and tone, but this CD in several places falls short of this requirement. Or maybe it's because the Stones' biggest hits have become such standards that new expressions seem trite. Certainly "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by Junior Wells and "Honky Tonk Women" by Taj Mahal pale in comparison to the originals, while lesser known (to casual Stones fans at least) tracks such as "Sway" by Alvin 'Youngblood' Hart and "Heart of Stone" by Joe Louis Walker have a grit that brings a guttural reaction from the listener. In fact, "Heart of Stone" will remain on my play list for a long time, along with Otis Clay's wrenching "Wild Horses." I would have loved to hear "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Paint it Black" (ironic that that last is not on the CD given the CD's title), but ultimately I'm not too disappointed with the track selection.

One last thing. While I know the Stones still claim to be an active band, I think they should nevertheless put out a compilation CD of all of their best blues tracks, including both the hits and the obscurities. A full CD of the Stones playing their own raunchy blues would be a treat.

gots to have it
Some of the songs are done better than the originals (Sway, Moonlight Mile, Ventilator Blues). This cd is a must have for a Stones fan. Albert Collins? Johnny Copeland, Gatemouth Brown? It don't get no better! The Stones must have been truly flattered.

On the Cover of the Rolling Stones!
On this CD premier blues men like Luther Allison, Junior Wells, Johnny Copeland, Holmes Brothers and Taj Mahal cover some of the Best Rolling Stones Classics and adds it a twist of Blues. The first song on the CD seems to be the absolute best and the most refreshing - Luther Allisons version of the 1969 hit "You Can't Always Get What You Want". Sadly this version came to be Luthers Last studio recording ever, recorded short before his sudden death i 1997 - But truely at the Peak of his career.
An Overall great CD, worth buying for Luther Allison it self!

Umm....yeah!!!
Ok. Just think about this....

Stones? Blues? Rock 'n' Roll? What else do you need? Exactly, a nice beer and you are set. Enjoy this cd forever. It makes the blues and rock and country come together like never before. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is simply the best rendition of any song that I have ever heard. Unfortunatly I only have enough money to buy 1 for a present or else I would buy a thousand to give to everyone. It's perfect. As a Music Educator, a Music Theorist, and a Composer, this is the finest CD that one could ever buy. Enjoy!

Dim bulbs please take note
This is just a note for all the Stones fans who don't get the blues, or even the Stones, for that matter. Love in Vain IS a blues song, written by Robert Johnson. The Stones covered it (briliantly I might add), but they didn't write it. And the artists on this album already have well developed styles of their own. Real artists take something from someone else and make it their own, exactly as the Stones did with blues tunes. The complaints below might sound more valid if they were also complaining that the Stones cover of Love in Vain didn't sound the way Robert Johnson did it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A fine collection of train songs
This compilation relies heavily on country music but is not limited to that genre, as the inclusion of Howlin' Wolf (Smokestack lightning), Johnny Burnette (Train kept a-rolling), Junior Parker (Mystery train) and Blind Willie McTell (Broke down engine) proves.

The set opens with Merle Haggard singing My love affair with trains, a song written for him by Dolly Parton, who never actually recorded the song herself. It is an appropriate song for Merle, who has been a train enthusiast from an early age.

The singing brakeman (Jimmie Rodgers) is represented by Train whistle blues - not his most famous train song, but an excellent choice. Johnny Cash, who has also recorded many train songs, sings Blue train. Another prolific recorder of train songs, Hank Snow, is not represented directly but the Horse Soldiers do a fine cover of his Golden rocket.

This is an excellent collection of train songs, mixing the famous songs with the obscure, complete with interesting liner notes. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A tribute album that's not a tribute album--at least according to the text on the cover of this CD. In a way, that's correct, since Blues Power includes not merely artists who've been influenced by Clapton, but also artists who've influenced him. Many of these musicians' careers were positively affected by the advent of British blues and the blues revival of the 1960s--events in which Clapton played no small part. So it's fitting that Buddy Guy should appear here, and Bo Diddley, James Cotton, Honeyboy Edwards, and Pinetop Perkins. In addition, younger artists make an appearance, including Larry McCray, Carl Weathersby, Joe Louis Walker, Eric Gales, and Derek Trucks. And for the most part--as one would expect given the caliber of the performers--the material here is very strong. Standouts include Weathersby's hard-grooving take on "Lay Down Sally," Guy's version of "Strange Brew," Walker and Cotton's sexy "Roll It Over," and Perkins's wry "Too Bad." A few of the selections seem to be winks at the listener: for instance, Diddley covers his own "Before You Accuse Me," a song popularized by Creedence Clearwater Revival and more recently recorded by Clapton. The oddest of the lot, though, would have to be "Crossroads," one of the most covered blues songs ever, which Honeyboy Edwards here records in a style more reminiscent of Robert Johnson than of Clapton. It's moments like these that make this album as much a history as it is a tribute. Closing things off is, of course, "Layla," here reinterpreted by young guitar-slingers Gales and Trucks. The closing coda, while different from Clapton's original, perfectly captures its mood. While there are some weak moments--Koko Taylor tones down her characteristic roar for "Blues Power" for some reason--this is a strong album overall, exploring Clapton's strengths as a songwriter and as a bluesman through the eyes of contemporaries, predecessors, and followers. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Not A Tribute, But A Celebration -- And A Very Fun One
As it proclaims on the cover, "This ain't no tribute," and it ain't. In fact, it's the exact opposite. Clapton purists, and blues purists, will probably reject this with disdain. If so, they're missing out on a great CD. You're basic "tribute" album has lesser known artists doing note for note, unoriginal covers of a famous artist's work. Here, Blues legends (like Koko Taylor, Otis Clay, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, James Cotton, Otis Rush, and Pinetop Perkins), along with up and coming blues artists, celebrate Clapton's legacy by putting their own, special stamp on his songs. Bo Diddley's take on "Before You Accuse Me" (which is, of course, a cover of a Clapton song which itself was a cover of a Bo Diddley song), alone makes this CD worth buying. Other highlights include Koko Taylor's rendition of "Blues Power," Buddy Guy's take on "Stange Brew," and Eric Gales' surpsingly good cover of "Layla" (yes, "Layla"). There are a few throw-aways, and a little too much influence of the Blues Brothers (which seems to permeate everything put out by "House of Blues"), but in general it's very much worth the price of admission. Don't miss it.

any tribute
ive gave it three because of buudy guy(strange brew) and koko taylors(blues power} eric gale/derek trucks(layla)

Buy the real stuff instead
The comment above is right on. A mildy entertaining CD that I think Ill trade in for the much better Eric Clapton "Blues" double CD.

Many of Eric's greatest tunes performed superbly.
I love this album! Many of Eric's greatest tunes performed superbely (and mostly creatively) by other excellent artists. There's great guitar work here, even if it isn't Eric himself. My favorite Clapton tune, "Old Love", is done beautifully by Otis Rush. I was so happy to see this lovely, too often neglected, song on the album. Koko Taylor rocks on "Blues Power" and the guitar work by Chriss Johnson and Rico McFarland is fabulous. "Layla" closes the album! Eric Gales sticks very close to the original arrangement but without the fire ... until, just before the coda, Derek Trucks flies in and knocks you off your feet - I would have liked more of that. Personally, I could have done without "Lay Down Sally" and "Tears in Heaven" in favor of a killer "After Midnight". All-in-all, this is a wonderful album - excellent artists performing great songs. If you are an EC fan, buy it - you'll love it. And, it will hold you until July 27th when Eric releases a double CD Blues album.

Chicago Blues Greats Pay Homage to Clapton.
For God knows how many years, blues artists have been trying to make a buck writing and performing the music of thier heritage. Back in the 60's people like the Stones, Zepplin, Doors, Janis,and Clapton recognized this music for what it was, popularized it, putting starving blues artists on the map. Now it's time for these artists to capitalize on what they have been trying to achive for decades. Blues Power: Songs of Eric Clapton has achieved this. The production is slick. Songs like Larry McCrays miss you is an interpretation of the master that shouldn't be missed. Otis Clay's, Wonderful Tonight has sole and feeling that only someone who has lived the Blues can convey. Other artists on this compilation include Chicago Blues Greats such as Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Otish Rush and more. If you love the blues this is a must have. Give something back to the people who have given you so much. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This thing is huge. At 18 discs (that's nine two-disc sets, each of which has been previously released individually), the sheer size of this anthology is a little intimidating. But when you consider this set barely even scratches the surface of all the great blues that's ever been recorded, the sheer volume of the genre really hits home. Still, this definitely isn't a bad introduction for those unfamiliar with the blues; it boasts an array of regional styles and artists--one might find John Lee Hooker, Clifton Chenier, Buddy Guy, and Lonnie Brooks all featured on the same CD, for instance--as well as some necessary classics, making a solid guided tour for the neophyte. A die-hard blues fan probably has this stuff already (on vinyl, natch); the mix is about what you'd encounter on a really good blues-radio program. Included are Essential Blues, vols. 1-3, Essential Women in Blues, Essential Blues Guitar, and more. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Compilation!
This House of Blues compilation is mainly a blues primer for those looking to explore the many select and talented blues musicians. The set contains 9 discs consisting first of three volumes of "essentials" in no particular order. These disc's mix all aspects of the genre and feature such artists as Hound Dog Taylor, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Little Milton, Luther Allison, Magic Sam, Jimmy Reed and even a little James Brown. The next two disc's break the blues down into two of the more better known and easily recognized styles, Chicago Blues--featuring the likes of Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf and Little Walter-and Texas Blues-featuring Smokin' Joe Kubek, Lou Ann Barton, Gatemouth Brown and Lightnin' Hopkins. Then there are three discs each dedicated to a traditional blues instruments. You get Blues Guitar, Blues Harmonica and Blues Piano. Each of these three discs features individuals that have made those instruments popular among blues aficionados such as Elmore James, Muddy Waters, BB King and Bo Diddley on guitar, Charlie Musselwhite, Frank Frost and Junior Wells on harp and Pinetop Perkins, Roosevelt Sykes and Katie Webster on piano. Finally, you have one disc dedicated solely to the Woman of the Blues featuring, Marcia Ball, Nina Simone, Francine Reed and Ruth Brown. While there are many aspects of the blues not covered here, such as Mississippi Blues, Delta Blues, Country Blues, Acoustic Blues and many others, House of Blues did an exceptional job at collecting songs that will encourage listeners to seek out various performers and, ultimately new performers that have been influenced by the artists featured here. If you don't want to spring for the whole box, many of these discs are available for purchase individually in the House of Blues Series including one not in this box set, the excellent Smokey Blues featuring Mitch Woods, Charles Brown and Pee Wee Crayton.

Truly Awesome Collection!
My wife got me this set for Christmas last year because she knew I was interested in learning mor about the blues, but I didn't quite know where to start listening. Let me just say that there is not ONE bad song in this entire set. The diversity of songs and time periods is wonderful. You've got everything from early rural type blues to modern artists such as Robert Cray. There's something here for every blues lover! If you're looking for a set that'll expose you to "new" blues artists that you may not have heard and also some very well known blues masters, look no further. My only complaint about the set is that I wish there were better liner notes (some of the disks have NONE) and some indication of the chronology of the songs. Chronological order on each set would have been great. Nonetheless, this is a great set for someone just starting a blues collection or trying to find artists to buy other CD's by. You'll enjoy it I guarantee! ... Read more

Amazon.com

One would expect a label's two-CD collection, no matter how assiduouslypicked, to have some low points. It's inevitable, one might think; even the most selectiverecord labels have produced some duds. But on the 20th Anniversary Collectionfrom Blind Pig Records, such low points are non-existent. It's a testimony to the label'sexacting standards and the many reels of quality blues they've recorded over their first 20years. There's something for everyone on this set, from traditional acoustic blues (checkout Johnny Shines's rendition of "Blues Come to Texas"), to modern rockers (JimmyThackery and the Drivers' "Drive to Survive," for instance). Many up-and-coming artistsare featured here, including Deborah Coleman ("My Heart Bleeds Blue") and DebbieDavies ("Howlin' at the Moon"), counterbalanced with plenty of old hands such as CareyBell ("That Spot Right There") and John Lee Hooker ("Terraplane Blues"). There's evena rousing "La Vierge" from zydeco accordionist Al Rapone. All in all, while it's possiblethat not everything here will appeal to every taste, there's definitely something here foreveryone. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Blind Pig finds the truffles
Like with Alligator, you can't go wrong with the Blind Pig anniversary sets. This 2 cd-set jams all the way through. While some may not agree with every song selection, I think they did a great job of presenting a historical overview of their artists while presenting current songs also. A good set that blues lovers will want to own.

Disk 1: ****1/2 Disk 2: ***
This is a great introduction to the works of many important blues artists currently recording on the #2 blues label in the business at the present. It is a terrific value for a double cd containing 140 minutes of music and 36 tracks, costing less than $....

Disk 1 has some really excellent artists and songs. My favorites were by Coco Montoya (nice wailing, screaming guitars similar to Tinsley Ellis), Magic Slim and the Teardrops (ratchets Chicago blues up a notch for extra loudness and impact - great band live), John Lee Hooker (a slow, mournful accoustic version of Terraplane Blues), Joanna Connor (Very loud, aggressive yet precise slide playing, with excellent vocals. Joanna is the best female guitarist on the planet - she makes Tedeschi and Curfman sound like frightened children learning to play guitar), outstanding harp playing by James Cotton and the greatest blues guitarist ever, Luther Allison (although his Alligator Records recordings are superior. Actually, many of these artists have also recorded on Alligator, including James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, Junior Wells, and Pinetop Perkins). I was a bit disappointed by Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers' hit "Drive to Survive" as it wasn't really blues, but classic Southern rock and not as exciting as all the rave reviews claimed. The two tracks by the Gospel Hummingbirds and E.C. Scott were poor and designed for the NEXT TRACK button on the remote.

The second disk is really the B-side collection, both of Blind Pig's artists and their songs. Most of these songs are only moderately interesting blues numbers and they tend to blend in together unnoticeably in the background. The first track, by Studebaker John and The Hawks, was a good, hard edged boogie. The best song on the whole disk was the second, My Heart Bleeds Blue, by Deborah Coleman, featuring a great tune and extremely skilled and emotional guitar playing; I will definitely buy several of her CD's. I don't usually like Charlie Musselwhite (I find his voice too deep and dull) but surprisingly, I really enjoyed his Harpin' On A Riff. Preacher Boy's I Won't Be There was pretty interesting - sort of a combination of accoustic John Lee Hooker and R.L. Burnside with a stranger voice). I honestly can't remember any of songs 9-17(despite listening to the disk half a dozen times) and while a few of those songs were by well known blues musicians such as Eddy Clearwater and Big Walter Horton, the relative anonymity of the remaing artists is not likely to change, judging by their relatively tame, low keyed styles. Commander Cody's Let's Rock was quite a decent blues rocker and finished off the second disk on a high note.

I would recommend this disk because there are bound to be at least a handful of tracks here that will satisfy any blues fan regardless of the style of blues he or she prefers. I'm also betting that most purchasers of this disk will buy at least a couple of the albums from which the songs on this compilation were pulled (assuming they don't already own them). If you had to buy just one compilation CD, I would recommend either Alligator's 20th Anniversary or 25th Anniversary Collections over this one, as they are both more consistently enjoyable with very few fillers. I would rate this collection about even with Alligator's recent 30th Anniversary Collection, which is a slight downslide from the previous collections. Even so, this is a very solid double disk and I don't think many blues fans will have any regrets in purchasing this one.

BUY IT!
Outstanding blues cd. The only anamoly, in my opinion, is "Howlin' At The Moon," by Debbie Davies. Her voice, at least on this recording, is very weak in contrast to the music. Other than that, this is one of my favorite cd's and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For poor, rural Americans who lived in the first third of the century, the Great Depression just added insult to injury. The economic boom of the '20s skipped over many who worked the land. Volume one of this illustrative and entertaining two-CD series from Yazoo gathers songs recorded before and after the market crash of 1929. A few familiar names surface (Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Uncle Dave Macon), and a handful of songs may ring a bell (the Bentley Boys' "Down on Penny's Farm" provided the outline for Bob Dylan's "Hard Times in New York Town" and Ry Cooder revived Blind Afred Reed's "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live"). Most of this surface-scratched material, however, has been gathering dust for decades. It's good to have these tales of woe back in circulation, if only as a reminder that hard times can never be relegated to history books. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good album, skimpy notes
This CD is a good cross-section of rural depression era music. The highlights (IMHO) were "Hard Times Come Again No More" by the Graham Brothers and "Serves 'Em Fine" by Dave McCarn. There's not much more I can add about the music which has not been covered by other reviews. The liner notes, on the other hand, are skimpy at best. There is absolutely no discographical information, and only casual mention to even the years the songs were recorded in. Likewise, I found biographical information lacking. The CD is a great one to just toss in your car CD player on a road trip, but I'm someone who likes to know the precise time and place of an archived song so as to put it in its historical perspective. Likewise, I'm the kind of guy who listens to a song and says "Ohh! Who's that on fiddle?". I'm glad to have bought the CD, but I'll continue to mine catalogs of the likes of County records and Document records.

yet another welcome Yazoo reissue
The model for anthologies like this one is the classic HarrySmith "Anthology of American Folk Music," issued in 1952 andreissued in 1997 (by Smithsonian/Folkways). But of course the well of commercially recorded traditional music from the 1920s and 1930s is much deeper, and Yazoo's ongoing series of themed reissues, of which this is just the latest, continues to document the sounds of that golden age of homegrown music. "Hard Times," both volumes of it, dazzles us with treasures -- ballads, blues, gospel shouts, darkly comic songs -- set in frontier, mountain, Delta, and Depression landscapes and celebrating the resilience of human beings even in the worst of circumstances. A handful of songs will be familiar to old-time music buffs (e.g., the Bentley Boys' "Down on Penny's Farm," the Dixon Brothers' "Weaver's Life"), but most will be new even to experienced listeners. There's not a bad cut here. Keep 'em coming, Yazoo. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On Sunday mornings at Chicago's famous Maxwell Street open-air market, busking bluesmen would battle with hawkers, preachers, and dancers for coveted space. In 1964 filmmaker Mike Shea chronicled this bubbling scene for his landmark documentary And This is Free; in the process, he preserved stunning examples of raw, informal, gritty, undeniably urban blues, the best of which is included on these two revelatory CDs. Amazingly, legendary figures like Robert Nighthawk and Carey Bell were as likely to show up as any number of local gospel singers and blues pickers. Nighthawk's tenacious saw-toothed guitar work and Bell's swooping harp are well documented here, as is the work of lesser-known Chicago players like Johnny Young and Big John Wrencher. However, in this setting, the songs of obscure players like Arvella Gray, who performed solo with a Dobro, and the James Brewer gospel singers seem nearly as important. Rooster Blues's superb package includes incredibly detailed annotation, which does an admirable job in trying to sort out the correct players and songwriters, and crisp remastering--two things that the unauthorized Rounder single-disc issue lacks--plus a bonus third disc featuring young Mike Bloomfield's interview with Nighthawk. Like field recordings are to country blues, these street recordings are much more than mere music--they are compelling historical documents. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (3)

So, Arvella Gray,This IS Maxwell Street!!
I am grateful that, in my lifetime, fate has given me the opportunity to discover the pure talent and outstanding blues recordings in AND THIS IS MAXWELL STREET. In researching my family's history, I am overwhelmed by Arvella Gray 's (my father's only male sibling) significant contribution to this genre.

No suprise this was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award
At last! What a pleasure it is finally to see the original recordings from Mike Shea's 1964 Maxwell Street documentary "And this Is Free" available in the North American market (also now in Europe on the Catfish label as KAT3D1) with its in-depth liner notes in English for the first time-more than 60 pages! (these recordings first appeared in 1999 in Japan as P-Vine PCD 5527/28). Both this set from Rooster and the Catfish release are identical to the P-Vine release with the exception of the language of the liner notes and the addition of a third bonus disc, which contains the entirety of the 44-minute interview of Robert Nighthawk conducted by guitarist Michael Bloomfield as part of the "And This Is Free" documentary project.

And what extraordinary music it is. This disc contains the first known recordings of Carey Bell (who was about 28 in 1964). It contains one of the very few glimpses we have of Robert Nighthawk on the street. Highlights include his growling guitar work on "Cheating and Lying Blues;" some of the most extraordinary electric blues guitar playing ever recorded on "I Need Love So Bad;" Nighthawk doing the two songs that brought him his first real fame--"Annie Lee" and "Sweet Black Angel;" and a lively rendition of "Take It Easy, Baby." Not to be overlooked is fine harp work by Carey Bell, and perhaps the most dynamic and moving performances by one-armed harpist Big John Wrencher that were ever recorded. Here we also get gospel performances by James Brewer, a fine "John Henry" from Arvella Gray (so much livelier than the stiff version on the Swedish Radio tapes also recently issued), and rousing, raw gospel shouting from Carrie Robinson and other performers. Another highlight is two fine songs from Johnny Young. In short, this music captures the excitement of raw, live blues on Chicago's Maxwell Street in its heyday.

Interspersed between the songs are snippets of street preachers, hawkers, hucksters, and the voices of the musicians between numbers. We also hear car horns, conversations, street noise, and the enthusiastic shouting and clapping of the audience on tracks such as "Dust my Broom" and two jams that are perhaps the wildest, most spirited live blues performances ever captured on tape. The producers have attempted (and succeeded, in my view) to recreate the experience of a Sunday on Maxwell Street in the 1960s. Revel in it.

(...) "And This Is Maxwell Street" is the real thing. Don't confuse it with the Rounder disc. My advice is to take your Rounder version to the used record store and replace it with this one.

While this raw, raucous, record of the blues in the streets of Chicago will not appeal to casual listeners who want to turn on some easy background music and relax, it should make any serious blues fan sit up straight and listen hard. This is a slice of what the blues was really about during this period. The interview disc is icing on a very fine cake.

Highly recommended. Nominated this year for a W.C. Handy Award and surely the right choice for best historical release.

Maxwell Street Blues Box a Must
While efforts continue (bluesman Jimmie Lee Robinson has been on a hunger strike) to preserve the remaining portions of the historic Maxwell Street market area, Rooster Blues has released a three disc compilation, And This is Maxwell Street that presents music that was recorded as part of the making of the film, And This is Free. Some of the music from here was issued on Rounder on lp and cd as Robert Nighthawk, Live on Maxwell Street, which has been repackaged and reconfigured with a some previously unissued selections and including tracks attributed to J.B. Lenoir, Carey Bell and Johnny Young, The Rooster Blues has a full two hours of music and includes also selections from Little Arthur (Red Top/Ornithology which is deleted from the latest version of the Rounder); Big John Wrencher; Arvella Gray, Carrie Robinson; and James and Fannie Brewer. Additionally, Mama Talk To Your Daughter, credited to JB Lenoir on the Rounder is credited to Big Mojo Elem here. And there are several Nighthawk performances here that are not on the Rounder including a Dust My Broom that includes Mike Bloomfield on guitar (possibly being Bloomfield's earliest recordings). The full range of music here is quite powerful and entertaining including such selections as Nighthawk's updating of Dr. Clayton's Cheatin' and Lyin' Blues, the fervent gospel singing of Carrie Robinson as well as James and Fannie Brewer, street singer Arvella Gray's vigorous renditions of Corinna, Corinna and John Henry, and one armed harp wizard Big John Wrencher's Lucille. Several tracks spotlight Carey Bell, with I'm Ready perhaps being his first recorded vocal. Portions of vendors' sales pitches and street preachers' sermons are heard here as well. Providing some context to the recording. The Rounder has a portion of Mike Bloomfield's interview with Robert Nighthawk which is heard in its entirety (nearly 50 minutes) on the third disc of the Rooster Blues. My advance copy of the Rooster Blues lacks the booklet that should be accompanying it so I cannot comment on this aspect of the package, but because of the more complete reissue of this historic material, clearly is preferable, and a contender for vintage reissue of the year. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's just something about slide guitar when it's done right, and it's definitely done right here. Streamline Special is something of a history lesson, as well; everyone from Robert Johnson ("Preachin' Blues") and Blind Boy Fuller ("Homesick & Lonesome Blues") to Muddy Waters ("I Feel Like Going Home") to Taj Mahal, whose "Country Blues" rendition is one of the highlights of this collection. There's the deceptively down-tempo "Two Timin' Woman" from Casey Bill Weldon, and Bukka White's "Special Streamline," where he does a train sound with his guitar that puts Aerosmith's "Train Kept a-Rollin'" to shame. Allen Shaw really does moan on "Moanin' the Blues," and Tampa Red and Georgia Tom's "No Matter How She Done It" is a smart, sassy, and frequently hilarious song. This isn't a definitive collection by a long shot, but it's an excellent introduction to the expressiveness and versatility of slide guitar. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is a marvellous CD
I am afraid that any words used to express my fondness for this CD would be inadequate. Anyone who appreciates blues should pick this one up without question. And if ya don't love blues, pick this one up. You will certainly not regret it. All of the artists are shining examples of the best black blues, indeed the only blues. Simpley because there is no such thing as a worthy white blues man. ... Read more