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Edward Chmelewski just couldn't wait to sling the good blues slop around, so he's kicked off the quarter-century celebration of his label's founding a few months early with this blockbuster label overview: two audio discs and an all-video CD-ROM. Some longtime Pig followers will grouse because dependable old albums by Chicago blues gents like Otis Rush and Mighty Joe Young are slighted, and this reviewer will keep kosher rather than hear the songs of Bill Perry, John Mooney, and Chris Cain again, but there's much to enjoy here. Among the worthies representing the contemporary-blues camp are Deborah Coleman, Popa Chubby, Chris Thomas King, and Tommy Castro. The older generation is well represented well by Snooky Pryor, Magic Slim, George Harmonica Smith, and Muddy Waters.--Frank-John Hadley ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hog heaven
I bought this as a sampler for potential purchases of the musicians on the discs. This is a very fine collection of foot stompin jumpin dancin blues. very enjoyable to listen to. Great sound quality as well. A bargain...with plenty of ideas for other purchases.

A Fantastic Compilation!
Five years after its last anniversary release, the pig is back and this year, its phat! This compilation features Blind Pig recording artists, mainly with an emphasis on releases over the last 5 years. The exception being some older material from the likes of Muddy Water--"Honey Bee", George "Harmonica" Smith's--"Last Chance", Pinetop Perkins--"Ida B" and a couple of other notable legends. These artists are blended nicely with some outstanding contemporary musicians like Muddy Waters guitarist--Bob Margolin, Steve Miller's harpman--Norton Buffalo, Tommy Castro, former Nighthawk guitarist--Jimmy Thackery, O'Brother Were Art Thou's--Chris Thomas King, The son of Muddy Waters--Big Bill Morganfield and scores of others. Too many stanout tracks to list but check out the duet by Tommy Castro and Delbert McClinton "Don't Turn Your Heater Down" or John Mooney's "Gone To Hell" to get a taste of what this CD is about. As if this allstar cast were not enough, the Pig has included a CD-ROM that contains some very interesting material including off the cuff interviews with Muddy Water's and Snooky Pryor as well as gritty performance by Popa Chubby. I have not come across a finer compilation. I wonder what the Pig has in store for it's 30th anniversary?

Incredible collection at a superb price!
The history of Blind Pig really comes out on this collection. You can tell where the blues has been -- and where it's headed!
There are some of the great blues musicians - BB King with Arthur Adams, Tommy Castro (solo and with Delbert McClinton), Muddy Waters, Jimmy Thackery, and Coco Montoya. There are soon-to-be blues legends - Deborah Coleman, Popa Chubby, EC Scott, and Chris Cain. Each disc sounds like a radio show, with great transitions and flow. There are even out-of-print tunes by the Vipers and the Memphis Rockabilly Band.
This cd is great for people looking for an introduction -- and great for folks just looking to have all the greats on one collection. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the ten greatest albums of the 1990s
This is absolutely the most cohesive tribute album ever assembled, no doubt a result of Rainer's playing on most of the tracks. Throughout the album, Ptacek's National Steel slides and plunks along so thick you can almost taste it, and it's delicious. Brought together by Robert Plant and Howe Gelb, the album's contributors all do a magnificent job of adding their own souls to Ptacek's deeply personal music. Rainer Ptacek passed away a few months after the album was released, and this only adds to the haunting aura of the music. The last line of his statement of thanks in the liner notes reads, "I AM STILL REMAINING", and thanks to this collection, he will always remain a part of the heart of anyone fortunate enough to hear his songs.

Very worthy purchase, even if you don't know Ranier
I've never heard of this guy, but bought the album after hearing mention of him in articles on Giant Sand, Calexico, etc. Bought it just for the heck of it, and think it's a minor gem. The first six songs are sublime. Intelligent, quirky, serious, and a sweet group of artists.

The Best Tribute Album I've Ever Heard
This is perhaps the most amazing tribute album, but chances are that most people have no idea who Rainer Ptacek is. From hearing the songs on this album it's a damn shame. This tribute was put together by Howe Gelb of Giant Sand, along with help from Roger Plant. The songs on here are performed magnificently, and I would imagine that Rainer was quite proud of the out come. Giant Sand perfrom with Rainer on the track "The Inner Flame" that meshes Gelb's guitar methods perfectly with Rainers steel guitar, Plant & Page deliever an powerful version of "Rude World", Emmylou Harris gives us a preacher's ode with "The Good Book" that should be played in all Sunday schools, and Evan Dando of the Lemonheads delievers a heartwarming cover of "Rudy with a Flashlight". The album does stagnate a little towards the middle. However, PJ Harvey/John Parish/Eric Drew Feldman slam you awake with their thundering version of "Losin' Ground". The Drovers, in essence, become the song they do, "Worried Spirits", as they play misty and haunting melodies. The surprise tracks are LK with "I am a Sinner" and Jonathan Richman with "Broken Promises". This album is a great buy even if you have no clue who Rainer Ptacek is and if you're a fan of Rainer's you'll be happy with what the kids do with the songs. ... Read more

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The song titles tell the tale: "Bad Time Blues," "Starvation Blues," "No Dough Blues." The second volume of Yazoo's two-part '20s and '30s songs of insolvency series is every bit as involving and interesting as its 23-song affiliate. Artists renowned (Sleepy John Estes, Blind Blake) and remote sound off on the hardships many rural Americans endured up to and after the advent of the Great Depression. The subject matter is uniformly grim, but humor lightens the mood of many these tunes. "The poor are getting poorer / The rich are getting rich / If I don't starve I'm a son of a gun," Dave McCarn teases on "Cotton Mill Colic." Lengthy liner essays make the Hard Times discs all the more appealing for those with a partiality for both old-time music and Depression- era history. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (3)

NOT for the faint hearted
This is an 'acquired taste.' You'll need to have some prior experience with depression era lamentation style and actually enjoy that before you consider taking this trip. Uneven compilation of rare tracks from the 1930's with all the attendant technolgical glitches that implies. If you enjoy this sort of thing... then this is the sort of thing you'll enjoy!

Yeah I know... well how about this then: Do you prefer "authentic" ? This is the authentic stuff. This is Sour Mash cooked up in a copper kettle with a copper coil over a wood fire on a wooded mountainside... don't use no green wood - it makes too much smoke an' the G-men will see your hidey place. Still... Pass that jug.

contains many rare gems
The combination of black blues musicians and white songsters on the same CD is very interesting, but it does not make for coherent listening. As a blues fan I was surprised to find how there was a lot of mutual influence among white and black musicians in the South.
Most blues musicians in this CD are also great songsters - such as Blind Blake and Peg Leg Howell, but the blues of Barbecue Bob, Charly Jordan and Big Joe Williams have very little in common with any of the white songsters. I Would include songs by Furry Lewis, Blind Boy Fuller or Blind Willie Mctell instead - to add some coherence.
Nevertheless, there is plenty of good music on this compilation - from both songsters and bluesmen. I would recommend this CD to anyone interested in the Southern Songster tradition.

A Must Have
This CD along with volume 1 is a must have for fans of old time music. This music kind of gets your bones down in the dirt and puts shivers in your soul. ... Read more

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An entry in the blues-as-cultural-documentation archive, this recording, made in 1960, has been dusted off by Fuel 2000, although with little explanation. The CD booklet retains the original liner notes by Dr. Harry Oster, who recorded these performances by inmates at the Angola State Penitentiary in Louisiana. The notes themselves are interesting, not only for their anachronistic language, but for Oster's peculiar perception on the material. He tells you what the songs are about but not where they came from, despite the presence on this recording of several standards, like "They'll Miss Me When I'm Gone" and "Boll Weevil Blues." As those titles imply, the music is mostly country blues in the Mississippi Delta vein. The performances themselves are heartfelt and frequently of very high quality, although this particular album does not contain any discoveries (as opposed to Angola Prisoners' Blues, made at the same time, and featuring early performances by Robert Pete Williams).--Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Chicago blues of the first order. A definitive album!
A definitive album! It features songs by Johnny Shines and Johnny Young, both backed by Big Walter Horton (who takes center stage once, with Charlie Musselwhite on second harp, to blow the instrumental Rockin' My Boogie). These are some of the best recordings you'll find by any of these artists.

Horton is absolutely magnificent. There is no harp-man that gets a tone quite as full as Horton's, and he is at his best on this album. One listen will prove why this lesser-known bluesman is considered one of the Chicago harp masters along-side Little Walter and Sonny Boy. The first three notes he blows on Black Spider Blues will pierce your heart.

You will also be hard-pressed to find Johnny Shines sounding any better than he does here. It is not an exaggeration to say that Shines has a more capable voice than the majority of bluesmen and it is displayed in full power on this disc. Shines' Dynaflow Blues (an alteration of Robert Johnson's Terraplane Blues) is absolutely breathtaking.

Johnny Young is also in top form. His band on this album gets a very complete sound not found on most of his recordings. One More Time just plain rocks and Young's work with the mandolin on Stealin' Back is incredible.

Don't be fooled if you've never heard of these guys. These are bluesmen of the first order and they all perform to the best of their capabilities. This is the best album in the series (which is made up of two other excellent albums) and I'd say one of the best blues albums out there. Among my 100 blues albums this is one of my two or three favorites. ... Read more

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Alan Lomax received funding from Atlantic Records in 1959 to head into the Southeast with the latest in stereo field recording technology, and this set collects the original eight records issued as a result of that trek in 1961. The sound quality is brilliant, the performances uncompromisingly raw, vibrant, plaintive, and real--everything the Greenwich Village folk movement tried to be is encapsulated on these slices of rural sound. Because of its high fidelity and the immense character found within the performances, this is the Lomax document to own if you absolutely have to pick a single one. Deep delta slide blues, enthusiastic shape-note singing from the Sacred Harp song book, lined-out hymnody, children's songs, mountain bluegrass music, juke-joint barrelhouse blues--it's all here and much more. This is vibrant, pure American music at its finest. --Mike McGonigal ... Read more

Reviews (2)

details on which songs were used for what!
Moby uses "Green Sally Up" for Flower on Play: The B-sides, he uses "Joe Lee's Rock" for Find My Baby on Play, he uses "Sometimes" for Honey on Play, he uses "Trouble So Hard" for Natual Blues, "Love Rock"(not on this cd) for Bodyrock, and "Run On For A Long Time" for Run On.
How ironic.

Influenced Moby
Moby uses samples from Sounds of the South in his album, Play. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Shining Addition to Any Collection
The consolidation of record companies is generally bad, but this 3-CD box set was only possible because MCA acquired the rights to some outstanding early "race" record labels (Vocalion, Decca) and classy early R&B (e.g. Chess). The result is an intelligent, sequenced collection that is much more than a jarring, random assortment of songs by blues masters. Starting with the Delta blues, the mix seems subtly slanted in favor of bawdy, roadhouse-style blues performances--why it's the devil's music and you can't stay away from it. Whether it's Peetie Wheatstraw, Louis Jordan, John Lee Hooker or Etta James, these performances will seduce you. Good quality sound throughout (even the old stuff), with a handsome booklet.

An excellent blues collection
I own tons of blues CD's and records but I find myself going back to this collection over and over again. The songs represent some of the strongest recordings by the masters of the blues. Whether your interest is delta blues, piano blues, jump blues, Chicago blues or smooth urban blues; you'll find plenty to peak your ear. If you're lucky as I was, you'll find some unfamiliar and great artists to lead you down new musical roads. Some of my personal favorites are: That's No Way to Get Along - Robert Wilkins, What's the Matter with the Mill? - Kansas Joe McCoy, Floating Bridge - Sleepy John Estes, Mother Earth - Memphis Slim, It Serves You Right to Suffer - John Lee Hooker- just to name a few. Since I've got a 1,000 word limit in this review it prevents me from listing every great track on the collection and all the reasons you should purchase it. Suffice to say, buy it now and you won't be sorry!

Best Collection of Classic Blues!
I have purchased a lot of Blues recordings recently, but for a single purchase, this collection would be the best. It has the one or two most recognized songs from the most prominent Blues artists from 1927 to 1969, without the "scratches" of the old '78's!!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A treasure!
Anyone who enjoyed The Anthology of American Folk Music will love these Yazoo reissues. The nearly lost art of musical storytelling is preserved here in all its beautifully twisted glory. The entire set should be required listening in music classes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

AWESOME CHICAGO BLUES!
This series is awesome stuff. Some of the very best artists Chicago had to offer on this three CD compilation. Vanguard really hit a homerun with these releases. This series is a must have for all hardcore blues fans and neophytes alike. Get them all, you will love them. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Another Excellent Sony Retrospective
I heartily recommend this two disk set to enthusiasts and neophytes, alike. For some reason, the Amzn. site is showing only a partial list of the tracks. That's a shame, as it leaves out many of the real gems on the collection. Peruse the entire list below and you'll see what I mean:

CD1
1. Ezekiel Saw De Wheel - Fisk Jubilee Singers
2. Crazy Blues - Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds
3. Careless Love Blues - Bessie Smith
4. Frankie - Mississippi John Hurt
5. Lord I Can't Just Keep From Crying - Blind
Willie Johnson
6. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today -
Washington Phillips
7. Sitting On Top Of The World - The Missi-
ssippi Sheiks
8. Blues Before Sunrise - Leroy Carr & Scrap-
per Blackwell
9. If You See My Saviour - Thomas A. Dorsey
10. Broke Down Engine - Blind Willie McTell
11. Mister Tom Hughe's Town - Leadbelly
12. Cross Road Blues - Robert Johnson
13. Key To The Highway - Big Bill Broonzy
14. Nine Foot Shovel - Joshua White
15. Cowboy's Lament - Burl Ives
16. Me And My Chauffeur Blues - Memphis Minnie
17. Swing Down Chariot - The Golden Gate
Quartet
18. Dere's A Man Goin' Round / I Know De Lord -
Paul Robeson
19. Baby Please Don't Go - Big Joe Williams
20. Hard Day Blues - Muddy Waters
21. I'll Never Forget - Ira Tucker & The Dixie
Hummingbirds
22. I'll Fly Away - The Trumpeteers
23. I Will Move On Up A Little Higher - Mahalia
Jackson
24. Greenfields - The Brotehrs Four

CD2
1. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
2. The Patriot Game - The Clancy Brothers &
Tommy Makem
3. Green, Green - The New Christy Minstrels
feat. Barry McGuire
4. We Shall Overcome - Pete Seeger
5. The Sound Of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
6. Death Letter - Son House
7. Little Boxes - Malvina Reynolds
8. Will The Circle Be Unbroken - The Staple
Singers
9. Suzanne - Leonard Cohen
10. Going Up To The Country, Paint My Mailbox
Blue - Taj Mahal
11. These Days - Tom Rush
12. Mean Mistreater - Johnny Winter
13. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - Willie Dixon
14. Blue River - Eric Andersen
15. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
16. Romeo's Tune - Steve Forget
17. Pride And Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughan And
Double Trouble
18. Steady On - Shawn Colvin
19. Galileo - Indigo Girls
20. Stand Still - Shirley Ceasar feat. John P.
Kee
21. Every Morning - Keb'Mo'

BEK

An absolute must for any true fan of American Blues and Folk
This album is so good it's unbelievable; It's such a great listening experience. I especially love the rendition of
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken" by The Staple Singers it carries so well and the emotions come through.

There are so many great songs on this album for true fans of classic blues and folk that I would almost venture
that it has no equal. The 60-page booklet is a nice added bonus, plenty of insight into the artists and songs.

If you have never really listened to bluesy folk music, give this disc a try. I definitely recommend adding this album
to any collection of American folk and blues recordings.

Another great entry in the series!
The entire series put out by Sony, "Soundtrack for a Century" is a wonderful enterprise, especially if you love historical curiosities as well as great hits. From the rare to the very popular, each volume brings a wealth of great music.

This particular volume is a curious mix from turn of the century gospel and blues to the folk music of The Clancy Brothers and the New Christy Minstrels. If you are a fan of the Clancy Brothers, nopte that there is an error in the liner notes. The notes say it is Tommy Makem singin "The Patriot Game" while in fact it is Liam Clancy.

While it is hardly a "soundtrack for the century" since it only contains artists who recorded for labels in the Columbia family, this volume and all volumes is a very valuable addition to a complete music library. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent collection of lesser-known Mississippi bluesfolk
If you feel like you've exhausted all the Delta and Mississippi blues from Patton to B.B., listen to this. This disc contains many of the only recordings by obscure, but no less talented, artists of early country acoustic blues. You may have heard Geechie Wiley's "Last Kind Word Blues" on the film *Crumb.* If you saw the film, the song has probably haunted you ever since. Worth buying for that track alone.

Indispensable
Compared to the giants of delta like Charley Patton and Robert Johnson, the artists on this album are relatively obscure, but it is due more than anything of the random aspect of the destiny. With have Garfield Akers recorded as many sides as Chambre of wire (which did not record many commercial discs of pre-war period, but which appreciated a modicum fame during the rebirth the blue ones of years ' 60), it would have the respect which it deserves (I think it is better a guitarist than the Room). The same ones can be known as of any of the artists on here (not to mention many artists for the past several thousand years, but to think of that inserts too much). The inclusion of 6 ways above here by women cannot seem substantial, but it rather quickly becomes clear that the women were of importance equal for the men in the respect to blue of Mississippi (and, heu, of you know, the life and the basic rights and very which), and they more amply had been recorded, they would be regarded just as powerful of a musical force. Why the hell didn't record the value of hours of the airs of Geechie Wiley when they had the chance? How could they take it for granted? It is tragic, if you find this kind of tragic thing. If Wiley had just recorded a LP' S-value of material, it would be considered more significant than the evil of John, as single as the jump James, perhaps even while significant like Charley Patton. Ouais, I said it. I do not exaggerate. Unfortunately, it left only one handle on sides (the most included here) for the posterity, if the posterity exists in its case. The guitar playing and singing here is brilliant through and through, and the noise of these 78s is excellent (except, unfortunately, blue head of work "without mother of Elvie Thomas of child," which has the heavy external noise). The notes of covering are excellent, certain better notes of covering for an album of Yazoo. If you stumbled in this page for any reason, and clearly you have, you must buy this CD that you will not regret it. But if you regret it, do not carry not felt sorry for to me about it.

A Great Collection of Lesser-Known Bluesmen (and Women)
I LOVE this CD! After you've been through all the Skip James, Son House, Charley Patton, and Robert Johnson, this is a great place to go. I was pleased to find the haunting Geeshie Wiley song "Last Kind Words" that was used in the documentary "Crumb". Also here is "Outside Woman Blues" covered by Eric Clapton in his Cream days. A great collection with great notes, Yazoo does it again!

Excellent overlooked early blues
This wonderful collection contains many relatively obscure but quite good examples of pre-war delta blues. Particularly noteworthy, in my opinion, are both tracks by Blind Joe Reynolds and the uniquely paced "Bullfrog Blues" by William Harris. ... Read more

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Blues 'n' Rhythm Story devotes two discs to four regions--the Midwest, Southwest, West Coast, and East Coast. Featured artists range from the acclaimed (Professor Longhair, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jay McShann, "Cleanhead" Vinson, Dinah Washington) to the wayward. Nevertheless, the overall quality is remarkably high. The 88-page booklet helps put the music in perspective. This isn't a modest investment for a collector, but it's certainly among the elite of the R&B collections yet assembled. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An absolute must for R&B fans!!
This INCREDIBLE 8-CD set covers all of the Mercury blues, R&B and jump music from post-WWII -- the music that laid the foundation for the rock 'n roll revolution of the late '50's. The set is divided by geographic styles; West Coast, Southwest, East Coast and Midwest. There are many artists featured who are all but unknown today, but were popular in the club sub-culture and with returning GI's. I love the small orchestral arrangements of fast, jumpin' blues, boogie, and R&B tunes. The lyrics in many songs are hilarious, and demonstrate the subconscious relief of ending the world wars. Anyone who is remotely interested in R&B and the foundations of rock HAS to get this set. It's expensive, but worth every single penny. I've been listening non-stop since the set arrived, and I walk around all day with the jumpin' and jivin' tunes in my head! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Makes you want to dance
This is one of the best collections of blues swing music I have found.You can't help but tap your toes, snap your fingers and start dancing. Roadrunner, If I Don't Dance, and Doctor Doctor are great for West Coast Swing dancers. I highly reccommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of those things that....
if people gave it half a chance, they'd thoroughly enjoy it. The voices and music are raw, soulful....defiant almost. Tunes about tough times, especially for a woman, sung by obviously tough ladies. Likewise, tough, raw, emotional voices. Some of these tunes are incandescent with intensity: St. Louis Bessie's "Meat Cutter Blues" is as confident in its dreams of illicit sex and Lucille Bogan's "Sloppy Drunk Blues" is sad in its loneliness and alcoholism.

Give these tunes whatever spin you like....but the basic notion is that these tunes will touch something in you....and you'll tap your foot at the same time.

Marvelous
Yazoo continues it's line of priceless collections made from nearly extinct 78's with this stunning set of sensual, deep soul sides. The sound quality has been masterfully restored - no easy feat considering the rarity and age of these finds. The intimacy of these piano masseurs - Pinetop Sparks, Roosevelt Sykes, and Cow Cow Davenport - and their women gives me goosebumps sometimes, sometimes it just makes me sigh. Sexy, warm, unbelievably artful - this music will make you wonder what the hell happened to music and why it hasn't been THIS good in fifty years. Great late night listening, makes drinking alone a very desirable thing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent mixture of great blues harmonica artists
A lot of times when one purchases a blues recording, the tunes are all in the same style and sound the same. This is a great CD that mixes it up a bit, with harmonica greats from Little Walter to Rod Piazza. It is a great way to sample a lot of different artists and then buy more CDs once you know who you like. I hope House of Blues puts out another collection similar to this. Very enjoyable. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I'm Hooked on Chicago Blues
This disc and its companion (1957 to 1967) introduced me to some great music. I already owned cd's by a few of the Chess artists, but these discs opened my eyes to others. Etta James knocked me out on 1957 to 1967; How could I have overlooked her for all these years? I put her box set on my wish list! All of the Chess 50th Anniversary discs enjoy excellent sound quality, especially considering the age of the tapes used. I was especially impressed by the sound of the lates 40's and early 50's material. I have never heard anything from the 40's that equals the sonics of the 40's songs on this disc, and I have many old jazz discs from that era.

4½ stars - a great starting point for the curious
Opening with blues legend Muddy Waters' first hit, "I Can't Be Satisfied", "Chess Blues Classics: 1947 To 1956" collects 16 blues numbers from the late forties and early-to-mid fifties.

It doesn't offer anything of interest to the seasoned blues fan (who probably has all of this material already), but if you're a newcomer and would like to explore the world of classic Chicago blues, this CD is a really good place to do it.

The compilers have picked some great songs, particularly Sonny Boy Williamson II's superbly swaggering "Don't Start Me To Talkin'", Little Walter Jacobs version of "Blues With A Feeling", Muddy Waters' "I Just Want To Make Love To You", pianist Eddie Boyd's classic slow blues "Twenty-Four Hours", the thumping proto-rock of Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man", and the awesome Howlin' Wolf's eerie 1956 single "Smokestack Lightnin'".

This is prime rib; it's only a little slice of what Chess Records have to offer, but it gives you a very good idea of what you're in for if you decide to go down the blues road. In time you will probably want to go looking for albums by the individual artists, but until you do, "Chess Blues Classics" and its companion volume "Chess Blues Classics 1957-67" is as good a starting place as any, and better than most.
(If you're looking for your first blues purchase, you may also want to check out the excellent double-disc "Chess Blues Guitar".)

Essential recording for both Blues purists and casual fans
OK, how can a true blues fan not purchase this album? If you're clinging to the Delta sounds of Robert Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson, this compilation is worth hearing. When Muddy Waters moved to Chicago in 1943, he single-handedly gave birth to electric blues. This is the blues here that has directly or indirectly influenced ALL blues music today, as well as helping create the birth of Rock N' Roll. There is no shortage of great talent on this album. Sure, all the usual suspects are present on this album; Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Willie Dixon, but the album also gives wonderful introductions to Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, and Sonny Boy Williamson, among others. Here is the first hand experience of the earliest of electric blues - Chicago Blues.

Sadly, the stellar efforts of these bluesmen would come to prominence by way of versions performed by The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Clapton and Hendrix. Now, true Chicago Blues can be heard in all its aching glory. And lastly, would it really seem like old school blues if it wasn't in mono? I think not. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Worthy Tribute To A Great Bluesman
I think anyone with a passion for 'Dog ought to have this. Anyone comparing the CD to Hound Dog's own work has to first specify whether the comparison is to 'Dog on LP or 'Dog live. Live, nobody could do his songs the way Hound Dog Taylor did them. In part, this has something to do with the fact that few people could consume the amount of alcohol 'Dog did between sets and still hold onto the guitar. But in the studio, 'Dog's output was decidedly inconsistent. If we're comparing this to almost any of 'Dog's studio recordings, it holds up really well.

Highlights to me are Luther Allison's romp through "Give Me Back My Wig" and Elvin Bishop's amusing (and accurate) tales of playing in 'Dog's band. But there is not a real stiff cut here. All concerned show an genuine affection for 'Dog's underappreciated work. For someone like me who saw 'Dog live many times in the '70's, this is like a letter from a long lost friend. I still miss him.

no tribute here
looked forward to this album having been a fan of houndog's for years. Very dissapointed, no one creates the atmosphere thaty houndog created, he was one of a kind, maybe not the most talented but managed to produce a rawness that was second to none. he must be looking down and laughing at these so called artists and laughing. stick to the originals for the best.

Solid, well-intentioned fun
A Hound Dog Taylor tribute album filled primarily with other Alligator Records artists is a sound idea, because there would be no Alligator without Hound Dog. It's to the credit of each artist here that he manages to sound like himself and not like a Hound Dog imitation. And it's to our benefit that those artists include titans such as Luther Allison and Magic Slim. Sometimes they reach too far afield, as if they're trying to show how far Hound Dog's songs will stretch (Vernon Reid's acoustic number is tasty playing, but electricity was the very soul of Hound Dog's art). All-round, though, the performances range from very-good to excellent, most of Hound Dog's best songs are covered, and it's a great treat to hear George Thorogood sounding like his old indie-label self. (Special mention has to be made of the cover by Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials: one of the hottest, finest blues performances in years!) ... Read more