Amazon.com

Keb' Mo's 1995 Grammy-winning eponymous debut firmly lodged the Los Angeles-born singer-guitarist in the contemporary blues pantheon. His sophomore effort, Just Like You, is slick in comparison to the virtuosic, bare-bones Keb' Mo', but it's nevertheless an irresistible and accomplished album. While songs such as "Perpetual Blues Machine" and "You Can Love Yourself" are classic Mo', with their canny lyrics and facile slide and acoustic guitar licks, the sapfest "Just Like You" (with guests Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne) and the clichéd "The Action" are hard to stomach. Toward the end of the disc, however, the gospel-laced "Hand It Over" and folksy "Momma, Where's My Daddy" restore the faith, displaying once again Mo's marvelous talent for wrenching the heartstrings with simply his voice and soulful steel-guitar manipulations. --Rebecca Robinson ... Read more

Reviews (35)

If Robert Johnson Were Reincarnated...
I'm a professional writer and I haven't the words to express how much this album moved me. I'm not a blues snob. I know some people who say that Keb' Mo' is not the authentic article. All I can say to that is, I DON'T CARE!!!. He's genuine enough for me and thousands of other music lovers who get pleasure from the sound of his wonderful voice, the way he strums that guitar and banjo and plays the harmonica. I love him! I own all three of his compact discs now and as soon as he comes out with another one, I'll be right there to buy it...As Soon As I Get Paid.

Just Like Us....
Well, Keb Mo may claim to be just like me and you, but... well, let's face it, if we all had this guys amazing voice we would live in one talented society (not to mention me having a man's voice would be extremely odd ;-) ). I would be the first to admit, I am not a blues fan. Just doesn't do it for me. But from the first time I heard this album, I just loved it. There are some fantastic tunes on this album, including That's not Love, Just Like You, I'm on Your side, Dangerous Mood, the Action, Hand it Over, and my all time favourite, More than one way home (okay, i've listed just about the whole album...). If you want something smooth and soulful to listen too, then Keb Mo is your man. I think any Babyface fans out there would enjoy this work too.

A Great Blues Album
Keb' Mo' is one of those musicians who hits you like a punch to the solar plexus. The first time I heard him, I was absolutely floored. Obviously a student of the great Delta Blues masters, Keb' Mo' also is a child of our times as well and he effortlessly blends older styles of Blues with modern production and arranging.

On this CD, Keb' Mo' plays like he spent his entire life in the Mississippi Delta as well as spending his summers in the inner city. The production is lavish without being over-produced. His singing is first-rate, not too much, not too little, just right. His guitar playing is wise beyond his years and the harmonica playing is exactly right for the music that he plays.

I definitely recommend that you give this CD a listen.

AWESOME
In my own twisted mind I think that at least 7 of the songs here are hit. My favorite song on this CD is "The Action", because the lyrics sum up feelings that everybody has for that special someone in their life. Other stand out songs here are,"That's Not Love", Dangerous Mood", Standin' at the Station","Perpetual Blues Machine","Momma Where's my Daddy". On a few of his CD, Keb has done covers of Robert Johnson and his cover of "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" would do RJ proud. If you are a true music fan, I dont think that you will be disappointed adding this to your collection.

Great music to listen to
OK, at least 9 of these songs are bona fide hits in my own twisted mind. My favorite song on this disc is "The Action" just because it sums up the feelings for that special person in your life. Not to be outdone, here are some other outstanding tracks on this CD, "Thats Not Love", "More Than One Way Home, "Standin' At The Station", "Dangerous Mood" and " "Momma, Where's My Daddy". I have noticed that Keb had done a few Robert Johnson covers on a few of his CD, and his version here of "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" is an excellent song. Also you can't pass up listening to the title song, if you do you will be missing a great song. If you are a true music fan, this is a must to add to you collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

New Jersey native and California resident Trout is an established guitar star in Europe and he capitalizes on that fact on "Relentless," ripping through a live session of original material in front of an enthusiastic Amsterdam audience. Trout, as the title states, is a relentless guitarist with an aggressive and energetic style. On his seventh album he and his backing trio the Radicals deliver another solid, if admittedly sometimes less than sensational, exercise in well-played rocking blues, with the emphasis on rocking. Trout paid his blues dues working with John Lee Hooker, Canned Heat, and John Mayall but his hard and heavy sound is rooted in rock guitar showmanship. Fortunately he has the licks to keep it interesting, although when things get too frantic, such as on the overkill album closer "Mercy," it's difficult to discern the blues base of the music. Trout does slow down briefly, turning in the short acoustic tune "Lonely Tonight," but for the vast majority of the time the music is loud, lively, and barely blue. --Michael Point ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Trout Man Hooks a Winner
Although I am one of those so-called blues "purists" people talk about, makes me a now hard-won fan of Mr. Trout.

Of course, great guitar work, good songs, especially because they are "originals" and come from the heart.

Thanks for baring your soul to us through your music, Walter. Thoroughly enjoyable album which I have joyfully added to my Blues collection of CD's which gets frequent play.

ONE OF THE BEST,,EVER!!!!!
WALTER TROUT IS THE BEST UNKNOWN OR KNOWN GUITER PLAYER IN THE WORLD!!!I HAD A CHACE TO SEE AND MEET WALTER IN PERSON...TO WATCH AND HEAR HIM IN PERSON WAS INCREDIBLE...ALL OF HIS CDS ARE A MUST HAVE..THIS ONE IS NEAR THE TOP

Where did he come from?
Holy cow!
Walter can play and smoke is coming off his guitar!
Don't pass up on this one.

Good gitar playin.....but no Blues passion.
I had never heard of Mr Trout before spying this DVD on Amazon. I purchased it and am sorry to say he does not provide an inspiring blues performance. He is a very good Guitarist with a very good band, but their stage presence is not very inspiring.

Buy this if you like him, don't buy it if you are looking for a great blues experience.

Relentless
This cd captures Walter at his absolute best. From start til finish you can really feel every song deep down, in every note Walter plays and every word he sings.A stand out track for me is "Cry If You Want To", a song which Walter wrote fo his son. It is beautiful and moving. "I'm Tired" is a powerful song with exciting guitar playing and strong backing. I love the way in which this cd has been recorded, capturing both the benefits of the studio and live performance. This is yet another outstanding release from Walter Trout and the Radicals. Relentless is a must have. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 1998

Opting for simplicity this time around, B.B. King gets by with a little help from his excellent backing band, producing an album that's evocative of the Louisiana countryside where it was recorded. After over half a century in the business, King knows what he's about: he makes playing good blues sound easy, and every track on Blues on the Bayou is a treat. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (65)

"Clearly & Unequivocally, this is by far B's best-to-date"
I will never forget the evening of November 7, 1998, as I left the Palace Theater in Columbus, Ohio...I had the best front row seat of my life, which placed me just five (5) feet away from the "KING" as he and his band emotionally played all the cuts from "Blues on the Bayou". Let me say this, I have seen "B" play many times, but his current band is the "tightest" group i've ever witnessed and it left me mesmerized that evening. Therefore, I highly recommend his latest,"Blues on the Bayou" -- the recording by MCA records is of the highest quality possible, and so are the tunes! If you do not currently own any of B's Albums and you buy this one, rest assured, you now own his best, period!

Sincerely, Gary L. Foley, Columbus, Ohio

A bit too slick and unvaried
Recorded in four days with his regular road band, "Blues On The Bayou" includes no duets, no guest stars, and no unintentionally funny cover versions of pop songs. Just fourteen B.B. King originals, a version of T-Bone Walker's "Mean Old World" which King shamelessly credits to himself, and a loose and relaxed approach.

B.B. King produced this album himself, for the first time in his 50-year career, and the result is pretty good, although "Blues On The Bayou" is somewhat slicker and more polished than I would have liked (but then again, King never aspired to be Muddy Waters).

Among the best songs are the slow, soulful "I'll Survive" (definitely NOT the Gloria Gaynor single, but rather a discreet rip-off of Tampa Red's classic "It Hurts Me Too"), the swinging "Shake It Up And Go" (which is actually a slightly altered take on "Bottle Up And Go"), the funky instrumental "If That Ain't It I Quit", and the slightly jazzy "Good Man Gone Bad", which features some excellent piano playing by keyboardist James Toney.

I would certainly have preferred a bit more grit and a little less of the very synthetic sounding organ and the equally synthetic string orchestra, and the many slow songs all sound more or less alike, but that's contemporary blues for you, I suppose.

If your idea of what electric blues should sound like is Howlin' Wolf and Elmore James, stay FAR away from this album.
But if you prefer your blues from the decanter rather than the bottle, you'll probably like it just fine.

Louisiana Loungin'
At the time of this recording, BB King was 73 years old. He and his road-tested band cut these tunes in Lafayette, LA. Overall, "Blues on the Bayou" is as pleasant as an ice-cold Jax on a lazy summer day. This is a good, accessible CD to expose novices to the blues. But it is a little too refined. One reviewer aptly describes "Blues on the Bayou" as blues from the decanter, not the bottle. True - this ain't RL Burnside or Howlin' Wolf. But it is light years better (and more sincere) than anything that poser Slowhand has done since Cream disbanded. Plus, how can you not like the grandfatherly BB? If only I am half as cool as The King when I'm 73.

BB'S THE BOSS!
This is the greatest blues album ever! Mastered by the greatest blues performer ever, BB King. This album has such an easy feel to it. The band is so together and BB, well, what can you say about the man, the performer, the singer, the guitar player. Words can't describe him. He's a national treasure and proves it on this disc and so many others he's cut over his great career. It always makes me upset when they give the title of "superstar" to some of these no talent bums who permeate today's music industry. BB truly is a superstar and proves it every time he plugs in Lucille and open's his mike with that wonderful, powerful, soulful voice. Long live the King!

He is the greastest (B,B King)
While reviewing B B Kings music Muddy Water. My elderly relative was so delighted to here some music she used to listen to in her younger years. Cousin Hazel, replied to me that she used to be one of his fans. His music put a bright light on her face. Being Handicapped and not able to see. While listening to his greastest hits you really could not tell the different. BB Kings, live forever in one of his 76 year old fan.

Best At Being A King B,B, KING
from your fan
Nancy ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 1999

With a gently self-assured voice and a guitar style like quiet water, Kelly Joe Phelps does imbue his music with a certain Zen-like quality. There's something quite meditative about Shine Eyed Mister Zen, especially on the song "River Rat Jimmy," which evokes a contemplative mood. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (23)

This record actually deserves 6 stars
For the longest time now, I've given up on the blues as a developing, growing field of music. It is extremely easy to play the blues badly, very difficult to do it well. And until I heard Kelly Joe Phelps live, I'd thought absolutely impossible to actually be an innovator in the field of blues.

Hadn't it all already been done as well as it could be done? Well, listen to any of the songs above and you'll see what this man has been able to do for the blues. Perhaps most amazingly of all, not only does he make blues classics seem at once fresh but also as ancient as the hills, but he writes new tunes which fit seemlessly into the long tradition of blues songs. From his amazing acoustic guitar playing (it escapes description with words) to his lyrics to his voice (which also escape description). And as good as his records are, his live performances are not to be missed. Find out where he is playing and go there immediately.

Intense and beautiful
Kelly Joe Phelps plays blues guitar like nobody else I've ever heard. His guitar playing is a highly unconventional, intense, sometimes furious, lyrical, almost freeform backdrop to his stories. Fascinating to watch him, hunched over the guitar laid on his lap, seemingly lost in his own little world.

The voice that tells the stories is smoky, also intense, focused. The songs on this album seem mysterious (like the title of the album) at first because you don't hear the lyrics for a while, just the words - but the words seem interesting and emotive all by themselves, even when you haven't tuned in to the meaning.

Tuning in is an essential part of listening to this album. You won't get to know the songs unless you listen a few times. Probably many times. Then the rapid-fire guitar starts to make sense, you begin to hear what he's saying, and you'll start to really enjoy it.

EZ Blues
If you are the kind of listener who likes blues of an easy and acoustic type, then this is the one for you. I would rate Kelly
Joe Phelps right up there with Keb Mo in talent and taste. What
a great find this was!

Blazing a path to greatness.
There's defintley something special going on here. KJP 1st CD "Lead me on" was just great blues, with flashes of Phelps songwritting poweress. "Roll away the stone" was a real eye oppener, much more then just "White boy plays the blues". It Combined Elements of Gospel and Country Blues, and it created a feel that was fresh, like you just heard this type of music for the 1st time, which is rare for that genre. On his 3rd release, "Shine eyed mister Zen" It's obvious Phelps has continued a rare and beautiful path, that only could be discribed as greatness. Form the opening trac, "House Carpenter"
to Final trac, "Good nite Irene", the CD pulls you and never lets you go. The playing in pure and awe inspiring, The Songwritting is mystifying, and the singing is Haunting. Phelps has raised the bar with his songwritting, which grows more impressive with each relase. "River rat jimmy" is a song about boyhood friends growing up near the muddy Puyallup river. When you listen to it, it's like running a 8 millimeter movie of your childhood through your mind as Phelps sings about he different characters, "jimmy", "joehsapht", and "Drunken dads" and "copping cans of beer" we've all been there, and Phelps brings it all back with a soft intensity that is powerfull and awesome. Some of the other tracs like the self portait "capman bootman" The playing goes beyound blues, and feels more like Jazz/classical, except for the fact it simply cooks, keep up if you can. This Disc places Phelps among the all time guitar greats. I can't think of any other CD that comes close. "Katy", "Many a time", "House Carpenter", all have awe inspiring playing. Kelly Joe has started down a path to greatness, The best is yet to come, and when you think about where he has been and where he is at now, that is indeed exciting for all of us listeners.

The New Guitar Great
This album is an unbelievable mesh of soul, felling, and blues. KJP is one of the great contemporary guitar artists. I feel in love with him the second I heard his lap steel sound. Ive had the honor of seeing him three times and each time I hear him whether it be live or on disc he gets more amazing. I highly recommend this album along with "Lead Me On". These are some of the best albums of this generation. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The veteran singer/guitarist returns to his roots with a stripped-down trio following the textural experiments of 2003's David Hidalgo-produced Ready for Love and his heralded 2001 collection of Tom Waits songs, Wicked Grin. Every choked note and moaning phrase of his voice rings with total commitment to numbers made famous by Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, andBob Dylan, including a version of Wolf's "Evil" that gets extra menace from Stephen Hodges's thunderous, impulsive drumming. That's how it should be. For the last 42 years, Hammond's made his career as an energetic interpreter of songs rather than as a writer. Nevertheless, the tunes he penned for this set--the title cut and "Come to Find Out"--fit comfortably among the classics. They explore love and lamentation in acoustic settings using Hammond's voice, guitar, and harmonica; MartyBallou's upright bass; and Hodges's rim-slapped snare to kick up Delta dust. Fans of Hammond's guitar, muted on his other recent releases, will dig his versatile six-stringing--especially his laid-back virtuosity on slide acoustic andresonator guitars. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more

Reviews (2)

More Classic Blues Done Right....
Another fine record by John Hammond.. 12 songs.. 3 of them, well written songs by Hammond..With only a Bass and Drums playing with him the music is sparse and done with feeling. Maybe I take JH for granted but I have to admit after a few listens, it sounds like more of the same and lacking some spark. Unlike say Wicked Grin which was produced by Tom Waitts, I consider a Dessert Island Disc and would give 5 stars for creativity and a high energy performance.Also be warned it has copy protection on this CD, which is all fine and good but when it opens the Player you have to use to lisen to it on your PC, it Locks up your computer.I tried running this application by itself on my work PC(new) it takes up 100% CPU..so you can't open a copy program..fine, but you can't open anything else either..I will not be wasting my money on any lame protection scheme like this ever on any CD by anybody..Its useless if you can't play it, no matter how good it may be.I am a Computer Tech.

Gritty Acoustic Blues
After a more than two dozen discs and a distinguished career as one of the foremost interpreters of classic acoustic blues, the turn of the century found John Hammond in danger of becoming a blues museum piece. His discs were all well done but it was difficult to distinguish any one from the others. That all changed in 2001 with the release of Tom Wait covers, Wicked Grin, which scored him significant cross-over success with its compelling interpretations of numbers that grew up outside the Mississippi delta. He followed that release in 2003 with Ready For Love which featured not only his first ever self-penned number but a new found energy that pushed the tracks beyond mere interpretation. This effort continues the hot streak. With covers by Percy Mayfield, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Ray Charles and others as well as two brand new numbers this disc bristles with energy. Hammond's well honed acoustic guitar chops and well traveled voice propel number after number into a new listening experience. Even numbers like Charles' classic, I Got a Woman, which has received lots of play this year as a result of the terrific movie Ray and its accompanying soundtrack, seem to have a vibrant edge. While too many acoustic guitar blues discs sound much the same from beginning to end, Hammond is by turns a jug band style national steel master, a soul cat, a folk balladeer and a gruff, ready to rumble bluesman. A great way to start out your blues year. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Doyle Bramhall certainly has impressive rock & roll connections. His father played drums for Lightnin' Hopkins; Texas-born Bramhall himself has served as guitarist behind Jimmie Vaughan in The Fabulous Thunderbirds and alongside Charlie Sexton and Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section, Double Trouble, in Arc Angels. However, anyone who buys Welcome looking for a companion piece to Texas Flood is likely to be sorely disappointed. This is defiantly unreconstructed rock & roll, all growling vocals, pounding four-square drums, and interminable guitar solos--matchstick models of sailing ships have been made in less time than it takes Bramhall to get from one end of "Thin Dream" to the other. It is done quite well, as these things go, and may find favor with fans of fellow blues-rock revisionists The Black Crowes. Ultimately, though, there's not much here that you wouldn't find in any truck-stop bar north of the Rio Grande and south of Chicago.--Andrew Mueller ... Read more

Reviews (39)

classic blues rock - up there with the best...
Ever since I heard the self-titled album "Arc Angels", I've been
hooked on both Doyle Bramhall II & Charlie Sexton. Many have labeled that album a classic - I must agree & "Welcome" gets my vote as well. It rocks! This guy has got the ability to start out with a slow ballad and ramp it up till it boils over... or just plain hit you in the head from the start. Songs like "So You Want it to Rain", "Thin Dream", "Cry" & "Green Light Girl", "Problem Child", "Helpless Man" - go ahead and name the song - classic stuff. I know he's been called just another Stevie Ray copy-cat, but I don't buy that... He's his own musician and doesn't copy anybody. Congratulations Doyle. Any chance for another album from
the Arc Angels? or Smokestack? Sign me up....

Bramhall- A unique talent
This CD has one tremendous track #3"Its a Beautiful Day For the Rain"is simply an exhilarating,awe-inspiring tune that like track #1"Green Light Girl" simply reminds me so much of Hendrix style rock/blues that it is a haunting sensation.There are several other fine tracks as well- these two show Bramhall's abilty- beautuful harmony and guitar solos are the highlights!!FYI,Bramhall's first solo CD, "Jellycream"is also an aquired taste but the longer I listen to it the higher I would rate it- On Jellycream track #2"Day Come Down" is Beach Boys harmony,and track #5 Jams-Also "Track #8 "In the Dream" is high premium blues/rock. Lastly, his work with my all-time favorite band,the ARC ANGELSfrom '93 is reall a credit to him also.Lately,summer 2001, he has done some fantastic work on the Double-Trouble CD,"Been a Long Time" that smokes!!This summer he will warm up for Clapton- in my opinion as a blues/rock guitaist he IS in a league with Hendrix,Clapton,SRV,and even James Burton. No oe sounds like Doyle,jr.When he plays,and Carlie Sexton sings-it is magic in my amateur ear.To really "mine for pure gold", listen to all these CDs and you may find that DBll is musical treasure. His style is hard to define(inegmatic) and you may have to lower the bass a bit on the Jellycream mix, but this guy takes guitar visions or concepts of where sound could and can go and turns them into realty. Very imaginative, and creative-give yourself some time to "catch on" but the ride is great.

Blues Rock Excellence
This is a complete album from top to bottom. It is a record that need to played entirely and enjoyed as such. Doyle's guitar work is fantastic and the band sounds as if they are having the time of their lives. Doyle's tone is amazing and wears his influenes with pride and acknowledges them, more so he put them in overdrive and takes them to new heights.

Sweet Momma
If you want to know who the best is...buy this album...the dude got a call from Clapton asking for lessons....I know that Clapton needs them, but to call this guy, man, that says something...

CHECK THESE OUT
Absolutely fabulous, if you like this and I think you will check out the following Arc Angels, Marching to Mars (Sammy Hagar)Coming Up (Free Parking) Ah Via Musicom (Eric Johnson) Disreli Gears (Cream) ... Read more

Album Description

Musselwhite recorded three critically acclaimed albums for Alligator Records during the 1990s. DELUXE EDITION is a collection of highlights from those releases, which are among the strongest of his entire career. Included on the new CD is a previously unreleased track from 1994 and a never-before-available home recording of legendary Memphis Jug Band member Will Shade (Charlie’s first mentor) and Musselwhite from the early 1960s.

With Deluxe Edition, fans can revisit the music that helped elevate Charlie to his current position as one of the blues’ greatest living legends. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great blues album! A must have!
I am SHOCKED that this album has only one review! Charlie Musselwhite is an award winning blues musician, one of the best blues players alive, one of the best harp players alive, and this is one of his best albums! It's fantastic!

I come home from work feeling crappy after being beaten up in the workaday world, and I put this on, poor a shot of tequila, and suddenly the world is alright again!

Seriously, this is a must-have cd, especially if you like blues harp.

muscular harmonica
This album is the cream of Charlie's Alagator work.The cat can sure burn up a harp. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good sampler
The trouble with the Blues Masters collection is that CDs like this one, which is compiled to showcase some great blues harmonica playing, is that it never tells the full story.
Howlin' Wolf is here, Sonny Boy Williamson (II) is here, Little Walter Jacobs is here, Jimmy Reed is here, but these songs generally doesn't rank among their best, since they were chosen primarily for the harp playing.

But if you already have the essentials by these artists, "Harmonica Classics" and its companion volume (excitingly titled "More Harmonica Classics") is a really good purchase, featuring several excellent lesser-known songs like Jerry McCain's "Steady", Big Walter Horton's "Easy", and Lazy Lester's superbly groovy "Sugar Coated Love". Just don't think that you can go out and buy the "Blues Masters" series and be done with. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The purrfect introduction to Albert King
There are so many great r&b, jump blues oriented blues singers/guitarists, taht sometimes one disc has to cover a good overview, and this disc does the job. It has plaenty of jump blues stompers, as well as draggers and boppers. There is a little r'n'r but mostly shuffle blues rhythms, great for lindy hopping, jitterbug, jiving, or cruising or working on your 50's hotrod or custom. Awesome rockin' cd, essential! Also if you like Albert King, then Johnny Guitar Watson is a must(get "Hot Just Like TNT"). Buy this now!!!

A Very Good Overview of Albert King's Recorded Music.
Well compilation albums are always hard to assess. Everyone has their favourites or all time classics. I personally like the Rhino issues of most blues artists. The remastering is good and their liner notes are always well presented. This CD is great as an introduction or a sampling of Albert King's style of playing urban blues. He was heavily influenced by swing music, Louis Jordan, Robert Nighthawk and Tampa Red. But he couldn't play a slide. He created a style based on bending the strings to get to the notes you want and make them sing with vibrato. This disc takes you on a tour of Albert's recording career from the beginning at King Records with "Let's Have A Natural Ball", a great Jump Blues he used to use as a warm up tune, then on to "COD" from his very rare Coun-tree session. From here the set progresses into seven of his early Stax classics from "Born Under" a Bad Sign and "King of the Blues Guitar". Then on to the later Stax stuff with "I'll Play the Blues For You", from his most creative period. The CD ends with "Cadillac Assembly Line" which was a Stax tune, but released under the Tomato label. This is a well presented and compiled disc. It has great live moments in the famous Filmore West classic:"Blues Power", some rare items and a good cross section of King's recorded work. This was culled from a larger set "The Ultimate Collection" which was issued just after his death. This set has two discs and a great booklet as well. It even has a cut from his last recording sessions at Fantasy Records. It would be nice to include an early Chess release such as "Wild Woman" and something from his rare out of print album (and his last) "Red House". I love "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight". This is a great disc for the blues beginner, casual fan, or as an inclusion in a blues collection. I think is covers most of King's great and innovative blues, funk, R&B and soul style. When he became popular in the 60's he was the leading exponent of using blues as a medium to instigate musical change. Afterall, blues is the roots of all American Pop Music. It is much like in the Scorsese series "The Blues" (on DVD) the film on "Godfathers and Sons" is about Hip-Hip artists doing a blues inspired modern tune. This is much like Albert did at Stax in the 1960s and it is well developed in this CD compilation. Also, what a great cover photo!!!

Very good if you only want one disc
"The Very Best Of Albert King" does a really good job drawing from King's 60s output and his soul-influenced latter-day recordings alike, and this is a very good single-disc overview of his career.
A couple of the selections are debatable, as always when you make a compilation, but almost all of the must-have classics are here, including "Let's Have A Natural Ball", "Don't Throw Your Love On Me So Strong", "Crosscut Saw", "Born Under A Bad Sign", "Laundromat Blues" and "I'll Play The Blues For You".
("The Hunter", "Down Don't Bother Me" and a few others are missing, though, which is a shame.)

Rhino's double-disc "The Ultimate Collection" is a lot more comprehensive, however, and contains almost every track from King's superb "Born Under A Bad Sign" LP. If you really only want one Albert King-CD in your collection, that's the one I'd go for.

The ONLY King
Years ago, when I purchased this disc, I thought it was a great introduction to the greatest Blues guitarist to ever live, it's great for someone who says, "Yeah, I like blues, B.B.'s cool." Because after hearing this, their life won't be quite the same. I can guarantee they will never listen to B.B. the same way again. Where B.B. plays clean and dare I say, wimpy, Albert was hard, funky, soulful, and dirty. Combining his MS delta blues with the Memphis Soul of Booker T. & the MGs, with the great Al Jackson on drums, King's blues recordings simply have no equals. Even later, without the MGs, King used top notch musicians and cooley slid into the 70s.

Now that I am familiar with so much more of the King's work, I realize how very limited this disc is. There are so many great tracks missing from here, including "Wrapped Up In Love Again", "Drowning On Dry Land", the Mack Rice penned "Playin' On Me" , and I could go on forever. There are tons of King CDs out there (mostly poorly done compilations), but a box set is truly long overdue. However, the sound here is great! This disc sure pleased me when I bought it, and it is always the first I reach for when I want to hear some of the masterpieces that are represented here.

Thursday Night in San Francisco is even better.
First five songs on this CD are excellent. If you are expecting blues but not funk rest of the songs may be a little boring. Thursday Night contains all blues of Albert King. You may check out Thursday Night before this CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Very few artists have attempted--or succeeded in--improving thestandard template for classic blues records set some 40 years ago in the golden age of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Perhaps R.L Burnside's recent heavily produced work on Fat Possum Records has come closest to adding an original slant.

On his new album, Buddy Guy looks to the same source for inspiration; seven of the nine songs here are written by Fat Possum's hill-country blues roster, including T-Model Ford and Junior Kimbrough.Working with producer Dennis Herring (Counting Crows, Jars of Clay) and asmall collective of Mississippi-based musicians, Guy sings with a passionthat can only come from the same source as the songs. The noise generated in the studio through vintage amplifiers has a live and dangerous feel toit. The acoustic opener, "Done Got Old," does not prepare the listener for the colossal aural assault of "Baby, Please Don't Leave Me." Fading in on apercussion track, Guy's guitar hits its cat-strangling best and never looksback, while the voice sounds energized, vital, and wholly contemporary.Through the 12-minute "I Got to Try It, Girl" to the closing Guycomposition "It's a Jungle Out There," Sweet Tea has all the hallmarks of a classic blues album, mixed with a twist of the new. --Rob Stewart ... Read more

Reviews (106)

Favorite album of 2001!...Junior LIVES
A couple of years ago I was brousing around a CD shop in North Carolina while on vacation. In their used blues section I dug up 3 CDs by Junior Kimbrough. I'd never heard any of his work, so I popped one in the CD previewer and immediately had found a sound I had been looking for for a long time. Junior cranked out long, soulful & heavy songs on all 3 discs I purchased that day.

After the first tune on Sweet Tea, a fine acoustic "Done Got Old", I immediately felt Junior's soul coming through with a distinct twist of Buddy Guy's frenetically aggressive guitar work. Sure enough, I checked the liner notes and was pleased to see that several of the tracks were Kimbrough's.

The pace keeps up throughout the CD. An amazing energy. I won't go into details about each track, but rest assured it's all GOOD!

Buddy gets down in the swamp blues!!!
Buddy Guy went to the swamp and mixed his classic blues sound up with some voodoo electricity. The result is an album so hot that it sears the soul of any listener brave enough to get down in Buddy's swamp blues. I haven't heard Buddy Guy sound this inspired since his revered "classic recordings". Buddy has found his Mojo again, and it is working overtime! His guitar playing is focused, and it cuts right down to the bone as it shrieks and howls through the stereo speakers. Buddy's vocals seem to be pulled from the very depths of his soul, and he sounds like he means every word he shouts, moans, and groans over this powerful music. This is a man ignited by and caught up in the blues. Buddy Guy may be an old man, as he sings on the first track, but on this album he sounds more like a mannish boy. If you like raw, passionate blues with an edge so sharp it makes you bleed inside, then this album is for you. BUY THIS CD IMMEDIATELY!!

Copy cat
An essential?! The best blues album in the past 10 years?! Hardly. This album is a collection of songs by the artists of the Fat Possum Label (T-Model Ford, Cedell Davis, and Junior Kimbrough) which have been covered by Buddy Guy. Why has he abandoned the sweet fluff he's been pumping out the past 15 years in favor of raw rural blues? Has he seen the light? Or is it a move by him and his label to cash-in on the sector that Fat Possum has dominated for the past 10 years? Either way, Guy's covers do not contribute to any of the originals in any way, so don't waste your time. Go to the sourcec, check-out T-Model Ford, Cedell Davis, or the late Junior Kimbrough, and see for yourself where the real blues are found. And what's with the shack on the cover?!

Blues with Guts
Buddy Guy takes the blues in a powerfull emotional direction with Sweet Tea. To me and to many other Buddy Guy fans, what separates Buddy from many other "want-to-be" blues players is emotion. Here on Sweat Tea, he lays it all out there. You can hear the love for the blues, you can hear the swamp and feel the power that is true Buddy Guys blues.

Any doubt, just check out Tramp. For those Stevie Ray Vaughn fans out there, if you want to here where Stevie came from, this is a perfect album.

Like a Fat Possum tribute... only pure Buddy, too...
I loved this CD. If it were vinyl, I think I'd have worn a groove in it by now. I was pretty clueless to the whole Mississippi Hill country artists and FatPossum scene, so I thought this was an incredible burst of creativity by Buddy Guy. Well, its not exactly. He is covering several of the Fat Possum artists that both together and individually breathe a new life into the blues. Since I bought this CD, I have started to explore these artists and love them too. But I can still go back to this CD without feeling like it is some ripoff. Buddy is covering a lot of Junior Kimbrough tunes on this CD, but he really puts his own stamp on it. He lets the rythym of Junior's original material be the launchpad for some great moaning and soulful guitar work. I read another review on here that complained that this album wasn't "Delta blues" and that Buddy wasn't such a great guitar player. Well, I honestly don't know what belongs in the "Delta Blues" pantheon, nor am I qualified to critique his fingering technique. But I know he takes some songs that were great by the original artist and plays them true to their essence, while adding his own moody style. It sounds awesome and I don't care about what else it is or isn't.

If you haven't heard the Fat Possum artists, I think there is a sort of desperation in a lot of the lyrics and nonsensical rythym. At least Junior Kimbrough's music feels that way. Buddy seems to be pleading with a woman in "I gotta try you Girl". It sounds like an intimate relationship, but when he gets to her response, she calls him "Mr. Guy". What is that about? It leaves you wondering if the whole song is about some unsavory relationship where they aren't even on a first name basis. But there is no doubting their passion for one another either. It is the kind of thing that seems to slide in under the radar with this style of blues and make it more interesting. The same song ends in some wild guitar work. It includes a sound effect like a clap of thunder, which another reviewer apparently didn't like. It seemed appropriate to me after that solo.

Tramp, which is my favorite song on the album has some incredible guitar riffs. They are slow and moody, moaning on. The original Junior Kimbrough version, sounds like Junior is three sheets to the wind, kind of mumbling, so its nice to actually hear the lyrics on Buddy's version. Although, Junior does a great slashing slide guitar solo on his version, Buddy's version feels truer to the mood of the song. One song starts out like the band is just warming up and picks up a groove. Someone else calls out, "Keep it going. Keep it going."

Yeah. Keep it going, Buddy. I for one, wouldn't complain a bit if you returned to the Fat Possum well of original blues material, again and again. ... Read more

Album Description

Kelly Joe Phelps is the premier acoustic blues guitarist. For years his fans have been begging him to release a live CD. At last, Tap The Red Cane Whirlwindis the long-awaited opportunity to hear Kelly Joe recorded live in concert! Over an hour of pure unadulterated Kelly Joe Phelps at his finest – recorded in the intimate environments of two favorite venues – McCabe's in Santa Monica and The Freight And Salvage in Berkeley. The repertoire features Kelly Joe favorites, including "Jericho," "Tommy," "Not So Far To Go," plus astonishingversions of two classic cover songs – "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues" and "I Am The Light Of The World." ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Just like being there
I bought this right after seeing Kelly Joe Phelps 'live' in Leeds (UK). He's definitely somebody you should see (he's amazing), and seeing him helps you picture where all this stuff comes from and how he gets into it.
This CD captures Kelly Joe's solid, yet intricate and crystalline guitar perfectly. Watching him play is mesmerising. I think this CD also shows him as an artist who is growing, and judging by some of the new songs he played in Leeds, the next studio album will be a treat.
But here, I particularly love 'Cardboard Box of Batteries', which is slow and perfect, every pluck of the guitar string perfectly woven into those smoke vocals. Such subtlety. Such restraint. Such complexity too: there's enough to keep you listening for years; each song is like a miniature blues symphony.
Just like in real life, KJP doesn't really say anything in between tracks, so don't expect any chat. It's just him and the music. Which is fine by me when the music's this good. Kelly Joe is the real thing. I highly recommend this.

A Thing of Understated Beauty
Kelly Joe Phelps has always been quietly dazzling, rewarding repeated listenings rather than knocking you off your feet on the first try. His very first live recoding is no exception. It's a well crafted, beautifully rendered work of art. It's all here. The brush of his fingertips across the strings, the quiet humming he does as he plays his guitar and his well worn but comfortable vocals that tell tales of late nights, fading hope and optimism hanging on by a thread. This is a rare live recording that adds to Kelly Joe's musical legacy rather than merely fulfilling an obligation.

05 Gift From Mr. Phelps
Being familiar and enriched by the integrity and quality of Kelly Joe Phelps' prior recordings, the only reservation I had before I bought this CD was that it was live.
Understand me, I don't dislike live albums in principle. In the case of certain artists, live recordings have captured legendary performances and unusual moments of beauty.
Anyway, the point was whether an album of new versions of old songs and a couple of classic Blues, plus the potentially limited sound of a live performance, would add to Phelps' track record.
Great news. This album is as satisfying and likely to touch you as much as any one of Phelps prior incarnations, whichever one may be your favorite.
The album begins with a remarkable version of the classic "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues," sung so close to the bone you may think he's channeling Skip James himself, and also serving a the first reminder of this man's skill and feel on the acoustic guitar.
Both his voice and his strings do the honors on several of self-penned tunes too. Three that must be mentioned, for their intimacy and new touch, are "Not So Far To Go" and "Waiting For Marty" -both ballads that were highlights from his last studio album Slingshot Professionals"- and the tender and thoughtful"Tommy." Plus the second cover, "I Am The Light O f The World," is equally astounding.
Finally, the quality of the recording is impeccable as live albums go. It seems that the people in the small audience present were as enthralled as I, when he played these songs. Other than applauses respectfully waiting for the end of each song, the silence is absolute. Almost reverential of the great music captured on Tap The Red Cane Whirlwind.

Accoustic blues...
I first listened to this album at the reccord store under the jazz/blues category, expecting to hear electric lament guitar solos; typical blues you know?

Well I was pretty darn surprised when I discovered it was everything but "typical blues".

Mr Phelps came up with a live album using only accoustic guitar as an instrument.Is voice and music immediatly brought up an image inside my head : burning hot asphalt under a deadly summer afternoon sun....

I brought it back home and popped it into the CD player and started listening.The quality of production was so good that I felt as if I was sitting on Mr. Phelps front porch listening to his music while sipping a bourbon.Wish I actually had Bourdon at that time....

This album is very mellow and heart warming.This guy has a great voice.

I have a hard time imagining that anyone could actually totally dislike this album.That's how good it is.

nice recording, but where's the slide?
I've listened to Kelly Joe Phelps since his first recording- actually own them all but for his ep- I was initially surprised when he avoided playing slide on "Sky Like a Broken Clock", then confused when he had Steve Dawson playing slide on "Slingshot Professionals"- I was hopeful when I heard he was doing a live solo recording, and when I first saw the cd cover on his site, with his guitar laying flat, I'm afraid I had assumed (my fault) that he had returned to his amazing original style of slide playing- Unless my ears deceive me, there's nary a slide heard on this- please correct me if I'm wrong- I've never had the pleasure to see Phelps play live, hope to at some point... ... Read more

Album Details

Reissue Includes 3 Added Bonus Tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Their first and best disk
Raw and definitly low-fi, coarse and beautiful. My personal fave on this disk ("C-Boy's Blues") is a study in subtlety and dynamics that make the blues so visceral and pleasurable. Jimmy Vaughan's guitar work is so unlike his brother Stevie Ray, but every bit as enjoyable due to his depth of knowledge and original interpretation of the blues. Kim Wilson wails on harp and the rhythm section is tight. I was lucky enough to live near Austin in the early eighties and saw the T-Birds play a number of times in small sweaty bars in the area - absolutely the best way to have seen them. It was sad to see them get so commercial in the later years, but I guess its hard to survive on integrity. I bought this originally on vinyl, then on CD and then again on the new CD to get the bonus songs and the cleaner mix from the master tapes. If you like raw blues, this is as good as it gets.

You'll Go Wild Over This CD!!!
This was the first and best CD in the long and storied career of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. I've enjoyed the pleasure of seeing them live many times, from opening for Muddy Waters to closing down famed Austin neighborhood joint Rome Inn (which billed itself as the home of "C-Boy Blues".) Yes, the concert slow-dance classic "Scratch My Back" is included, as well as "She's Tuff," which was their finest, toughest number ever recorded. (Great harp breaks by Kim Wilson on these numbers; in fact, you could say that about almost any T-Birds song!) Jimmie Vaughan (you know him as Stevie Ray's guitar-slingin' older brother) really cooks on the slow blues "Full Time Lover" and shines on "Wait On Time". Keith Ferguson's great bass opener leads into great crooning by Kim on "Rich Girl", while "Rock With Me" gives the full band a chance to unwind, particularly drummer Mike Buck. And, to top it off, three bonus cuts show off the bands raw, danceable groove. (You'll see more people dancing at a T-Birds show than just about anywhere else!) A fabulous CD, one which gives the opportunity for both girls and guys to go wild!

Oh My God, I can't Go To Work!
We just unwrapped this CD - It's 6 AM on Guam, the Sun is climbing out of the Pacific, and the T-Birds are shaking the house. I can't leave until it's done- it's THAT good. In fact, I may just have to call in sick and spin it some more. Buy it, try it. You'll like it. I promise.

The fustest with the mostest!
I caught the T-birds in 1978 at a KFAT Fat Fry in Palo Alto. It cost $ .94, & the T-Birds weren't even the headliner(Louisiana Red, FYI). They tore it up, & L-Red couldn't even walk on stage after, the floorboards were that hot. I kept on requesting anything by this band until finally, about a year later, "Girls Go Wild" was released. I've since seen the T-Birds a number of times, & heard all their releases, but this is still the strongest. Joe Bob says "Check it out!!", and you'll say "Wrap it up! I'll take it!"

Smokin' Blues
A great album. Cool blues, some fast, some mellow. Great Jimmie Vaughan guitar work. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Shagging down memory lane
This is one of my favorite CDs.(OK, so I'm getting to the age where I'm sentimental.) I loved Beach Music when I was younger, and that hasn't changed. If you ever heard these songs on the Carolina beaches, you can't pass this up. It's worth every penny. If you recognize some of the songs, but never heard of beach music, you've got some catching up to do; but it's never too late! This one is definitely a keeper.

Everyone should own this!
This is a great cd. It really covers some of the great beach music that is out there! If you buy any beach music cd, this should be the one! I hope everyone enjoys as much as I have!!

more selections
I really do love beach music with Va Bch over the bridge we really get good music! Would love to own this CD but must watch my pennies..If you have this CD please take the time to enter a review, two good reviews and I'm on this like salt and watermelon

Groovin on a summer afternoon.
I bought this for my boyfriend. He is from N. Carolina and was complaining that he could not find this music on CD. He was so happy when he received this! He started doing the shag! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Like many other senior bluesmen, Delbert McClinton is getting back to basics: Nothing Personal, his first album for New West, is the raw, stripped-down sort of material that sounds best when you know it comes from experience. It is this sense of things seen and done that pervades every track, and which prevents songs like "When Rita Leaves" and "Don't Leave Home Without It" from lapsing into sentimentality. The more emotional, personal numbers--the album's title notwithstanding, this is a highly personal album--are balanced with high-energy material, though even these songs, such as "Livin' It Down," have a serious thing or two to say. McClinton also neatly avoids several clichés. Take, for instance, "Nothing Lasts Forever," which has, as a theme, the necessity of living life to the fullest without burning yourself out. One might expect such a song to be an uptempo rocker. Instead, it moves along at an easy, swinging pace, the musical personification of following a path of moderation. Nothing Personal is full of little touches and techniques like this, moving out of the realm of merely good, and into the ranks of art. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Barroom Boogie
Delbert McClinton has been so good for so long, he should get an award for musical consistency. This CD takes us back to the bar where the smoke is thick & the music's hot. "Living it Down" starts the CD with a hot rocker. Delbert sings, "Sometimes you get the honey, sometimes all you get is the sting." A funky tune that bounces as much as rocks comes next in "Gotta Get It Worked On." "When Rita Leaves" is a tear-in-your-beer country lament laced with Spanish guitar: "Rita left with everything but the one red dress I liked." We get a little honky tonk boogie on "Squeeze Me In." Kevin McKendree burns the keyboards with his hot piano. Delbert joined Iris DeMent on her last CD, "The Way I Should"; she returns the favor with a good supporting vocal in the sad country song "Birmingham Tonight." "Baggage Claim" is a slow lusty tune with Todd Sharp's guitar sounding like a dizzy Duane Eddy. You'll want to hit the repeat button on this one. "All Night Long" is another full-tilt rocker recouting a love affair where they "did everything from A to Z." "Don't Leave Home Without It" is an almost elegiac declaration of love. Delbert hits a slow bluesy groove in "Desperation" where the girl is "devil & angel, hand in hand." "Nothing Lasts Forever" maintains the blues mood while picking up the tempo as Delbert advises, "have a good time & try to string a few together." "Read Me My Rights" slows us back down with Kevin McKendree's mournful organ & McClinton's soulful inquiry, "Do you still love me or am I just wastin' my time?" McKendree again shines with the blues piano riff on "All There Is of Me," an I-lost-my-baby song. The CD concludes with what seems like Delbert commenting on his career in "Watchin' the Rain." The melody seems purposefully off-kilter as a man who seems satisfied sings "the best you get is to just get by." Mistake not, this CD more than just gets by! This is one you'll want in your collection!

[Note: This is my 3rd try at reviewing this. If either of the other 2 show up, sorry! This CD is so good, it's worth the effort!]

On the money...
I've been a Delbert McClinton fan for 25 years or more. I had not bought anything in the last 10 years by him, so I recently bought this CD. Delbert financed it himself, took a year to record it, and released it in 2001. "Nothing Personal" did not blow me away. But I found it very easy to listen to. Good grooves, good feel. It's hard to believe he 60 years old. Anyway, I listened to it again. And again. I am not one to wear the grooves off any record (or should I say the pits off a CD), but in three weeks that I have had the CD, I must have played it through completely a couple of dozen times.

And are a few songs I stop and play again - simply because I like them. Songs like Squeeze Me In, Gotta Get It Worked On, Nothing Lasts Forever. He is so totally sincere in All There Is Of Me. Some really good piano and guitar playing. And Delbert's a soulful harp player.

It is an honest, sincere work with story lines I could certainly relate to, and I am sure others will too.

Nothing Personal - yeah, right!
I have never done a review before. So, I'll just say: This is an awesome CD. Lyrics such as "Jump over the chain, and make love to my baby in baggage claim!". How about "Took of my shoes and dumped out the rocks, Got all the snakes back into the box". And then, of course, the song When Rita leaves, Rita's gone" is just great.

4 1/2 Stars
This is one of Delbert's best. He kicks things off in high gear with the rock'n'roller "Livin' It Down". This is one of the best tunes Delbert's ever co-written. Clever lyrics about playing the fool, with Delbert's usual attitude. In contrast, "When Rita Leaves" is a beautiful Spanish-flavored ballad with an acoustic solo to match. "Squeeze Me In" is another great rock'n'roller with a chugging rhythm & a splashy piano solo. "Birmingham Tonight" is a distinctly country tune reminiscent of one of Jerry Lee Lewis's slower songs, with just a touch of steel guitar in the background. "All Night Long" is a jaunty, light-hearted piano tune, followed by the aching ballad "Don't Leave Home Without It". "Nothin' Lasts Forever" is a slithering blues track with Delbert's chirpy harmonica setting the tone. "Read Me My Rights" is a plaintive ballad given a bit of a gospel feel by Kevin McKendree on organ. Only a couple of throwaway tracks on this one. Clearly one of Delbert's best.

Blues Express
McClinton sure has blues boogie down. Here is latest offering with blues themes and words, with Texas boogie beat. Great steel guitar and piano on many cuts.

Del gets a groove with that rough voice and harmonica --- especially like "Nothin' Lasts Forever" which reminds one of great blues boogie songs one hears in person. This guy can really blow that harmonica here! Great licks! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Atlantic Records has ridden musical trends since the late '40s; these seven CDs chronicle the first 28 years of the label's work in black pop, during which artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding oversaw the creation and flowering of soul music. Also included are classic tracks by the Drifters, Wilson Pickett, Ruth Brown, the Coasters, Sam & Dave, and many others who walk through the dreams of R&B and rock & roll fans. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (26)

more artists
ps. just like to include more great r n b artists that should be on this great box set from atlantic records like levert & the system. put other divine hits out so more people are aware of other great talent,just plain wholesome good music.do you like good music,that sweet soul music!give us more hits by roberta flack, wilson pickett,ben e. king, arthur conley, otis redding, sam&dave aretha,rb greaves,drifters,spinners,esther phillips,les mccan,eddie harris, herbie mann, yusef lateef, the kingpins, percy sledge,major harris,chuck willis, clyde mcphatter,coasters,jimmy castor,ace spectrum,peggy scott&jojo benson,shirley scott,clifford brown,billy cobham,cornell dupree,blue eyed soul from lulu,delaney&bonnie&friends,awb,bette midler,the manhattan transfer,billy vera,the late,great ms.dusty spingfield,buffalo springfield,derek&the dominos,plus many more!keep up the great work!keep on soulin'on!thank you!jhh52757!

Incredible Collection Needs Updated REMASTERING
This 8 cd box set of historical R&B and early rock and roll classics is an incredible collection that documents some of the greatest recordings by a handful of the greatest R&B/Rock artists who created some of the most captivating and amazingly wonderful, R&B/Soul/Rock standards, from the pre-birth rock era and well beyond,in music history. JOE TURNER, LAVERNE BAKER, RAY CHARLES, RUTH BROWN, CHUCK WILLIS, THE COASTERS AND DRIFTERS to name a few! Rock and roll was alive well before Elvis absorbed and reinterpreted it. Unfortunately, the remastering is circa the 1980's and these recordings[at times]fall flat and sound a bit dull and weak. I bought three of the individual compact discs(they were also issued individually)in the 80's and noticed no difference in the sound quality, in comparison to this "updated" version of the Lp Box to Cd. While this is a "cream of the crop" box of classic R&B, it unashamedly borrows heavily from the STAX RECORDS SINGLES COLLECTION BOX SETS Volumes 1, 2, & 3 to a flaw...You'd think that with ATLANTIC RECORDS' long history, they wouldn't need to duplicate the cream of the crop from STAX, regardless of the fact that Atlantic was the "mother" company of STAX's distribution. I'm a "Collector" and I treasure and cherish every track of my STAX BOX SETS(all three and 28 discs!)- chart hits or non-hits - with their supreme and stellar high tech remastering. I'm a huge fan of "REMASTERING" technology and will buy and "rebuy" reissues depending on what artist is honored! Regardless, the recordings in this Box Set are essential to your ears, heart and soul, as Atlantic made history from 1947 to 1974 and well beyond...and they continue into the 21st century! I waited forever to purchase this Box, hoping the remastering would be redefined - but bought it to avoid missing out, and still, I'm almost satisfied, as you will also be. I highly recommend the Joe Turner Box, Aretha Franklin("Queen Of Soul"), Spinners, Esther Phillips, and Ray Charles(all) Boxed Sets, which are genuinely detailed and supremely remastered to the ultimate sound. You can thank Rhino Records for the finest "reissues" on many of those!

Great Box Set!
This is an amazing and extensive collection. Tied for best box set ever! (The other would be Jackie Wilson)

Really great stuff! Totally worth it!

In the beginning....
This most wonderful CD set highlights the roots of all popular music, be it soul, blues, pop. There is no doubt that the great songwriters of the 60's and 70's, not only grew up with this music but did their best to replicate it. As music, it is excellent, as educational material, it is fantastic. If there is a problem, it is with it's length. So much great music that fill a multitude of disks. The difficulty is in selecting just the right CD to satisfy your current mood. This set has the ability to transport to any sound, any age.

ATTENTION KIDS - R & B STANDS FOR RHYTHM & BLUES!!
This is where rock'n'roll's roots are at. I bought the original 7 (double) LP set. Their original CD equivalents replicated them but for a few track omissions on various volumes. This box includes ALL of the origial LP series plus some 20+ extra tracks not previously included covering the fertile period between 1947-1974. It's an education in itself. This is what boxed sets are about. The raw stuff from the 40's & 50's are a pointer to Elvis & Jerry Lee. This is the some of the original music those artists cut their teeth on. Hearing Big Joe Turner for the first time was a revelation for myself particularly "Corrina, Corrine" and "Honey Hush". I further investigated Ray Charles' recorded output based on this set. The hits are here and things that you may vaguely rememnber as well. Legends such as the Professor Longhair, Big Joe Turner, Lavern Baker, Ray Charles, The Drifters, The Coasters, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and many others are more than amply represented here. I had heard some of these songs for the first time as cover versions by later artists such as Foghat, Elvis and even Paul McCartney whose "Run Devil Run" CD was a tribute to the 50's and a couple of tracks on this set get a nod there. Atlantic have done a wonderful job with this release. This is what R & B really is...before it was just a couple of initials representing what passes for today's music. I doubt a kid listening to that stuff would know what those letters stood for in today's context. My own preferences are to the 60's period during which Atlantic,Stax & Volt really came into their own as great Soul labels. Where Motown was probably more "showbizzy", which is not meant as a criticism, Atlantic revealed real grit and toughness in it's music. I thoroughly recommend this box set if only as a more than ample education of the rich legacy of American Rhythm & Blues music. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This career-spanning box of three CDs and a DVD celebrates a legacy that looms larger than that of any blues-rocking guitarist since Jimi Hendrix.Despite fears that a series of posthumous releases had depleted the Stevie Ray Vaughan vaults, previously unreleased gems dominate the selection. Highlights extend from Vaughan's swaggering apprenticeship with Paul Ray and the Cobras to slash-and-burn concert performances from the final month of his life. There are obligatory dips into the songbooks of Hendrix and Buddy Guy, appearances on MTV Unplugged and Austin City Limits, and instrumental interplay with brother Jimmie Vaughan and tourmate Jeff Beck. Though his guitar never loses its flamethrower intensity, the set documents his progression from the showoff licks of the young "Stevie Rave On" into a fully rounded artistry of soulful depth. --Don McLeese ... Read more

Reviews (52)

SRV - BOX SET
This is a great box set for SRV fans and people who are new to SRV music. This is what all box sets should be, the set has three CDs and one 30 min DVD of SRV & Double Trouble on Austin City Limits.

The music on the CD starts with SRV first recording with Paul Ray & The Cobras to his final concert at Alpine Valley. The CD has rare live performances of songs that were never released on an album, solo guitar by SRV and studio out-takes.

The DVD has an un-aired performance of SRV & Double Trouble on PBS's Austin City Limits, the DVD itself is worth the price of the box set. Stevie and the band were in great form!

There are essays and quotations from other Blues such as B.B. King and Eric Clapton, and there a lots of great pictures in a great package.

A guitar legend gets his due
Following last years excellent reissues of his four original studio albums comes this devestating box set of Stevie Ray Vaughn in his natural environment, the stage. Of the 49 tracks that are included here, more than have of which have never been commercially released before, it makes you wonder what they left off. What's here is simply amazing, including performances with his mentor Albert King, to Jeff Beck, Lonnie Mack, and Johnny Copeland. There are also tracks from the rarely seen MTV Unplugged program he did in 1990. There are essays and quotes in the book from fellow musicians and admirers like Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Carlos Santana, Robert Cray, and even Stevie's guitar tech Rene Martinez talks about how Stevie got his amazing guitar tone. The icing on the cake is the DVD that's included in the box. Five songs that were cut from the appearance that SRV and Double Trouble made on Austin City Limits in 1989, incredible stuff!!! For fans that have bootlegs of some of tracks included here, the sound quality of whats on the box as well as the other rarities included here make this set worth picking up. One of the best of 2000.

Excellent compilation from an exceptional guitarist
If you enjoy great guitar work and can dig blues, you've got to check this one out. No one in their right mind can deny that Stevie Ray