Reviews (2)

****½ - excellent sampler
The only thing wrong with this tremendous collection of 50s and early 60s blues singles is that it clocks it at just over 32 minutes, and that's just not enough, even considering that it was originally issued in the LP age (1963).

But there is no arguing with what is here. The first of six "The Blues" volumes from MCA/Chess is probably the best of the series, drawing from the vast Chess catalogues of men like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson (II), Buddy Guy, and John Lee Hooker. And these are not throwaways...Wolf is represented by "Spoonful" and the eerie and powerful "Smokestack Lightnin'", Sonny Boy Williamson by the superb "Don't Start Me To Talkin'", Muddy Waters by "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "I Just Want To Make Love To You" (which is called by its original title, "Just Make Love To Me", on the cover). Harmonica ace Little Walter Jacobs' first hit, the instrumental "Juke" is here as well, as is his excellent recording of Willie Dixon's "My Babe", and soulful bluesman Jimmy Witherspoon's best song, "When The Lights Go Out", is another of the highlights.

The annotation is mediocre, and this album has long since been supplanted by other (longer) compilations, but it remains a great introduction to classic Chicago blues. If you're new to the blues, this will convince you of its merit. And if it doesn't, well then nothing will.

A Very Good Place to Start
You can't argue with the choices here for excellent postwar Chicago blues. All classics. If it weren't for the longer and more varied "Blues Masters Volume 2: Postwar Chicago Blues", I would've voted this 5 stars. Rock and roll was birthed here, baby! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Really Good, but Ain't Great
A good tribute to SRV by many of his peers, but with a few embarrassing moments. His brother Jimmy sounds horrible. Sounds like he has tin strings on his guitar with equally bad vocals. I am also totally disgusted with the SRV jam at the end. It is so repetitious and boring that SRV would be ashamed to have his name attached to it. It lacks any of the creativity and fluidity that were his hallmark.

Blues greats pay tribute to SRV
As one of the all-time great lineups of blues artists hits the stage, Stevie Ray Vaughn is remembered the way he would have wanted it; as a musician. The CD contains outrageous solo performances by these artists, but the jams at the end make this a needed addition to any blues collection. As the greatest players in the world swap leads, you really feel the joy in the performances as if Stevie's memory was bringing out the best in all of them.

This album shows how good SRV was
The good thing about this album is it show how good SRV was. Unfortunately that is so because it is painful to listen to other artists playing his songs. The only artists to come out of this presentation with any credit are Dr. John for his 'Cold Shot', Bonnie Raitt for her slide work and Eric Clapton for 'Ain't gone'n give up on love'. The message of the album was 'we miss you stevie' which I can only echo after buying this album.

Heartfelt Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan
If your looking for a polished studio album featuring any of these performers then go elsewhere. But if you are looking for a heartfelt tribute to SRV from each performer then this is for you. This tribute features performances from everyone that was with Stevie on his faithful night. Each performer gives his/her take on their favorite SRV classics. You can tell that emotion is pouring through every song.

If this is ANYTHING like the special...
If this is ANYTHING like what was played on the PBS special, I AM ALL OVER THIS. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good songs, good quality, great price.
Also buy the "Singin' The Blues" CD with this one (they appear to be a set). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good songs, good quality, great price.
Also buy the "Beltin' The Blues" CD with this one (they appear to be a set). ... Read more

Album Description

A.K.A. 'Alexis Korner Memorial Concert Vol.1'. 13 tracks. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not All That Impressive
This box set reminds me of the compilation albums sold on TV. It's a lot of stuff here that's found all over the place, not even previously unreleased material. You could actually do better by getting the albums this stuff was lifted from. If you're new to the blues and looking for a good compass, this is your item. If you do have any sort of blues collection, however, there's a good chance you've already got everything here. ... Read more

Album Description

Subtitled - Chess & Checker Chicago Classics. UKcompilation featuring 27 tracks from such artists as Little Walter, JB Lenoir, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Bo Diddley,& more. Ace. 1995. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The title says it all!!!
This is houserockin' blues at it's best. all the great jukejoint jumpers are here. This music is great for jiving and bopping! You can even jitterbug or lindy hop! The music is wild and frantic and is 50's rockin' blues at it's best. Some of the greatest juke joint jum bluesman liek Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters,and Sonny Boy Willaimson are here!!! ... Read more