Reviews (13)

Fabulous Kim Wilson
I concur with the previous reviews of Kim Wilson's first live album. This is a tour-de-force, first class lesson in rhythm, swinging, rocking and blues. What sets it apart from anything else I have ever heard on CD with Kim, is the tremendous ensemble playing, where clearly all components make up for excellent listens. Make no doubt, Kim is clearly leading the proceedings, showing what a great musician he is in knowing what to play and when. The guitarists make a perfect foil for Kim's vocals and harmonica, I have never heard such terrific backing and soloing on any modern recording I can recall. You would have to go back to the days of Little Walter and the Myers brothers. What has been known to all people that have seen Kim live, is now recorded in splendid format, with near 74 mins of the best blues has to offer. The sheer joy and mutual understanding of various blues forms is simply unmatched. This CD should be heard by more people than blues-fanatics! This is a classic.

Wilson shines in Live set!
After a relatively long spell between new albums, Fabulous T-Bird frontman Kim Wilson comes blasting back with 2 new, blistering, but significantly differentiated "live" sets. Hard on the heels of the Fabulous T-Birds Live release (released in May, & only available from the T-birds website) comes this unexpected, but welcome, release featuring Kim's Blues Review, recorded @ 2 West Coast Blues (Phoenix & Hermosa Beach, CA) club venues over the last 2 years. Most of the material is new to (a Wilson/Tbird) disc ("Oh, Baby", from Wilson's "My Blues" CD and "I Can Tell", from the aforementioned T-bird album being the only covers of previously released material), but all the tunes included here perfectly exude the smoky "juke joint" feeling alluded to in the album's title. Wilson's harp playing is exemplary and his vocals & phrasing are distintive and emotional. It's obvious that Kim loves the Blues and these performances capture a master of the art form in his prime. Every song is a winner in my book and in many, the band is allowed to stretch out to capture the groove. Using the same rhythm section, but with 2 different sets of guitarists in each set, it's hard to say who get's top honors. Forget about it and enjoy them both. Five big stars!! And check out the T'Bird album, too. It's even better!

Dissapointing Kim Wilson
I'm afraid I disagree with the raving reviews above. Kim Wilson is an exceptional harmonica player and a good soulful singer, but this live album just doesn't cut it. It's a fine album per se, but certainly not on par with Kim's talent. After a few listenings, I found myself bored by the repetitiveness and the lack of originality in arrangements.
Blues, especially blues covers, can be tricky : on most songs of this album, Kim ends up sounding just like the other 399 covers of the same song. It's a shame because he's capable of so much better. I cound't help myself thinking this was just another live blues album...

More more more !
Just like the picture on the cover, this CD smokes. This has to be Kim's best work. If only he and Jimmy V could put one out together.

Consistently only the best
Kim Wilson is one of the few musicians I know of who consistently delivers excellence. Smokin' Joint is no exception. The only bad thing about any of his CD's is when they come to an end. I can't wait until the next CD is released!

Support a national treasure and fundamentally pure musician - buy all of his CD's, along with the entire catalog of the Fabulous Thunderbirds! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's pretty hard for Chris Duarte to escape comparisons to the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. After all, Duarte is also a Texas blues-rock guitarist with overwhelming instrumental technique and underwhelming vocals. Duarte even uses Vaughan's former keyboardist, Reese Wynans. On his 1997 album, Tailspin Headwhack, Duarte tries to put some distance between himself and Vaughan by adding more funk and fusion flavors to the blues-rock recipe. He adds more effects to his guitar sound, boosts the bass tracks in the mix, trades in shuffles for on-the-one funk, multiplies the chord changes, and enlists David Z of Prince & the Revolution as producer. The results go a long way toward dispelling the Vaughan cloud that has always hung over Duarte's career, but fails to solve the artist's more fundamental problems. He remains a prodigious picker, able to rip through notes at breathless speeds, even as he smoothly changes chords as if he had an automatic transmission. These performances will surely please those who think guitar solos are an athletic event, but they won't do much for listeners who expect such solos to deliver an emotion deeper than bravado. It doesn't help that Duarte's voice is thin and cramped, nor that a conspicuous gulf yawns between the blandness of the originals and the tunefulness of the songs borrowed from B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and the Meters. --Geoffrey Himes ... Read more

Reviews (15)

His Most Original & Probably His Best
This may be the best Chris Duarte Group album - it's certainly the most original. Chris spent a ton of studio time on this one experimenting with tape loops and rhythms - basically he wanted to do something FRESH in a world of tired old blues trios. He offers up an unbelievable cover of 'Thrill Is Gone' with looped drumbeats and nasty-funky-tasty guitar. Cleopatra got quite a bit of air play as the first single from this album, but look to 'People Say' and 'Crimino' for the albums real strength of the CD - they sound like, well, no one - they sound like Chris Duarte. There are sprinkles of Stevie in here... .32 blues is definitely in that vein. 'Drvin South' is the closest thing you'll ever get to seeing Chris live - relentless, in-your-face, over-the-top, make your ears bleed guitar explosion. Well worth the purchase price.

Hot'n'Blue fusion of rock, blues, grunge and more!
When I saw Chris Duarte play in a little club in Topeka, I quit grieving over the loss of Stevie Ray Vaughan. There are sounds in this album that range from retro ala Tommy James and the Shondells to Pearl Jam, Stevie to Buddy Guy. "32 Blues" is a knock 'em dead tune, and "Walls" oscillates between a lilting ballad and a punchy West coast slam dance. Artistry, strat licks like you've never heard, and great, great music. If you like SRV, Kenny Wayne, and the Austin, TX blues, and you're awed by people like Eric Johnson, Al DiMeola, and Joe Satriani, buy this album, as well as "Texas Sugar/Strat Magik." You'll be damned glad you did.

promising, yet dissapointing 3.5
Without a doubt, the production raises the level of this cd several notches above his first yet ironicaly, he doesnt match the kind of pyrotechnics he showed on "shelo" on that same disc, with his rendition here of "driving south" a huge dissapointment and his vocal range still woefully short of adequate, in most places, the only redeeming factor here is the sense that wonderful things are possible from this guy, on a few of the songs i can start to hear the beginnings of a signature sound that is quite inspiring.it could be that no album has yet captured the fullness of the chris duarte experience for I hear only great things from anyone who has seen him live and he plays,at times, with a wonderful recklessness that would be a joy to see and is a pleasure to listen to. i will buy his third cd also,in due time,as the guy has my keen attention about where he is going to take his considerable talent. worth a listen or three, leave the expectations for greatness in the store and enjoy the presence of great potential, id love to see a concert......

Second Stellar Outing by CDG
To paraphrase my brother, who is a both a devoted guitarist and a devoted student of many playing styles (from D'Jango to Jimi), Chris Duarte manages to combine influences from many, many other fine artists and yet retains his own unique style. His music ranges from straight-ahead kick-... rock to liquid, buttery-smooth jazz, blues and soul. If you expect ANY of his albums to be consistent and uneclectic, forget it. If, however, you delight in amazing, incindiary, surprising and listenable ear-candy, ALL of Duarte's work is a treat.

While you're at it, look him up on the Web and plan on seeing him in concert. I did, at some little biker dive in Topeka, KS. Spent most of the time there in slack-jawed amazement at him and his band. God only knows how Duarte wrenches so of the music he gets out of that strat, but it's well worth hearing.

This album and it's predecessors are more polished versions of the Duarte magic. I highly recommend you spend a few $$$ and buy them. Your ears will thank you.

Catchy Title
This guy owes a heck of a lot to Jimi Hendrix and even more so to Stevie Ray Vaughn's take on Hendrix. But, hey, you could have worse influences...right ? On his second recording "Tailspin Headwhack" (what a great name) Chris Duarte plays some incindiary and inspired stuff.On his first release, Austin ,Texas native Duarte managed to meld Stevie Ray and the Red Hot Chili Peppers into a great, funky album.Though generally danceable this one's not quite as funked up, opting for a more soul searching,brooding sound. It comes off quite well indeed,and I think this one's better. The poppish "Cleopatra" leads off with distortion laden guitar over a nice groove. Chris does the lead vocals here as well and his voice matches his music perfectly.At this point the show start's to ignite. Ther'es a soulful rendition of B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone" and an excellent update of the Meter's "People Say". The rest are mostly originals and run from the rockin' "Drivin' South" to the the more introspective and psychedelic sounding "Walls". Also noteworthy is the title cut which also sounds like something from the "Electric Ladyland" sessions. Ditto for the sultry".32 Blues", with superlative Hammond work from former SRV bandmate Reese Winans. The band is always right on the mark, confident and rock solid. A solid offering, "Tailspin Headwhack", is an easy disc to throw on almost anytime and I can't think how anybody couldn't get caught up in this swamp- rocker groove. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Outstanding Jump Blues
I've known Nick from his days playing with Ronnie Dawson and Kim Lenz (both Rockabilly greats) but this CD floored me. If they added a little surface noise the uninitiated would swear it was recorded in the late 40's or early 50's. Nick's guitar playing is flawlessly authentic but not at all mechanical or stale. His voice is incredible - you will find it hard to believe that voice issues from someone so young. If you like jump blues in the style of Wynonie Harris, Roy Brown, Big Joe Turner, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Magic Sam, and the immortal T-Bone Walker do yourself a favor and buy this CD! Catch Nick live too!

One Bad Stud
Word is, here in Dallas, Nick Curran was cryogenically frozen back in 1953,because the world at that time would not have been able to handle this fireball. Now, he's sucessfully thawed and cruising the streets in a bright red 1950's Volvo. All the local guitar players are out to assassinate this guy, because he is just too dam good. He is currently recieving rave reviews literally all over the world and has record companies and promoters hounding him constantly. Formerly,as guitarist for Kim Lenz, he wasnt content to just sit back and be a side guy..now(fortunately for us) here's his debut CD and looks like his band is soon to be cutting another CD in Feb before they embark on yet another tour of California. Buy this CD if you have any sense at all, BUY THIS DISC. It'll be worth more than you paid for it in 5 years.Great stuff!

Best blues guitarist arond
This CD is wonderful. The vocals are quite powerful and this young man's mastery of blues guitar is phenominal. The way that Mr. Curran mixes the blues stylings of the greats like Guitar Slim and T-Bone Walker into a Rockabilly beat is not only fascinating, but is also extreemly enjoyable. We all know the expression "music to your ears". Well, this is "music to your body and soul". What I find truely amazing about this young musician is that he is this good at such an age. If he is this good now, imagine how good he will be when he grows up.

how i like his music
Nick Curran is very talented for his age.He has got a very excellent voice.I would rate him 5 stars.I hope that he keeps playing for years to come.

Nick Curran is the man
this CD was recorded at Fort Horton Studios in Austin, Tx. Nick brings alive the feelin' of old school jump blues. This is one of the hottest blues Cds that has been released this summer. He will be touring the west coast in july, so if ya get a chance to see him, go check him out. If ya like wynonne harris, roy brown, and t-bone walker the you will love this Cd ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gritty Guitar, Gritty Vocals; Texas Blues Rock At It's Best!
Recorded in 1990 on the Texas-based Antone's label, "Monkey Land" shows why Omar (Kent Dykes) & the Howlers have such a enthusiastic following world-wide.Backed by much of the original Howlers line-up, Omar self-produced this hot blues-rock effort with a little studio help from guitarist Dick Wagner.If you aren't familiar with Dick, he was part of the twin-guitar attack on Lou Reed's "Rock & Roll Animal" live Lp, and co-wrote two of the songs here.And what a great line-up of songs!Most written by Omar, but wait until you hear his blues wail on the Beatles "She's A Woman"!In the liner notes he says he wanted to do it like "Howlin' Wolf", and the result is a killer!Omar can sound like a cross between Tom Waits & Captain Beefheart with maybe a little sharper edge that shreds through lyrics and puts him up with some of the best blues wailers you ever heard.
Other highlights:"Tonight I Think of You", solid rocker with the drums way up front; "Big Town Shakedown" with earthquake thumping bass with the classic Omar Fender guitar licks; and don't miss "Night Shadows", a classic Bob Seger type ballad that showcases Omar's songwriting prowess.A great album for your collection, and an instant kick in the [rear] for your next party! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Austin scene queen Price's sixth album is another enjoyable exercise in her signature "hippie blues" stylings, a comfortable cross-pollination featuring country, R&B, and a few jazz tinges. Price's imperfect but evocative voice is showcased in front of outstanding instrumental work, especially from acoustic guitarists Rich Brotherton and Casper Rawls, while legendary guitarist James Burton provides touches on nine of the 13 tracks. Strong songwriting, from sources as diverse as Walter Hyatt ("Get the Hell Outta Dodge"), Dr. John (the previously unrecorded "Clouds"), Mel Torme (the title track), and longtime Price associate Gwil Owen, gives the singer ample opportunity to work her relaxed wonders. The songs are short and to the point, and Price and her sympathetic sidemen make each note and every well-turned phrase count. The album, dedicated to the late multi-instrumentalist Champ Hood, concludes with "One of These Lonely Days," an atypical but successful foray into an expanded sound featuring the Tosca String Quartet. --Michael Point ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fairweather Love
"I want to live in a beautiful garden, I want to lie where flowers bloom, I want to sing what the birds are singing, I want to fly just like they do," Toni starts on a folky hippie tune complete with acoustic guitar on a track that is as gorgeous as it is retro. Toni throws Blue into jazz gear on the sweet shuffle "Black & Blue Heart," "It seems like I just give up, but maybe I ain't very smart cause I keep on falling in love and breaking my poor old black & blue heart." "You Don't Love Me" turns back the clock to the 1940s with its Billie Holiday light jazz feel. The title track written by Mel Torme would be at home with the last call at the Starlight Lounge. "Sad as It Seems" is a country weeper. "Blue River" (not by Eric Andersen) is a perky bluegrass hoedown with Casper Rawls doing the back porch vocals. "There's Nothing But Heartache" gives Toni's gorgeous voice a chance to float achingly around the melody on a sweet midtempo track, "There's nothing but heartache in loving you." Shelley King's "Tennessee Whiskey" sounds like a reincarnation of Bobbie Gentry. Dr. John's "Clouds" is given a great soulful reading with James Burton's loping guitar. My favorite track is the bluesy midtempo "Rain Down Tears," "When you're out there in this world alone, there'll come a day when you'll miss this happy home," she sings about a fair-weather love. Gwil Owen's "Not Coming Home" has a lovely melody with the soft acoustic guitar backing Toni's aching vocal. "Get the Hell Outta Dodge" is pure Texas swing. The CD concludes with another slow Gwil Owens' tune, "One of These Lonely Days" with the gorgeous Tosca String Quartet bringing it to climax. There's no real addictive toe tapper like "Thank You for the Love" from "Midnight Pumpkin" on this set. Toni is taking her time. This is a great tear-in-your-beer set by one of our great female vocalists. Enjoy!

another knockout
Toni has released another gem, y'all.

Buy it, you won't be disappointed!
I was lucky enough to attend the CD release party at the Continental Club in Austin last night, and the band was HOT...
If you are ever in Austin on a Tuesday, don't miss Toni's show! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

She must have thought I was a real gone jerk
The CD features a great selection of "jump blues" songs from the late '40s to the mid '50s. Jump blues can be considered to be sort of a combination of swing music and the blues. Or you could just call it early r&b with horns. However you want to look at it, it was definitely a precursor to rock and roll. Many of the songs here would go on to be recorded by rock and rollers. (Elvis covered four of the songs here.) But putting the rock and roll connection aside, this music can stand on it's own merits. This is just plain fun, wild music. But don't take my word for it, listen to it and decide for yourself. Highly recommended.

Early R&B and R&R at its best!
This is a excellent example of the roots of R&B and R&R. The blues have never sounded so good! "Hand Clappin'"(#1) still uses the sounds of the big band era, and "Hoy, Hoy"(#6) brings blues and rockabilly to a new level. It is no surprise that Little Richard picked up his sound from Rudy Green's "Juicy Fruit"(#8). Wynona Carr's "'Til the Well Runs Dry"(#16)is an excellent example of the early R&B music sounds of Etta James in the late 50's. There were so many artists performing this type of music in the late 40's, but mainstream music critics never gave them their due. Many of the great rock n roll artists started their careers in blues music, including James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, and the Doors, unfortunately many stirred their talents toward mainsteam pop. Remember the names of these artists and those local jump blues bands in your community that honor their music.

Superb collection of the roots of the neo "swing" movement
This excellentCD presents a superb 15-year cross-section of an underappreciated branch of the blues. "Jump" blues seems to answer the never-posed question, where does swing end and the blues begin? For that matter, add rockabilly and electric blues, go way back to the late forties, and you have performances infinitely more powerful than Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis. These artists suddenly seem embarrassingly derivative--especially when you hear the original Big Mama Thornton version of Hound Dog. You'll wish you'd never heard of Elvis. ... Read more

Album Description

Lou Ann has long been a leading exponent of the Texas blues genre. These tracks, recorded over 20 years ago, capture herunique style & all 17 are on CD for the first time. A young Stevie Ray Vaughan appears on the last nine listed. 1999 M.I.L. Multimedia release. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

BIG TEXAS BLUES SOUND
Although I'm an avid Blues listener I was not familiar with Lou Ann Barton. I picked up Sugar Coated Love on a lark. As a fan of SRV I was more curious to hear the early recordings of Stevie Ray which are cuts 8-17 on the disc. After my initial listen
I was very impressed with the quality of the songs and the raw power. Barton's energy and passion are evident throughout the album, while the band powers through Blues-Rock selections with extreme confidence. At times the band (Rockola) reminded
me of the early work of Cream with a young Eric Clapton,
IT'S THAT GOOD. The music dates back to 1977 and has a
very raw unpolished sound and edge to it, (Kenny G fans
need not apply) which is common to some of the early Possum releases.

I was not, however, impressed with the sound quality on the disc which ranges from Fair to Poor, with some songs sounding like they were recorded Live with a Mattel cassette recorder placed at the edge of the bar. The sparse liner notes are limited to a single piece of paper listing the songs and 3 paragraphs about Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Ironically, it does not even mention the members of the band shown on the back of the case.

Still, SUGAR COATED LOVE is not about the anemic packaging but the power, energy, and passion offered on this album by Barton and the band. And, oh yes, don't forget Stevie Ray.

Some good early work by Lou Ann and Stevie
When I got this for a birthday gift and saw Stevie Ray Vaughan mentioned on the cover and extensively in the brief liner notes I figured it was mainly to help with sales and that there would be some rough, early work from Stevie Ray. Well, Stevie does a fine job and is already in quite distinctive form, thought it would improve as his career blossomed. Lou Ann does a fine job, as well, and these two made some great tracks together here.

The early tracks on this CD sound like they were recorded months or years earlier and yes, it is not a great recording but it is still good material. The tracks with Stevie are tighter and better recorded. A good deal for Stevie or Lou Ann fans (whatever happened to her?) but be warned the CD does not even list the authors of the songs or the other members of the band.

kick***
kick*** blues from someone who was taken from us to soon we miss you stevie.

Reissue with Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar
Somewhat uneven early work by Lou Ann Barton. Can tell this was recorded on iferior equipment.Lou Ann is in great voice and Stevie Ray Vaughn's guitar is always great. Would like to hear something new not a reissue from this artist. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Turbocharged, hard drivin, lip smaking, foot stompin BLUES!!
I am a "born again" blues listener. This colletion of three CD's could probably be called the rollercoaster of Texas-based blues. Ms Thornton is the connection to past female blues greats, such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie. This is the performer that inspired Janis Joplin. The first CD, (a live performance recorded in a jail) includes "Ball and Chain", which she dedicates to Janis. The second CD entitled "Sassy Mama" includes "Rolling Stone", "Mr Cool and "Sassy Mama", the title track rocks as if it were a live recording. The final CD is a previously unreleased collection that, to me is the best of the three. All are good!

The collection includes a booklet written by Ed Ward, the rock historian for National Public Radio's "Fresh Air". In this booklet one will discover that Ms Thornton was a far more flamboyant personality than Janis, preferring Gin and Milk to Janis' Southern Comfort. Another fact that will surprise you will be her connection to Elvis Presley's fame. Every track rocks, she lifts you by the collar and screams you into the blues. This collection is a must for anyone that enjoys hard drivin female blues vocalists

A Powerhouse
This three disc set is one that I keep finding myself returning to time and time again. It's raw power and energy, like being assualted with rythm. Each track refuses to be ignored. Big Mama Thornton rips into song with a power reminiscent of Koko Taylor and Janice Joplin. Every time I've listened to this I find it incredible that Big Mama Thornton hasn't received more recognition than just "Hound Dog". If you like music as an experiance (versus just background noise) do not miss this! ... Read more

Album Description

The buzz is getting out!In the March 2000 issue of Guitar One Magazine titled, "BEST IN THE U.S.", Monte Montgomery was chosen as one of The Best 10 (unknown) Guitarists in America.The article states:"Monte Montgomery was the first artist chosen for this column (the first to make our jaws drop!).His scorching yet musical solos, combined with great pop sensibility in his songwriting, are what cought our ear.But when you consider that he's playing those Van Halen-esque solos on an acoustic guitar with distortion, it becomes a slam dunk" - Guitar One Magazine. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

What Talent!
I first saw Monte several years ago at Birmingham's City Stages performing with drummer Phil Bass and bassist Chris Maresh in a Sunday afternoon slot. Midway into their abbreviated set, I was lost in the stormy sounds of "River." I promptly purchased "First and Repair."

"River" is still my favorite song -- especially when I hear and see it performed live -- but it's like the distant rolling thunder of an impending storm. Monte paints wonderful images with his songwriting, then enhances it all with his versatile vocals and skilled artistry on the guitar. From the reggae-tinged "Love Come Knockin'" to the easy, spiral into love in "The Fall," these tunes are all solid.

Buy "First and Repair," buy "Wishing Well," buy "Mirror." Go see Monte Montgomery live.

Shoulda been 5 stars.
Like most of the others, I saw Monte on Austin City Limits. He blew me away. I've never heard anybody play an acoustic guitar like that. He makes that Alvarez hum. I am sort of let down by the album though. You don't really get a taste of his full talents until the last song. Then you get a good 8 minutes of close-your-eyes-and-listen licks. I don't understand why they held him back. Maybe it'll take a live album to capture the full Monte. Until then, he's the best kept secret in the music business. I really hope he eventually gets his due.

this is just [bad] pop music
Well you would think with all the glowing reviews that this guy is someone special, well ok he can play a guitar( acoustic), so can thousands of others, its just [bad] pop and love songs , there is no depth or get go, only one track (the last )is ok and thats because he hardly sings and actually plays, otherwise this is [bad] stuff, i own over 1000 cds and this one is going bye byes, its not blues, soul, jazz,or rock its just boring and annoying, . if you like music with depth, then stay well away from this.i say listen b4 you even consider buying this. whats with edits note! do you want the truth or not?.freedom of speech , seems not.

1st and repair
Best kept guitar secret in America. Monte is incredible.

Absolutely the best!
This is my favorite CD of all time. I have listened to it at least 500 times and it sounds better each time I hear it. I can only dream of playing guitar like Monte! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Johnny breaks the door down!
1991 wasn't a really good year for blues but this album as well as John Lee Hookers "The Healer" continued to burn the flame during that dark peroid.
EVERY track on this one is totally fabulous...Johnnys voice is at its peak, his guitar work is incendiary and the greatest thing about this album is the feeling throughout that Johnny and his band ( who are also 100% superb!) are really enjoying every moment of it.
Billy Branchs harp work is stunning and Dr. Johns piano is practically in flames, especially on that last track " You Lie Too Much" (c.d version only/bonus track).
This c.d goes so well together with Johnnys two previous c.ds " Guitar Slinger" and the merciless "Third Degree"...they all have the same very high level of energy.

Good back-to-basics blues-rock
1991s "Let Me In" features thirteen primarily electric songs, some great guitar playing, and R&B-veteran Dr John playing piano on several tracks (his solo on "Sugaree" is particularly good).

It is one of Winters' better latter-day efforts, featuring several really good songs, including a fine cover of Jimmy Reeed's "Shame Shame Shame" which features harpist Billy Branch, the Elmore James-like original "If You Got A Good Woman", the jazzy, acoustic ballad "Blue Mood", and the magnificent acoustic "Let Me In", a Son House-like slide guitar blues right out of the Delta. Johnny Winter is one of the best white musicians I have ever heard play the acoustic slide guitar, and this song brings back memories of his masterful playing on Muddy Waters' "Hard Again" album.

Winter plays a smouldering electric solo on the superb, soulful ballad "Life Is Hard", and he and Dr John show off their chops on the tough blues-rocker "You Lie Too Much", but Winter's somewhat predictable versions of old-time rockers like "Barefootin'" and "You're Humbuggin' Me" may not be to the liking of those fans who prefer his bluesier side, though, and there are a couple of bland, generic exercises here which never get off the ground.
But most of this album is really good, with something for the blues-lover and the rock n' roll fans alike, and "Let Me In" is a nice purchase for Winter fans, even if it fails to live up to his best 60s and 70s efforts.
3 3/4 stars.

One of Johnny's Best!
When I first heard "Illustrated Man" on a blues show on the local jazz radio station, I had to get this CD. Being a longtime Johnny Winter fan, I was not disappointed! This is some of the hottest blues guitar playing and singing you'll ever hear! My favorite song is probably the third track, "Life is Hard", which features some beautiful blues vocals by Johnny as well as a nice piano solo by the legendary Dr. John, who also helps out on three other tracks. Other noteworthy songs are the title track, "Medicine Man", "Blue Mood", "Got to Find My Baby", and "You Lie Too Much". Let's face it, from start-to-finish this is a very enjoyable CD. Johnny has definitely left his mark as one of the all-time legendary contemporary bluesmen like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and this is a must for any true fan of Johnny Winter and the blues.

What a great surprise
The jazz station in Austin played the title cut in 1989 or so, and I bought the album, my first by the artist. I was amazed at how good the guitar work sounded. I wasn't and still am not sure how he is regarded compared to other guitarists, but some of my favorite guitar licks of all time are on this album, right up there with Stevie Ray, Jimi, Billy Gibbons and a few others.

Simply the most stunning electric blues ever played
This collection of masterpieces covers the full range of blues styles and offers something special for every blues enthusiast. Some of the most gripping, heart wrenching blues wizzardry that you will hear anywhere is on this album. Johnny proves again and again why he is the most accomplished electric blues guitar player that has ever lived. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Deep in the heart of a Texan
This is such an amazing disc! Nick Curran's voice send chills up my spine the way the old crooners did! Nick is an amazing talent and the Nightlifes are the perfect compliment to this dreamy front man. Buy this disc, buy Fixin' Your Head and WHATEVER you do catch them live. All I can say is dream come true. Dream come frickin' true.

Jump Blues Fans MUST Buy This CD
Following his freshman effort "Fixin' Your Head," Nick Curran returns to Fort Horton studios in Austin, TX, and once again produces a contemporary jump blues masterpiece. Anyone that felt the first CD was beginner's luck will be convinced that Nick is the real deal with this one. Nick's first CD is a listener favorite on my blues radio show (KNON 89.3 FM Dallas, Mondays 6-8 Central) and this one is just a popular. For the skeptical, I like to play the title cut (Nitelife Boogie) against the origial recording. It's a close, authentic cover, true to the original but not a clone. Nick definitely has that early 50's sound down cold. These two CDs are turning Fort Horton studios into a meca for blues artists around the country. One listen and you will understand why. If you like jump blues in the style of T-Bone Walker, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Magic Sam, Goree Carter, etc., do yourself a favor and get this CD right away!

Nick makes the Blues Jump!!
As far as people like Nick keep plays the blues in the old tradition of Texas-West Coast, still a Hope!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Down Home Blues is the best
If you really want to start jamming then I guess
you should listen to Down home blues. That's the best song on
Their.All the rest are good too but when I listen to Down home
blues I feel like I want to dance. After that song if you want to
hear another song you better have a party!

WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE CD WITH "SECOND CHANCE" ON I
DOWN HOME BLUES, AND CHEATIN' IN THE NEXT ROOM IS GREAT, BUT ZZ HILL, "SECOND CHANCE" SONG IS THE GREATEST ONE OF ALL TIMES. HOPE SOMEONE CAN TELL ME WHERE TO BUY IT AT.

A Blues Revival
Back when blues music was at a low (late70s/early 80s) due to the onslaught of late-70s disco, Z.Z. Hill decided to produce a "down home blues" album...and it was a smash hit! Hill's gritty singing and a batch of solid blues songs caused a revival in the blues! Check out "Down Home Blues" for proof! The great album also has Hill's traditional soul stylings, such as "Cheatin' In The Next Room". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Steller
When the weather becomes nice and I am going on a road trip with the windows rolled down, this is my album of choice to turn up and let it all out. Some of the best guiter and and lyrics around. It's a feel good album.

One of the all-time blues legends
I had the immense pleasure of seeing Lonnie Brooks in concert a number of years ago, and it still rings as one of the 2 or 3 most incredible concert experiences of my life. (And I was also lucky enough to get a chance to speak with him after the show, at which time he mentioned that he had been nursing a really sore throat all night ... which totally surprised me, since I didn't hear an inkling of that during the concert. Just the sign of a true professional, giving 150% even when under the weather.)

This was the first album I ever heard of his work, and it's still my favorite. I think I originally bought it because I thought the album cover looked cool, with the lightning coming off of Lonnie's guitar, but I soon found that Bayou Lightning was far more substance than flash.

If you're a fan of the blues, and for some reason aren't familiar with Brooks' work, pick up this album and give it a spin. Then try to get out to see him live, where he's often joined by his son Ronnie Baker Brooks, who's also quite a talented axe man. Before you know it, you'll feel the blues growin' inside your body like a fever ... a fever that Lonnie Brooks has no doubt had inside him since the day he was born. Lightning, indeed.

Dirty Swampy Treat.
The only shame here is you can't see Lonnie live.

Lonnie is a national treasure that the local Chicago bar circuit would be remiss to lose.

Lonnie's set these days doesn't seem to include much from this classic gem, but you still get a sense of what a modern bluesman should sound like, and where Lonnie came from.

Song one, Voodoo Daddy, is so earthy and determined that the listener is hooked from the word go. Lonnie yells a little more than he sings, and he milks his guitar for sounds most players had no clue a guitar could make.

"Wound Up Tight" might be a better album for the Lonnie novice, but this album tells a better story about how lucky Chicago is that Lonnie moved here from Texas.

Lonne Brooks is truly a descendent of the blues greats, bridging the gap between John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters to the next generation. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent
This four-disc JSP compilation provides a truly excellent overview of Texas bluesman Blind Lemon Jefferson's career. It is very well annotated, exquisitely remastered, and certainly worth more than the asking price (as is the case with all of JSP's blues box sets).

Every song Lemon ever recorded is here, the religious sides and the blues numbers, including "Match Box Blues", "Jack O' Diamonds Blues", "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean", and several alternate takes. There is quite a lot of surface noise present, but that is the case with all Blind Lemon-compilations - some of these songs were comitted to tape almost 80 years ago, remember. The original masters are long lost, and some songs have been remastered from seriously damaged 78s, which means that the sound quality varies a lot, but this box set sounds as good as any Blind Lemon Jefferson-collection on the market, with the possible exception of the excellent Milestone CD "Blind Lemon Jefferson".
Lemon's highly advanced guitar playing is often partly obscured by the noise, but his expressive tenor voice cuts is clearly audible, conveying emotions like longing, grief, fear, and bitterness...just listen to songs like "'Lectric Chair Blues" or "That Black Snake Moan".

This is a find for the serious blues lover, but it is just too much for slightly more casual fans, who will be better served by Yazoo's "The Best Of Blind Lemon Jefferson", or Catfish's "Squueze My Lemon". But if you want it all, this is the place to get it. A truly impressive document.

One of the Original Masters
Blind Lemon was one of the original masters. He was a huge influence on Robert Johnson, and Johnson borrowed more than just a line or two from Lemon.

Do yourself a favor and listen to a true pioneer who is still influencing popular music to this very day.

Two Songs in Particular!
ANY Lemon set that features both "Jack O' Diamond Blues" and "Where Shall I Be?" (absolutely immortal--listen to that little guitar intro) has got to start out being superb, and being the "complete" recordings of Lemon, how can it go downhill from superb? It can't. "Jack O' Diamond Blues" is the ultimate in blues shouting, just the best. And "Where Shall I Be?" is absolutely ethereal--what a masterpiece, being on my list of favorites with Tommy Johnson's "Canned Heat Blues" (favorite blues song), Charley Patton's "High Sherrif Blues" (favorite voice), Eddie Anthony/Henry Williams's "Georgia Crawl" (favorite fiddle and duet), Blind Willie McTell's "Scarey Day Blues" (great solo), Lonnie Johnson's "Careless Love" (only the original, on acoustic 12-string, not the later sappy stuff), Sleepy John Estes's "Down South Blues" (as mournful as it gets), Cannon Jug Stompers' "Bring It With You When You Come" (favorite banjo), Sonny Boy I's "Miss Louisa Blues" (maybe the wildest harp, short of George "Bullet" Williams's "Touch Me Light, Mama"), and Sonny Boy II's "Lonesome Cabin" (try to find a more beautiful harp). Get this Lemon box, check out my two favorites, and dig the rest of it--he was one of the coolest.

Good intro to Lemon
The sound is better on the second of the two Yazoo releases ("The Best of Blind Lemon Jefferson") than it is here, but this is a more complete set (although it's missing a few alternate takes) at a good bargain. This set is certainly superior to the Documents, but some of the songs are mastered from very lousy 78s (better copies exist and are used on other compilations). The reviewer below mentions an upcoming Catfish set. In my opinion, the Catfish sets in general are of very poor quality, they eradicate all the surface noise then artificially add some treble to make up for the loss in sound quality, and the overall effect is a very flat, lifeless sound and compromised music. Catfish's releases seem to be aimed towards the 78 layman who is not used to hearing surface noise. If you want the (near) complete Jefferson output, this is the set to get, but the Yazoos still sound the best by a fairly wide margin.

It's all here
This album contains all known surviving Jefferson recordings. For blues lovers, having a complete Jefferson set is like having the complete works of Shakespeare.

Jefferson's powerful tenor voice and freakish guitar technique would be reason enough, but you get the songs too. "Matchbox Blues," "Black Horse Blues," "Lockstep Blues," and many others are like lyric poetry.

The sound quality is about as good as possible considering that almost everything had to be dubbed from worn 78s that defy noise reduction. That does mean that background noise is present on every track in varying amounts.

As a bonus, the notes have a touch of ironic humor that doesn't detract from the solid information they present. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

FINALLY.....
IVE BEEN HUNTING FOR THIS ALBUM SINCE MINE GOT STOLEN IN''89''.. ITS ONE OF THE BEST IVE EVER HEARD ESPECIALLY SHADOWW MAN..

A Blast From The Past
Dont let anyone tell you that omar&the howlers are Creedence clones From the the moment the blast of omars voice comes growling out of your speakers complete with feedback you have a rare talent out of the same town as Bo Diddley and lately out of the home of rocking blues Austin Texas Crank up the barbecue ,grab a beer and invite a few friends round and set the neighbourhood alight rocking with a slab of pure swamp blues If your foot fails to tap to the beat, ring your local doctor as you must be dead. So in brief ,if swirling organs and chugging guitars combined with a voice out of the deepest part of the gravel pit are your prescription for a tonic for the drabness of life so take this with the greatest urgency

blast from the past
You could call me a completist as I have everything ever released by omar and the howlers From the first bars the swamp oozes out of the stereo speakers complete with feedback . many have compared omar with creedence but get real,he has continued and grown,they were at the end heading in a heavier track They must feed singers a diet of pure gravel with a dose of passion ,I am not a 50's style rock fan but this blast from 1987 has its roots in little richard and buddy holly. It is still timeless music that the toes tap to ... Read more

Album Description

This collection assembles the best sides from Hopkins'classic period, remastered from carefully selectedoriginals. 126 tracks on 5 CDs. Standard jewel cases housed in a slip-box. JSP Records. 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Unparalleled Blues Purity
This 5 CD set is almost too much of a good thing for lovers of raw country blues guitar music, a revelation of emotion and execution by a rare master of his art. For anyone interested in hearing the unencumberd essence of the human soul, this set is imperative. Though just about any recording by Hopkins is recommended (and there are quite a few) these discs capture him in his prime, playing with a conviction and power at a time when he had nothing to lose, before his "discovery" by white blues lovers in the sixties. The fact that themes are often repeated should be of little concern to those wishing to experience a primal example of evolution in country blues. Not only is this set a fantastic bargain for 5 discs, it is priceless when you get to hear what they contain. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Go out and buy it
Up there with "Live at the Regal". A can't miss record. When I put this on, people who don't like the blues tap their feet and ask me what I'm playing.

Have This Already? You're SERIOUS!
If you look at the collection of someone who claims to love the blues, you can BELIEVE it! This is the kind of album that your blues "fakers" rarely know about. You know, the ones that complain about a blues guitarist stretch out on a slow blues, and is waiting for the fast numbers. People who think SRV is all there is to the blues won't know this either. And neither will people who have RL Burnside's "modern" albums with Jon Spencer. But people who look for the soul, and true emotions that the blues has to offer us all will likely know about this album already. But if you're one of those people and you don't know about it, trust me and the reviewers, and BUY THIS CD! It's an ALL TIME classic!!

Must Have!
Fenton left us late last year - he will be sorely missed. Brilliant in his own right, masterful in both recordings and live venues (Fenton rarely performed live). This album is simply phenomenal. Want to feel the blues? Down to the deepest depths of your soul? Get this CD! A must have for any appreciator of music - blues or otherwise.

One of the All-Time Best Blues Records - by Who???
While Chicago has an impeccable list of blues giants, not many of those lists include Mississippi born, Fenton Robinson. On "Somebody Loan Me a Dime" Fenton blends incredibly tasteful guitar work, soulful vocals and a silky smooth funk groove, into a perfect blues experience. A mandatory addition to any blues catalog. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Back in the 1980s, Kim Wilson was merely one member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, a quartet that was as much a showcase for its never-waste-a-note guitarist Jimmie Vaughan as it was for its lead singer and harmonica player. But the rest of the T-Birds exited during the early '90s, and now the T-Birds are Wilson and anyone he hires for a particular album or tour. Their most recent studio outing, with co-producers Steve Jordan and Danny Kortchmar, leans toward their own backgrounds more than the scrappier blues of the past.

Happily, Kim Wilson's 1997 solo album, My Blues, tilts the blues-rock formula decidedly in the opposite direction. The rhythm on this project--built around acoustic piano, acoustic bass, and a small drum kit--is light and swinging, evoking the jazzy blues of pianists Roy Milton and Roosevelt Sykes more than the blues-rock of the T-Birds. The 15 songs feature two compositions apiece by Milton, Sykes, Little Walter, and Wilson as well as blues standards by Jerry McCain, Eddie Boyd, and Sonny Boy Williamson. These understated performances revive a bygone era quite enjoyably but they lack the modern ambitions of the best Thunderbirds recordings. --Geoffrey Himes ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A True Bluesman!
Kim Wilson stays very busy on the road theses days, alternating tours as frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds and occasionally hitting the clubs with his Blues Review. If you've been to any of his solo shows, then you know what to expect on this fine album - many well-crafted covers of older blues material, sprinkled with a few Wilson originals. Most of the tunes here don't begin to approach the raucousness of many crowd pleasing T-bird favorites, but they are just as satisfying. Eschewing the latest digital technology, this CD is recorded live & retro-style, in Hi-Fi mono, to give you that "latenight, juke joint" feel. Nearly every tune is a stand-out, in it's own way, w/ "West Helena Woman", "Date Bait" and "Your Funeral & My Trial" leading the way. Definitely a "Buy" for Blues fans.

This IS Kim Wilson
I bought this CD at his show in Maynard, MA on 3/18/2000 at the Sit'n Bull Pub. I saw the man perform that night...what a show! I listened to this CD the next morning and it was as good as the show...maybe that is why it is titled "My Blues". His "Live-to-tape" recording method does this band justice! There is no mixing magic here, what they played is what you bought! You hear the band, in their element. I can recommend this CD to anyone who truly enjoys Blues without being afraid they might not like it. If I were Merrill-Lynch, I'd rate this one a "BUY"!

great cd for kim's vocals & awesome harp
kim has outdone himself on this one. listened to it on the way home the other night and was floored, not only by the tune selection but by the recording method of hifi mono. sounds great and even recommend it to the savvy a##holes at living blues, who said this cd wasn't worth anything. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A good introduction
These early-90s re-recordings of eleven of Albert Collins' best songs is not a definitive collection, but it does provide a fine introduction to the late bluesman, although many will probaby prefer to own these songs in their original versions.

Collins' horn-laden brand of blues music doesn't quite burn with the intensity of Howlin' Wolf or Elmore James. Nor is it as sweaty as Muddy Waters' swaggering Chess singles. But "The Master of the Telecaster" was nevertheless a very influental, very original bluesman, and this collection includes both slow, wailing ballads with smouldering solos and muscular up-tempo numbers with a great horn section, and mastering and production are first-rate.

Guest stars include The Memphis Horns, B.B. King, saxist Branford Marsalis, former Thunderbird Kim Wilson, and Irish guitarist Gary Moore, and highlights include the supremely funky "If You Love Me Like You Say", a powerful reading of the classic "Honey Hush", the slow, intense "Tired Man", and the deep groove of "The Moon Is Full".

A little too much organ here and there for my taste, but that's a minor complaint. Most of what is here is just great, and "Collins Mix" is a fine sample of Albert Collins' too-brief career, and a great place for newcomers to start.
And the original versions of some of these songs can be found on the CD "Deluxe Edition", which chronicles Collins' Alligator years, by the way.

One of the greatest bluesmen of all time!
What separates a good player from a master is the little things. Albert Collins was a true master of the blues whose piercing playing could send chills down the spine. One of the few players who could rival the intensity of Albert King, Collins like King (who cited Collins as his favourite player) forged his own unique style that countless guitarists have tried to emulate (including yours truly) but none have successfully duplicated it.

Of course that was the idea as Albert saw it - create your own means of expressing yourself through the instrument. This album captured Collins in excellent form covering a retrospective of songs spanning thirty odd years of his career. Guests on the album include the great BB King (on one of Albert's signature instrumentals 'Frosty'), Gary Moore (on the slow burning 'Time is Money'), and old Tonight Show band frontman Branford Marsalis trades licks with Albert on 'Honey Hush'. Without prejudicing the other tracks on this album, some of the standouts to me include (other than the ones already listed) 'Tired Man' (a slow shuffle blues with harmonica accompanyment), 'The Moon is Full' (Albert's solid backing band is particularly funky on this one), Mastercharge (a funny song with possibly my favourite Collins guitar solo on this album), and 'Collins Mix': a musical mosaic of how to let one's guitar do the talking - few could compare to Collins in this area. I know some of the reviewers have personal album favourites of theirs but in my opinion this is the best Collins album because it is a solid retrospective. And unlike a lot of "greatest hits" compilations, this one lives up to its billing and showcases a legend who never received the degree of acclaim that he should have. For lovers of good music, 'Collins Mix' belongs on your music rack.

misleading title
This is not the best of Albert Collins, but a bunch of re-recordings of his best songs made at the end of his career. If you're new to Albert Collins buy Ice Pickin' or Cold Snap for a more rockin' sounding Collins. This is more for the completist.

If you are a true blues fan...
This CD is great, yet if you are expecting a real blues of Mr.Collins this is not the one. For a true blues fan I recommend "Alive and Cool" in stead of this CD.

Collins at his best.
If you like the blues to really rock, to be unpredictable, to have soul, but outrageously funny words, and guitar work second to none, then this is the album. I own 5 albums of A.Collins, and this is my favorite.

"Mastercharge" has a great beat, great humor when Albert sings in falsetto telling what his wife says - tells him why she bought stuff, and guitar playing from the outer/inner alien world of Collins' genius mind. This disk has the best rendition of "Mastahcahd, Bankahmerahcahd." ... Read more