Reviews (1)

A solid blues album
Papa John Creach does double duty on this album as a vocalist and solo violinist.

On this album, he is working with the Bernie Pearl Blues Band, an excellent ensemble even if Papa John were not working with them.

Papa John can do with a violin what Izhak Perlman can't.

The CD is on the Bee Bump Records label - not exactly mainstream but it should be.

The best cut is the "Bumble Bee Blues" but the entire album is one you will want to have - DEMAND to have - if you enjoy the blues. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good Compilation, Two by Tommy Johnson
Still one of the best intro CDs to the blues. I'm knocked out by Tommy Johnson; he's the first two selections here. Charley Patton, but hey - what about that pivotal Willie Brown doing "Future Blues"? The liner notes are not circumspect in describing Louise Johnson's "performance" on "On the Wall". Another treat is two by Elmore James - 'specially "Something Inside Me" which floats along like Jimi Hendrix.
I never tire of this compilation.

Weird and Wonderful
Any Mississippi Delta Blues fan would have an awful time picking just 15 representative entries. This album does a great job, falling just short by including too much new material - by new, I mean after 1940. Still, you can't argue with Robert Johnson's "Crossroad Blues" or even Robert Nighthawk's superlative "Going Down to Eli's." This captures the individuality, roughness, and anti-spritiuality of Delta Blues really well and a couple of non-obvious inclusions like Robert Petway's Catfish Blues make it a good catch. Of the Blues Master Series, this is one of my favorites. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

It's seems strange now to think of Muddy Waters's having to make a "comeback," but that's what the 1977 Hard Again came down to. The great bluesman's first post-Chess recording after 30 years with that company, it marked Waters's major-label debut and eventually went gold. The over-60 Waters lived up to all the attention with one of his most energetic, sustained performances, bettering his original version of "Mannish Boy," pushing "Bus Driver" to a raging peak, and generally sounding like the wisest man on record. Harp player James Cotton and producer-guitarist Johnny Winter are among the support; they both stay out of Waters's way and give as good as they get. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Beyond 5 stars
This is one of the truly great albums of all times and look at the price. Muddy Waters with Johnny Winters producing and on guitar you would think there is not much more to say, but there is. There is history and a story. Rollin' and Tumblin' : The Postwar Blues Guitarists by Jas Obrecht tells the story of the album and how it was so aptly named for those who are interested. It doesn't take alot of imagination.

Besides the story there is of course the music, which counts the most. The CD would be worth the price just to hear Muddy start out with his field holler Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah! Everythings goin to be all right in Mannish Boy. I can feel it deep in my soul. But I assure you it doesn't stop there. You get Muddy singing and playing on I Want to be loved. And I just Can't Be Satisfied the guitar sounds so simple, wonderful and basic. Every time I hear it I think if I could just play guitar like that (I think I'll go sit down on the crossroads). The carnival sound in Crosseyed Cat can't be beat.

Then take a look at who is on the album besides Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter- James Cotton on harp, Pinetop Perkins on piano, Bob Margolin on guitar and Willie BigEyes Smith on drums- not shabby.

If you want to know about the blues buy it. I you have heard of muddy waters buy it. If you like the blues you should have it.

4½ stars. A magnificent comeback
Muddy Waters may have recorded better songs than most of the ones on this album, but the super-competent backing band and sympathetic production still makes this a really fine blues record.

The three Muddy Waters classics which were re-recorded for this release ("Mannish Boy", "I Want To Be Loved" and "I Can't Be Satisfied") are certainly the highlights of the album, but the rest is more than worth a listen as well, and the "traditional" acoustic rendition of "I Can't Be Satisfied" is worth the price of the CD alone. Johnny Winter's incredibly catchy acoustic slide guitar riff sounds like the very best of the 40s, only with all the benefit of the technical equipment of the 70s.

Also, the opening rendition of "Mannish Boy" is probably the definitive reading of this one-chord classic, with some supremely confident vocals from Muddy Waters, and a rock-solid beat laid down by drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith.

The eight-minute slow blues "Bus Driver" may be fundamentally generic, but it benefits greatly from som sublime lead guitar playing by Johnny Winter, and James Cotton's smouldering harp winding its way through the song, and these grade-A arrangements are a big part of what makes this album so good.
Cotton plays some really magnificent harp all through this album, alternating between solos and Rice Miller-like blasts and fills. Johnny Winter's and Waters' guitar playing is flawless. And Willie Smith holds everything together with some subtle, yet powerful drumming.

Mmmm....blues!

Bus driver...
Muddy Waters sounds looser here than I've ever heard him. This sounds like some friends getting together for a jam session at someone's home, with dialogue around some of the tracks, spontaneous-sounding vocal contributions from some of the musicians, and just a general laid-back feel. It's loud and raw, great jamming all around, and shows us that not only the young make great music. Waters IS the blues, and this is THE blues record. See if you can find it on vinyl if you're of that persuasion (I liek some thinsg better that way), otherwise it's damn cheap on CD. My local indie record shop was selling it for $8, and amazon's price is great too. Any price would be good for this one. Roll on, Muddy, wherever you are.

Whooooo!!!!!! Who could resist this one?
This is not only a great sounding blues album - it's a great sounding album. Who doesn't know the testosterone-laden "Mannish Boy"? Who could listen to "I Can't Be Satisfied" and not be affected in some way? The rhythms and guitars pound like locomotives right into your helpless brain. Water's voice is strong as ever, and the band is as tight as the density of a neutron star. This has to be one of the best blues albums out there (though we can all have a good time trying to find out).

Hard to Top This One!!!
In April, 1978, it was my immense privilege to see Muddy Waters live in Austin, Texas at Antones blues club. (The Fabulous Thunderbirds opened for him and were, well, fabulous, as usual.)There he was, dressed to the nines, stolling on stage to the accompaniment of his legendary band, his huge, baby face split wide in an immense grin, working his way through one masterpiece after another. It's a night I will never forget. Well, Hard Again was the album that first piqued my interest in this legend, and after 25 years, still holds up great. Producer and famed guitarist Johnny Winter leads Muddy, super harpist James Cotton, and an all-star band through one classic after another. "Mannish Boy" is one of the very best performances by Muddy ever captured on vinyl, with Muddy howling, Johnny screaming and James Cotton wailing on harp. In "Cross-eyed Cat," Muddy spins the fascinating tale about a woman living with a creature who is "too big to be a housecat and too small to be a lion...There's something wrong!!!" More great work by Cotton on this number and by Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums. "I Can't Be Satisfied," features Johnny taking several excellent solos on his steel-bodied National guitar, while "The Blues Had A Baby And They Named It Rock And Roll" finds Muddy telling his version of the birth of the music, accompanied by Pinetop Perkins excellent piano figures. In short, this is the album that gave Muddy Waters his well-deserved renaissance, and allowed him to die happy just a few years later knowing that his place in music history was assured. ... Read more

Amazon.com

There's a stereotype about the Delta blues. You know the one: some guy sitting on a back porch somewhere, or maybe in a boxcar, with his guitar, singing about some woman who left him. But real Delta blues is far more flexible, creative, and, above all, spooky than that. It takes someone who learned from the style's master--that would be Robert Johnson, in case you're wondering--to explore the music's length and breadth, and that someone is Robert Lockwood Jr. That's why, even though he covers some of the hoariest chestnuts the Delta blues has to offer--yep, there's "Dust My Broom," and yep, there's "Love in Vain," and "Ramblin' on My Mind," not to mention Lightnin' Hopkins's "C.C. Rider," which has been covered by just about everyone who can sling an acoustic guitar--Lockwood keeps the music fresh and appealing. There's no question that he's good at what he does; he's won a W.C. Handy award, been nominated for a Grammy, and remained one of the most respected bluesmen around for decades. It would be hard to select a more clichéd title for a Delta blues album than Delta Crossroads--Lockwood does not, by the way, cover "Crossroad Blues" on this album, but that's fine; he's earned the right. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Delta Lockwood
This cd is an essential Lockwood album. It includes all the great guitar singles and no-one plays a Twelve string Better than Robert Lockwood Jr.

If you enjoy the real roots of blues music you will want to purchase this cd. Robert is a founder of blues music and influenced many. This cd will show you why. Also check out I Got to find me a woman for a band backing Robert up.

The KING OF BLUES

The King of the Twelve String
Robert Lockwood plays a mean 12-string guitar. This album showcases Robert alone with his acoustic 12-string and is a reminder of the power of the song. Robert's voice and guitar ring so loud and clear, it's a pleasure to listen to this disc full of old blues standards and Lockwood originals. Lockwood is an underappreciated blues master. He will probably always live in the shadow of his mentor, Robert Johnson...but he deserves to be honored as a blues original in his own right. The clear and crisp production and sound on this disc only help to make these blues standards sound better than ever. I bought this disc to get some inspiration as an acoustic blues guitar player, and Lockwood's 12-string playing has blown me away! I can only hope to play half as good as Lockwood some day. Great stuff!

He just gets better with age.
At the time or writing, B.B.& Eric are up for a Grammy for "traditional Blues", but in all fairness,they can`t hold a candle to this 85 year-old gent`s latest release! It is Delta Blues as it supposed to be played,and once again shows just how magical the 12-string acoustic guitar can sound when played in this genre. Suffice to say that,if you love the Blues,then buy this album. Mr.Lockwood Jr.can still show the young`uns a thing or two!

So Good!
An updated but authentic blues recording. If you love the blues and are sometimes frustrated by the quality of the old recordings, you'll love this disc. Robert Lockwood, Jr. is a blues master who shows it's possible to reinterpret old standards while remaining true to the blues form. I can't recommend this disc highly enough!

Another gem by a master
Robert Lockwood, Jr., remains a national blues treasure who still sounds as fresh and vital today as he did decades ago. Telarc has issued a new cd, Delta Crossroads, which is surprising in being a solo acoustic album. Robert is heard on fine performances of a number of blues associated with his stepfather, Robert Johnson's songs, several other blues standards and his own originals.This is not his first acoustic blues album. He recorded for a French label, Plays Robert & Robert which has been reissued in the US on Evidence. And he has included tracks on prior albums in a similar vein. Robert has recorded most of the songs heard here in the past, although perhaps under different titles. For example, his This Little Girl of Mine was recorded with his band as Hold Everything on his first Trix album. This writer is familiar with other renditions of most of the Robert Johnson songs. Johnson's 32-20 Blues that opens this album may be the one song I have not heard him on record do before. Lockwood, in fact, recorded Dust My Broom prior to Elmore James, although it was issued later, and he did Rambling on My Mind on his Steady Rolling Man album on Delmark. He plays with his usual skill and sings straightforwardly and without any artifice. Its nice to hear renditions of performances of blues classics he regularly performs including C.C. Rider and Leroy Carr's Mean Mistreater and In the Evening, which is juxtaposed with a rendition of Love In Vain, which uses the latter tune's melody. This is beautifully recorded and produced by Joe Harley and is a worthy addition to his growing body of recordings. Hopefully we will get a new album of Robert with his band real soon. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

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

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

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

Reviews (2)

The thin end of the blues wedge...
"Malted Milk" and "Walkin' Blues" from Eric Clapton's Grammy-winning "Unplugged" (1992) were both Robert Johnson originals. His recent "Me and Mr. Johnson" and "Sessions for Robert J" prompted me to try this disc and I am thoroughly satisfied with my purchase. It feels great to listen to the original "Hellhound on my Trail", "If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day", "From Four Until Late", "Crossroad Blues", "Milkcow Blues", "Queen of Spades", "Sweet Home Chicago", "Me and the Devil Blues", "They're Red Hot" etc after falling in love with Eric Clapton's high-fidelity renditions. If you liked "Sessions for Robert J", you will most likely like this original with all of Robert Johnson's (29) songs.

This is a really good deal.
Robert Johnson only recorded 29 songs.Sony would like you to think that you should either get the complete recordings (with many alternate takes back to back with the master takes) or one of their "historically important" single disc comps.Proper gives you all the songs on a single disc.Sure Robert Johnson doesn't get a dime from this, but he sold his soul to the devil, who sold it to Sony.The art is a bit cheesy, but it's got every one of his songs on a single disc.That's a proper deal. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

blues piano artistry, indeed
In 1961, the great Meade 'Lux' Lewis entered the studio with producer Chris Albertson to record this masterpiece of blues and boogie woogie piano. It's nothing short of a true wonder to hear Lewis on a grand piano, with superb sound quality, tickling and pounding the keys, playing strikingly modern-sounding music. For some strange reason, Lewis was considered something of a has-been at the time, but now, almost 43 years later, the music sounds as if it was recorded only yesterday. The grooves never quit, and harmonically, Lewis pulls a few amazing stunts. He also plays the celeste on three tracks, which has often been sneered at by critics, but the music-box effect is surprisingly beautiful, and somehow it all fits in very nicely. If you only want to buy one blues piano cd in your lifetime, this one is not at all a bad choice. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Magnificent Tennessee blues
Bringing together 23 songs recorded between 1929 an 1941, "I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More" is as close to a definitive retrospective of Sleepy John Estes's music as possible. Virtually all of his best songs are here, varied, inventive tunes featuring pseudo-autobiographical lyrics loaded with evocative imagery.

The period covered by this CD was John Adams Estes' best and most creative, cathing him at the height of his considerable powers. He usually recorded with a jug band, which gave his music a great variety of textures...mandolin player James "Yank" Rachell and harpist Hammie Nixon are prominent on most of these songs, and Estes is occationally backed by piano and second guitar as well.

Big Bill Broonzy called Estes' singing style "crying" because of his emotional delivery and light tenor voice, but there is nothing morose or self-pitying about John Estes' music. It swings with a loose, relaxed feel that isn't heard on many prewar blues records, and it is some of the most melodic acoustic blues you'll ever hear.
"I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More" contains all-time classic blues tunes like "The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair", "Someday Baby Blues", and "Diving Duck Blues", as well as the title track, "Every Ought To Make A Change", "Drop Down Mama", "Clean Up At Home", and the frighteningly realistic "Floating Bridge".
Acoustic country blues doesn't get any better than this.

Country Blues String Band Style
It's not often that you get to hear old blues artists within a band setting. Usually it's just one guy and his acoustic guitar. What sets Mr. Estes' blues apart is the inclusion of mandolin, harmonica, fiddle, and occasional piano. His own guitar picking and his, dare I say, cute voice, make this CD irresistable. The music is catchy and the thoughtful lyrics are easily decipherable. As far as I'm concerned, no blues collection is complete without this CD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When folk revivalists all of a sudden became fascinated with country-blues performers of the early 20th century, no one had to go into the sticks to find Reverend Gary Davis. Though he'd stopped recording, Davis was an active street singer and preacher in Harlem throughout the 1940s. In the 1950s, folklorists, fans, and followers began to seek him out to hear him play, record him, and learn from him. Stefan Grossman, now a respected guitarist in his own right, was one of his longtime students, and he's compiled this wonderful three-disc box set, complete with detailed song notes and an essay that explores Davis's pre-New York days. Disc 1 features rare recordings made by Columbia University student John Gibbons in 1958 and 1959, and it focuses mostly on Davis's instrumental prowess: a thoroughly matchless fingerpicking guitar style that fused bits of jazz, blues, and ragtime into a highly personal technique. In addition to the many instrumentals on the first disc, there are some of Davis's most spellbinding vocal performances, especially "Crucifixion" (which blends singing and preaching) and "Don't Know Where to Go." Disc 2 includes home recordings from the mid-1960s, while the final disc of live recordings shows off his stage charisma and command. Demons and Angels clearly displays the breadth of Reverend Gary Davis's talent and material--from pop songs to "holy blues" and age-old folk--and is quite a welcome boon to his devoted fans and anyone else looking to discover one of the genre's inimitable talents. Beyond that, it will have aspiring (and even accomplished) acoustic guitarists staying up half the night trying to figure out exactly how the good Reverend played what he played. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Unexpected,terrific music.Too marvelous for words!!!
Blind Gary Davis,best known as Reverend Gary Davis,since he bacame a preacher,1933,may be the most terrific,outstanding guitar player of the blues and gospel history with Blind Blake.His ragtime style,combined with this particular South Carolina touch,makes him one of the most gifted and impressive musicians of all times.Born in Laurens County,South Carolina,April 30,1896,he lived enough to be rediscovered in the early sixties,while he was a street singer in Harlem;he lived until 1972,and died May 5,one week after his 76th birthday,on his way to a concert date.THis three CD set,full of treasures,is issued by Stefan Grossman,who was a pupil of the Reverend.These are unissued recordings: CD 1 was recorded at the Columbia University,1958-1959;CD 2 was recorded at home,1964-1966;and CD 3 comes from concert dates,1962-1966.Of course,it includes some amazing music;Gary Davis was really alone in his field,that way of playing and singing sacred songs with this Carolina touch;his incredible,extremely difficult picking style (surely the most difficult one with Blind Blake's) ,with many ragtime touches,is a real delight.And I don't speak of the guitar he's playing;I just hope I'll have the opportunity to play such an instrument once in my life.
Gary Davis stopped playing blues in the fourties,and it's a great chance to hear him play it here.BUt if you buy this set,please start listening to "sporting life blues",(no,it's not Brownie McGhee's,even if the melody and chords are close to it),this is an amazing guitar solo which will drive you directly into Gary Davis' music.And Lord,what a sound!!!I won't try to tell you about all the songs,there are too many,and they're all amazing;the only regret I have,like another reviewer said,is that Gary Davis' masterpiece,"death don't have no mercy",doesn't figure here.Too bad.But there are other masterpieces: "God's gonna separate",for example;or many others.Nothing here has to be rejected.This here is an absolute concentrate of talent.Gary Davis is one of my favorite musicians for twenty years,one of my favorite guitar players,of course,and one of the most magnificent voices I've ever heard also.I think this 3 CD set is the first opus to buy,if you really wish to be introduced to the Reverend's music.Every minute of music played or sung by Gary Davis is one of the most essential ones of all times,so don't miss this magnificent set,full of things that have never been heard,full of noise and fury.Some of the most important music of the 20th century is here.The booklet is a fine one,and there are many lyrics transcribed.Sorry,you won't find the tablatures.So,try to find the Reverend's chords;good luck,sincerely.

Must Have For Fan's And Students Of Reverend Gary Davis
As a former student of Brother Davis($5 a guitar lesson), I was thrilled to hear fresh material after all these years. Even the old familiar tunes have yet new variations. I can't wait to check some of them out on the guitar. This three CD set is really a fantastic addition to my Reverend Gary Davis collection. I wonder what else Stephan Grossman(Demons Producer) is sitting on???...Joel

5 Stars For The Music.....3 Stars For The Compilation
The music of Gary Davis deserves this major collection release. But how can 3 CDs not include his classic Death Don't Have No Mercy?

No Energy Crisis Here
I can't believe this guy became governor of California! Amazing!

A lot of great surprises, but some dissapointments, too
This is probably the most comprehensive Davis compilation that will be relased any time soon & there is a lot of great music on it. I love listening to the newly released recordings of Crucifixion, I am the Light of This World, Slippin Til My Gal Comes in Partner, Devil's Dream, Mountain Jack Blues, and many others on this set. However, inferior performances of Buck Dance and Soldier's Drill open the first CD in the set, which got me to wondering if all three were going to be full of stuff that Davis apparently tossed off. Thankfully, that's not the case & much of the music meets the standards of Davis' best recordings from the late 1950s and early 60s. I wish Stefan Grossman had included the entire Children of Zion live recording here rather than just slightly over half of it (especially since that older Kicking Mule release has much better versions of Buck Dance and Soldier's Drill). I wonder if contractual problems prevented this. I was dissapointed in the box set's packaging and essays. The large fonts used on the box look amateurish, and it's not necessary to have the superlative "ultimate" printed twice on the front. The main essay tells us quite a bit about Davis' early and middle years, but the writing style is poor, which made it difficult for me to stay interested. Grossman's notes have some typos and inacuracies, and although the "endnotes," per se, lead one to some interesting music sources in print and on the web, they have little or nothing to do with Gary Davis. Grossman also provides too little information about the performances (e.g., who are the singers and banjoist accompanying Davis on Soon My Work Will all be Done, and where/when was each performance?). On the plus side, the photos are very nice - I got a kick out of the picture of Davis pinching a young girl in a bathing suit. Davis fans will want this set, despite its flaws. I'll be listening to it (although selectively) from now on. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The most in-demand guitarist of 1925-33
Eddie Lang did not lead many sessions during his short life and the great majority are on this Yazoo collection. The most in-demand guitarist of 1925-33, Lang's rare opportunities to head his own dates put the focus on his single-note lines and gave him a chance to be in the spotlight rather than making other players sound good. This album has two unaccompanied solos (including Rachmaninoff's "Prelude"), duets with pianists Frank Signorelli, Arthur Schutt and Rube Bloom and three of his famous collaborations with fellow guitarist Lonnie Johnson. However the most memorable tracks are Lang's two exciting duets with guitarist Carl Kress: "Pickin' My Way" and an alternate take of "Feeling My Way." This is highly recommended music from the best jazz guitarist prior to the rise of Django Reinhardt

Virtuoso indeed!
This is a great disc. It has Eddie playing in several different settings. The duets with Johnson playing lead are excellent. One of my favorite old jazz albums.

Cool, Man.
Cool, Man. Heavy. Really Heavy

Outstanding early jazz guitar pioneer.
Very melodious tunes, many haunting and hummable, that display dazzling guitar work and phrasings of a bygone era. Clearly Lang was an inspiration to Django and later guitar heroes. A few classic songs recorded with Johnson make this memorable. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Black Pearls
A perfect introduction to now-forgotten period of music,when women were the first blues stars,this CD is also great company for a book "Black Pearls:Blues Queens of the 1920's" by Daphne Duvall Harrison.While in the book we could find historical and economical background that shaped women like Bessie Smith,Ma Rainey and Ida Cox,on this CD we can hear their voices - through the limitations of primitive recording equipment,spirit of Mamie Smith explodes in our ears from 1920.when her hit "Crazy Blues" started avalanche of blues recordings and opened a door for a new market,as then unknown teritory of "race music" whose first pioneers were women.It's interesting to compare this women to their white sisters from the same era (check "Flappers,Vamps And Sweet Young Things") - while white singers lived and performed in far better circumstances,their songs and type of singing sounds comical today as opposite to these wonderful black singers whose music left beautiful afterglow that still shines,a century later.Of course,at that time they did not know that today we will considered them artists,they were "loose women" condemned by church,often on the road,living hard life and paying their fame with a price of not having family.Popularity of this first blues singers lasted only 10 years and then they were washed away by depression which succesfully destroyed recording bussines for some time,but songs survived until present day - check wonderful Ma Rainey (whose importance as "the mother of the blues" is introduced here by 3 songs!) and Bessie Smith;compare them to other singers and hear for yourself why these two women are called "Mother" and "Empress",why their music overshadowed other contemporaries...Young Louis Armstrong could also be heard here in the full glory of his New Orleans years.Compilation ends with touching example of late Billie Holiday in the autumn of her life - althought swing era singer,Billie actually grew up listening to these women and would often quotte their old verses in her blues songs.Lyrics of her "Stormy Monday" originally could be heard on Clara Smith (Bessie's biggest compentition) 1923."I Never Miss The Sunshine (I'm So Used To The Rain"). ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Awesome raw blues
Hooker doesn't play by the rules, and that distinguishes him from most other blues players. His style is raw and gritty, with his right foot stomping. I was only getting to know Hooker when I got this CD, and I was seruiously surprised by the songs where it's just his guitar and his voice: "I'm Bad Like Jesse James", "Sugar Mama", "Hittin' the Bottle Again", and "Thought I Heard". He's clearly not afraid of the imperfections, and that makes these raw guitar-only blues so real. The first time I heard a track like "I'm Bad Like Jesse James" or "Sugar Mama", I was shocked. I listened to it many more times, and the more I listened, the more I loved there blues.

The only problem with some of Hooker's recordings is that there's not enough Hooker on them. His vocals are always there, but I am real hungry for his unmistakable guitar. More often than not on his most recent recordings, he lets his collaborators take the front seat with their guitar (i.e., Robert Cray, Jimmy Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Morrison, etc). I thought that Healer, which a seriously excellent Hooker disk, was more main-stream, for the masses, which made Hooker more popular. But THIS disk, Boom Boom, is about as real and raw as Hooker gets on his recent recordings. That being said, if you are a Hooker novice, Healer or Don't Look Back are the best CDs to start with. After that, you should be more ready for this disk. For fans, this disk is a must.

I like many tracks on this CD, so it's tough to choose a favorite. I'd have to pick from two different styles used on this CD. One style - with a several-piece band, more "blues-as-you-know-it" style. Other style - just Hooker and his guitar. As the song with the band, I'd choose "I Ain't Gonna Suffer No More" because, while with the band, it's got the most of Hooker on it. His vocals got fire in them, his guitar is rough and raw and right by his side. As the song alone, I'd choose "Thought I Heard". The only other person playing on this song is Charlie Musselwhile on harmonica, which only adds to the strange wild-west mystery of this song. Excellent track. Sugar Mama is also an excellent, excellent alone track. Same Old Blues Again is very appropriated named - it's just about same old blues. The casual, rolling blues as you know them. The highlight of that song is Cray's nice long solo.

This disk isn't main-stream, as I said above. It's somewhat of an acquired taste if you are new to Hooker. If you already know Hooker, you'll love it. If you don't know much of his work yet, start with "Don't Look Back" or "Healer". The former is mostly a collaboration with Van Morrison and is an excellent piece of work - Hooker's last CD before his passing. The latter has a host of different guests on it.

Disappointing
John Lee Hooker provided some early memorable historic cuts but this album does not include any. The Healer was a milestone in his revival, Mr Lucky less so and this followup album loses even more of that impact. The album has guests: Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Charlie Musselwhite and John Hammond among others. The only tracks which approach being memorable are 'Same old blues' and 'Boogie at Russian hill'. This album is not often played from my collection.

More than one Boom Boom
There is a Pointblank/Charisma CD titled Boom Boom. Its tracklist differs from the K-Tel CD by the same name. Some of the other reviews refer to it instead of the K-Tel release based on the references to song titles. It includes 1.Boom Boom 2. I'm Bad Like Jesse James 3. Same Old Blues Again 4. Sugar Mama 5. Trick Bag (Shoppin' For My Tombstone) 6. Boogie at Russian Hill 7. Hittin' The Bottle Again 8. Bottle Up and Go 9. Thought I Heard 10. I Ain't Gonna Suffer No More. Don't be misled by those reviews into thinking the K-Tel release is better than it is.

Mediocre modern Hooker
Anyone who knows Hooker only from his mid-'80s and '90s albums knows absolutely nothing about him. While this is one of the better "modern" Hooker albums, minus most of the annoying guest appearances, this is not even remotely close to being prime Hooker. Everyone knows that (don't they?) Get the real thing. With few exceptions, the earlier the Hooker, the better; and the fewer musicians, the better.

Hooker delivers basic blues-raw
This CD is raw basic blues delivered with John Lee's complicated guitar strokes and rythms. His use of silence leaves you hanging on the edge of your foot tap. The raw gritty sound of the revisited Jesse James cut gives this song an additional dark side. Bottle Up and Go has you dancing in your seat from the snappy acoustic begining. Boogie on Russian Hill inspires a house party. I highly recommend this album to anyone interested in getting to know Hooker's music and it is a must for a fan. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

These recordings reaching from the height of Bessie Smith's fame into her decline in popularity are required listening, covering the years 1928 through 1931. Not only was her voice stronger than ever, but her control over the material was topnotch; she balanced on the fine line between seductive charm and overt sexuality with apparent ease. Some of her best material ever appears on volume 4 of this 5-volume set, including "Standin' in the Rain Blues," "Empty Bed Blues" (speaking of overtness...), "Devil's Gonna Git You," "I'm Wild About That Thing," "Blue Spirit Blues"... but it's useless to even try to list favorites. Smith's voice is so rich and expressive despite the primitive recording technology of the day, one can only imagine what it must have been like to hear her live. And trombonist Charlie Green and pianist James P. Johnson are featured prominently here as well. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A blues bargain!
These three CDs contain seventy-five of Aaron Thibeaux Walker's best and most influential recordings from the 40s, showcasing his jazzy lead guitar and particular brand of smoky, after-hours blues.

Several of T-Bone's best known recordings are here, "Call It Stormy Monday", "T-Bone Blues", "Bobby Sox Baby" and "Mean Old World" to name just a few. And the production is great, and the sound surprisingly clear and full, considering that several cuts were comitted to tape sixty years ago.

This is a different kind of blues compared to the hard-rocking Chicago recordings of blues giants like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Elmore James, but if you're a fan of T-Bone, or of slow, moody, jazz-influenced blues in general, this is for you. Walker was one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and this is a great testament to his ability.

Essential. In 50 years it hasn't gotten any better than this
...this is essential stuff.
some of the finest electric blues ever from the father of
electric blues guitar...

t-bone's best
this collection is superb.... i alway like to hear out-takes as well as the chosen selection... just to see the different styles... great versions of stormy monday... long skirt baby blues is becoming on of my favorites... 3 discs with 70+ minutes for each disc.. what a deal... too bad there is limited numbers...

Incredible
Too bad it's not available anymore because this is incredible stuff. Some of the finest blues ever recorded. T-Bone was the man. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Lightnin' Strikes !
This is a marvellous CD--no-frills, honest, straight-from-the-heart acoustic blues from a true master. I actually felt as if I were in the same room with this legendary artist.

I'm not sure where the dividing line is between blues and folk--in the case of Lightnin' Hopkins maybe there isn't one. This is surely American music at its purest, undistilled best !

No more hype--if you want to add a very special disc to your collection, look no further.

Superb Lightnin'
This magnificent recording is in my top five blues albums of all time. That's saying something. While it is not necessarily the most representative Lightnin' Hopkins, it might be the best. Here is Lightnin' bursting with energy after having vanished from the recording scene for four years, and the emotional, joyful, painful, gorgeously human blues he gives vent to are staggering to hear. Just Lightnin', close-miked in a hotel room, playing from his soul, with no clue that he was igniting his career anew with this album. Sound is outstanding, songs are less personal than usual for him (many are traditional) but absolutely riveting. Buy this and look into the soul of country blues. Buy it, and smile.

lightnin at his best
This is just lightin and his acoustic guitar recorded in a hotel room, just before the 60's blues revival.This is my personal favorite of lightin, better than any other compilation. If you have seen any video of lightin performing live, maybe you wondered why he wasnt captured like that on record. Well, listen to this one, its a great live performance, with lightnin taking all the decisions. ... Read more