Reviews (1)

A bit overstated but good
I don't know about the title, and I have NO clue what the Ike and Tina Turner song is doing in any collection entitled All Time Greatest Hits, but that said this is a reasonably entertaining collection of mostly great hits from the early 60s and 50s. Can't beat Mother in Law by Ernie K. Doe, an underrated all time great. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Too short, but the songs are great
Classic 50s blues singles usually had a playing time of 3-3 1/2 minutes, so I would imagine that the compilers behind the Millennium Collection could have fitted quite a few more songs onto this disc had they wanted to.
But the songs that are here are almost uniformly great, and even though this CD doesn't hold any rarities which could interest veteran blues fans, it is a nice collection for the newcomer.

Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind" and "Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton, are R&B rather than blues, but songs like Muddy Waters' "Got My Mojo Working", "I Ain't Superstitious" by Howlin' Wolf, "Don't Start Me To Talkin'" by Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II), and John Lee Hooker's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" are all part of the bedrock of classic electric blues.
A very nice sampler. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Jesse Fuller: American Icon of Blues Music
Jesse Fuller was one of the most talented musicians in American history. His one-man band performances are legendary in blues music. Although he is famed for his "San Francisco Bay Blues," his other musical makings make this CD extremely worthy to any lover of blues. Try it and you, too, will become a Jesse Fuller fan! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Big Mama Thornton was an outstanding singer who never quite got therecognition she deserved. She recorded "Hound Dog" before Elvis ever heardof it, and she influenced Janis Joplin to such an extent that Joplin covered Thornton's"Ball and Chain." The Way It Is, a live recording from 1970, is nowavailable on CD; a good thing, because Thornton's rich voice, with its throaty, menacinggrowl, is something no blues fan should miss. The opening song, Willie Dixon's"Little Red Rooster," is slow and intense, allowing Thornton's vocals toreach full power; "Sweet Little Angel" is equally powerful. The medley of"Baby Please Don't Go" and "Mojo Workin'," two standards ofthe genre, works well despite the different tempos, and the traditional "Wade in theWater" gets an almost-rock & roll treatment that is oddly appealing. While notThornton's strongest or most classic work, The Way It Is is definitely worthpicking up, for a taste of what her live performances were like. --GenevieveWilliams ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Brings Back Memories
I had to opportunity to see "Big Mama" Willie Mae Thornton twice, once at the famed Apollo Theatre and at the Palladium on 14th Street in New York City. At the Apollo, it was a blues show which headlined three acts, Big Mama Thornton, Jean DuShon and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee.

Miss DuShon brought down the house, of course, and received standing ovations for her fantastic singing and glorious physical appearance.

When Willie Mae walked out, it was in complete contrast to Miss DuShon. Big Mama wore a man's plaid work shirt, coveralls and men's construction boots. To top it off, she had a front tooth missing. What a sight! With the Apollo audience poised to ridicule, they sat mute as Willie Mae lumbered on stage with the saavy of a street bully. They didn't DARE utter one sound of disapproval. She sang her butt off that night and, in the end, she too, received standing ovations.

This record, THE WAY IT IS, has been in my collection for years and I plan to buy the CD. She even jokes about "Ronald Reegun" at this concert -- she was obviously opposed to Mr. Ronnie, suggesting that he might be a racist.

At the Palladium, she sang for mostly a college crowd. Her intro to "Hound Dog" was priceless. She spoke of how she felt when she first heard the song and how she felt "it wasn't nethin'...all I did was add some hoopin' and hollerin' to it, and it was a hit!"

This recording reminds me of when I saw this great lady on stage about three feet from me. I saw history in the making.

Big Mama's best live CD
In the 50s and 60s, Big Mama Thornton was one of the most overwhelming vocalists alive. Her deep, aggressive growl was the missing link between Bessie Smith and (maybe) Patti Smith, and her influence on blues and rock singers has never been fully appreciated (although she did make VH-1's top 100 Women in Rock list). Her voice will rumble through your insides as powerfully and uniquely as those of Howlin' Wolf, Chuck D or Diamanda Galas. The Way It Is is probably her best live recording available, highlighting her more confident, sometimes even vengeful approach. In her hands, the old standard "Wade in the Water" becomes a scorching gospel rocker that effortlessly demonstrates why she inspired Janis Joplin so profoundly. I'm an atheist, but her singing almost gave me religion. "One Black Rat," in which Big Mama threatens a man with her shoe "somewhere across of your shirt-tail," gives the lie to the old stereotype of blueswomen as sobbing masochists. "Sweet Little Angel" showcases her rendingly vulnerable side, which can be more fully heard on the CD Ball and Chain, which contains heartbreaking songs such as "My Heavy Load" and the title track. On The Way It Is, Ms. Thornton's band supports her excellently, which is something she couldn't count on for much of her 70s concert performances. I would still recommend Hound Dog as the best introduction to Ms. Thornton's wonderful but too-small body of work, but The Way It Is and Ball and Chain are the other CDs that anyone who loves her truly needs to own. She deserves to be far more widely heard than she is. As she was a lesbian who often dressed as a man onstage, I don't know why the gay and lesbian community hasn't acclaimed her as a pioneering heroine. Alice Walker has given her due respect, though. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Charles Brown's Please Come Home for Christmas is by far the lesser known of his two holiday recordings (the better known is Cool Christmas Blues). Please Come Home predates Cool Christmas and offers a sweet, blues-drenched step back in time to when R&B had not yet crossed over to the mainstream. Brown and his capable band turn on the holiday lights with a bevy of songs showcasing his smoky, lonely-avenue vocals, smart jazzlike phrasing, and minimal-but-tasty blues keyboard work. The effects are intoxicating, if only slightly interrupted by Bill Doggett's big organ interpretations of various classics. Still, it's hard to resist an album that features the original title track, plus such gems as "Christmas in Heaven, "Christmas Blues," and "Merry Christmas Baby." A rich set no music fan should be without. Highly recommended. --Martin Keller ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Best Christmas song, ever
Being from New Orleans, this song always reminds me of Christmas. Charles Brown's original rendtion of this song is my favorite by far. This song has been covered other more mainstream artists like Aaron Neville, Don Henley and Jon Bon Jovi. But none match the same soulful plea as Charles Brown does when he sings, "please come home for Christmas."

Before Otis Redding
Before Otis there was the legendary Charles Brown!

Please Come Home for Christmas
The title song is a classic and becoming extremely requested. The word smoothe can best describe a legend pouring out his "soul" at Christmas time. Teaming up with the legendary Bill Doggett (Honky Tonk) was a historical effort captured forever on this sessiion with King Records. Get it while it's available.

Christmas Blues At It's Best
Charles Brown's Please Come Home for Christmas is just one of the many songs on this CD that will bring back holiday memories of the one you love and the one that got away too. So pick this up, sit back with the lights real low and let Charles Brown take you to another time that will warm your heart.

Charles Brown was the best blues singer that has ever lived.
I was very saddened by the death of Charles Brown. His voice was like music from heaven. Every christmas I play his record (Please come home for christmas), and think of all the memories associated with this song. His singing was wonderful. I will truly miss his compeling voice. Christmas and eggnog will not be the same, but at least I do have some of his records, and these records will be more cherished. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent blues CD.
Lowel Fulson and his brother's duo. Collection of Lowel Fulson's early year recordings. Many tracks and great song after great song. Amazing blues power. Excelelnt sound quality.

Lawell Fulson's classic blues...
This is Lawell Fulson's origin as a blues master. This was cut before he became famous. The rythm guitar is his brother. Very simple and moody. His touching vocal of the young days is noteworthy. This is not backed by a big band... thus you can enjoy Lowell Fulson more in this CD. Because of the engineers effort, sound quality is great. I say go for it!

Greatest CD I have ever seen.
This CD is a summary of Fulson's greatest blues guitar performances. You will find Fulson's blues guitar idioms in every songs. If you are serious about learning blues guitar, this is the first CD you should listen to. This is very educational. 'Click' 'click' ... Read more

Album Description

Full title - The Very Best of King, Federal & Deluxe Volume one. Features 25 tracks from these legendary labels withstand-out tunes from Hank Ballard, Billy Ward & theDominoes and Freddy King. Remastered. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent
Good sound quality and some great rockers from the 50's that you do not hear on "oldies radio" I could live without the three songs that go beyond segestive, but most titles are a joy. platter ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The duet with Dr. John is particularly choice.
This was my first Charles Brown CD but I am familiar with some of his music from the radio. His piano work is good and his vocals are comfortable and inviting.

This is a well balanced CD with a few real gems. "Virus called the Blues" , a duet with Dr. John is very good.

I recommend this CD as an expansion from guitar based blues. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's not often you get to hear Mabel Scott wail "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" and Bessie Smith pour it all out on "At the Christmas Ball" alongside Lightnin' Hopkins's blistering "Santa" or Amos Milburn's classic "Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby," but that's the mile-wide shape of this good-times, 15-track compilation. Swingin' Louis Jordan is likewise featured on "Santa Claus, Santa Claus," while Kings Albert and B. B., John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Weatherspoon, and Lowell Fulson sharpen their axes for a mess of Christmas blues. Also included are cuts by Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, Floyd Dixon, and Eddie C. Campbell, whose "Santa's Messin' with the Kid" is as funny as it is rockin'. A fantastic showcase for blues guitar and vocals, this album should please any blues fan in your house. --Martin Keller ... Read more

Reviews (2)

com"YULE"ation Cleric : Spans Seventy Seasons
Compile,compile,compile...taskmaster Elwood must have those little elves up at the North House digging deep to ready these Blue Jingle Jewels to come on down that chimmey.Eleven different record labels serve as source, with seasonal selections starting far back in 1925 and turning thru till 1995.Throughout the jovial journey wandering amongst alumni credited with many a cornerstone Christmas crafting is encouraged. Hopefully you`ll too find some lost YULEtidings to X with certifiable seals of favorability.~~Merrily Mix~ 2% , 3# , 4#1\2 , 5$ , 7$ , 8# , 9#1\2 , 10# , 11$ , 12#1\2 , and 15# ~~ Post Script: The House lost a golden opportunity for further listener enrichment with lame liner notes. ( Elwood I really missed your muse ) Just a wish from me - how bout mixing up a live merry-millennial-mirth-maker batch from all those kitchen-clubs ya got,Pretty Please. ***buyit*saveit*shareit*giveit*donateit to the local library***

Rockin Blues Collection...House of Blues has yet to falter..
This CD is as fun as it is unique. If you love the blues, and are looking for the perfect Christmas album, this is the one. Worth the price of admission for Amos Milburn's "Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby." This cd is guaranteed to chase away your blues, and brighten your spirits. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Willie and the Hand Jive
One of my favorite albums that my husband Ray brought home from the pawn shop back in the early 70's. Loved it and and played it for my sons since then. This is the best version of Johnny Otis's "Willie and the Hand Jive" ever recorded and the most lively. Greatest all around music at a live concert, Live at Monterey. After all these years, when you hear it, you still get caught up in the energy and happiness of the event.

Incredible Live Rhythm and Blues Review
I am astonished that this great live recording of some of the best R & B artists is as inexpensive as it is. Admittedly, there are a few clunkers on this former 2 record set. But most of the album just soars with great vocals, horns, rhythm and Johnny Otis on the vibes. It is worth the price alone just to hear Esther Phillips sing Cry Me A River Blues -- which I believe is quite possibly the best 3-4 minutes of music on any CD anywhere anytime!! Johnny Otis assembled an all star review that is a classic.

greatest live recording ever-no foolin'
as a lifelong music fan when I say this is the best live album I have ever heard-thats saying a lot. a cookin' band fronted by joe turner, esther phillips, ivory joe hunter and a host of others. It doesnt get any better than this! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This set is the "Real Set"!
I purchased this set last week and went crazy over how great it is. It really took me back to all the time I spent down on the Gulf between Corpus and Mobile when I was in the Merchant Marines. Boy can these selections take you back,it reminds me of my early days when a real treat cooked by a Sea Cook was nothing more then stewed okra and tomatoes. A lot of young kids won't have a clue about this music ,but if you can really dig the likes of the real pros like Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith you will have a ball with this priceless set as these songe are the real orginals not remakes by some new Motown group. I am even playing this stuff for my Grandchildren and they are enjoying it as much as I did when I first heard a lot of it over 40+ years ago ! If you ever lived with the Blues and loves listening to people who made it real then this set will mean as much to you as it does to me. "Enjoy"

If you love & appreciate the Blues, you will LOVE this set!
I have been a blues fan for many years and have attended many blues festivals, including the BEST BLUES FESTIVAL in the United States - the Chicago Blues Festival. This CD box set more than surpasses its expectations of what Blues is meant to represent. A 5 STAR set! The music of today pales in comparison to this truly lost art. If you love Robert Johnson, you will absolutely love this box set. I recommend without hesitation. Do yourself a favor and enjoy life - order this box set!

Chestnut Stew!
It's hard to imagine a better introduction to pre-war American blues than this. It combines the well-known (e.g. Robert Johnson) with the obscure (e.g. Sippie Wallace) in such perfect proportion that anyone with any interest in blues will love it. The accompanying book makes for great history, great storytelling, and drawing the unifying threads. I love the piano-based tunes like Peetie Wheatstraw's "Peetie Wheatstraw Stomp" - don't let anyone fool you into thinking pre-wars is all National Steel Guitar! This and Rhino's Blues Masters series show the astonishing breadth and depth of the blues. A must! ... Read more