5 comments about Damn Right, I've Got the Blues.

1. Buddy Guy is one of my all time favorites and Damn Right I've Got the Blues, is in my oppinion, his best work.



2. One of my friend suggest this cd to me, if you like blues, you'll like it ! Well, he was damn right ! This cd is just perfect. All songs are really great and if you like blues, this one is for you.



3. According to no less an authority than Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy is absolutely the greatest of the old-time blues genius-guitarists still left alive, and you must make a pilgrimage to see him, live and in ferocious person, before he goes. Whereas BB King has mellowed into a well-deserved old age, Buddy is more blistering than ever, a fierce master who looks and plays as if he were forty. (He is SEVENTY!) It was my very great privilege to finally see this icon in person, live in Ft. Worth, Texas, at Billy Bob's (a country venue, of all places!). The master played for ninety minutes, every note was crisp, controlled fire (including a righteous version of Jimi Hendrix's masterpiece "Voodoo Chile, Slight Return"), and left his dazed audience gasping for breath with the title track to this, his comeback album. Simply put, you must see him in person. And before you go, please purchase a copy of this disc to get you warmed up for a fabulous concert. "Mustang Sally", featuring guest guitarist Jeff Beck, "Rememberin' Stevie", a tribute to our own, beloved Texas fretmaster Stevie Ray Vaughan, and of course, the scintillating title track are the highpoints of this Grammy winning (Best Contemporary Blues) album. He is, and always will be, a stunning guitar master, but the real revelation is his voice. Like BB King, age has been kind to Buddy's pipes, and his formerly rather thin sound has been replaced by a very authoritative growl, giving new life to classics "Black Night" and "Five Long Years". The backup band is fine, too, but here, as in concert, the presence of Buddy sweeps like a blues broom overall. And so, if you feel like dusting your own broom anytime soon, get this album right away, and go see Buddy live in concert ASAP. For, live and on disc, there is no doubt about it, Buddy Is The Baddest!!!



4. This is the CD that got me hooked on Buddy Guy. I have over 2000 CDs in my collection and I find myself pulling this one out over and over again! As the much younger sibling of and older brother and sister I started listening to all sorts of music in the early sixtys (I was born in '56). My older sister was a music fan and attended the last US Beatles show in SF when I was about 8 years old. I cut my teeth on Rock, Jazz, Blues, etc. and was seriously hooked by the time I was 14 or so. Back to Buddy...
   
   Buddy Guy's guitar playing is always right on and this album is no exception. I not only look to the performance but I need to have a good mix and great sound quality as well. This CD has it all. I'm a Bass player and I love the bass line on Mustang Sally. In fact, this is my favorite cover of this song anyplace I have heard, bar none.
   
   There might be better Buddy Guy CDs than this, but I would bet that if you don't like this one, you don't like the blues!



5. Good blues and rock from Buddy Guy. The stronger songs are "Black Night", "Let Me Love You Baby" and "Rememberin Stevie" which feature great guitar. A must have for your collection.

2 comments about Southern Comfort.

1. I'm giving this a five star rating because of two important factors, firstly, EG's exceptional singing ability and, secondly, the lead guitarist, Bill Hines, passionate playing on "Sad, Sad Sunday" (and other cuts). His evocative and understated playing is precisely what puts this song over top. By all accounts it should be a blues standard...it's that good.
   
   I also like "Just One More", especially the tasteful piano accompaniment. The rest of the material is somewhat tamed for my tastes. Yet, it is EG's endearing singing quality and Hines soulful guitar playing that makes very good material sound superb, no matter how you mix it. The shere magic of Hines playing off of EC makes me wonder what an album of these two inspired artists would sound like? I'd definately consider buying it...if this ever happens.



2. I had a couple of EG's other CD's, so I was anxious to get this new one. I was lucky enough to pick it up at one of her live performances. I've followed her career for a while now, and it's interesting to see how people who work hard and truly love what they do finally do get what they deserve. EG seems to be a genuine person, and her fans seem to genuinely love her.
   EG wrote or co-wrote nine songs on SOUTHERN COMFORT and I've heard that it's getting a lot of airplay, especially on XM Radio. I don't know which songs are becoming listener favorites, but if I had to choose two from the album, it would be "Cry Like A Rainy Day" and "Just One More."
   Some artists wouldn't dare attempt to cover an Etta James song, but EG not only attempted it with "Cry Like A Rainy Day," she nailed it - with such passion and conviction that you'd think she wrote it, gave birth to it. Etta should be proud...
   And the closing song "Just One More" is so different that it takes the listener by surprise. Prepare yourself, because it may take your breath, like it did mine. As some of the critics have written, it's "a haunting tale of regret" and it will make you want to pick up the phone and call a loved one you haven't talked to in a while...
   I've heard that EG has been working with some of my other favorite artists like Robert Cray and Merle Haggard, and from her website itinerary, it looks like she's going to be with Phoebe Snow and Delbert McClinton in the next few weeks. What an interesting mix. It just goes to show that good music doesn't necessarily have to be categorized. Call it blues or country, EG's music is just plain good music. I'd recommend SOUTHERN COMFORT to anyone who just wants to hear a fabulously rich voice, some interesting new material, and some great musicians.

3 comments about Truckin' with Albert Collins.

1. These tunes are all instrumentals (except Dyin' Flu) and were recorded sometime in the early 60's, I believe. This is fantastic music that is just not made anymore. The songs are all short and there is a good variety on the basic instrumental combo. Every track is loaded with riffing horns, grooving organ and Albert's guitar. Think Grant Green with a sharp edge and a shuffle. If you want more, look for the enhanced version on the Blue City label titled The Cool Sound of Albert Collins. This CD expands upon the 12 tracks here and adds 11 more for a total of 23 tracks and there isn't a bad track in the lot. The sound is also great on these recordings. Either one is highly recommended!



2. albert collins was one of the greatest blues guitar players of all time nuff said they used to play one of his songs on imus in the morning on msnbc so maybe he was'nt such a racist after all.



3. I went surfing thru Amazon.com and found the heading of 'Blues under $10. Stopped and looked around. There was the name of Albert Collins. I remembered playing some of his music in my days at college radio. And for less than $10.00, how could I go wrong. This has become a must have CD for any blues fan. The switch from analog of the early 60's to the digital CD of now is one of the best. The stye of the music he did almost 40 years ago still holds up. This may not be an album you want to hear everyday, but one to take you back and realize quality is quality whenever the recording was done. I just wish the CD was longer than 33 minutes. But in the world of vinyl...

5 comments about Nice & Warm.

1. When I first got the album, I thought it was good. The vocals are pretty good for a white guy singing the blues. There are plenty of good white blues guitarists out there, but to really be able to sing the blues well is rare. Not great singing, but expressive, gruff, and with a nice feel.
   
   Now to the guitar playing: I played this for some friends of mine who, at the time, were deeply into playing electric blues themselves. They scoffed. I was wounded. I went back and listened again and again.
   
   10 years later, I've listened to enough blues to have, what I humbly think, is a relatively objective opinion.
   
   If you heard Tab play in a blues bar, it would be a good night. The guy can throw down some decent blues. I still feel that he sings pretty well. His guitar playing, though, is that of a good hobbyist. I've heard mechanics, dentists, and plumbers play as well or better. This isn't to put him down, but go to youtube and search Robben Ford or Larry McCray. Tab just isn't in the same league as seasoned and naturally talented blues guitar players. Larry McCray's live clips in particular will blow you away.
   
   Must we compare? Actually, yes. There must be some standard!
   
   He sounds like he's trying a little too hard, or its a tad sloppy, or the phrasing is off. Hard to explain, but I don't get that sense of awe hearing him play.
   
   Take it for what it is. I call it Blues Lite- not bad, but is it worth your hard earned clams?



2. This is a great blues album. His covers of three of my favorite blues classics "I'll Put A Spell on You", "Killing Floor" and "Drowning on Dry Land" are loving, soulful tributes...and great renditions in their own right. Benoit can wring a piercing cry from that guitar that makes your spine shudder and brings tears to your eyes.



3. A co-worker of mine made me a tape of 'nice and warm' as a parting gift. I didn't know who played it or the name of the tape. I only knew it was blues. After listening to it I was floored. I was thoroughly impressed. His guitar playing was rawest, raunchiest, sweetest, and most refreshing sound I had heard in ages. His licks make my skin crawl with goosebumps. My favorite line is (paraphrased) "I feel like I'm drowning in dry land... and that's a bad way of going down". If you like blues and even if you don't love the blues, you'll be glad you got your hands on this hot CD.



4. THIS ALBUM CONTAINS SOME OF THE CHUNKIEST, MEATIEST BLUES GUITAR COMMITTED TO DISC. AT TIMES THE LEAD BREAKS CAN BE OVERLY FRENETIC & EAR -DRUM DISTURBING BUT WHEN TAB RETURNS TO THE GUTS OF THE TUNE THEN ITS A GUITAR LOVERS FEAST. VOCALLY HE IS NOT EARTH SHATTERING BUT CERTAINLY MORE THAN ADEQUATE. AS A FIRM BELIEVER THAT SLOW BLUES ARE A NECESSARY EVIL I MERELY BIDE MY TIME THROUGH THE LESS UP TEMPO NUMBERS THIRSTING FOR THE START OF ONE OF A NUMBER OF BRILLIANT "KEEP STILL IF YOU DARE" BLUES BOOGIE SMORGASBORDS. THIS ALBUM LEAD ME TO PURCHASE ALL OTHER TAB BENOIT RELEASES.GET YOUR LISTENING FANGS INTO THIS AURAL DELIGHT AND I'M SURE YOU'LL FOLLOW SUIT. THE VERY BEST MOMENTS ON THIS ALBUM ARE WHAT MAKES MUSIC SUCH AN ADDICTION TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHEN AN ALIEN LANDS ON EARTH UTTERING "WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT MUSIC? " AN EARFULL OF THIS WILL SOON CONVINCE HIM HE SHOULD REMAIN ON THE PLANET FOR GOOD. PURCHASE NOW TO DO YOURSELF A MONUMENTAL FAVOUR.



5. If you like electric blues with hot guitar riffs, you will love this CD. This "unsung hero" of amrerican blues rock will not dissapoint you, especially on the title track "nice and warm", "down in the swamp", and others. Give it a try!

5 comments about The Alligator Records 25th Anniversary Collection.

1. Let's face it folks, with a name like Alligator Records, they've got to be good. Two CDs exploding at the seams with blues in all of its incarnations. Real country folk blues, Cephas & Wiggins, rip-it-up bayou blues, C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, wailing harp Chicago South Side blues, James Cotton, misbehavin' mama blues, Koko Taylor, guitar god blues, Roy Buchanan, thinly veiled sexual reference blues, David Hole, and whole lot more besides. 38 tracks in all, and you probably won't care for one or two of them - but whatever your 10 favorites end up being, they will surely justify the low cost of this anthology.
   
   I've been listening to blues for quite some time, since the days of the Taft administration actually. Even so, a couple of these names were new to me. More to the point, it's a treat having so many outstanding real blues artists (not to be confused with three-chord cheezers who just wandered back from the mall) playing unadulterated blues.
   
   For neophytes this anthology is really a blessing because it serves as an inexpensive, convenient introduction to the blues. Follow any of the artists here down the rabbit hole and you'll enter a whole world of blues. Johnny Winter would be a good place to start, especially because he bridged blues and rock. But purists may be intrigued by Professor Longhair, who would then lead you to Dr. John, etc. Koko Taylor is a world unto herself, man; you better nail down everything in the house before you turn her on because she can blow the spots off a leopard.
   
   The folks at Alligator Records can be relied upon to treat America's indigenous music with respect and love. It's an uphill battle, and nobody's getting rich in the process. They've labored to make this music accessible to the public, and frankly, simply documenting it is an important service. Blues musicians don't have "hits," so there's never much grease to spread around, even when times are good. The music survives because it's raw, it's real, and it satisfies in a way that processed music from the factory can't. I'm not saying you should buy this as a public service, that would be too grandiose. However, I think that when you do buy it, the rich authenticity will hook you immediately. Trust your gator.



2. Alligator Records records the majority of today's blues artists and this album is a collection of some of the best. I recommend it to anyone who loves blues music



3. ...with plenty of variety.

   The 2-CD set will keep you busy listening and studying for hours.

   Probably one of the better blues record companies takes at least one track from their most successful albums ( and some unreleased ), and puts it into a collection every five years or so.

   Highly recommended.

   My fav. track: "T'ain't Nobody's Business"




4. If you love the blues (and who doesn't, except for those terminally 'mad-at-the-world' types of which I hope you're not one) then this great collection of various flavors of blues is for you! Once again, Alligator Records has put together an irresistable smorgasbord of sound for your listening pleasure. C'mon, dig in! (Just keep in mind that the audio tracks for DISC I vs. DISC II are swapped on the song samples here.)



5. I bought this just for the unreleased Houndog Taylor tracks. The rest is very good.

5 comments about Two Bugs & A Roach.

1. The late great Earl Hooker was a second cousing to John Lee Hooker and a guitar player's guitar player, beloved by Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, and many other great guitarists, yet these days he's largely forgotten, having died in 1970 of tuberculosis at age 40.
   
   But this record, his most famous, tells a story of a virtuoso who had mastered every technique in the book. Backed by other excellent musicians, Hooker is absolutely mezmerizing on such cuts as "You Don't Love Me," "Off The Hook," "Sweet Black Angel," and the title cut, a terribly poignant foreshadowing of Hooker's fatal illness.
   
   This record is one that blues fnas will enjoy over and over again.



2. Earl Hooker is a master of the wah pedal and slide. Noone has found a way to get a sound like his in all the years I've been listening to the blues. This album is a must have for any blues collector.



3. This recording is a classic for all blues fans and guitarists alike. Earl plays slide guitar with a wah pedal to give his music a unique sound that NOBODY has duplicated. If you had to choose from the ten best blues albums, this one should definately be on that list.



4. best cd i have ever bought---except for some other earl hooker cd's.....



5. Earl Hooker's great guitar playing shines through on this recording. The "Bug" is Earl's reference to his bout with TB, which almost killed him.

   Earl's an incredibly versatile player and this recording highlights the spectrum of his playing. In a 1970's interview, BB King listed Earl Hooker as one his favorite players, and offered the following analogy - "If Earl Hooker was a truck driver, he'd be able to back his rig into any space, no matter how tight..."

   By the way... when Jimi Hendrix went to Chicago early in his career he played back-up for Earl & learned alot about how to use a wah-wah.... Listen closely and you'll hear Earl tearing off several riffs that later became parts of Jimi's sound.

4 comments about Blues Masters, Vol. 16: More Harmonica Classics.

1. An excellent compilation of blues harp playing. Buy this if you are looking to hear the best and learn some of the best techniques ever!



2. I already had two other CD's in this collection which are also harmonica
   blues. This was good, but sounded too much like the others. I also purchased the Blue's Master's slide guitar classics which is great.



3. You've heard that saying about a hundred monkeys clattering away at a hundred typewiters for a hundred years...I don't know excactly how it goes in English. Anyway, it seems that an ape called Jo Jo ended up writing a review rather than the collected works of William Shakespeare.
   I mean, honestly...what do you think an album titled "Blues Masters vol. 16 - More Harmonica Classics" is?!
   
   Well, never mind.
   This is a very nice companion volume to Blues Masters vol. 4 ("Harmonica Classics"). Most longtime blues fans will own much or even all of this material already, of course, but beginners or "mid-level" blues fans should delight in the wealth of excellent material on this disc - aggressive up-tempo freight train harmonica and slow, smouldering fills and solos.
   
   Most of the really big guns are here, like James Cotton, Slim Harpo, Little Walter Jacobs, Sonny Terry, Howlin' Wolf, Junior Wells, white boy Paul Butterfield, John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, and Aleck "Rice" Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II).
   And most of the more obscure stuff is very interesting as well: William Clarke's "Pawnshop Bound", Lazy Lester's rendition of "I Hear You Knockin'", a great, swaggering "The Briar Patch" by Gary Primich, Papa George Lightfoot's thumping "Jump The Boogie", a raw early electric blues with a gritty sandpaper vocal, and Doctor Isiah Ross' tough, energetic "Come Back Baby".
   
   This is far from everything you need to know about blues harmonica, of course, and a couple of tunes were chosen for the harp playing rather than their overall musical quality, I guess.
   But there is a lot of quality stuff here, making "More Blues Harmonica" a really good buy for all but the most hardcore blues fans (they'll own 9/10 of this stuff already).



4. This power-packed CD is a must for both players and lovers of the harmonica, particularly of the blues-harp variety.

   Most all of the tunes here are listenable, but some mighty powerful stuff abounds. On Howlin' Wolf's number, he sounds as if he's playing 2 harps at once. Junior Wells, in his rendition of Sonny Boy Williamson II's "Help Me," does a moving tribute to Sonny II both vocally and harmonically (as Sonny II died shortly before this was recorded). Sonny I is well represented here with "Shake Your Boogie" (although his harmonica is drowned out by the other instruments in parts of this song).

   The king of Country blues harmonica, Sonny Terry, does an amazing turn with "Hootin' Blues Pt. 2" which defies written description. Wisely, Magic Dick Seltzer's classing "Whammer Jammer" is also included, as it sounds as if this tune may have been inspired by the above-mentioned Sonny Terry tune (listen and compare).

   So for anyone who likes good harmonica music, listen and enjoy. For aspiring harmonicists, you may have think you've got it down pat, but listen to this to see how far you still need to go.

5 comments about About Them Shoes.

1. The title to this review is 'nuff said...
   Thie CD is timeless.
   I can't add much more...if you are reading these reviews,you already know the blues,so make haste thine and don't waste time and GET THIS CD, FINE!!!!!



2. I don't usually go for remakes of classic recordings, or all-star bands, but this set is exceptional. The songs come alive with great performances from every player. No filler here, with strong production. Hubert burns. Highly recommended.



3. This CD is is great from start to finish. I bought this by giving it a listen at book store, and I was hooked ever since.



4. very pleased with the new Hubert Sumlin CD, About Them Shoes. been a big fan of his due to his assn w/ Howlin Wolf and will be
   seeking out more of his stuff.



5. I don't know what I was expecting from Hubert Sumlin. Surely not a rehash of some old Muddy Waters' and Willie Dixon chestnuts that were done correctly the first time with Muddy's voice and band. This album was a big dud. Sumlin takes the songs and tries to sing them and tries to make his band sound as if they were recording in the same style and sound as Chess Studio in the 1940's and 50's. Unfortunatley Muddy had a better voice and so does Willie Dixon for that matter. All the session men sound like add-ons to the old band, not muscicians who can bring their own style and verve to this thing. Pretty weak effort by all, unless Sumlin is himself to blame, as a control freak who did not have the vision to see what he was creating,something that had already been created 50 years before.
   One redeeming quality of this cd is the final cut, an acoustic number that sounds as if some originality had been finally injected into the session. Sumlin is in need of an editor, or at least a confidant, who could have helped him with a better song selection or at least a better and more original way of handling these tunes.

4 comments about Last Time Around-Live At Legends.

1. The sound is excellent on this 1998 live album, and Buddy Guy and the late, great Junior Wells both lay down some of their best vocal performances on record.
   
   Committed to tape in March, 1993, "Last Time Around - Live At Legends" documents the very last time Guy and Wells took the stage together. The arrangements are completely bare-bones, just Buddy Guy's Gibson guitar and Junior Wells' chromatic harp, but the performances are full of power and authority, and Guy's expressive tenor voice and Junior Wells' rougher baritone blend smoothly on songs like "Hoochie Coochie Man" and "What I'd Say".
   Virtually every song is a highlight, actually...Junior Wells plays muscular, amplified harp behind Guy's lead vocal on "Key To The Highway" and "Oh Baby", and takes the lead on "Hoodoo Man Blues", and the duo share lead vocal duties on a great medley of songs from Jimmy Reed's good-natured repertoire of blues n' boogie, as well as a cover of Jimmy Rogers' "That's All Right".
   
   This is one great slice of classic, acoustic blues which would look at home on any real blues fan's shelf.
   I mean, why do we need synthesizers and computer sampling when two middle-aged men can sit down with just a harmonica and an acoustic guitar and make it sound this good?



2. If you want to sit back and put on some easy listening music then this is the CD for you. I like nothing better than putting this CD on loud after some lung exercises and relaxing! Just great!



3. When I want to turn a new friend onto the blues, it's best to reach for the cream like B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Muddy Waters - and, maybe best of all: Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. Perhaps it'll be "Hoodoo Man Blues" on Delmark, or any of their fine live releases, but these two summed up the majestic grit and soul of human expression in song. But we've finally lost Junior Wells, a gentlemen and inspiration who always took the time to talk to fans, DJ's, and reviewers like myself. This posthumous release, while not superior to their previous acoustic-flavored albums (like "Alone and Acoustic," or especially "Buddy and the Juniors")captures Junior and Buddy's chemistry one last time. Some of this record is as stunning anything they ever waxed. Most of it is good, down-home, back-porch blues. Admittedly, Junior may been erratic in later years ( with often over-produced albums and sometimes painful-to-watch stage behavior) all due to health problems and the neglect of a music world that salivates over guitarists instead of singing harpists. By the time of this recording, Buddy had only recently been even admitted to the mainstream (and even then, he has trouble getting radio airplay) while Junior and most true bluesmen languished on the margins. Wells was largely under-recorded for most of the '80's until he signed with Telarc, where he in fact made some notable music even in an obviously weaker condition . Silvertone deserves credit for seeing fit to release what has come be a fitting farewell to blues' favorite one-two punch.



4. Buddy&Junior set out some old school blues

5 comments about Dreams Come True.

1. Its a pretty good cd , it came in a few days in excellent condition



2. Three independently good solo jazz singers meld together compellingly. I keep giving copies away.



3. One of the best Blues albums ever



4. Nearly ten years after its release, this remains one of the great modern blues albums. Marcia, Lou Ann and Anglea sing their hearts out on perfectly chosen and arranged songs. And, don't forget the important contributions by Sarah Brown-- she's the fourth great lady on this cd.



5. This is great music. Lou Ann Barton and Marcia Ball are the pride of Austin, and if you ever get the chance to catch them live, you will have the time of your life. This CD is the next best thing.