1 comments about Ace in the Hole.

1. I really like this CD because it haslyrics that everyone can relate to, atone time or another. If you don't knowthe words, your head sways to the beat,until you're singing, naturally, as ifit's always been there. He displays hisemotions, like B.B. King, heart felt.When I saw him singing, on BLUES GOING ON, his facial expressions demonstrates the passion that you hear. He leaves a hum in your throat, a smile on your face, and a feeling of contentment, knowing you're not alone, someone else understands your thoughts, and/or your pain.

1 comments about Too Hurt to Cry.

1. 'Too Hurt to Cry' is the second album Willie Kent recorded for Delmark and it is by far his best. Kent is one of the best singers in the blues today and his band, the Gents, are one of the last of the Chicago blues bands who play ensemble playing rather than just a generic backdrop for the lead artist. Kent's singing is out front throughout as he mixes originals with some well chosen covers including Buddy Guy's "A Man and the Blues and Roosevelt Sykes "Night Time is the Right Time". Billy Branch makes a few appearances and plays terrific harp, most notably on "Blues Train" and "Good Man Feeling Bad". The closer, "All Night Long" is a Magic Sam Style boogie that is a perfect way to end of a terrific cd.
   Willie Kent is one of my favorite bluesmen out there and its great to have him continuing the tradition of Chicago blues.

No comments about Classic B.B. King.

1 comments about Los Angeles Blues: Complete Recordings 1949-1950.

1. Don't sing the blues by NOT ordering this complete recording.
   
   Masterfully engineered.

No comments about Best Blues Masters, Vol. 2.

No comments about Chicago Urban Blues.

2 comments about Eldorado Cadillac.

1. Billy Boy Arnold can certainly be counted among the legends of Chicago blues. The former Bo Diddley sideman, can blow his harp with the best of them and his soulful vocals represent blues at it's finest. On this CD, Billy Boy is joined by former Muddy Water's guitarist Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin and the result is a delightful, upbeat, sometimes comical and always fun, blues CD. Check out "Loving Mother For You" a classic if there ever was one. The tune starts out with a beat similar to Muddy's "Mannish Boy" but then breaks into some clever and comical lyrics supported by pianist Carl "Sonny" Leyland and the guitars of Margolin and James Wheeler. Great stuff. If you haven't heard Billy Boy, this is a good place to start.



2. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as a "blues legend," Billy Boy Arnold (and you got to like that name!), a veteran of the 50's blues scene and former bandmate of Bo Diddley, is a master harpist, reminiscent of Sonny Boy Williamson and James Cotton.

   On the best of these tracks, such as "Sunday Morning Blues," the musical elements come together, achieving the controlled frenzy of a Muddy Waters: Arnold's ripsaw harmonica, the dissonant, rolling, slide guitar, and, especially, the brilliant punctuating riffs by pianist "Sonny" Leyland, recall Waters' seminal "Fathers and Sons."

   Unfortunately, the harp and Otis Spann-style piano offer the only consistently satisfying sounds here. The guitars are mostly relegated to the background, and the bass and drums are competent but not especially invigorating. Most importantly, Billy Boy Arnold's vocals sound shallow: His timbre is thin, and he often sings with little conviction. Of course, no one can compare to Muddy Waters, but listen to "Fathers and Sons" (or any of his great albums) and you'll hear the voice of the real Chicago blues.

   The jump blues pieces are fairly predictable; however, and the sax sometimes sounds too polished-more like the old SNL band in NYC than anything from Chicago. Finally, the closing "Loving Mother For You", aside from being juvenile, is WAY too long, a trait it shares with "Man of Considerable Taste."

   Still, this is worth a listen, especially for the spine-tingling harp and piano. Includes brief notes and personnel list. While this CD is a mixed bag, kudos to Alligator Records for their continued support of the blues, and excellent sound quality.

5 comments about Roughhousin'.

1. lil' ed's bloodline goes back to chicago slide guitarist j.b. hutto. lil' ed takes over, sliding the speaker pumping chicago blues out in perfect form. walking the dog is a tremendous ending song, giving everyone a chance to show their chops. crank it.



2. I heard Car Wash Blues on my satellite radio and came to Amazon to look up the song. As a side note, I also learned that Amazon was now selling MP3 downloads, way to go! After listening to the rest of the album's sound clips I decided to download the entire album. I copied all of the tracks over to my iPod and headed to the gym for my daily workout. As I was walking on the treadmill I just drifted from song to song and was completely lost in their work. Wow, what an album. I like blues from the delta to Texas blues and Chicago blues and Lil Ed is now in one of my top ten favorite albums slots along with BB, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Muddy, Buddy Guy, Barrelhouse Chuck, well, you get the idea.



3. True to the spirit of Alligator Records, this can best be described as "houserockin' blues". Three hours and fifteen minutes, according to the liner-notes that's all it took Lil' Ed Williams and his Blues Imperials to record their debut album virtually live in the studio. In fact, in that short period of time, they managed to record 30 tunes in all, of which 10 show up on this CD. There's nothing slick about this type of music, it's rough-and-tumble jumpy blues, dominated by Lil' Ed Williams' scorching slide guitar. This band had been playing together for ten years when this album was recorded, so they have a great rapport. Their very first visit to a recording studio was really only meant to cut a couple of tracks for an anthology of up-and-coming Chicago blues bands, but try stopping these guys ! Happy, energetic, raw ... It's hard to exactly pin down the mood of this music. Perhaps the term "party music" sums it all up. This band must be great to hear live, but this album serves as a great introduction !



4. This is really one of the best blues albums! This album is full of great moments that reminds the works of rooted performances of lendary Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers,specially the combination of only guitar and drums,to promote one of the most bluesy works i've hearded yet! You must buy this cd,if no,you're a blindman!



5. You can't listen to Lil' Ed while standing still. He really gets you moving. Raucous songs sung with feeling and an abundant amount of energy. Sizzling slide guitar backed with a rythm section that would put the Rolling Stones to shame.

No comments about My Guitar & Me.

No comments about Chicago Down Home Blues, Vol. 1.