5 comments about Precious Lord: The Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey.

1. Back in 1973, I bought the double LP set and was able to fit the whole set on one CD, so why this had to be abbreviated, I'll never know. The whole two-record set clocks at just over 77 minutes and the one track left off was a bit over two and a half minutes. The track in question is "Let Us Go Back To God" by the great Sallie Martin. At the time of the recording, Ms. Martin and Willie Mae Ford Smith were considered the living legends of Gospel Music and both starred in the film, "Say Amen, Somebody!". Sallie's voice is dry and husky, but carries a great deal of conviction and heart. "I'll Tell It" showcases her in a slight swinging style of the late thirties. She was certainly one of a kind and her presence is greatly missed. In fact, the vast majority of these artists are no longer with us, but these recordings each bear a testimony of significance in these troublesome times. Marion Williams is truly the best voice here as she sings the title cut with so much fire, the listener is first amazed and then running for cover. As she sings, "Please, Sir, Please, Sir...oh, Lordy!!, one can scarcely contain himself until the hushed ending of the performance, asking himself, "What did I just hear?!" Williams goes on to sing four more tracks, sometimes pulling up southern delta blues phrasing and handling one in particular, "If We Ever Needed The Lord Before" with breakneck tempo as if being self propelled into the stratosphere. Professor Alex Bradford, of whom Chuck Jackson has paid homage to in many of his recordings for both Wand and Motown, is heard on no less than three tracks. "How Many Times" is his definitive track, displaying his soul-stirring shake-the-rafters swing during the first half of the song. The performance then gives way to a dizzying display of joy that is undeniable. Rebert Harris, who Sam Cooke replaced in the Soul Stirrers, is a welcome voice here as well. In the tradition of his former group, he is joined by a crack team of singers who support his vocals tremendously. "Thy Servant's Prayer" unveils unimaginable terror as he pleads with his Judge, "If I falter, don't be angry...let me stay". In "Peace In The Valley", his focus is completely on the end when all is well, the lion shall lie down with the lamb. And then there's the Hummingbirds. I believe Paul Simon produced these recordings. Simon always had a deep respect for Gospel music and if you don't have his "Live Rhymin' disc, get it now. "Hide Me In Thy Bosom" is a strong case for the Hummingbirds' harmony. I still maintain that the greatest bass singer is none other than Willie Bobo. "When The Gates Swing Open" is another absolute gem. (The Temptations were faithful students of these pioneeers--just listen to the tight harmonies in their recording of "Talkin' About Nobody But My Baby", which can be found on "Emperors of Soul" and "The Complete Motown Singles, Volume 4".) This leaves the magnificent Bessie Griffin and Delois Barrett-Campbell. Griffin's treatment of "Old Ship of Zion" is nothing short of mesmerizing, while "Search Me Lord" and "I Don't Know Why" are both ends of the rock and blues spectrum of Gospel. "My Desire" is handled by one of the most gorgeous of all singers. Ms. Campbell is too seldom heard these days. Her work with both the Roberta Martin Singers and The Barrett Sisters should not be overlooked. The person who finds these precious recordings will certainly find something far better than gold. I'm putting Sony Legacy on notice right now and urge everyone else to do the same: This disc should be re-issued in its entirety. Each and every track is essential to the making of this fine album. Honorable mention, at last, should go to the fantastic organist, Jessie Dixon, who played on "Old Ship Of Zion", among others. Paul Griffin (Highway 61 Revisited) played organ on Marion Williams' tracks. I hope this review proves noteworthy to those out there who are searching for the last of the classic Gospel singers.



2. This is truly a classic of that old time spiritual gospel we all grew up on. Every time I hear anything by Dr. Thomas Dorsey, it takes me back to my childhood and going to church with my grandmama in Alabama... a MUST have CD!



3. I first heard of Thomas Dorsey on a PBS program. I was very impressed
   then,and this album has just increased my love of his music. A very good
   CD which has to be heard to be appreciated. Highly recommended!



4. Outstanding, a highly recommended if you are interested or would like to get to know, feel and understand GOD SPEL, please sink your spiritual heart in this and reach deeeeep down to succumb to the meaning by understanding the trials and tribulations of the times. True voices, lyrics, deep in your soul, way back when GOSPEL. The much older generation know Mr. Dorsey, who was/is Gospel. The younger generation know Lift Every Voice and Sing, Thank you.



5. Five stars does not do justice to this classic. Trust me; if you are a fan of true spiritual gospel music, this is the CD for you. A CD for all times that will magnify your collection.
   
   PEACE.

No comments about It's Hot in Here.

5 comments about East-West.

1. This recording contains what has to be the one of the greatest blues/rock songs of all time. The song is East West which contains some of the greatest music I've ever heard. It is a preview of what the bands later in the 60's will produce and remains one of the finest example of the extended guitar solo pieces.
   
   At this time the Butterfield Blues Band had two of the best guitarist around, Elvin Bishop and (my favorite) Mike Bloomfield. They each take an extended solo, Elvin Bishop first. Elvin throws out a blazing fast mountain of notes. It is what happens next that makes this an unique experience. It is Mike Bloomfield's turn next, not with another show stopper solo, instead he pares back the music to the absolute minimum. His clear ringing notes lifts one from out under the mountain into the clear blue sky. From this he slowly builds, never to excess, an exquisite solo that sends us flying above the mountains. There is nothing else like it that I've ever heard. I cannot do it justice, this music must be heard. It is unique moment that everyone deserves to experience.
   
   For this reason along, the song East West, makes this recording a must. But there is also all of the rest of the songs, including Butterfield's catchy solo on Work Song.



2. I sampled all tracks and was surprised that I knew all of them since I had never owned it or even heard it in 30 years. Bought it and love it.



3. I too had this on vinyl and wore it out 5 times and one listen to "I've got a mind to give up living" will send you out of your head. Maybe this is one of the cd's or of of the bands youeither love or hate because I don't love evry cd they have made. But with this versions line-up, the Butterfield Blues Band ain't s***. Sorry to all u die hards.
   
   There are many more memorable sond here than on any other PBBB albums, but go ahead and listen and u be the judge.



4. I'm a huge fan of Chicago blues and a big fan of Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield, but this album doesn't do it for me. The title cut East West is great and is nearly half the album hence the three stars. This album sounds a bit dated and I its due to the slightly heavy phycodelic rock influence found on this album. PBBB was on of those groups (like the ned of the Peter Green Fleetwood Mac era) that was trying to push the boundries of the blues art form. What you have 30 years later is an album that just doesn't sounds that good. that doesn't do it for me. I don't think this album as aged well. The blues are timeless and should hold up to the test of time. Great artist like Magic Sam and Lowell Fulson still sound great today. This album doesn't. Buyer Beware I guess.



5. The Jazz-Rock fusion movement of the late 70's (Weather Report, Spyro Gyra, Tony Williams) was born on this album. If I could only keep one record in my collection, this would probably be the main contender for that position. This album is a musical safari including a remarkable variety of musical idioms in a Blues context that goes way beyond Blues. Obviously, the East-West track is the pinnacle of this exploration. Listen closely and you will hear East Indian, Calypso, New Orleans Jazz, Bluegrass, and 4 or 5 other distinct musical styles each in a separate movement with very striking transitions. When I first got this album as a sophmore in college in 1966, I used to put on the East-West title track in the late afternoon and drift off into a wonderful, dreamy nap carried off in a magical concoction of World music as I think no one had ever heard before.
   
   This is just a glorious masterpiece, a high-point in American popular music. It feels as good today to listen to it as it did in 1966.
   
   Oh, aspiring blues guitarists would be wise to try to copy Mike Bloomfield's delicate, complex and powerful solo on "I've Got A Mind to Give up Living." I wore out my vinyl copy trying.

5 comments about Electric Mud.

1. Muddy is always great but this CD is a little sad. I bought it when it first came out and it was disappionting then. I think it an attempt to cash in on white performers sucess with "electric" versions of classic blues tunes. The fuzz-tone guitars are just out of place with Muddy's robust blues voice. It has some historical value given the unique nature of the collaboration but other than that forget it. For the real thing get "Mississippi Muddy Waters" a great live album with Pinetop Perkins and Johnny Winter. It's 100 proof.



2. Would I have to shoot myself if I bought this?
   I gave it two stars because I love Muddy Waters.
   Otherwise, it gets zero stars.



3. I am a huge fan of this American Blues Legend . He is my ALL TIME FAVORITE musician. I have owned all of his releases except for this one , "Electric Mud" and "After The Rain" . I never bothered to purchase either of these because I never really heard anything good about them. Well for Christmas my sister got me a gift card to Borders Books. I went to Borders the other day and I was looking around and picked this one up . I looked around some more , put it back down and looked around some more. Later I went a picked it back up . I said to myself , well I might as well get it. I got in my car , put it in the cd player and listened . I should have never picked it back up ! I truly love Muddy , but this cd is HORRIBLE ! Terrible remakes of a few Muddy classics and and unbearable cover of The Rolling Stones "Lets spend the night together" . To me this was a true waste of money . If you are new to Muddy , stay away from this cd because it will turn you off from the rest of his classics. If you love Muddy , stay away from this cd because you will feel like you just flushed your hard earned money down the toilet. HORRIBLE !!!!!!!!
   If you wanna get some great Muddy , get any cd contained in my blues listmania.



4. Warning: "Electric Mud" is a blues album with heavy psychedelic rock influences! If you consider yourself to be a blues purist, then I would encourage you to look elsewhere for something that will be more compatible with your musical tastes. With that disclaimer out of the way, let me invite those who are seeking something unusual--and especially those who like sixties rock music--to continue reading on.
   I consider this to be one of most original albums that I have ever heard. It is not a true blues album, but rather a concept album of blues with a heavy psychedelic rock influence. The idea for this album had its genesis with Marshall Chess, the son of Leonard Chess of Chess Records. Marshall Chess had just founded a new label named Cadet Concept, and this was the second album produced under the new label. When this album was recorded, Waters' career was in a slump; it had been a decade since he had a top ten hit. Marshall Chess was seeking out a new audience for Muddy Waters. The CD booklet (which is extremely well written) goes on to explain that this was one of Waters albums that "effectively revived Muddy's recording career at a time when he was in danger of becoming an elder statesman who couldn't sell to his own community and who was revered exclusively by a small coterie of collector-purists, not a large enough audience to sustain a career."
   
   This album was recorded in April 1968, and here's what was happening on the music scene at the time. On 1 July 1967, the Beatle's reached number one on the charts with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"--a psychedelic rock album that won the 1967 Album of the Year Grammy Award. The Beatles reached number one on the charts again on 6 January 1968 with "Magical Mystery Tour." A new artist, Jimi Hendrix, had exploded onto the psychedelic rock scene with "Are You Experienced?" (chart debut 9/16/67; top position #5) and "Axis: Bold As Love (chart debut 2/17/68, top position #3). (All chart data is from "The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Albums, Revised and Enlarged 3rd Edition" by Joel Whitburn, 1995.) Jimi Hendrix is mentioned a number of times in the CD booklet. Hendrix was noted for his use of new electronic gizmos to modify his guitar tone, including the wah-wah pedal and the fuzz box. "Electric Mud" was not meant to be a direct copy of the Hendrix sound, but it was definitely influenced by it.
   
   The basic instrumentation on this album includes a heavily distorted guitar (often with wah-wah pedal), fuzz-tone electric bass, saxophone, synthesizer, and drums. This is quite a stretch from the trademark Muddy Waters sound! The CD booklet points out that "five of the eight songs on 'Electric Mud' were 'classics' from his catalogue, songs he had sung hundreds, perhaps thousands, of times. So the Main Man sang as he always had. His accompaniment, however, was very much of the moment." It is well known that many of the rock musicians of the sixties had blues influences. Now, here is a genuine bluesman cutting an album with new renditions of his songs, such as "I Just Want To Make Love To You," "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man," and "Mannish Boy," in more of a rock style. There is even a cover of the Rolling Stones hit "Let's Spend The Night Together." Wouldn't you agree that's a cool concept for an album?
   
   The vocals are one of the strong selling points of this album, and Muddy Waters has a great voice. The lyrics include occasional social commentary appropriate for the times. All of the musicians on this album were highly regarded studio players. It has been pointed out in another review, as well as in the CD booklet, that Waters felt that the drums were too "busy" on this album. I would like to comment on that, because I am a drummer myself. The drumming on this album was done by a studio drummer named Morris Jennings. Although he was a jazz drummer, his playing on this album is very true to the psychedelic rock concept. Mitch Mitchell, of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, was himself a very "busy" drummer. When the Beatles hit the music scene in 1964, Ringo Starr played a very "unbusy" style, but times had changed by 1968, and even Ringo had somewhat changed his own style to accommodate.
   
   I have tried to be as helpful as possible by warning the prospective buyer about what this album is about, but I hope that blues purists will not be offended by my saying that I really like this album. To be sure, it is not for everyone, but it is for me. I think that "Electric Mud" is very original and unique, and I value having it as a part of my collection. My primary musical interest is classic rock, although I do have a modest collection of blues, including some of Muddy Waters' mainstream works. For those who have enjoyed reading my review, I invite you to click on "rss28" above and visit my member page, where you can read some of my other reviews. In any case, I thank you for taking the time to read my opinions about this album. (review: By"rss28" (Detroit, Michigan)
   
   1. I Just Want To Make Love To You
   2. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man
   3. Let's Spend The Night Together
   4. She's Alright
   5. Mannish Boy
   6. Herbert Harper's Free Press News
   7. Tom Cat
   8. The Same Thing



5. Acutally, I like this, one of the more inventive albums from the era. Putting Muddy Waters together with a bunch of hardcore psychedelic players actually made sense. By 1968 acid rock bands playing hard electric blues were a commercial force, and Muddy hadn't had a hit for a long time. So lets use all the goodies - distortion, fuzz, wah wah, and a drummer who isn't shy. Doesn't sound like Muddy got it, but for the most part, he sounds great. Most of those other bands didn't have a vocalist who could touch him. It sounds like a Jimi Hendrix session with Muddy singing instead of Jimi - definitely an improvement. It's got a touch of funk like a very early Funkadelic and it's messy as hell. Muddy wasn't going to do many takes on these songs, and lets face it. These guys may have been inspired by Hendrix, but they weren't THAT good. Muddy is most uncomfortable on "Let's Spend the Night Together," and I can understand that. He probably wasn't thrilled doing a song by a band that named themselves after his first big hit and more or less used his in-your-face macho schtick to make millions. The covers of his own songs are better than most of those other bands' versions. "Herbert Harper's Free Press News" is a real gem. I saw Muddy perform a few years after this with a band more to his original style, and he wasn't near as good as on this album. His band was mediocre, like they learned to play listening to Ventures records. Maybe they had an off night, or maybe he hired cheap talent when he was on the road. Anyway, I bought this album in the Tay Ninh Base Camp PX in 1969 where it was one of only two records on sale. We played this album until the dust more or less destroyed it. The CD has brought back great memories.

5 comments about The Very Best of Buddy Guy.

1. budy guy before he became rich and famous. when he still cared about playing the smokin' guitar.



2. Best-of collections will never satisfy everyone. There will always be a favorite song left off, too much of other music that some people won't like, and many other complaints.
   
   That being said, "The Very Best of Buddy Guy" does an excellent job of presenting the legendary guitarist from an early career/early comeback perspective.There is enough soulful vocalizing, mournful lyrics, and industrial strength guitar playing to please most, if not all of Buddy's legions of fans.
   
   Standout songs include "First Time I Met The Blues (studio and live)," "This Is The End," "When My Left Eye Jumps," "Hello San Francisco," "Blues at My Baby's House," "She Suits Me To A T," and others.
   
   If you want to get a feel for Buddy Guy, particularly for his early and mid range career, this collection fits the bill nicely.



3. Anyone familiar with blues Gitar' knows Buddy is the man. While I don't think that he's anymore talented than the other greatest living bluesman,Otis Rush, he seems to play like Otis with a whole lot more solos. What I wouldn't give to see one of their classic duels in the flesh. Buddy's chess recordings are of course top notch, but my favorite on this complition is the 7 minute extravaganza "Blues at My Baby's House", which in my opinion features some of Buddy's most soulful licks and vocals. If you can only afford one Buddy Guy record make it this or his 2-cd chess collection, that one really cooks.



4. For someone on a budget who is interested in the music of this legendary artist, look no further than this single disc album. The sound and track selection here are excellent. Anyone interested in electric Chicago Blues needs to have at least one Buddy Guy album in their collection; and you can't go wrong here. There is some song overlap here with the "Chess 50th Collection" single disc compilation, but "Very Best Of" features 18 tracks over the 15 presented in the "Chess 50th Collection" cd. Plus, this disc has the great remastered sound the folks at Rhino are known for. For those of you have a few extra dollars around, I strongly suggest 2 disc set, "The Complete Chess Studio Sessions" which boasts 47 tracks!
   It can be found here on zShops or eBay at a very reasonable cost.



5. There are too many great blues artists out there to spend a fortune on every artists complte recordings would cost tens of thousands of dollars, so getting comprehensive samplers of the artists earliest recordings in the best way to go. This cd have mostly the 50's & 60's sessions, his early stuff, and a bit towards the end of the cd his later works, but just a small sampling, the majority of the cd is his best work for Chess and other jump blues labels. This cd is exellent and is the difinitive sampler(though one should not overlook his duo albums with junior Wells), this cd will do a fine job of summing up Guy in his early prime and middle years. Guy has an incredibly piercing voice, similsr in texture and feeling as BB King, though less of a baritone, and his guitar solos, are creative, and even jazz and improvisation occur every so often. This cd is full of energetic performances, from shuffling jump blues to slow blues drags, it's all great stuff. Essential for any blues collection, to be complete.

4 comments about Trouble in Mind.

1. This "Trouble In Mind" compilation from the Smithsonian is the best collection of Broonzy's later period acoustic work. I think this is a better collection than the other 'best of' compilation ("Absolutely The Best" on Varese Records). The remastering on these tracks is excellent and they are the best sounding recordings of Broonzy I have ever heard. The songs here are all of his classics. The only thing that's disappointing is that they left off the track "Never Satisfied", which would have made this the ultimate collection of Broonzy acoustic blues songs. Highly recommended!



2. I preferBig Bill's acoustic work over his electric work. This is a collection of acoustic songs from the last years of his life. He sings blues, folk, protest songs, gospel...all of that in this great collection. Extensive liner notes and the printed lyrics and notes for every song makes this CD a true gem. Includes some live recordings as well.



3. Smithsonian Folkways did a great job capturing the essence of Big Bill Broonzy's sound. I've heard other albums and this is my favorite. The music is taken at the latter half of his career and establishes Broonzy as a master of the country blues/folk sound. A great album any blues fan should own.



4. I just recived my copy of this Cd in the mail today. I've now played it 6 times straight through. Big Bill was brilliant! Great Voice and Terrific guitar. I highly recommend this and any other Big Bill Disc you can get your hand's on. He was a rare and under appreciated Talent! Muddy Waters thought enough of Big Bill to record an entire lp of his songs.

5 comments about Live On.

1. Perhaps Kenny's best album to date great cd ! If you don't own a Kenny Wayne Shepherd album this is a good one to start with.



2. I really love this CD. It goes everywhere with me the house, the car, work and parties. I've carried it around so many places and played it so much that it developed a scratch that I couldn't get out! That's why I had to have a second copy! I can't do without Kenny!



3. I am a huge fan of Kenny Wayne Shepherd. But I was disappointed in "Live On." It's more hard rock than blues. Naturally, it's all a matter of personal taste. If you like more of a hard sound, you may like this. But it's quite a departure from his earlier work.



4. If you like guitar driven blues with a twist of classic rock than you'll love this album. Kenny's playing is excellant and unlike other critics I think the vocals are fine for this genre. Excellant rocked up version of Oh Well is one of many highlights. In 2 Deep and Last Goodbye are great songs. Was,Shotgun Blues and You Should Know Better do not dissapoint. All told 14 tracks for your pleasure. There are those of us that think KWS, Joe Bonamassa and Rob Tognoni are carrying the blues/rock-classic rock torch. The sad part is how few realize how great a job they are doing. If you like these three then check out Bill Perry, Joe Bonamassa and Gary Moore.



5. This guy can jam!. Buy his CD's!! If you get the chance to see him and his band live GO!!! - a true talent. I am so thankful that he is making this music as there are not too many out there. I was devasted when we lost Stevie Ray Vaughn. Now look, so young Kenny Wayne Shepherd, so gifted and devoted to the guitar...just think of how awesome he could become. LIVE ON Kenny Wayne, you are totally fantastic!! I dance like a maniac to all of your CD's when no one is watching!!! ;)

5 comments about An Anthology: The Elektra Years.

1. These Electra sessions recordings include almost all of the songs from the original Butterfield Blues Band album and many more. It is a classic. Butterfield and Bloomfield with the rest of the original cast, including Sam Lay on drums. It is just a superb collection of some of the best Chicago blues ever recorded. While there are literally hundreds, maybe thousands, who have recorded songs with the harp, there are only handful who could play the harp as well as Butterfield and, like him, most are no longer with us. He grew up hearing the great players in Chicago but developed his own style, with a tone that sometimes sounded like a trumpet. Both he and Bloomfield possessed musical genius that burned out too young. I have been listening to this album since it was released and still go back to it often. If you want to hear Chicago Blues, buy this one, a Howling Wolf anthology, a Muddy Waters anthology, and Westside Blues by Magic Sam and you pretty much have the best of what there is to hear.



2. My grandson who,s 17 is lead guitar in a high school rock combo, and we talked about simultaneous pulsating energy and virtuoso parts for the singer and lead guitar together. I started thinking about 1965-66 in Chicago and recalled the Butterfield band as what I wanted him to hear. So I got him a set and got myself a set. Album #1 in the Electra collection was what I had in mind, and he now listens to it everyday, loving it. He's already pretty good, if you will excuse me.
   
   Man, how that man wasted his life later. Sad.
   
   I am keeping this album. La Raw Maran



3. You really have to have em' all .All fans have their favorites , and some will be left off a compilation such as this .. You cant please everybody .One thing I noticed there were far more tracks from the 'Lost Electra Sessions' than from say, the classic "Pigboy Crabshaw" album. still ..a great set from ol 'Butters 'He died a sad death ..I encountered him(not pleasantly) 3 months before he went ..lets just remember the great music he played , and ..like I said .. get em all!



4. CD album not what I thought it was....Of course PB plays a mouth harp.....of course, the songs sometimes all sound alike...that is why he's not a ZZ, BB or whatever. One maybe two songs on these 2 cd's I like.....the rest go in file 13. There's nothing wrong with this style of music but it falls far short of Buddy Guy, BB King, Albert King....I am/was relunctant to negative any musician and this is not the case....Many of his good songs are missing and "fillers" placed instead. Unless you are a whipping Paul Butterfield fan, keep looking......



5. In 1964, the "Beatles" were (and still are) a phenomonon. Everybody knew of them, they had "Beatles" cards for God's sake.Underneath this commercial pop lay "Chicago Blues" here in America. No one and I mean no one did it better than "The Butterfield Blues Band" Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop,guitar players extraordinaire. Paul Butterfield with his amazing harp playing. I'm not a critic or a music reviewer, I just know what I like. And if you love the "Blues" this remaster is absolutely essential. Get it here,enough said. Peace.

5 comments about Buddy's Blues (Chess 50th Anniversary Collection).

1. Buddy Guy is one of my all-time favorite bluesmen....and this is the album which started it all for me.
   
   Listen to these songs and be changed. The album starts out with "Worried Mind", a relaxing blues tune, which shows the mellow side of Buddy Guy. Relax while you can, for some fiery vocals are not too far off! When Buddy sings "She Suits Me To A Tee" I honestly wonder at what point his vocal chords will snap. And when Buddy sings "I Cry And Sing The Blues" you are convinced that in fact he is crying and singing the blues. Listen to this album just once to hear one of the greatest bluesmen in history and no doubt you will be won over just as I was to Buddy Guy's music.
   
   5 stars....a fantastic single disc compilation at a very inexpensive price. A must own for any blues fan.
   I believe there is a 2-CD set out there of his Chess recordings, but do not think it is still available, except to buy it used.



2. Every track on this compilation is strong, no doubt about it. I like much of Buddy's later work but I keep returning to the sides he recorded for Chess in the 60s. Fortunately, the sound quality is excellent for that era and doesn't get in the way at all. There is great variety in this set and I have difficulty picking favorites but these tunes do make it easy to see why so many musicians have been influenced by Buddy. It's obvious to see that young Buddy was more than capable of leading a band. Typical of Chess Records, the CD booklet has a great historical perspective and complete song info. what a band Buddy had together back in the 60's! Lafayette Leake, Little Brother Montgomery, Leonard Caston and Otis Spann alternated on piano, Jack Meyers and Phil Upchurch on bass, Fred Below, Al Duncan, Phil Thomas and Clifton James on drums plus a host of other talented players. Enjoy the newer mucis Buddy has made but don't forget his first golden era. Great stuff.



3. Buddy Guy is One of the Baddest Blues Playing Guitar Players Ever to me.His tone is pure&He doesn't overkill on the heavyHanded Riffing&Soloing like some cats do. this Collection is a Great showcase of His Talent&Rawness. His Vocals are on point as well.



4. For someone on a budget who is interested in the music of this legendary artist, look no further than this single disc album. The sound and track selection here are excellent. Anyone interested in the blues needs to have at least one Buddy Guy album in their collection and you can't go wrong here. Another option is Rhino's "Very Best Of Buddy Guy" which features 18 tracks compared to the 15 presented here (personally I give a very slight nod to the Rhino cd based on track slection & overall sound). This release however may be a better choice for those with only a few bucks to spend. But, for those of you who do have a few extra dollars around, I strongly suggest passing on both single disc releases and opt for the 2 disc set "The Complete Chess Studio Sessions" on the MCA/Chess label. "The Complete" boasts 47 tracks an is more comprehensive than this release. It may be out-of-print, but can be found for sale in zShops or eBay at a very reasonable price.



5. If you're only going to buy one Buddy Guy-album, I'd probably go with Rhino's career-spanning "The Very Best Of Buddy Guy".
   But it's hard, because this one is pretty much a must-have as well. Rhino's disc does include a handful of Guy's Chess sides, but his years at Chess were certainly his best period, and this wonderful 15-track compilation brings together the cream of that crop.
   
   These classic 60s recordings burn with unbridled passion - just listen to the smouldering slow blues "Leave My Girl Alone" and "I Cry And Sing The Blues". George "Buddy" Guy is one of the very few bluesmen whose vocals (occationally) match the intensity of the great Elmore James, and his guitar playing is superb - an obvious source of inspiration to men like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
   Also, the sound on this anniversary compilation is magnificent. Excellent transfers and spacious stereo mixes make these forty-year old recordings sound as sharp as razor blades coming off the laser beam. Well, I don't know if razor blades sound sharp, maybe they just are sharp...eh, never mind.
   But if you are into 60s electric blues, this is a must-have purchase. Buddy Guy, Otis Rush and Magic Sam are the finest representatives of the "West Side" sound, and there is not a single weak track here. This is the very best of Buddy Guy's Chess years.

5 comments about Stone Crazy!.

1. "Stone Crazy" is one of the best records Buddy Guy has made. Unvarnished, raw, not contaminated with pop-sounding songs and superfluous guest stars, this CD was recorded when Buddy Guy was just another much admired, but little recorded bluesman.
   
   This record sounds like Buddy was set free. After being corseted by record companies and made to play with brakes, Buddy plays with unrivaled fury and intensity on such cuts as "When I Left Home," "The Outskirts of Town," "I Smell A Rat," and others.
   
   Buddy needs to make more records like this. Any Buddy record is awesome, but this kind of Buddy record is priceless.



2. I love Buddy Guy, his falsetto voice, his guitar tone, his mellow pickin', his frenzied shreddin', it's all here too! The songs are few, but long and let him stretch out and wear it out! This was his first solo endeavor and it's totally raw and rockin'! I listen to it everyday! Get all his stuff, it's eclectic from acoustic blues to psychedelic rock, he's the coolest!



3. This is the only album prior to about 1990 where Buddy Guy plays like Buddy Guy. It is one of the best blues albums by any artist, and is one of only a few things out there that show you what Buddy Guy can really do. You get an idea of what he was like live, and an idea of why people like Hendrix, SRV and Clapton counted Buddy Guy as one of the best ever.



4. It is hard to compare this album with anything prior to or after. It stands alone in my Buddy Guy collection, and I have all that I can get my hands on.
   This album introduced me to Buddy Guy. I made me a true fan. This is reminiscent of the first times I saw him live at the Chestnut Cabaret in Philly in the summer of '85 I think. Back to back nights. Not a lot of people at the shows in those days (in Philly in the summer everyone is "down the shore"). But he played it just as hard as he does now in front of packed venues. Had the honor of passing him a Cognac at one point of the show. He used to walk through the crowd to the side door, walk outside and stand there for a while and continue jamming on the sidewalk. Truly amazing guitar player, and what a great all-around performer. If he couldn't play a note on the guitar, his voice would have made him a star.
   Don't think about getting this album, get it. Now. It will not disappoint. "When I Left Home" is unbelievable. Check it out.



5. I'm not a blues expert. I'm a born and bred south Chicagoan, and a blues fan for over thirty years. Purists be damned, this IS a blues album.
   I bought this album on vinyl when it was released. I saw Buddy playing live a lot around then (and many times since) and if you want to get an idea what kind of a pounding show he played in small clubs at that time listen to "You've Been Gone Too Long".
   Although this is a studio album, it feels "live" and has none of the over-produced slickness that mars many of the albums on the Alligator Records label. Buddy and the band are loose (not sloppy though, the chops and grooves are tight) yet intense. Phil Guy, Buddy's brother, is also on Stone Crazy and is a phenomenal blues guitarist as well (I'm not sure, but I believe some of the solos on this album may be his).
   If you are in a Son House / Robert Johnson kind of mood this isn't the album for you. But if you'd like to know what it was like at small, smokey blues clubs in Chicago when this album came out, buy this.
   If you like this album I also recommend "Son Seals: Live and Burning". Both are rough, raw, powerfull, and "sloppy-tight" I never play Stone Crazy without it...and a shot of whiskey.