2 comments about Theme Time Radio Hour: With Your Host Bob Dylan.

1. So much about what I have come to love about music is falling away - "albums" are being replaced by singles downloaded from cyberspace, music magazines (so long No Depression) are shuttering their doors due to lack of ad revenue, and great record stores are closing by the dozen. Into these dangerous straits waded XM Radio and Bob Dylan with the Theme Time Radio Hour - a throwback to simpler times wherein Bob Dylan selects an hour's worth of choice cuts loosely centered around a "theme" like flowers, or marriage or coffee. The show has been a breath of fresh air - it's success due in equal measure to Dylan's pithy narrative style and his impeccable taste in popular music.
   
   What we have here is Ace Records' attempt to anthologize the radio show by choosing 50 cuts that have appeared on Theme Time. There is no "theme" and no Dylan. What we do get is 2 hours of music - most of it blues, R&B, and American roots music. Some of the choices are inspired, the Geraint Watkins cut, "Only a Rose" for example; others - two versions of "Pistol Packin Mama" - less so. The overall effect is akin to listening to a jukebox stocked by Dylan. One could do worse. The packaging is excellent, with track and artist information and a photograph to accompany every song. Sound is more than adequate as well.
   
   If you have access to XM radio by all means listen to Theme Time Radio Hour. If not, this makes a more than acceptable substitute.



2. Arrright folks. I have been enjoying the Theme Time Radio now for some time, via the use of bootlegs. If there would be one reason for me to wish I had satellite radio, it would be for this one hour a week radio show. Bob Dylan picks the songs every week and throws some banter around, with interesting tid bits of information. Very ecclectic mix, and I really love hearing all of this rare stuff, presented to me by the man, Bob Dylan.
   A compilation seems to be due, however, with fifty hours of programming being represented here... there is absolutely no way to make an acceptable two disc set. I'd have to say, that the show has been a treasure trove for me, and out of the dozens of old-old-oldies I've discovered on this show, I don't think a single one of them appear on this collection..... also, neither does Dylan. Not even once.
   So, it's a tough call. If you are completely unfamiliar with the show, this may give you an idea. It's pretty much, taking a ride through Bob Dylans music collection, which is largely built up of blues, rock and r&b roots music... singles from the thirties-forties-fifties, and the occasional White Stripes tune (which personally, I didn't think should have been included here, but is). Really though, you should listen to the show. Bootlegs. Listen for the music that grabs your ear, or is different. Theres tons of gems coming out of this show, and not enough in this mix... however it is still pretty great. Theme Time Box Set is due! And keep in all of that great Bob Dylan jibberjabber. I guess I'll let this collection slide with a four star rating. That may be a bit of a stretch though.
   
   *Ooops, I guess I gave it a five star rating anyway. Oh well.

5 comments about People Take Warning! Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs 1913-1938.

1. When I drive down the road in my 2006 Honda Accord and have this collection playing on my six changer cd player I feel like it's 1922 in Alabama and I'm in my Ford jalopy listening to some great radio station from the past. These songs not only tell stories of the past they make you feel for people you have never met. It's a great collection.



2. Received these cds just before a trip from VA to TX.
   Took me over 200 miles of happy interstate driving
   (with nary a disaster)!



3. On a recommendation from a friend, I picked this up even though I only own the Harry Smith Anthology and really no other reissue collections. I'm now sold! This is at least on the same level as the Harry Smith collection if not much better. This set is a thoughtfully constructed, almost visionary collection of pre-1938 recordings, with each one of the recordings demonstrating something lost in the current "musical vocabulary" that is being put out now. Besides sounding fantastic and looking great, the package also includes deeply revealing annotations and notes by Hank Sapoznik, Christopher King and Tom Waits. I've listened to the set for hours and read and re-read the notes and tried to take in all the compelling graphics. It is indeed a singular experience and a true artistic success.



4. An interesting peak into early 20th century culture.The packaging is top notch.As for the music,it sounds like 20 or 30 versions of the same song,especially given the primitive recording techinques.I might suggest to Tompkins Square they re-record these song using modern artists ie Steve Earle,Dwight Yokum etc.Sort of like the Phil Alvin "Lost Songs"lp from 1985.
   In short ,historically interesting,musically tedious.



5. I can not think of a better set to have received as a Christmas gift. From Waits' introduction through the transfer quality of the audio all the way down to the panoramic pictures in the book, this set is a must-have for any serious music collector or lover.

5 comments about Good For What Ails You: Music of the Medicine Shows 1926-1937 (Digipak with 72-page booklet).

1. what a great compilation of pre-war old-timey music, including an informative booklet withlots of pictures. You will not find any of these recordings anywhere else so snatch this one up while it is still available. I don't want to get into the particulars of any one artist or song, 'cause they're all great and listened together in context makes it all that much greater.



2. This gave us 50 tracks of original music. Along with it you get a nice booklet that tells the history of the medicine shows and individual descriptions of each track and it's performers.



3. You just can't imagine what the life of a performer on the road in the 20, 30's (or earlier) must have been like. The ups of course was the freedom, and the fun at times. The downs include never knowing what was around the corner, the cold (or heat), some of the boarding houses I would imagine would have been dreadful amongst many others.
   
   But at least we can listen to the music. I've only received this the other day and I've not taken it out of the player, it goes to work with me and takes me home again, it plays in the background when I'm busy about the house. Yes some of the sound quality is hissy, but they are old recordings and besides I would rather hear it like that, it adds to the feel. These are happy songs, even when they are talking about slashing someones throat. If you looking at this you obviously have an interest in this style of music and you would be doing yourself a favour by purchasing this wonderful collection. You get 2 CD's and a wonderful booklet that tells you a little history of the genre and pictures of some the the performers on the CD's as well as a little history on each of the songs.



4. Step right up..ladies and gentlemen...Are you feeling blah listening to those same old CD's you've had for the last several years? Does today's music leave you cold? Well, you've come to the right place. Restore your enthusiasm...bring back the fun, with 50 recordings from the golden age of medicine shows. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Many of these fine artists are obscure names to most people of this generation...but alas...like an old ancient Indian cure...this box set will bring you back to life. Yes friends and neighbors...it also comes with a beautiful full-color booklet with all the songs, dates and stories of old. Uh..excuse me son, don't crowd the stage. IT'S A PANACEA FOR ALL BORING AILMENTS! Yes and considering how old these gems are (1925-36) they are all in remarkable shape...and your sense of humor will be too. So pick one up today. It;s more fun than a brand new Victrola!



5. 'Good For What Ails You' is a great set of cd's with old songs that were sung at old medicine shows. I remember some of those songs from records and radio programs from my childhood - songs that I had totally forgotten!
   
   I lent the cd's to my father, and they brought back fond memories of his childhood in western OK when the medicine shows would come to town and set up on the square. Everyone would attend the "show" and listen to the music, sales pitches, and go home with something! He truly enjoyed the cd's, also.
   
   Even if medicine shows are new to you, the music is worth the time to listen. Lot's of fun, interesting lyrics, and you might even hear something that has come back again!?

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

1. pretty much all the songs on here are actually good, unlike with a lot of compilations. a good buy.



2. cd was as advertised and arrived in good condition, in a timely fashion. this is the first used product i have purchased on the net and i am very satisfied with the results



3. Wow! A friend recommended this CD to me (as I am beginning to play), and what a treat this was. Terrific variety in style, and superb playing all around. Especially helpful were the extensive liner notes to the CD, listing each artist and going into their background as well as details about the songs. Really enjoyable reading. I just can't say enough about it if you are looking for a good sampling of harp songs. :)



4. Rhino's "Blues Masters" series is the best of its kind, and while this one disc obviously only scratches the surface of blues harmonica playing, it does feature a lot of good music.
   
   Most longtime blues fans will own the lion's share of this material already, but "Harmonica Classics" also features several lesser-known songs like Jerry McCain's "Steady", Lazy Lester's superbly groovy "Sugar Coated Love", "Boogie Twist" by Snooky Pryor, and "Easy" by the greatest blues harmonica player of them all, the great Walter Horton (that's the song credited to "Jimmy and Walter").
   
   Howlin' Wolf is here as well, Billy Boy Arnold is here, Little Walter Jacobs is here with his instrumental classic "Juke", and Jimmy Reed is here, doing the loping "Ends And Odds" in his lazy, minimalistic style. Other highlights include Junior Wells' tough "Messin' With The Kid" and Sonny Boy Williamson (II)'s "Help Me".
   
   These songs don't necessarily rank among the artists' very best, since they were chosen primarily for the harp playing, and that may be seen as a little bit of a drawback. But that's not to say that these songs are generally below par, however, and this collection does focus on blues harmonica after all.
   And there is some impressive instrumental prowess on display here, including the Fabulous Thunderbirds' lyrical "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White", "Last Night" by George "Harmonica" Smith, and the one-armed John Wrencher's rendition "Take A Little Walk With Me".
   
   As I said, this is not excactly the defintive word on blues harmonica, or on the artists represented here, but "Harmonica Classics" and its companion volume (excitingly titled "More Harmonica Classics") are still a fine purchase for casual and "mid-level" blues listeners.
   Lots of great music here.

5 comments about The Word.

1. Here's the word. This is pedal steel that outstrips all other albums I've ever heard. There is no nonsensical lyrics about drunks, cheating lovers and no hokum that sounds like the slop on touristy gift store album that is "showcasing" quaint, "local talent". This album is on fire. This Pedal is straight and uncut with only one chaser..the compulsion to play it again.



2. I don't care who you are, this CD is just amazing. I'm an atheist and can't stand most traditional gospel music, but I bought this because I was a die hard NMA and Robert Randolph fan. It quickly became one of my favorite CDs of all time. These tunes are amazing and some of the best I've ever heard. If you don't like this CD, get your head and hearing checked.



3. I've been lucky enough to see Robert Randolph and family live twice this summer, and they put on an awesome show. The CD will definitely make you want to get up out of your seat, cause there "Ain't no-booooodddddyyyy" like Robert and crew!



4. Robert Randolph plays a pedal steel that competes in a league with Duane Allman. OK, Allman is the best. However, this is the best slide - or pedal steel played like a slide - that has been available since Duane left this planet. If you enjoy great guitar music, you can not be without this album. Robert Randolph has other albums out, but none has lived up to the Word. Since he is still young, maybe Robert Randolph will blow us away in the future - he is certainly capable - but until then, this album features the best slide playing in this millenium.



5. When did music sans structure or direction become so hip.
   At some point it loses all meaning and becomes mere musical masturbation.
   That's what this is. Not gospel, but some idiotic, lazy approximation by a bunch of people who are adored by hippies. The irony is so rich it gave me indigestion.
   
   However, it does make good background or elevator music, as long as the volume is kept pretty low.
   
   You hippies are pretty entertaining as long as I stay upwind from you and the volume on your noodle music is kept low enough to carry on conversations.

5 comments about Pure Blues.

1. What else can be said? Read the other reviewers comments, as they sound very seasoned on whats good. I, for one, have been into the blues for a few years and bought this CD.
   Awesome stuff!! Makes me want to smoke a fat cigar and sit on my back patio with shades on at night time. Er, well.....a really good compilation.
   Buy it and you won't be disappointed.



2. This starts off with Eric Clapton and Duane Allman singing "Mean Old World" and ends with B. B. King singing the classic "The Thrill Is Gone." In between, works of blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, The Allman Brothers Band, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Freddy King, Jimmy Reed, Albert King, Etta James, and others. WOW! If you like blues, you'll like this eclectic CD.
   
   Some examples:
   
   "Mean Old World." Clapton and Allman do a nice job here. Spare guitar work and raw blues vocals. This is a Little Walter song, and Clapton and Allman do it justice.
   
   "Shame, Shame, Shame." Kenny Wayne Shepherd takes this song on. There is some nice scorching blues guitar work and fine blues vocals. This is a neat cut! Blues fans will enjoy. . . .
   
   "LIttle Red Rooster." Oh, yeah! One of Willie Dixon's best compositions. Mick Jagger and the Stones did a nicer turn on this. Here, Luther Allison is the artist. This is another fine rendering of this work. Great guitar work, fine vocals. Outstanding!
   
   "Hoochie Coochie Man." This is the real deal. Muddy Waters himself takes on this Willie Dixon song--and as soon as I say it's Muddy Waters, I need say nothing further. This is another terrific cut. I get goose bumps listening to this one.
   
   "Hound Dog." Elvis did a version of this that stood the United States ion its head. Before Elvis, Big Mama Thornton sang an earlier version. What a treat! Listen and compare her version with Elvis'. Hers is absolutely great blues and I find it compelling. This is 2:50 of raw blues. Wow!
   
   The final cut on this CD--"The Thrill Is Gone." One of B. B. King's best! Forget its popularity and get back to the music itself. This is a great work. His spare guitar work is more effective than some rock guitarists who spew out zillions of notes--with not a scintilla of the effectiveness of King. Stunning!
   
   There are many other fine works, too.
   
   In short, if you are interested in blues, from all manner of singers, you will find this most satisfying. 5 stars without any question!



3. This is a good blues CD if you're looking for one with artists spanning many decades. It has older stuff as well as some of the latest artists. I enjoyed it although some of the songs are a bit lengthy.



4. This CD has some great music on it. My only gripe is that they included two or three tracks that got overplayed on FM radio, like "Smoking Gun" and "The Thrill Is Gone". The first track, with Eric Clapton & Duane Allman is awesome and it alone, in my opinion, makes this CD worth buying.



5. I own a pretty extensive collection of blues CD's and also DJ. I find compilation CD's a good alternative to burning my own since it's pretty easy to have a glitch in the copy process show up "live". This is one of my favorites that I play a lot simply because of the great mix of artists and styles. This CD packages some very popular tunes from several eras into one very good CD with excellent sound quality and balance. Buy it and you won't be sorry.

4 comments about The Best Blues Album in the World Ever.

1. Although the title is totally hyperbole, this is an excellent collection of blues tunes of various eras and styles.

   I am a relative newcomer to the blues, so a compilation like this is right up my alley. It lets me get a taste of different aspects of the blues, and to discover artists that I would not have otherwise been exposed to.

   Represented here are some of the early delta bluesmen (Lightnin' Hopkins "Abilene", mislabeled as "Shotgun Blues"), the early electric blues (Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy"), the '60's revival (B. B. King's "3 O'Clock Blues"), the great female blues singers (Koko Taylor's smokin' "Wang Dang Doodle"), the British blues bands (John Mayall's "Spinning Coin"), contemporary American blues rock (Johnny Winter's "Illustrated Man"), and lesser known contemporary artists (Colin James' infectious cover of "No More Doggin'").

   Throw in selections by Albert Collins, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, J. J. Cale, and others, and you have a blues compilation CD that may not be "The Greatest in the World", but one that both novices and long time blues fans can enjoy. Highly recommended to anybody with ann interest in the blues.




2. Calling your album the "best ever" takes balls, but this CD stands the test. From classics like Muddy Waters' 'Mannish Boy' or Little Walter's 'My Babe' to hot female singers like Etta James and the dynamic Koko Taylor to oldies radio station's staples like 'Reeling and Rockin'' by Chuck Berry and classic rock blues like Gary Moore's 'Still Got The Blues', this CD covers a lot of ground.

   If you want an introduction to the blues and can only buy one CD, this should be it! If you already love the blues, you'll love hearing these songs again and remember them like your first kiss. Either way, this CD will put sadness in your heart or heat in your loins, sometimes in the same song!




3. Not even close to the best ever. The actual title should read: "The Best Blues Album For Which We Were Able To Get Rights To The Songs Quickly" or something like that. The fact is this double disc set is just a grab bag of songs with absolutely no thought put into it whatsoever. With a few exceptions, disc one is practically a throw away. Larry McCray, Kinsey Report, Gary Moore, and Terry Evans et. al. are all ok modern blues artists but hardly deserve to be on a blues album titled "The Best Ever" -especially one limited to only two discs.

   This is a Virgin release, so poor understanding of the genre is to be expected. However, to boldly exclaim that this is the best ever compilation is a rather ostentatious position -even for the Virgin people. The best ever blues compilation would certainly be a difficult undertaking. However, this set completly ignores the likes of giants like Big Maceo, Tommy Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson I & II, Robert Johnson, Tampa Red, Lowell Fulson, Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Roosevelt Sykes, Robert Nighthawk, Jimmy Witherspoon, Floyd Dixon, and so many many more important and entertaining historical blues artists. The most shocking eversight is the absence of T-Bone Walker!

   Really, I think this is a waste of your money. Even on its own level the flow is odd especially on disc one. Disc two has a better grouping and flow of great blues artists and songs, but still not worth the price. There has yet to be a true "best of" compilation to be released, so for now I suggest you may want to explore the best attempt to date. It is a four disc box set released on MCA in 1996 called "Mean Old World."




4. I really enjoyed these CDs. it gives a good mix of old school and new school blues so to speak. From todays best to the acoustic sounds of yesteryear, this CD entertained me for a very long time with some great blues.

1 comments about Crucial Acoustic Blues.

1. I love the Alligator label and their compilation albums are always a treat! Kudo's to Bruce Iglauer his taste is excellent!

5 comments about Doctors, Professors, Kings & Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans.

1. This is a great collection that could be improved through a few substitutions (I would have chosen Johnny Adams' "Reconsider Me" and Irma Thomas'"I Done Gone Over It", instead of the ones The Shout Factory made) but that's nitpicking. It's a great collection, it sounds great and a wide range of New Orleans music is represented. Well done.



2. This is a complilation of New Orleans best at their best. I am a New Orleans native living in Colorado and this anthology made me home sick! This is a wonderful collector's item and I recommend it to everyone. Enjoy New Orleans' very own Doctor's Professors, Kings and Queens.



3. A great mix of new and old music from the big easy. The booklet gives a lot of information other than the music.



4. As an Aussie my exposure to New Orleans music has been limited to Fats Domino, Little Richard, Buckwheat Zydeco, The Neville Brothers and the Rhino Records "History Of New Orleans R & B" 3 volume LP set. I've had my eye on this for quite a while and only acquired it yesterday. The feeling I get from it is a sense of fun in the music. It is both joyous & brassy, Deep and meaningful with a total abandon of enjoyment thrown in. The rich musical history supplied here is all the more poignant after Hurricane Katrina and the musical legacy of New Orleans should never be forgotten.
   
   The programmming is a tad idiosyncratic as we tend to leap back and forward track by track (eg. we have The Hawketts "Mardi Gras Mambo" followed by Ragtime Jazz followed by Modern Blues). Maybe a bit jarring as I prefer "historical overviews" to be chronological in running order. However upon reflection the effect this track running order has is to perhaps illustrate the diversity of the music that emanates out of New Orleans. So this may not be meant to be as much an overview but more so a rich sampling of the New Orleans vibe. However it would have been nice to follow the development of the music over the time spans from jazz to Zydeco etc provided here but that's just my preference. The other thing though is the set seems to be a little top heavy with recent 1990's recordings as opposed to earlier material, notably missing anything by Larry Williams who had hits on Specialty including Bony Moronie & Slow Down.
   However those things aside the set is a 5 & 1/2 hour gumbo of the myriad styles that flowed out of New Orleans and is an enjoyable listening experience. I'm glad to have it and I think such a set is essential to any worthwhile music library. Come taste the music!!



5. If you have ever been to New Orleans, you must have this collection - the best "compilation" of any genre I've ever heard. No city sweats music like New Orleans, and this set really captures the sounds, flavors, and even the humidity like nothing else. So whether you love New Orleans and its culture, or just think you might, or even if you are just curious, buy this and turn it up.

1 comments about Afro-American Spirituals, Work Songs, And Ballads.

1. In the 1930's, father and son John and Alan Lomax travelled through the South, collecting field recordings for the Library of Congress, in order to form a permanent record of the country's musical heritage. In 1942, six volumes of these and other recordings were released on thirty 78's. This collection is a remastering of the third volume of this series.

   The music is deep and vital; the sound quality - though as to be expected of "field recordings" cannot detract from the power of these spirituals, chants, laments, and worksongs, recorded by ordinary people - laborers, clergy, prisoners - in their ordinary settings.

   The record is essential listening for anyone interested in the history of Jazz, Blues, and Folk in America.