5 comments about Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey.

1. If you've seen the movies and got frustrated at the short performances here is your solution. Definitally a great complimentary to the DVDs as now you can also enjoy hearing the music in full.



2. I owned this previously and I am glad to have it again. It will teach about the blues from their inception at the turn of the 20th century to the present day. All the classic songs that were later done by UK acts are here as well. If you can find it used, it is a better bargain because there is a lot here that is "filler not killer" but if you want to get a blues education, buy this collection.



3. This collection is an excellent synopsis of the Blues from its earliest roots on the rercording medium to modern times. It also shows how far and wide this genre covers in the musical landscape with its influence on rock-and-roll and jazz. Besides having over 115 songs, there is also a companion booklet that documents every track. I really recommend this collection to anyone not familiar with the Blues, because it can be a great starting point for you to expand on an area you find more interesting, like the Kansas City blues in the 30s, Chicago blues in the 50s, or diverse individuals such as Lead Belly, T-Bone Walker, Howlin' Wolf, John Jee Hooker, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.



4. IMO, this 5-disc set is par none the best blues compilation spanning over 50 years. Not everything noteworthy has been included, but it is the best bang for your buck you're going to find anywhere for a wide blues selection from early to recent, and Marty Scorese did a fantastic job in selection. I have given it as a gift several times and it is the gift that keeps on giving. Some very great tunes.



5. This box set compliments the film series very well. Musically, the set is wonderful until the middle half of the fourth disc and wans quite considerably on the fifth disc. This is not only a matter of bad taste in choosing appropriate music for these parts of the set, it is merely a matter of musical history: the blues at the time in which these portions of the set cover was simple not very good music.
   These portions would have been much better off if they included work by the likes of Carey Bell or RL Burnside instead of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and the Cock Rocker of Blues, Stevie Ray Vaughn.

5 comments about Dancing the Blues.

1. One of the best blues albums I've ever heard...keep it in my car and play it everyday



2. THIS CD ARRIVED PROMPT AND IN GOOD SHAPE. SO GLAD I TOOK A CHANCE WITH IT. I ONLY KNEW ONE SONG BEOFRE I BOUGHT IT, AND FOUND OUT MOCKING BIRD WAS ON IT AS WELL. GREAT MUSIC, PUTS YOU IN A GOOD MOOD WITH THE FIRST SONG.



3. This CD is fabulous - It has a Taj Mahal's style of the blues written all over it- I especially love the remake of "Sugar Pie Honey Bun". Taj's style gets you moving and feeling the blues - but in a happy WAY! I find listening to this CD a motivational moving thing! I definitely recommend this CD for your blues collection!



4. Taj Mahal gives us the blues through the years and makes it sound timeless. Every song is great, but my personal favorite is "Down Home Girl" Just makes me want eat a mess of soul food! This album is soul food!



5. Dancing the Blues is one of my very favorite CD's by one of my very favorite artists Taj Mahal. It's great to listen to, great to dance to and every song is a living thing.

   I first saw Taj Mahal in 1972 and was blown away by his performance and command and knowledge of the music that he played and sang. since then I have been lucky enough to see him two other times, on each occasion I received an education in the music as well as having an all out good time.

   Dancing the Blues represents the energy, love and respect which Taj has for music. There is a wide range of music from the motown sounds of Taj's excellent version of the four top's "Sugarpie Honeybunch" (oh no I'm in junior high again)to Chester (the wolf) Burnett' "Sitting on Top of the World". I love Taj's version of Mockingbird, with the help of Etta James - there is nothing like it - I could listen to it again and again.

   This is an album I strongly recommend for anyone who loves the blues.

5 comments about Jammed Together.

1. STEVE CROPPER, ALBERT KING, AND POP STAPLES WERE ALL ARTISTS WHO RECORDED ON THE STAX LABEL FROM MEMPHIS IN THE 1970'S, THIS ALBUM IS A PRETTY LOOSE JAM OF ALL THREE GREAT GUITAR PLAYERS PLAYING TOGETHER. MY FAVORITE CUT IS "BIG BIRD". GREAT R&B AND SOULD GROOVES.



2. This remaster sacrifices the essence of the music and intention of the album: three guitar legends jamming together. By boosting the bass and drums they have successfully drowned the guitars in a misguided attempt to sonically improve the rhythm. The rhythm was produced musically to support the featured guitarists, not smother their symbiotic relationship, the very relationship which is the genius of the record. The magically improvised conversation of the guitarists has been destroyed. Please do not buy the remastered CD. Steve Cropper, Pop Staples, and Albert King deserve better, purchase the original recording.



3. Wow! I have just recently started getting into R&B and soul music and I think I have now been spoiled. This album has serious rhythm, which is incredible seeing as how there are three mofos tooling on their guitars at all time. In my opinion you can't find many more guitarists that are better rhythm players than steve cropper and even though the liner notes don't name names, it sounds like Duck Dunn (or an admirable clone of Duck Dunn) is the bassist. If those two don't ooze rhythm, I don't know what does. Then again, most of what I have listened to is metal and prog rock, which are more lead oriented.
   This album is a miracle. Fantastic songs. That's all I can really say. The first song, a "cover" of Ray Charles' "what'd I say" will wake you up faster than any cup of coffee ever could. I didn't think the solos would ever end, and I didn't want them to. At times, all three of them solo simultaneously but never get in each others way...they seem to be helping each other out. Big Bird is another tune that perfectly blends rhythm and blues together for a unique experience. All these dudes are jamming on the same page AT ALL TIMES! The way Ned Flanders prepares for The Rapture, I prepare for a new Steve Cropper/Duck Dunn album. I feel I have missed the bus though.



4. One thing is certain...when these guys said "Jammed Together", they MEANT it; what an awesome album this is! Here we have two of the blues' elder statesmen (Pop Staples & Albert King), and the young "whippersnapper" (Steve Cropper) all assembled in one place, and the results are fantastic; there's no doubt that the three of them had a great time making this album!
   
   "Jammed Together" isn't an album of self-indulgent guitar solos and noodling to satisfy egos; the title tells you all you need to know: this is all meat, no filler, folks. Because each of the three guitarists have very distinctive playing styles and tones, you can literally pick them out as you listen to it.
   
   A great example of this can be heard on the rocking instrumental "Big Bird", where Cropper, King and Staples each occupy the left, middle and right stereo channels respectively, but the stereo separation didn't really need to be done so you'll know who is who; as I said, you'll literally be able to identify them with each solo turn.
   
   In addition to the fabulous guitar playing, all three take turns on vocals as well; King leads off with the Ray Charles classic "What I'd Say", Cropper turns in a rare vocal on "Don't Turn Your Heater Down", and Staples on the positively spine-tingling "Tupelo", where his soulful vocals and trademark tremelo-effected guitar give the track a swampy, ominous feel and mood. It's very obvious that this song influenced John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, as evidenced by the CCR tracks "The Midnight Special" & "Born On The Bayou" alone.
   
   Released on the Stax label in early 1969, "Jammed Together" is a genuine blues/soul classic; get it now!



5. Yeah man! You can feel the soulful blues trickling and dripping down the neck of Cropper's Telecaster. Love this album. So many standards. What blew me away was realizing that one of my favourite Hip Hop samples came from 'Opus De Soul,' Public Enemy used it for their 'Give It Up' track back in 94. I'm bias anyway, anything that has the Staxx house band or Cropper's licks gets my vote. Pop's and King to boot? Better get'chaself daawn the crossroads bawwy! My souls taken!

5 comments about Live at Pachyderm Studios.

1. Forget all of this band's studio albums, this is the real deal. Like many blues bands Indigenous home is on the stage and their studio albums don't seem to capture just what they are capable of in a live setting. I've had the pleasure of seeing Indigenous live twice and they are well worth the price of admission if they ever come to your town. This album was recorded live in the studio in front of a small audience and does a very good job of capturing the band's live sound. Guitarist Mato Manji is the star here and comes off like a cross between Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix. Some of the studio songs on the band's debut album are lengthened out here into all out jams which really give Mato and the band a chance to spread their wings. This is especially true of "Blues From The Sky" and "I Wonder Why" both of which clock in around the 10 minute range. An absolutely incredible cover of Hendrix "Red House" is also included where Mato gives the original a good run for it's money. I have most of the band's studio output and although they are all good, they do not compare to this. If you love great blues guitar and especially if you were a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughn style blues, this album is an essential purchase. Mato is one of the best young blue guitarist to emerge in the last 10 years and this is the album that best demonstrates his remarkable ability.



2. I didn't know about Indigenous before I heard them on Amazon.
   I just board 3 albums with them ("Live at Pachyderm Studios" is one of them.),
   The music gets better for every time I hear it. The albums are all SUPERB.
   It can't take long before I'll buy the album "Circle".



3. I have tried several times to like this band. I have seen their live DVD and it is very similar to this CD. The vocals are weak and hardly understandable, every song sounds like the last one. There are absolutely NO dynamics in their music and anyone who thinks this guitarist is something special is either NOT a guitarist, or a beginner at best. They also have no stage presence, just looking like they're going thru the motions. There's too much great blues out there to be wasting your time with this.



4. I listen to the mp3 here, and believed the words of praise by other reviews and bought this CD.
   The production is bad. The music and vocal tracks are flatten together. Its sounds like a gray mush. The guy sounds like SRV and sings like him too. They just don't play with the same heart and soul.

   This CD mimics a great guitarist. .
   I was sadly disappointed.




5. This is a tour de force for INDIGENOUS and specifically MATO NANJI. Great playing, good songs, great recording. I bought THINGS WE DO a while back and was debating whether the 4 new tracks alone would make buying this CD worthwhile. Don't hesitate as even the make over the other songs receive in a live
   environment make them a new experience and RED HOUSE alone is worth the price. Not since HENDRIX and SRV has a guitarist sounded like this in a live gig. For my liking he sounds a little to close to his heros and needs to develope further into a style that will be recognisable as his. He has the talent and a lot of time on his side. This would be 5 stars were it not for the similar tone and style of SRV and HENDRIX.

3 comments about Blood Brothers.

1. I heard "Stop Drinking" and thought this would be a sensational CD.
   
   There are some vey solid Texas blues things along with that killer cut, but much of the material should have been scrapped, or at least refined, to make this a classic album.
   
   All in all, "Bllod Brothers" has got a bunch of very good things, a couple of pedestrian tracks and one performance that alone is worth the cost.



2. It never ceases to amaze me how well Kubek and King work together - the chemistry and cohesiveness are definitely there. The record consists of mostly original material, with some REALLY fun tunes!
   
   Most songs sound upbeat (although lyrics are pure blues) and provides SUPER driving music. The songs are crafted to be pretty easy to understand and get into, with catchy rhythm patterns and smooth, no-drama vocals by Bnois King. The blues are 100% Texas.
   
   The rock aspect of this record is also strong, and Kubek delivers some smoking solos, living up to his name. Bnois King contributes a totally different tone, and it's fun to listen to the two approaches combined.
   
   The CD is polished, produced by Kubek and Iglauer. There are really not many things wrong with it. The only improvement I could cite would be for Bnois King to diversify his vocal delivery. His ever-present vibratos don't fit to every melody, and a gruffer, less polished method of singing is sometimes more appropriate. That's a fairly minor gripe for an otherwise very strong record.
   
   The CD definitely has enough energy, mastery, and feeling in it to exceed 4 stars, so it gets 5.



3. Another consistent and strong effort of straight up Texas blues from this dynamic duo. "Smokin'" Joe provides his usual sturdy riffs. Bnois King tasteful rhythm work and distinctive vocals on tracks like "My dog's still walkin'" sound especially energetic on their Alligator records debut. No frills, no nonsense HOT Texas blues.

5 comments about One of the Fortunate Few.

1. This album has been around for a while-don't know why Iv'e only just discovered it.Delbert always does great R&B as we used to know it with his great Texan touch.



2. I have followed this harmonica blowing blues man for years. This is indeed one of his best efforts. If You Can't Lie Better Than That is great.
   There are many more good ones on this recording.



3. This album rocks! There is only one cry in your beer song. The rest boogie.



4. where is the title tune? why is it missing from this CD?
   
   poorly-written tunes. this whole thing comes across as bogus to me.
   
   want the real blues? won't find it here.
   
   The only reason I bought this CD is because I wanted to hear ONE OF THE FORTUNATE FEW--but guess what??? It isn't on this CD.
   
   I want my money back.



5. This is an excellent Delbert CD; HOWEVER! If you're looking for his SONG "One Of The Fortunate Few", it's not on this album. THAT little ditty is on his album "Cost Of Living", which is worth its cost, just for that one track, although the rest of the CD is Delbert at his best!

5 comments about Mirror.

1. Monte Montgomery is first and formost a guitar player. Yes, he sings and writes songs but its with a Taylor strapped around his neck and fingers flying over the frets that he's at home. With Chris Maresh on bass and Phil Bass on drums, Monte has a backbeat for his aurelly addicting style of play. If Eric Clapton is God then Monte is a demi-god. Rock On!



2. This is a good album with good sound and a focused Monte playing guitar the way he is capable.
   
   Still, his At WorkPlay is a superior album with a harder edge to it that seems to suit Monte a heck of a lot better. This album was released in 1999 and shows his promise to come.



3. ah yes! this is one of my favorite cd's. i love all the songs on it. ever since i heard about him and decided to give him a try i just couldnt stop listening to him. his cd is always in the player. in fact i want to get an i pod just so that i can have ALL his cd's available when ever i want and not have to have all his cds. to much to carry. he is just that great!



4. I just had to write. I bought this album a couple of years ago based on the recommendation of some guy at a concert. I listened to it once and it just didn't do anything for me, so I put it back on the shelf. Then about two weeks ago I was picking things to play in the car and said okay I'll give it a second chance. It hasn't left the CD player since. I must have played it 15 times. The guy is an amazing guitar player, the hooks are great, the solos are great, recording quality great, and once you get used to them, the vocals are pretty darn good. I have already ordered two more albums by Monte and can't wait to hear them. Now if we can just get him to Atlanta so I can see that incredible playing live.



5. In this age of MTV, VH1, and American Idol, the emphasis is on looks and not talent. One has to look and act the part to make the big time. Musical talent is secondary. Monte Montgomery will most likely never make it to the top of the music world even though he deserves to be there. He just doesn't look the part. If this were 30 years ago, everyone would know Monte Montgomery and he would be recoginzed for the musical genius he is. This is a real loss for the people who will never know Monte and enjoy his music.
   
   This is Monte's second CD and in my opinion, his best work. He has it all - the melodies, the lyrics, the voice, the guitar vitruosity. Monte doesn't try to prove how fast he can play although guitar enthusiasts will be amazed at what he coaxes out of a beat up Alvarez acoustic guitar. When Monte plays guitar it's a memorable melody that fits the structure of the song perfectly. You may not believe your ears and may think it's all done with electronic tricks but your doubts will be erased when you listen to "When Will I," recorded live at Austin City Limits. Yes, all you hear IS real.
   
   I've been listening to this CD since it was first released and it's still in my CD player. If you love and appreciate good music, buy this. You'll be glad you did.

5 comments about Dirty Deal.

1. Having had the pleasure of seeing Coco live early in 2007, I was awaiting this CD for a while. However, I found the songs on "Dirty Deal" a little repetitious and a little too predictable. Dirty Deal takes a while to get rolling. There are several great songs, such as "Coin Operated Love", "Put the shoe on the other foot" and "Ain't no breakman," which make this CD one which will get a lot of play, but for my money, I liked his 2002 "Can't Look Back" better.



2. This guy out smoothes even Robert Cray and that is saying something!
   He started out as a drummer and took up playing the guitar in later years and thank heaven that he did.
   He was lead axeman for John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers for a while before leaving and doing 'his own thing'. John has a great eye for spotting talent including a certain Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout and so on. Now I wouldn't necessarily put Coco up with the best of them but he is not far behind.
   He has an amazing voice and is skilled with the guitar.
   Great late night listening so stoke up the fire, get a bottle of red wine open, some good company and enjoy.



3. you can put this cd just very near to previous by coco on your shelf. long electric guitar solos, nice songs and good virtuosity. not very good singing, a coloured singer could have done much better. but the whole recording is enjoyable and you can buy it, like i did for this and all the previous by montoya. if you like white blues from british mayall school, this is a recording for you.



4. If you have heard "Travel" and you are looking for something completely different, this might work for you. The direction was a little too different for me.



5. I've been a Coco fan for many years and truly appreciate his soulful voice and guitar chops. Dirty Deal is a solid offering from Coco, but as I ssaid in the title, the song are a little predictable and not quite as dynamic as some of his earlier offerings. Don't get me wrong, it's still an enjoyable listen, just less poignant than the older stuff.
   3.5 stars

5 comments about Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix.

1. I got to this by clicking on a link to (supposedly) an mp3 download version of "Stone Free," the Hendrix tribute disc featuring names like Paul Rodgers, Seal, Jeff Beck - instead, this is some piece of dreck called "Tribute to Jimi Hendrix," It features NO ONE of note, and is credited only to "Studio Group!" Amazon, please fix this; I've had only good service from you, and I hope this is only an error. BUYER BEWARE.



2. I had this on cassette originally! But I had to get it on CD, and it was worth every penny!
   If you like tribute albums, you can't miss with this one!
   One of my favorites!



3. I bought this CD a long while ago when bands like the Spin Doctors and PM Dawn were "in". I liked it then and I still do now. Let me make one thing clear: I`m a true Hendrix fan. I have a lot of his output, even hardcore stuff like South Saturn Delta. However I also have RHCP, Tool, Audioslave, Pearl Jam in my stack, so I'm no refusenik. What I like about this CD is its at times liberal interpretations of JH classics, which basically all the tracks are. Reprise could easily have done a double CD in fact, but you takes what you gets. Some of the tracks are fairly true to the original, my favourites in this department being Bodycount's smoking Hey Joe and Slash's/Paul Rodger's blazing remake of I Don't Live Today, while others, like The Cure's version of Purple Haze, go in a completely different but nevertheless interesting direction. Nigel Kennedy would not get on the CD if they did it today, but there you go. Jimi was a free spirit and reinterpreted stuff he liked by others in his own unique way which didn't go down well with everyone in the late 60s. The BBC for example: there's one 60s session I love where you can hear the sound engineer complaining along the lines "It's no good Mr Hendrix, I`m just getting too much distortion here". I'm sure he'd have been flattered by this outpouring of appreciation.



4. A strange tribute to the great Jimi Hendrix. There are simply not enough guitar players featured here ... which seems odd, no? However, Jeff Beck's playing on Manic Depression is worth the price of the album. He is someone that can play the guitar in the same free spirit as Jimi Hendrix, he is a true artist that, like Hendrix, follows his heart and not the corporate mentality. Too bad much of this album is not like that.



5. AWESOME! THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ANY HENDRIX FAN AND A MUST FOR ANY MUSIC LOVER.

5 comments about Painkiller.

1. Tommy Castro has been a staple on the American blues circuit for well over a decade now and has carved out a loyal following. His brand of soul inflected blues owes as much to James Brown as it does to John Lee Hooker. Castro is a good guitarist with a nice voice. "Painkiller" is another strong album for Castro. 9 of the 12 tracks are originals with covers of Albert Collins, Freddie King and Mike Schermer thrown into the mix. Highlights include "Love Don't Care", "Painkiller", "A Good Fool Is Hard To Find" which is a cool duet with Coco Montoya and "It Ain't Easy Being Me". Castro's brand of soul inflected blues may not be for everyone, but he does what he does very well and this is another fine release from Tommy and the band.



2. The Tommy Castro Band is one of the greatest live blues act you will ever see and hear. His soul and style comes through loud and clear on Painkiller. He just gets better and better. Buy,listen ENJOY!!!!!!
   The louder...the better!!!!!!



3. Tommy's best. Alot of Delbert influence in his music on this CD. Great blend of horns and blues guitar. I've enjoyed Tommy's music for some time now, stumbling across a performance of his when I was in San Diego in 1998. His music has improved and this CD has provided the goods for me to turn more ears here on the east coast. Not a bad song on this CD.



4. Tommy Castro plays and sings from the heart . He is supported by a great band, producers and management. check out his web site ,it is great. check out this cd and you will feel no pain.



5. Having listened to Tommy Castro for the last 5 or 6 years, this is a truly great release from a fine electric blues and jazz guiter player.
   I was impressed from the first track thru the entire CD. A must buy for all electric blues & jazz fans everywhere.