5 comments about Wintertime Blues: The Benefit Concert.

1. The first cd is a bit to slow for me. It just doesn't grab my interest. I'm not really a big fan of acoustic guitar. I think Susan Tedeschi, Cry of Love & Govt Mule really make this CD what it is. Oh, and if you're a Derek Trucks fan, (I'm not) then you'll like it better then I do. If not for the great jams from Govt Mule, I'd have givin this CD 3 1/2 stars.



2. Recorded around the holidays in 1999 and produced by Warren Haynes, there's some fine jams here. Side 1 is highlighted by a lengthy set from Derek Trucks, his band, his future wife Susan Tedeschi and their work is excellent. Side 2 is highlighted by a Gov't Mule set and with Little Milton, Derek, Susan, Johnny Neel, Jimmy Herring and others all adding to the songs. The finale is a lengthy "Merry Christmas Baby" with Little Milton, Haynes, and Tedeschi sharing vocals and Haynes, Trucks, and Herring on guitars. If you are a fan of the Allman Brothers, may of these names will be familiar to you. There's alot of talent on display here.



3. well, if you enjoyed gov't mule or haynes' solo recordings, you can put this double cd just beside them. so really there are lots of good musicians playing here, but when you here warren' s guitar, you can watch the sky becoming clear. a special mention should go to derek trucks, who is playing really good, but i prefer to listen to him playing with allman bros. band. a cd to mention to your friends loving rockblues.



4. The 1999 11th Annual Warren Haynes benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity offers something for everyone. Disc One opens with soul-filled acoustics by Edwin McCain and Warren Hayes. They are followed by a rolling blues jam hosted by Derek Trucks. Derek Trucks leads with "Rastaman Chant" -- a bow to Reggae that keeps you bouncing. Trucks then lays a solid foundation with the jazzy Chicken Strut for a five-song set that closes out the first disc. The set features guest after guest pushing each other to new heights. Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton, Susan Tedeschi, and Larry McCray mix and match as song after song delivers first rate blues. Larry McCray sizzles on "Ain't That Loving You" and Col. Bruce Hampton will have you kneeling at the altar of the blues with his "Yield Not to Temptation". Tucks closes Disc One with Tedeschi's "Just Won't Burn" (Oh, but she does and so will you).

   Tedeschi opens the second disc with a version of "Angle from Montgomery" that rivals Bonnie's rendition. Cry of Love returns after a five-year absence to rock the concert. On "Piece Pipe" they beat out a powerful song that resurrects the spirit of the 60s. Government Mule then does for Disc Two what Tucks did for Disc One - they host a rolling jam featuring Johnny Neal, Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton, Mike Barnes, and Little Milton. Jimmy Neal rips out one great line after another on "Falling Down". Hampton, Neal and Mike Barnes have some fun with Willie Dixon's "Spoonful". The second disc closes with Little Milton reaching new heights on "When the Blues Come Knockin'" followed by Government Mule, Derek Trucks, Little Milton, Johnny Neal and Little Milton in an unforgettable version of "Merry Christmas Baby".

   This is a solid two CD set for the serious Blues-Rock fan who appreciates live music and artists who love to jam.




5. This cd starts out with some acoustic numbers from Mr. McCain. They hold up to repeated listening because of Mr. Haynes' tasteful and impressive acoustic lead and slide playing. The Derek Trucks Band is as an exciting band that is working today and their set is a joy. But it gets even more thrilling as virtually each extended jam features one great artist after another. The Cry of Love set adds some welcomed, tuneful hard rock and then Gov't Mule takes over. It's set is more like, but maybe even beter than, disc one (as opposed to the stellar disc two) to "With a Little Help from Our Friends" and holds up well to repeated listening. "But" you may wonder, "isn't this just another one of those blues based extended jam albums that I already have in abundance in my collection?" No! Herring, Haynes and Trucks are the "it" boys and they deliver (together no less) on song after song on this cd, plus, and I must say surprisingly, the sound quality here is outstanding. One last thing, Haynes, McKay and the various and asundry good friend/guest vocalists can belt it out -- not an embarrassing note among them.

No comments about Big Chief.

No comments about Live at Westville Prison.

2 comments about The Real Blues: Live in Houston 1979.

1. Mixed bag on this recording. It's John Lee and it's live so it can't be that bad and it's not. The album is short, sound quality is poor, and backing band doesn't seem that great. The set is half with band and half solo. Jesse James is doen solo and is one of the creepiest blues tunes made. Live at CAfe Au-Au\Soledad Prison is much better if you are look for live JLH.



2. A 20-plus years old previously unreleased (I think) import live album? Worried? Don't be. This 1979 live Hooker album on the well-established JSP Records label is worth the purchase. "Live in Houston" can be thought of as a combination of two other live albums from the same era, "The Cream" (pretty decent full-band recordings) and "Alone" (very good solo, hushed, menacing recordings.) The first four songs here feature a full band, though it is very restrained on the fourth, yet another version of "Jesse James Blues". The last three songs are nice solo Hooker. Only seven songs? Well, that is a problem, and the 36-plus minutes are over before full momentum can be gained. Other quibbles? The sound is solid overall, but the bass is barely audible. Could have used more bottom. Most of the songs are familiar, including a too-short solo "Boogie Chillun" and "Dead Wagon Blues", which is "TB Sheets" retitled for some reason. Still, if you like the two live albums I previously mentioned, give this one a shot. It's probably one of the latest (1979; "The Cream" and "Alone" were a couple years earlier) Hooker live albums available.

1 comments about Live.

1. This was probaly not put out with John's permission. It sounds as if it was recorded with a mini cassette which is unfortunate as this is John live with a band. Skip this and keep to the legitmate recordings.

No comments about Sting It Then!.

No comments about Live at Wilberts.

1 comments about Late Night Blues.

1. James is called a young man on this CD, but he'd already played with Muddy Waters for a time. Recorded in 1967, it showcases his vocals and harp well. The recording, done at Montreal's Penelope Cafe, is a pretty accurate depiction of James Cotton's raw power and force. The sound quality is OK for the time and really captures the feel of a live performance. Cotton has long been one of the greatest of the Chicago blues harp stylists, and his energy, enthusiasm and sincere love for the blues jumps right out at you from start to finish. The idea of a blues musician doing a recording in a static and heavily controlled atmosphere like a studio seems odd; amplified electric Chicago blues really should be both played AND heard in a loud, raucous, dark, smoky bar-type environment. You can smell the smoke and feel the beer being spilled on you while listening to this CD. I'd heartily recommend it to anyone who loves Chicago blues.

No comments about Extended Versions.

No comments about Live at the Notodden Blues Festival.