2 comments about No Sweat.

1. This is a great CD by a really top notch live band. Check out Rocket 88 and I Need an Angel. Sadly this amazing group is breaking up. This CD is your last chance to get your own little chunk of their live magic... don't blow it.



2. Man, these cats really wail! They hail from Michigan, but whenever they come to town, I line up for the best seats in the house. Big Dave and company never disappoint. Their studio work is great, but the live show is pure energy. Their version of Jump Jive and Wail is better by far than the "popular" version you'll see on MTV. If you love blues, check out Big Dave and the Ultrasonics!

5 comments about Beware of the Dog.

1. These guys epitomize everything I like about the blues. It's a very stripped down band, just a drummer and two guitarists, no bass. Hound Dog had a dirt cheap guitar and a Sears amplifier. Most of the songs are very simple rhythms. This is not art rock.
   
   And they played primarily just for the love of the music. For most of their careers they had day jobs. They played in local clubs in the evenings. They very seldom rehearsed if at all. They just liked playing blues.
   
   This CD is a live recording. The band didn't know at the time that their performance was being recorded for an album. This was just a selection of songs from a typical performance. As you listen to this, imagine the smell of cigarrette smoke, and imagine being surrounded by a couple dozen smiling, laughing, joking and jiving people.



2. This album features the wild and rambunctious Hound Dog Taylor, who is most definitely the Ramones of the Blues. In other words, while his guitar playing is sloppy, his lyrics are sometimes unintelligible, and his music is monotonous, he is a lot of fun to listen to and keeps you tapping your feet. To those who are approaching the Blues from a technical guitar-playing angle, I do not recommend this album at all; you'd be much better off with Earl Hooker's "The Moon Is Rising". For those who like Punk Rock or maybe Heavy Metal, you'd probably be very pleased with this release. For aspiring slide players, this is a great pick. Though this music certainly doesn't have the lyrical content that a J.T. "Funny Papa" Smith or Blind Willie McTell disc might have, it's fun to "rock out" to this stuff. I recommend buying this disc.



3. The most famous Hound Dog Taylor quote was: "When I die, they'll say: 'He couldn't play sh*t, but he sure made it sound good.'" This is a man who understands his appeal. Taylor played a beat-up guitar, and he cranked on the thing, playing distorted, screeching notes. But god, it DID sound good. And as the quote implies, he had the personality to go with the raucous, raw music that he played. Which is why this album is so good. It's live, so you can hear the sound imperfections, the screaming crowd, and Taylor's off-kilter banter and sense of humor. And that's probably the perfect way to listen to Taylor. To put it all another way: He plays a version of "She'll Be Coming 'round the Mountain" that makes you want to get up and dance.



4. Hound Dog's searing slide guitar and vocals tear you to the quick with a depth and passion unequalled nowadays. This rocks!!



5. This album is a masterpiece. The highlights of this album are "The Sun is Shining" and "Freddie's Blues" . The way he uses feedback in "Freddie's Blues" is truley amazing.It's like Hound Dogs Ghost. I bought this ablum and it was well worth the money. This album is a frequent in my CD player. Any blues fan will like this Album

1 comments about Long & Skinny.

1. I Love Vibes! Bill Ware is an excellent player and I suggest tracking him down whenever possible. The best relaxer you'll find this side of a spa is a nice sit down session with this album. Night time favotite for me! The loose yet smooth combination keeps your brain from completely turning off. Sometimes the unexpected is exactly what a mellow mood album requires. But don't get too comfortable because the cookablilty of Bill Ware and his magic mallet wielding hands is unmeasurable!

No comments about Live in Germany.

No comments about Live, Vol. 1.

No comments about Life Is a Song.

2 comments about Vol. 1-Strictly Live...in '85.

1. this is a tremendous blues disc. james puts on a powerful live performance, while equaly displaying the great guitar talents of hollywood fats and kid ramos. the music is jumping throughout the recording. james harman masterfully makes his harmonica sing. this is a great addition to any music collection, and a must have for any blues fan.



2. I am a bit bias to this recording, as I was there in Solana Beach at the Belly Up Tavern, and am very pleased it is preserved on CD. The late Hollywood Fats is in fabulous form, as is Kid Ramos and the rest of the band. Definitly one of my top two favorites from James' catalog.

1 comments about Tutu Jones Live.

1. I've only heard this CD,but I've seen the man himself plenty times down in Texas. This is REAL Texas blues by a guitar master.
   Highly recommended for anyone that likes smokin' blues guitar,Texas-style.

No comments about Live at the Apollo.

No comments about American Living Blues Festival 1982.