No comments about Live in Blues.

No comments about Alexis Korner Memorial Concert, Vol. 2.

5 comments about Trippin' Live.

1. This superb live album is worth hunting out. It was recorded at Ronnie Scotts Jazz club in 1996 and to date its the best live album by Dr John I've heard.
   
   There are numerous classic songs on this album. It starts with a great version of Prof Longhair's 'Tipitina'. Best of all though is Dr John's only ever hit single 'Such a Night'. This has not just one, but two of the Doctors trademark Piano outro's, where the ending seems about to happen, but doesn't, he even throws in a Gershwin quote at the end as well. Jools Holland (ex Squeeze and now a UK music show presenter) guests on '24 Hours A Day, 365 A Year' playing some trademark Boogie Woogie, while the Doctor plays Guitar.
   
   Amongst the backing musicians are some very classy guys. Alvin Tyler is on Tenor Sax and Ronnie Cuber (a very good Jazz player) is on Baritone Sax.
   
   If you're interested in New Orleans music this is a great fun album to own. Sadly it appears to have gone out of print now so you need to get hold of any copy you can asap.



2. Dr. John once again proves he is the boss with the hot sauce, and one of the great live jazz/funk keyboard performers of all-time. His live recordings are so good, that his studio recordings are often overlooked. His unmistakable New Orleans drawl is one of kind, making this release his best live performance ever. The tunes are rocking, with takes on "Tipitina", "Such a Night", Right Place Wrong Time", "Down By The Riverside Medly", and "Goodnight Irene", which is an atomic finale. Don't pass up an opportunity to see this cat live if you ever get the chance, because he truly is a rock/jazz/funk treasure. "Trippin'Live" is one of the best get up and have fun recordings that I have ever heard, and ranks as quite possibly Dr. Johns greatest live album ever. Don't miss this gem.



3. The music on this live CD is spectacular, as satisfying as anything Mac has ever recorded. But I'm downgrading this to a 3 stars because of the horrible decision by the producer to have the first minute of every song destroyed by having a superimposed recording of Dr. John verbally giving us his thoughts about the song. The first minute of the actual music as a result remains only a distant fade in the background. And for me, the instrumental introduction of the song, where the doctor is playing his butt off, is often the best. Mac gets an A+ for his efforts; the producer gets an F for his bonehead move.



4. This is a great live CD which really captures the versatility of Dr. John (he even plays guitar on this album). The songs are great all the way through-not a bad song (or story) on the album. Buy this album is you like New Orleans Funk Blues. Buy this album if you like music at all. Buy this album if you want to know what music is. Just buy it!!



5. If you like music in any way whatsoever, you'll LOVE this album! It's got a load of stuff on it, and it's not all 7 bar blues stuff, it's got a good mixture.

5 comments about Frozen Alive!.

1. I love the telecaster, and AC really rips it up here. You can just feel AC's emotion with each screaming note. It's nice to hear a recording that isn't so polished, but beautifully spontaneous.



2. I've owned this album since it was released in 1981 and it still gets constant rotation on my phono (yes, still have one), and on my CD player. It has stood the test of time. Best cuts are "I've got that feeling" and "Cold Cuts."
   
   Both of these songs are about as good a synthesis of blues and funk as you can put together. Albert Collins and Johnny B Gaynor lay down a groove that you cannot ignore. This album belongs in the collection of every blues/funk/R&B/soul fan.



3. Albert toured extensively during this time and the Union Bar in Mpls. was a usual stop. I was lucky to attend these shows and many others featuring Albert and his band.
   His shows began with the band warming up with Casey Jones (drums) or A.C. Reed (sax) taking vocals. When the crowd was good and ready, Casey would lead into the instrumental "Frosty". After building up fury, he would announce "Ladies and Gentleman, here for you in Mpls, by way of Houston Texas, The man that cuts so deep he gets into your soul, the master of the Telecaster, Albert Collins!Albert Collins!!" With that, you would hear Albert, but not see him. He'd come into the bar playing, wringing vibrato from his Tele. Albert would then launch into any of his trademark tunes. The songs presented here are a showcase of his talent and what he did night after night.
   During "Mind to Travel", Albert would get out the 200 foot guitar cord and wander both rooms of the Union, often stopping to sit at your table, talk, have a drink, and all the while wailing in his unique open-tuned and capoed solo style.
   "Cold Cuts" features A.C. Reed helping on vocals, and Johnny B. Gayden's awesome bass solo. He played what we called his "Popeye" solo many times to adoring crowds.
   This recording takes you back to the nights when the weather was frigid, the beer frosty and the music searing. A nicer more approachable group of musicians you won't find anywhere.
   Please buy this and relive Albert's glory days. You won't be sorry.



4. Phenomenal and Riveting. Dr. Collins proves that he is the master of the Telecaster, and shreds all night with a sound that is completly out-of-site. Do yourself a favor and add this little gem to your music collection.



5. This is another favorite live electric blues recording. Albert absolutely makes that guitar sing. This guy should be at the top or near the top of any list of great eletric guitarists past and present. The only complaint is that there isn't more material here. Just 7 songs and about 36 minutes worth. All of it is good though. From the beginning you know your listening to something special.

   ..............socks

2 comments about U.S. Tour.

1. Wow I can't believe this record company is ripping off there customers this way.This is NOT the Groundhogs in the US, especially in Texas.
   This is a BBC session from England circa 1971 masked with a new cover to hide the fact.Yes The Hogs played in the US in the early 70's but those tapes have never surfaced case in point Tony Mcphee said in a interview a few years ago that he did not even think the masters survived.
   No wonder Tonys upset,how can you seriously make any dosh if evrybody is taking your work and changing titles and leading hoinest hard working people that they may have found a unreleased gem when to find out its just rehashed shit from a show in europe 1971.



2. Information about their brief US '72 tour is sketchy at best, and this is the only recording that has surfaced from that period. This 5 cut live CD features versions of "Mistreated", "Split Pt. 1","Cherry Red","Groundhog", and "Still A Fool".I'm told this was recorded somewhere in Texas, and on this tour they were the low act on the bill with Humble Pie and Edgar Winter. The sound is rough in some spots and compressed a little weird and there's plenty of tape hiss, but the performance smokes, and Hogs fans will find many of the extended jams(all the tunes are extended and quite long) to be very different from those they've heard on other live releases. Not perfect but not a bad addition to your collection,get it while you can!!!

No comments about Live in London.

2 comments about Stompin' at the Penny.

1. This was recorded live with Jim McHarg's Metro Stompers
   at the Penny Farthing coffee house in Toronto in November 1965, and the tracklist is as follows:
   
   China Boy
   Mr. Blues Walks
   Dippermouth Blues
   Trouble In Mind
   Bring It On Home To Mama
   West End Blues
   Stompin' At The Penny
   The Old Rugged Cross
   Go Go Swing
   My Mother's Eyes
   Canal Street Blues
   The Fourteenth Of July
   The Marines Hymn
   
   that is, a total of thirteen tracks, with a total playing time of around 40 minutes. But for that deficiency I'd gladly have given this five stars.
   
   The ensemble playing is excellent, with a strong cornet lead, limpid clarinet, and great rhythm section. But the man to watch out for is of course the great blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson, 65 years of age when this recording was made, and playing as well as he ever did.



2. This is one of my favorite CDs. One of only 2 CDs on my iPOD in their entirity

2 comments about Live in Stockholm.

1. This CD is a disaster in that it's a poorly recorded and badly produced bootleg of some of Basie's greatest music, deserving of being in everyone's collection (except for the absolutely pitiful sound). Submarine Records should be ashamed of themselves for putting this on the market at any amount of money.



2. Based on the samples alone, I can only imagine this is a bootleg made from someone's miniature cassette recording.
   
   As it stands, it could only interest those desperate for every possible scrap of historical material. Not even worth the shipping cost for someone who enjoy's Basie's music.

No comments about Live at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival.

No comments about Straight Up...Down and Dirty.