2 comments about Pianist Envy.

1. Some years ago I was listening to the Doctor Demento show. Dr. D's shows have a lot of the same material, week after week. But now and again you get to hear something that just grabs you. So it was when Dr. D played "Freeway to Stairbird" from this album. If the title amuses you then this album will likely make you laugh.



2. Good stuff buy it if you've paid Uncle Calvin the money you owe him.

3 comments about Forever Gold.

1. Hey these are old, live recordings. A mish-mash of decades it seems, but older. The original recordings just weren't that great in the first place, but they cleaned most of them up pretty well. Think Robert Johnson-type quality. I only wish we knew when/where the songs were recorded. The music sounds great to me. Like I'm almost there. Thrill is Gone is especially powerful and jammy.
   
   Don't buy for sound quality, buy for authenticity.



2. start 0 points
   time spaning (late forties - early seventies) +0.5 points
   track sellection (no Sweet little angel or sweet sixteen, no Don't answer the door, no Three o'clock blues...) +0 points
   key tracks 5/14 +0 points
   total 0.5 points = aproximately 1 point
   recomendation :avoid



3. I've seen BB King at Winterland, San Francisco; Paul Masson Vineyards in Saratoga; and at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. He is a wonderful entertainer. However, this is a poor knock-off album. It sounds like someone recorded these songs separately off the radio.

No comments about Buxton '95: The Alexis Korner Memorial Concert.

No comments about Live at the Gator & Chips.

5 comments about Live on Beale Street.

1. Much has been made about Bobby Bland's voice not being what it once was. He is still one of the great ones, and if one weren't aware how truly extraordinary he once was, listening to him now wouldn't be quite so depressing. But, except for the occasional trademark phlegm induced growl he'll let out, he is still great. This CD was recorded at the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis where Bland made a name for himself. He is in good form as is his solid rhythm section. The real treat is that for recording purposes Bland and Malaco Records added a keyboard player to his regular band. They got renowned songwriter and session man Carson Whitsett, who played on several Bland albums as Malaco's band leader. Whitsett is absolutely terrific. His B-3 organ work really adds life to this concert, especially since Bland's horn section unfortunately gets worse and worse as the show progresses.

   Southern Soul fans will be delighted as "Bad" Bobby Rush and Johnnie Taylor join Bland on stage. Rush is typically hilarious, and J.T., in one of his last appearances, shows what an absolute superstar he was as he belts out the Bland staple "Stormy Monday".

   Among the highlights are three songs that appeared on Bland's 1961 landmark Two Steps From the Blues album: "I Pity the Fool", "St. James Infirmary", and the wonderful "I'll Take Care Of You". The band is especially tight on Tommy Tate's and Cookie Palmer's "Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time" originally released on Malaco in 1987. Another great moment is Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine". Somewhat ironically, the original was produced by Booker T. Jones, who also played on it. Whitsett, whose playing as the song ends is almost epic, replaced Jones for a while with the MGs.

   All and all, this is an excellent live Blues show that holds up very well amongst the recordings of the legendary Bobby "Blue" Bland. It is also available on VHS and DVD.




2. ...superlatives fail me. You just gotta hear it/gotta have it. A masterful Beale Street performance of (the classics and the 'Malaco moderns') Bobby Blue Bland and his revue. Blues you can use. Do not, do not, do not miss out...



3. How long have we been waiting for this? Bobby Bland with his overwhelming band LIVE ON BEALE STREET? I am a blues fan from Germany who saw Bobby several times in the States, in Chicago and New York City. Bobby is without doubt the greatest blues singer and he proves this on this occasion. Johnnie Taylor and Bobby Rush, longtime chitlin-curcuit friends round the great recording up. Only negative side: Bobby, please look for a different horn section!! They are not in tune on this CD and not on other concerts. 5 stars for the atmosphere, the sound , the rhythm-section (10 stars!!!) and the star, only 2 stars for the horns. Nevertheless that' s the stuff dreams are made of.



4. Bobby is and always will be the greatest Man of Blues. Live on B. Street is running a close second to an actual appearance by this great and hypnotic story teller. Ain't no sunshine...Members only...all of the greatest with a little help from Johnnie Taylor and Bobby Rush welcomed but unneccesary. Bobby has the style and sound of something so soothing and warm. I recently enjoyed seeing Bobby in Mpls and he is looking and sounding better than ever before. Keep it up, hear!



5. After seeing Bobby live for the first time in Mpls in 1993 I have been hooked on Bobby- I recently saw Bobby Nov.' 98 and this album is the closest thing to being at his show. There is nothing better than Bobby live. Bobby doesn't need help, however he gets a little help on this album from a few greats Johnny Taylor - Bobby Rush. Live on B. Street is melodic, strong and soothin - Thank you Bobby.

5 comments about Live.

1. It's amazing some of the idiots that bring down a solid release with one star reviews. The sound quality and performances on this disc are fine.
   R.I.P. brother.



2. If you are one of "Shaq's, The King Of The World Blues Reviewer's" loyal fans, you of course know that Albert Collins is one of my six favorite electric blues guitarists! Once again, a great blues performance, is hampered by faulty recording quality. The power and verve, that a true blues fan, knows is Albert Collins, is simply thwarted by the lack of loud, clear, sound. As usual, I was in a blues funk, due to the lack of any new quality electric blues on the market, so in February 2007, I took a chance, knowing the odds about buying an older (? Jeez! 1992 & 1993 ain't that old!) blues CD. What a disappointment! If you at least want some historical data in this review, here it is. The first part of the live recordings, were in 92 at Montreux, Switzerland, before Albert knew he was dying. The 2nd half of these live recordings, were in 93 in Illinois, when Albert knew he was dying, which he did in November of that year. Despite, being on deaths "door steps", Albert still played with enthusiasm, and his unmatched humorous look at life. If you're a blues collector, that might be enough to warrant your purchase. If you want Albert at his best, (I'm not talking about his health, I'm talking about recording quality!) this CD isn't for you!



3. I am a big fan of Albert's guitar playing and I bought this CD hoping that his last material before his death would be good to have and listen to. I am not disappointed with Albert's playing but the recording quality is woeful and it is not worth paying the money for unless you have to have all Albert's recordings, his other live material is much better. Sorry but it's simply not up to scratch for a 1990's recording



4. This is one of my favorite recordings from one of my favorite guitarists. If you want to play in Texas, you have to play music that people can dance to. Cowboys, oil workers, black folks and Mexican Americans all love to dance in Texas and expect to hear dancin' music when they go out to clubs. This influence is heard in most of the works of Mr. Collins, a Texas native, and especially in this CD.



5. These performances were recorded shortly before Collins' death in late 1993, but rather than sounding tired, they offer proof that the "Master of the Telecaster" remained a commanding stage presence until the end.

   Albert Collins' highly original, percussive guitar playing is still sharp, and his vocals are strong and soulful. He is backed by an excellent band which includes two sax players and a trumpet, and they offer solid backing and the occational soul-revue riff without overwhelming the 60-year old guitarist.

   Collins and his band swing on the superb "If You Love Me Like You Say" and the funky "Iceman", and they groove on the eight-minute blues workout "Put The Shoe On The Other Foot".
   Other highlights include the rocking "Travelin' South" and the sweaty soul of "Talkin' Woman". And listen to Albert Collins' solo on "Iceman", and his take on T-Bone Walker's classic "T-Bone Shuffle"...Collins played without a pick, and often used a capo high up on the neck of his slightly metallic sounding Telecaster, plucking tinkling, piercingly clear notes from the strings (this was the technique which gave his playing its "icy" tone).

   This is a strong collection of some of Collins' best and most accessible latter-day material. It is a great place to start if you're new to the music of Albert Collins, and a must-have if you're a fan.
   Definitely recommended.

No comments about Jazz Fest Masters: Count Basie.

No comments about Better Late.

No comments about Live at Tilburg 1971 & Nassau 1969.

3 comments about The Siegel-Schwall Reunion Concert.

1. this album combines very talented musicians with the energy of a live performance. fun band to listen to. drinking, getting over women, trying to love women, nothing but the blues.



2. I haven't heard any other albums by them, but this one is smoking. You get 7 minutes of blues healing with upbeat harp and guitar jams in "I Don't Want You To Be My Girl," and another 7 minutes in "Hush, Hush," hee hee hee. Not that "Leavin'" should be overlooked because it is only 3 minutes long - that song smokes too. Yep, this is a good CD to help forget some woman. The CD ends with the best version of "Got My Mojo Working" that I have ever heard.



3. A great live album by a fun and talented band, luckily brought back together and recorded. Jim Schwall and Corky Seigel front a talented and honest band that puts out down home music the way it's supposed to be played.