5 comments about Alone & Acoustic.

1. Buddy Guy is a killer electric guitarist, but this album shows off how truly great of a guitarist he is. Just acoustic guitar and harmonica with Buddy signing, worth more money then they are charging.



2. This product meets expectations any fan of the blues could ask for, content and cliarity are very good. If you are looking for a warm feeling old style blues ( circa 1940's to early 50's) this will satisfy anyone who enjoys the blues of older times and the twelve string rifs are impressive to say the least.



3. This album is a welcome return to acoustic blues. The guitar playing is crisp, accurate and soulful and the singing is first rate. An essential purchase for blues lovers.



4. It's geat live, impromptu blues, good quality, good jams, great harmonica, a must have for anyone who loves Junior and Buddy.



5. Buddy Guy and Junior Wells do not quite replicate the magic of Hoodoo Man Blues, but Wow, they come as close as could be expected nearly 20 years after the release of that marvelous and inimitable 1965 album. What we are treated to on this album are the songs which are in the annals of blues history as the tried and true blues greats. From "Boogie Chillin'" to "My Home is in the Delta", we get an experience of the blues as (in my opinion) they are meant to be, pure and acoustic. And listen closely to the lyrics of "My Home is in the Delta".....the lyrics are vastly different from those of the same song Muddy Waters sang decades ago. These two take blues classics and reshape them to fit their own style, instead of simply making a retread of a famous song.
   
   One of the "must have" albums in the modern blues genre.

5 comments about Blues Masters, Vol. 4: Harmonica Classics.

1. Another excellent collection of blues harp playing. Buy this and you won't be disappointed!



2. pretty much all the songs on here are actually good, unlike with a lot of compilations. a good buy.



3. cd was as advertised and arrived in good condition, in a timely fashion. this is the first used product i have purchased on the net and i am very satisfied with the results



4. Wow! A friend recommended this CD to me (as I am beginning to play), and what a treat this was. Terrific variety in style, and superb playing all around. Especially helpful were the extensive liner notes to the CD, listing each artist and going into their background as well as details about the songs. Really enjoyable reading. I just can't say enough about it if you are looking for a good sampling of harp songs. :)



5. Rhino's "Blues Masters" series is the best of its kind, and while this one disc obviously only scratches the surface of blues harmonica playing, it does feature a lot of good music.
   
   Most longtime blues fans will own the lion's share of this material already, but "Harmonica Classics" also features several lesser-known songs like Jerry McCain's "Steady", Lazy Lester's superbly groovy "Sugar Coated Love", "Boogie Twist" by Snooky Pryor, and "Easy" by the greatest blues harmonica player of them all, the great Walter Horton (that's the song credited to "Jimmy and Walter").
   
   Howlin' Wolf is here as well, Billy Boy Arnold is here, Little Walter Jacobs is here with his instrumental classic "Juke", and Jimmy Reed is here, doing the loping "Ends And Odds" in his lazy, minimalistic style. Other highlights include Junior Wells' tough "Messin' With The Kid" and Sonny Boy Williamson (II)'s "Help Me".
   
   These songs don't necessarily rank among the artists' very best, since they were chosen primarily for the harp playing, and that may be seen as a little bit of a drawback. But that's not to say that these songs are generally below par, however, and this collection does focus on blues harmonica after all.
   And there is some impressive instrumental prowess on display here, including the Fabulous Thunderbirds' lyrical "Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White", "Last Night" by George "Harmonica" Smith, and the one-armed John Wrencher's rendition "Take A Little Walk With Me".
   
   As I said, this is not excactly the defintive word on blues harmonica, or on the artists represented here, but "Harmonica Classics" and its companion volume (excitingly titled "More Harmonica Classics") are still a fine purchase for casual and "mid-level" blues listeners.
   Lots of great music here.

5 comments about The Complete Imperial Recordings: 1950-1954.

1. Are you kidding, who do you think Eric Clapton learned his best licks from?? Yep, T-Bone. This CD has no bad, average, or even great recordings on it. They are all spectacular!! T-Bone is the master of the "modern" blues style, yeah, like Eric Clapton, only earlier and beautiful music in his own right.



2. TBone is the best in my book. I like the smoothness of his music. I heard the Allman Brothers state on a live album many yrs ago that "Stormy Monday" was an old "Tbone Walker song." I guess I got curious and bought a casette tape by TBone at the time.... This was when I decided that he is my favorite of all Blues Musicians. These CD's include some of his best work. Glad to find it on CD.



3. T-Bone not only invented the electric blues but he still remains it's most towering stylist and symbol of pure cool. T-Bone's smokey after hours blues is still one of the most vital parts of the genre. Smooth is the key word here. T-Bone's singing and playing never lacked the smooth quality that was T-Bone Walker. He could sing songs of misery and hurt with incredibly deep soul but still manage to keep it cool. This set is a fantastic value! Each track stands on it's own merit. I don't have a favorite here because all are top notch.
   You won't be disappointed.



4. The late "T-Bone" Walker, a pioneering mastre of the electric blues guitar and a close friend/ certainly unremitting influence on my Uncle "Pee Wee" Crayton another "axe-handler" during the immediate postwar era. However, avoiding comparisons, Uncle "Pee Wee" Crayton brought enough "heat" and daring innovation to his playing to avoid being labeled as a mere "T-Bone" copy-"kat."
   
   As a young teen in the early 70's, I was extremely fortunate to experience the greatness of his "vibes" up close and personal...on many occasions, I would soak-up like a sponge and weld to memory those rare meetings when the "Texas 3" (1) Uncle "Pee Wee" (2) "T-Bone" Walker and (3) "Big Joe" Turner (another pioneering mastre blues singer, even though he was born in Kansas City, MO., he sang like he was from the state of Texas...) would get together at "Pee Wee's" house in West Los Angeles, California, and rehearse all day on Saturdays or Sunday afternoons up until the late evenings, just before going to there "gig" at the Perisan Room (a defunct legendary popular "night-spot" during the 1960's - late '80's located on the southwest corner of La Brea Avenue & Washington Blvd., of which now sits a U.S. Postal Station). These Complete Imperial Recordings: 1950-1954 are nothing but short from shear enjoyment fo' da soul...buy the CD you won't be disappointed!
   
   Those were exhilarating times to say the least!
   
   --"Big Dave" Burleigh, 'AmeriCanadian' Record Producre.



5. T-Bone sweet T-Bone - he is the founder of modern blues - and I think he does not get enough credit for his influence on jazz guitar. Kenny Burrell, in fact, has mentioned that T-Bone was one of his early influences. He certainly has a sweet tone, and he has a nice voice too. Pair this with a hot horn section, and this cd is a steal at 10 bucks. T-Bone is a classic.

5 comments about After the Rain.

1. It is Irma Thomas, after all. She is fabulous. Anything by her has to be appreciated for the gem it is. True Americana. Blues as it should be interpreted.



2. Irma Thomas is undeniably one of the best blues singers of all time.
   For those of us with a special place in our heart for her amazing singing since "It's Raining" and "I wish someone would care", here she is back, as strong as ever.
   This album is delightful and the first song alone "In the middle of it all" is worth the price of the CD. Great band, wonderfully natural production.
   A keeper.



3. I have listened to After the Rain for hours and hours, and never tire of it. Never has her voice had greater depth or range. I love the choice of songs and the quality of the recording is excellent!



4. I wasn't familiar with this artist in any way shape or form a month ago (4-07). I heard "In the Middle of it All" by her on a Blues streaming channel on my computer one afternoon. I was absolutely entranced in every way. I immediately ordered the CD on Amazon and consider it one of the finest CDs I own by a female singer bar none. I own over 2500 CDs and had double that in vinyl a few years ago. Rest assured, this CD will find its' way into your heart and your ears as a top favorite in your music collection. Guaranteed.............. My only puzzlement is why I wasn't familiar with her before now, I arrogantly thought I knew who was who in mainstream music, obviously I have a whole lot left to learn (I love that because I will never hear enough music like this) Buy it, buy it, buy it.......



5. Back in the musically wonderful sixties a real standout classic and timeless performance is "Wish Someone Would Care" by Irma Thomas being a haunting listening experience to this day...over the years since this great singer has been making many fine albums then along comes a true masterpiece...who knew it would be all these years later! A fixture in New Orleans for decades, this collection of richly varied songs was recorded a few months after Hurricane Katrina which wiped out Irma's worldly possessions but not her soul or remarkable talent as she has never sounded quite like this...deeply involved with each song Irma takes the listener on the musical trip of a lifetime and richly illuminates each great song with a emotional richness that is stunning!!! Anyone who loves a great singer at the peak of her incredible powers will want this mesmerizing collection...essential must have desert island disc and the finale of this tremendous set is make up of not one but three incredible performances that are the most stirring and deeply moving that have come along in years. "Soul Of A Man" is bluesy and deep, "Stone Survivor" is a funky and riveting rocker while Stevie Wonder's "Shelter In The Rain" is deeply soulful and features a magnificent stunning vocal that is beautifully surrounded by piano only and the effect is unforgettable making one wish for a complete "Stevie Wonder Songbook" from this great singer...plus ten additional stellar performances and each is a richly rewarding listening experience! Bravo Irma and here is wishing you a much deserved Grammy Award for this musical treasure that is a true classic to be enjoyed over and over! 12/9 update; Congratulations Irma Thomas for your Grammy Award Nomination!!! 2/12 update; Congratulations, I knew you would win the Grammy Award!

5 comments about Indianola Mississippi Seeds.

1. The first track stuck with me and I have never forgotten the words: "Nobody loves me but my mother , and she could be jivin' too."This album is not typical of BB King but I believe it os one that new listeners should try as it really does give you a feel ofthe blues but with a different tilt . It has been a favourite of mine for almost 30 years and I still want to play it over and over again and now can on CD .



2. Indianola Mississippi Seeds is a really good rock/blues record. Really good.
   
   BB King purists apparently disparage it as "selling out," or some such thing. I can respect that, but just disagree. Among others, "King's Special," "Chains and Things," and "Hummingbird" are just awesome songs.
   
   FYI, my favorite music is along the lines of 1969-74 Rolling Stones (e.g. Ya Ya's, Exile on Main Street, etc.) and bluesy rock generally (e.g., Lynyrd Skynyrd). If you like that kind of music and want to see what BB King is about, you will enjoy Indianola Mississippi Seeds.



3. First of all, I don't claim to be that much of a BB fan but I do really enjoy this cd. Reminds me of John Lee Hooker's "Endless Boogie" and Freddie King's "Burglar." It's got that early 70s bluesrock feel to it.
   Also, the album cover is a great example of a 70s blues concept.



4. This is standard stuff from BB, which is to say it is better than most other blues singers.



5. Although Indianola Mississippi Seeds is not a classic B.B. King album in the same sense as "Live at the Regal," it has some inspired moments and offers a different perspective on the Blues with its incorporation of strings. B.B. is in fine voice here and adds some welcome humor to his piano blues on "Nobody Loves Me But My Mother." And check out his guitar solo on "Ain't Gonna Worry My Life Anymore." B.B. says it all in just a few notes. But the real highlight of this album is a completely different departure from anything B.B. has done previously. B.B.'s rendition of Leon Russell's "Hummingbird" is soulful and beautiful, especially the final choruses belted out by some of the sweetest sounding angels you will ever hear.

5 comments about Is It News.

1. I went to see CC Adcock at Jazz Fest this year. Had a guy named Bramhall playing with him. CC was his usual mix of cool and grease but the songs were instantly catchy. Turns out Bramhall is sort of a legend. Turns out they are playing together because they just put together an album. Turns out the album is even more terrific than the Jazzfest set. Bramhall writes good hooks. The songs stay with you. Adcock keeps it raw."Cryin" is pure classic Swamp Pop.
   CC Adcock is becoming the great collaborator. Robert Plant hung out with him in Lafayette (Louisiana, the Cajun capital)last year. Plant says "He's a piece of work - but I like him."



2. The writer of Stevie Ray Vaugn's "Life by the Drop", Doyle Bramhall has produced an instant classic with this great new album. Produced by himself together with Louisianna guitarist/vocalist C.C.Adcock this CD kicks of with the rollicking rocker "Lost in the Congo" and continues the high standard throughout.
   
   Supported by a cast of excellent muscians, including Jimmie Vaughan and Adcock this CD is a must for any fan of good American roots music.



3. This is original music with heart and soul. Hear the sound that made Eric Clapton want to be a sideman.



4. what a great cd 5 stars I cant beleive no one has heard of this guy



5. I bought this cd on the recommendation of a friend and Amazon's review. I have to agree with smiley mike; this music is very boring, plodding, repetitive. I kept waiting for all the great guitar riffs described in the review but they were few and far between and muffled by the poor mix.
   If you want some great Texas guitar music check out Chris Duarte and Joe Ely.

5 comments about Come on In.

1. The Eelectric Blues never sounded so good. R.L. Burnside is very talented and Tract 3 "Let my Baby Ride" is one of my frvorite songs EVER.
   
   This album was produced, engineered and mixed by Tom Rothrock and I enjoyed it all the way through. This is an excelent album!



2. This is bad bad bad. I am certainly a purist and hate to see cultural icons and forms such as this melded so poorly. It doesn't work. I love R.L.'s pure blues. They are top notch and tough to find better but electronica and blues doesn't cut it. I am a Depeche Mode fan as well but some things are best left alone. I will be selling this back to a CD store.



3. Thank you Sirius Radeo and Amazon for bringing us RL Burside. Too bad the local "music (??)" Channels and stores still haven't got a clue in what great music really is.
   Its easy to see why "It's Bad You Know" is the most requested song on Sirius Blues.



4. This album is kind of like wasabi: it takes some getting used to but if you do, you have a friend for life. You're in for a big surprise if you're expecting traditional blues from this old bluesman. This is techno remix blues, which obviously won't please some, but he pulls it off. Best-known and probably the best tune is "It's Bad You Know", played on WXRT in Chicago, who turned me on to the album. Most of the cuts are musical loops, not all of which work, but overall pretty solid and recommended for anyone wanting something different. Die-hard blues purists need not apply.



5. Dear Mr. Yates: Are you one of those turtle-neck wearing folks with plenty of money and a nose in the air? Are you one of those that believe that the Blues must adhere to some unforgiving rules that you made up? Get off yo' high horse and put down that pipe! The Blues have always been a "blasphemy", a walk downtown, a soulful melody, a harsh reality.... etc... The Blues NEVER did adhere to any rules of musical education. The Blues is the Blues because of a feeling, an attitude. This album has all of that attitude, irreverent as it is. Take off that turtle-neck sweater and listen to these grooves. Blues grooves. The only other artist to take the Blues to this level this decade has been G. Love. No, it's not your daddy's Blues.... but it is Blues.... fun Blues.... New Orleans Blues... Blues the way it was supposed to be: Fun, Exciting, Soulful and NOT standard! Blues with a capital "B".

1 comments about A Brief History Of The Blues.

1. This is a solid introductory collection of blues songs. I think the standout is "Oh Death," performed by Doyle Bramhall II and Erykah Badu, but there really isn't a bad song in the bunch. I also like that listeners are exposed to a wide variety of blues from Delta to Chicago and more.

5 comments about 80.

1. I usually don't like listening to Iconic musicians when they cash in or appear to cash in and do an album, when they should have 'left on a high note' and hung it up to preserve the music canon. Like Rod Stewart. Used to love his early stuff, but with his weak voice, I can't bear to listen to him NOW.
   
   But BB King. When he is "ON" or putting in the effort, no one can sound like him. He actually is in 'better voice' here than his earlier works! It's a bit raw-but the energy is all there. He can just blow the doors off other tenors. It's a cutting contest what he does to Van Morrison in the vocal dept.; but it is all in good fun with "Early In The Morning", a good drinking song.
   
   What I like about this album in a few words:
   
   1) Eric Clapton doesn't sing on The Thrill Is Gone. EC uses his guitar to sing behind BB's superb vocal. Sounds better than in the 70's when he first got the Grammy for the tune.
   
   2) On Tired of Your Jive, with Billy F. Gibbons-the bass player of choice plays an awesome walking bass line (who is this guy??) jazzy-so in the pocket and up medium in the mix-that it lets BB and Billy do what they do best!
   
   3) Bobby Bland and BB did some sensational recordings on the Coconut Grove Live albums like "Together Again".
   Real treasures if you can find them. Bobby is BB's favorite singer, and Mr. Bland simply loves "B" with all his heart and soul. They converse during their songs and with this track, you hear Bobby say once again to BB, "take your time, B..." To hear these two rogues stir it up in song, maybe for the REALLY LAST TIME, almost puts me in tears. Each has a killer vibrato and tenor set of pipes that can wet cement.
   
   Others have made choices of their personal favorites, and I will go on to say there isn't a bad track on the album.
   
   I play in clubs, and over the years -your ears get to know the 'real deal'. BB is full on-AND the guests are inspired to offer their best and they 'give it up' ...to the KING.
   
   Enjoy!



2. B.B. King recorded this CD when he was 80 years old and he continues to set the pace for every other blues player in the world. There is only ONE King of the Blues . . . and that is B.B..
   
   El Guapo



3. I wish he had included a track with Willie Nelson. Otherwise, this compilation couldn't be better. Hats off to the king of blues guitar and his young friends!



4. B.B. King's compilation of duets with some incredible rock musicians is one of the few CDs I can listen to over and over again without getting tired of it. Hearing Roger Daltry and Billy Gibbons sing with King is a treat! There is not one track that I don't love. After his first trip to America, Clapton said that the highlight was meeting B.B. King. His music with this legend over the years has shown his respect. At almost 82 years old, King still puts on an incredible show and has no plans to retire, as he tells his audience during his current tour.



5. This cd is awesome. I play it almost every day. BB rocks.

1 comments about Homemade Songs.

1. The temptation here is to use all sorts of Swamp/Americana cliches extolling what a great CD this is ("a modern swamp classic,etc."). Instead, as one who would buy a CD of Bobby singing his tax-returns, I will say, go out and buy this album now!!! You'll dig it.