1 comments about His Best.

1. Jimmy Rogers was not as prolific as the big four at Chess (Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter), but he was just as good in his writing, playing and singing. Plus, he had that same crack band that backed both Muddy and Little Walter, many times with those two included.
   
   Rogers is sorely overlooked in the realm of classic Chicago blues, and this collection brilliantly shows why.

1 comments about Midnight Run.

1. I can listen to it over and over because the music and the lyrics are just that good. I feel that the set up of the songs were artistically listed on the track. The slow ballads are soothing and the fast ones get you up and on your feet! jubilant and ready!!!

5 comments about Heavy Love.

1. A nice bit of the electric blues, from Buddy Guy, with a lot of organ and piano mixed in. But it's the truly wailing guitar numbers that really shine ("Had a Bad Night"). And the southern feeling "Are You Lonely Baby" also plays as an album highlight, as does a playfully funky cover of "I Just Want to Make Love to You." The slow blues grind of "Did Somebody Make a Fool Out of You" really changes the mood of the album, to a more somber, reflective atmosphere, with some timely acoustic guitar magic, before the album returns to its starting point in the upbeat, organ tinged "When the Time Is Right."
   
   A very enjoyable electric blues album.



2. This is the best overall blues album I've ever heard! Buddy Guy at his best, funkiest, grooviest, movingest, and feelingest...
   
   Each song is something new, has something new to say, or if it's a cover - says it in a new way.
   
   My nephew gave me this CD and it was one of the best CDs I've ever gotten. Thanks, Pete!
   
   Tell it, Buddy. Make it sing like you do...



3. Buddy is as great as always on this album. I have several of his other CDs, but was driven to buy this one specifically because of the duo "Midnight Train" with Jonny Lang. I'd have bought the CD again simply because of that song. It is simply outstanding! I'd love to hear more collaborative efforts between Buddy and Jonny.



4. Some blues fans have dissed on this disc here and that's fair enough. This CD is fairly pop/funk for a longtime blues man like Buddy, but for me it works. About half of this disc is very strong in my opinion. Great band playing excellently on a bunch of great tunes. But make no mistake, this ain't your typical Buggy Guy blues disc. It's got a mix of rock, soul and blues with a heavy funk aspect. I like it!



5. There is a great deal of arguing amongst fans of the "Blues" about Buddy Guy's music in this new century. I am reminded of Muddy Water's trip to England in 1958, when fans expected to hear the lonesome delta blues & instead got Muddy's raging electric guitar sounds. He took a wad of cash out of his pocket & waved it in the air & said something like, "how do you expect me to play like that when I got all this now?" Times & artists change & you either dig where your favorites are heading or else it's time to start listening to someone or something else. Me? I dig it & I bet if Muddy were here he'd groove on it, too.

5 comments about Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan.

1. One of B.B. King's best latter-day albums, "Let the Good Times Roll" is a terrific collection of 18 songs usually associated with jump blues master Louis Jordan.
   His take on classics like "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" and "Let the Good Times Roll" are less boisterous and more laid-back than Jordan's, but he sings each and every song so well, with impeccable timing and phrasing, and the stellar combo never ever sets a finger wrong.
   
   B.B. King's take on the sexist (and funny) "Ain't That Just Like A Woman" is pure delight, a joyously swaggering, swinging rendition which I listened to three or four times in a row the first time I played the CD (in my car on my way to work). Nero didn't _really_ fiddle while Rome burned, but it's still funny!
   
   King also does a stylish, personal interpretation of Jimmy Cox's "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out", and lays down a great "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" with a wonderful old-timey big band feel, a jazzy "Somebody Done Changed the Lock on My Door", and a super-cool finger-snapping "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?". You just can't sit still to that one.
   
   Lesser-known songs like the hilarious "Saturday Night Fish Fry" are often quite as good as the recognized classics, and the band, which features Dr John on piano and the near-legendary R&B drummer Earl Jones, creates a subtle, seductive background for King to paint on.
   Jones was 74 at the time of recording, by the way. King was only 73, a regular spring chicken.
   Get this CD. It is one of the best, most mature albums of King's 55-year career.



2. Quite simply, this is my favorite B.B. King album. Rollicking songs, great recorded sound, an outstanding rhythm section backing up B.B.'s fine vocals (now with a touch of gravel in them). I was toe-tapping from beginning to end. Who says you can't have your blues sunnyside up?



3. BB is a great blues performer, but his jump blues doesn't jump. Buy some actual Louis Jordan recordings, and really go for it!



4. I first heard this recording in London, at a small restaurant that was playing a series of great CDs. I asked the manager to give me the name, and when I returned home I picked up the recording. Since then I've probably listened to it 20 or 30 times. It is simply a great recording--funny, lively, high-spirited. My entire family loves it and we play it in the car all the time. Our favorite is "There ain't nobody here but us chickens," which never fails to get us all in a good mood. If you love B.B. King or Louis Jordan, get this CD.



5. I would highly recommend this cd to anyone who is a fan of Louis Jordan or B.B. King. B.B. does the original songs justice, and it's a great tribute to the late great Louis Jordan. From listening to this cd I have become a big fan of Louis Jordan, and appreciate him tremendously. When ya pick up this cd be sure to pick up a Louis Jordan cd also.

5 comments about New Orleans Street Singer.

1. Eaglin is a multi-talented artist. He can play Country Blues, New Orleans-style R&B, and even Rock 'N' Roll. On this disc, he plays straight-forward Country Blues. "Careless Love" is masterfully done, "High Society is nothing short of dazzling, and "Helping Hand" is an emotional experience. The liner notes are highly detailed and extensive. I highly recommend purchasing this cd. Snooks is still with us, but often plays electric Blues at small clubs and at festivals, as opposed to Country Blues music. I'd love to see him perform some day.



2. This cd blew me away and I am stone cold sober. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys music.....period. Clean sound with clear singing, natural born lyrics and transcendental guitar work. Buy it. You will fall in love with it.



3. I'm extremely satisfied with this product. Quality of the sound is most satisfactorily. The artist and the performance is outstanding. I highly recommend this item.
   Best regards från Yvonne Cederquist Olsson



4. I have been a blues fans for as long as I can remember. I just got this record and feel like I'm falling in love with Blues all over again. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!



5. Snooks Eaglin is New Orleans through and through. There's hardly a style of music that the great city has made famous that Eaglin doesn't play some of. He wails through fat electric blues tunes, strums through folky country delta songs and so much more.
   
   This album is a triumph, and brings the sounds of New Orleans as it once was to the world. Pick it up, you'll be glad you did.

2 comments about Essential Magic Slim.

1. Want some Rockin' Blues? Well, get this. Put on track 1; "Before You Accuse Me" and rock on for the next hour or so.
   
   This ain't fancy blues, all tricked up with "special guests" or "name" producers. It's just good, down-home, rockin' blues. Two guitars, bass and drums; with Magic's gritty vocals; pretty simple recipe but a great dish.
   
   Read "Shaq's" review; he say it all. Honest blues don't lie.



2. Let me first state for the record that I am an absolute fanatical "ELECTRIC BLUES" fan! What has been disheartening during the not too distant past and present, is the lack of quality "fresh" "new" electric blues CD's. Other than the legendary Buddy Guy, Coco Montoya, and a few others, there are no truly "dedicated" electric blues artist's, who are known to the public, and who are proud to be called "Blues Men"! There are a few artists who can definitely play the blues, but they openly get upset if you say they play the blues, and in many cases so do their fans.
   
   But that is not the case with "MAGIC SLIM"! Slim is a blues man when he wakes up in the morning, and he's a blues man when he tucks himself in at night and shuts off the lights! This CD is a living classic of "ELECTRIC-CHICAGO-BLUES"! This FIFTEEN SONG collection is classic electric blues from start to finish. If you have any blues in your blood your foot will be tapping during the entire CD, except when you hit the pause button, so you can run and call your few friends who love the blues, because blues this good has to be shared with a friend. Seven of the songs are longer than 4 minutes, which is important to me for "cooking" blues. Slim plays roadhouse "romps" and guitar bending ballads.
   
   If you've been starving for "FRESH-ELECTRIC-BLUES" like I have, buy this feast of electric blues. You'll thank me!

5 comments about Circle.

1. "Circle" is the 2nd full studio album from Indigenous. The previous live disc is still the highlight of the band's catalogue, but "Circle" is a decent studio album produced by a great guitarist in his own right Doyle Bramhall. The songs show a continued maturity for the group, but I still find some of the things missing here. All of the songs are in the 3 to 4 minute range which never really lets the band kick into any killer jams like they do in concert. Mato does have a lot of short tasty guitar solos here and there, but they get reigned in before they have the chance to really take off in many cases. Overall I don't have any major criticism of this album; it is a good solid blues rock release that should please fans of the band.



2. I saw this band in 2003 when they were playing with Jonny Lang. Mato's
   guitar playing blew me away! I have never seen anyone play the guitar like
   he did that night. Very powerful! I think these guys sound a lot better live
   then on CD.



3. You just can't go wrong with "Indigenous". They are different, original and they capture a mood. What I mean by that is, their music puts you in a certain mood. You know how some songs take you to another place in your mind(or your past)? Well this music has that affect in a very positive way. The vocals are very good, almost haunting at times, but in a good way. Great stuff!



4. The best Native American band to ever come out of North Dakota! Produced by Doyle Bramhall. I hear many influences such as Hootie, ZZ Top, Allmans, and Santana but no really strong songs like those bands are known for. Decent album.



5. This music is mesmerizing. Beautiful, haunting!! Makes you feel how music is supposed to make you feel! I recommend it to anyone who listens to music WITH MEANING!
   BRILLIANT!!!!!
   My goal is to see them LIVE!!!

No comments about CAJUN-Rare & Authentic.

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

5 comments about Burning Hell.

1. This is a great CD, John Lee always grooves it hard! I dig him a lot, he really inspires my playing and writing! Good stuff!



2. I picked this up because I was interested to hear how John Lee's music translated with an acoustic guitar. I own at least twenty of his CD's and they are all electric, even the live CD's of him playing solo. The acoustic sound really makes his slow blues songs that much more intimate. He also covers songs by Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Big Bill Broonzy on this one and its interesting to hear his take on these songs. While I wouldn't rate this as essential listening for the uninitiated, this CD is one that I would recommend to any fan of John Lee Hooker.



3. This album was recorded at the same April 1959 session that produced Hooker's more famous LP THE COUNTRY BLUES OF JOHN LEE HOOKER. For some reason it was unreleased until 1964 (UK only) and didn't see the light of day in the US until the early 90's. Which is odd because it is identical in style, sound and theme to the COUNTRY BLUES LP, featuring the same acoustic back porch feel.
   
   On the whole, a slightly lesser album than its more famous companion volume, but still a good one. If you like Hooker and/or acoustic blues, buy it.



4. Real Blues An American ICON Of The Blues A Perfect Album Hooker
   Rocks And He Has A Son John Lee Hooker Jr just Came Out With His Own Cd Off Of Kent Records Called "Blues With A Vengeance"



5. There is a great rhythm and feel to his playing, like he's sitting at the graveyard by his mother's gravestone or something. This guy is the real thing, the most soul of any bluesman of the 20th century. He has influenced countless musicians, and one can hear his trademark foot-beat all the way through. Great music.