5 comments about Chess Blues Classics: 1957-1967.

1. Amazon has inserted songwriter names into the track list rather than performer names. Here is how it should read:
   
   1. Sitting on Top of the World - Howlin' Wolf
   2. Fattening Frogs for Snakes - Sonny Boy Williamson
   3. Key to the Highway - Little Walter
   4. Take the Bitter With the Sweet - Muddy Waters
   5. Spoonful - Howlin' Wolf
   6. So Many Roads, So Many Trains - Otis Rush
   7. Madison Blues - Elmore James
   8. The Red Rooster - Howlin' Wolf
   9. You Shook Me - Muddy Waters
   10. Help Me - Sonny Boy Williamson
   11. Baby, What You Want Me to Do (live) - Etta James
   12. My Time After a While - Buddy Guy
   13. We're Gonna Make It - Little Milton
   14. I Got What It Takes - Koko Taylor
   15. One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer - John Lee Hooker
   16. I'd Rather Go Blind - Etta James



2. I have recently done a few commentaries on the legendary Sun Records label that produced more than its share of both black blues and white rockabilly stars as well as a galaxy of early rock and roll idols and classic songs. If one were to ask what other record company might have had such influence in those days that natural response should be Chicago's Chess Records that caught many of the black blues artists as they headed North to reach their own stardom once the limits of what Memphis had to offer a black recording artist gave out. This album is a 50th Anniversary tribute to many of those who made stardom or, at least, were one-shot johnnies (and janes) on that label from 1957-67.
   
   No Chess Record tribute can be complete, can moreover even be considered as such, unless the name Howlin' Wolf is mentioned. He is represented here by one of the all time great blues songs (and maybe rock and roll as well) Little Red Rooster (as well as Sitting on Top of The World). I know I flipped out the first time I heard it covered by Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones in the early 1960's. When I heard the Wolf do it I went crazy. Others who stand out here are a litany of blues greats- Etta James, Koko Taylor, Elmore James and on and on. But here is the tip of the day. What you are getting this for is the Wolf's Little Red Rooster (okay, maybe also for Elmores's Madison Blues) and that is just fine.



3. A short and sweet review:
   
   If you like Chicago Blues but don't know a whole lot about them, this isn't a bad compilation. But if you prefer the accoustic sound of real Southern blues, especially Delta Blues, you're going to be very disappointed. This is NOT Robert Johnson's blues. This sounds loud...it sounds electric...it sounds BIG. Rock 'n' Roll evolved directly from the Chicago Blues sound in the mid-50s, and the music here actually demonstrates a backwards flow...in the late-50s and early-60s, Chicago Blues was being influenced by the Rock 'n' Roll it had spawned a few years earlier.
   
   There's nothing wrong with that...as long as you like that sound. This reviewer doesn't.



4. The Chess Blues Classics. Bellisimo, Baby. Great for an intro to the Chicago style post-Delta electric blues music--heck, this is great even if you're a longtime fan. This chronicles Chess Records move to their Michigan Ave. digs and the consolidating of some of their satellite small record companies into one big happy homestead. Bass man extraordinaire Willie Dixon becomes the Chess A & R man, and these Blues? They wail, Man, they wail! Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy, Howlin', Etta, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy!!!! When the Buddy Guy track comes on, you notice how much smoother the recording technology, hence, the Blues itself, becomes. A Little Milton cut has sessionmen Charles Stepney on piano and Maurice White on drums. Etta James house rocks a live audience in Nashville. Willie gives a tune to KoKo Taylor. And Hooker does the Last Call...will you love this? Do you have to ask?



5. Like its companion volume, "Chess Blues Classics 1947-1956", this CD offers some of the best tracks by some of the best blues musicians of Chicago's famed Chess label.
   One or two selections are debatable, and "Chess Blues Classics" is of no interest to the more experienced blues fan in that it doesn't include any rarities. But if you're a newcomer and would like to explore classic electric blues, this is a very fine place to start doing so.
   
   "Chess Blues Classics 1957-1967" includes two excellent cuts by harp legend Aleck 'Rice' Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II), namely "Help Me" and the magnificent "Fattening Frogs For Snakes", as well as fine selections by John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, and legendary bluesmen Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and slide guitarist Elmore James. And Otis Rush's too rarely heard "So Many Roads, So Many Trains", with its smouldering slow guitar solo, is here as well.
   
   Several of these tracks count among the greatest electric blues performances ever issued, including Howlin' Wolf's "Little Red Rooster" and John Lee Hooker's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer".
   4 1/2 stars. A great place to start.

3 comments about Takin' It Easy.

1. This CD starts with a great track, "I'll Believe It When I Feel It", and just gets better from there. There isn't a bad cut on this album and it's hard to pick a best - so I'll just hit the highlights.
   
   Eight are originals. The second tune, "Nothin' Ever Hurt Me", is a gritty, bluesy good riddance number. She also ventures into jazz with Duke Ellington's "I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues" and her own "I Don't Want To Start Over", with special guest Ann Rabson (Saffire - Uppity Blues Women) on piano. "When You Were Mine" evokes a sad, romantic, thirties feel a la Django Reinhardt, with Greg Piccolo on tenor sax. Then there's the gospel sounding "Can't Blame Nobody But Me" and the 12 bar, delta blues of "Peach Pickin' Mama". Two other songs aren't originals but E. G.'s interpretation is a lot of fun - "Southbound" and "I Ain't Got No Business Doing Business Today". The latter, as the song suggests, will make you want to stay home and "play".
   
   E.G. Kight not only has a terrific voice, she's also a great song writer. She has a way with lyrics that really get you where you live, such as "I've been set up just to be laid down" and "everywhere I go is where I've already been". What else can I say. The more I hear this album, the more I like it. Great songs, great musicians, Great E.G. Kight. 5 stars!



2. The only thing better than a new bluesy CD from EG is seeing her live! IF you ever have a chance to spend an evening with EG Kight don't miss out, you will be on your feet yelling for more! This CD comes as close to experiencing EG live as any she has put out and I own them all. She has teamed up with some talented musicians who allow EG to shine and connect with her songs in a very personal and moving experience. The blues never sound so true and so good at the same time, this Georgia gal really soars with this recording!



3. well, i thought eg kight could not get any better, and she has
   shown me and everyone else what she is really made of...this cd
   speaks volumes of her songwriting ability, her talent for choosing other musicians to grace her recordings with their talent and her natual gift for pulling together such a variety of styles and sounds..the acoustic is brilliant and her band memebers really show their stuff with this new sound..where is this 3 time handy award nominee for 2004 going with this skyrocketing talent? don't know for sure but this is one blues
   lover who is hanging on for dear life to enjoy the ride!!!!

5 comments about Thunderbird.

1. I really appreciate customer reviews that assist me in making the right buying decisions. I don't write many reviews; but as a music fan and collector, I'm compelled to protect others from wasting their money on less than rewarding recordings. Here, I join the small minority of reviewers whom have tried to warn you about the lackluster substance of this product. I've been so impressed by other Wilson recordings, but just not this one. So if you're considering buying this or another Wilson recording, then I recommend you buy the other. I agree the mix here is extremely muddy, with the low frequencies pushed way outside the scope of what is normal. I mean, I like bass too, but this mix is just not smart. Additionally, I found very little SINCERELY soulful feelings in the vocals, which was the thing that turned me on so to Cassandra's work. Buyer beware.



2. Cassandra Wilson is the blues, soul singer extraordinaire....such a stylist. Get this album and thank your lucky stars you had the opportunity to listen to one of the finest singers alive.



3. It happened at work one day about 10 years ago. A colleague of mine was playing some Jazz music at the office and I heard what sounded like the Jazz/Blues original version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time after time". Only problem was I knew it was Cyndi that did the original so I asked who it was that was singing. "Oh, that's Cassandra Wilson" she said, "Haven't you heard of her before?"
   
   Well, I never had, so I went out, got, and fell in love with the CD it came off, "Traveling miles", especially the African flourishes on the duet with Angelique Kidjo "Run the voodoo down". Next I heard from her was the brooding beauty, "You move me" from the excellent "Love Jones" soundtrack.
   
   That's the Cassandra Wilson magic for you, with her dusky sensual voice and her eclectic flourishes. "Thunderbird" is no different, a Jazz/Blues/Folk take on songs done by others. Having never heard any of the originals, I just went with the flow.
   
   At 10 tracks, she cuts right to the chase. Opening cut, "Go to Mexico" is a groovy song, rich in percussion, lovely harmonies, some skat singing, and almost falsetto vocals from Wilson. A real beauty and an excellent way to open the album. "Closer to you" (originally done by Yakob Dylan) is a dreamy affair, with lilting percussion and her soothing vocals, almost Trip hop-like. Stunning!
   
   "Easy rider" is a more stripped horn sprinkled initially folky affair which progresses into a delicate Blues number, and "It would be so easy" is a more upbeat song with a groovy bassline. "Red river valley" is an almost acapella hymnal folky ballad with just electric slide guitar accompanying her vocals.
   
   "Poet" is a brooding groovy song with a sketchy bassline initially, while "I want to be loved" is guitar Blues which finds Wilson singing in a slightly upper register in parts.
   
   "Lost" is a beautiful guitar ballad (one of my favourites, but really, they are all my favourites) which sounds like it should be on some exotic movie soundtrack. "Strike a match" features skittery drums and a deep bassline, with lovely strummed guitars. Stunning! Closing is "Tarot", another song with a groovy bassline, some great harmonising, and interesting musical movements (there is a great sax solo).
   
   Hypnotic and beautiful, Cassandra Wilson is a real thunderbird.



4. Funky, sultry, bluesy, sexy, mellow, haunting, hypnotic, cool...this CD has it all and then some. From the opening beats of Go To Mexico to the final chords of Tarot, this is an incredibly hot disc. Wilson has certainly hooked me with her absolutely gorgeous vocals, but the music on this CD is so darn good, it doesn't make any sense. This is not your usual Cassandra and if you're looking for something different from her from a purely musical standpoint, then this is it.



5. In an era where woman singers are more often judged on appearance than artistic merit Cassandra Wilson (who by the way is a major babe) continues to carve her own path and does it brilliantly. I've said it before and I'll just repeat it; Cassandra Wilson is the best singer, in any style, of her generation, period.

5 comments about Spotlight on Lucille.

1. There are very few CD's that I would classify as "mandatory", but this is one of them. If you are new to blues, this is a perfect CD for your collection. Whether you're 8 or 80, this disc contains the most absolutely beautiful music you've ever heard. At low volume, you've got intelligent, elegant background music (that will make your dinner guests think you're more sophisticated than you are!). If you crank it up, you can experience the full texture of fluid guitar playing and all of the complexity that blues has to offer. In short, I would describe "Spotlight on Lucille" as the "Dark Side of the Moon" of blues music.
   If you're a blues afficionado and don't already have this in your collection, then shame on you! Get it, enjoy it, and enjoy it again!



2. It's time for an update of this cd! BB's guitar sound is always his own, but it's changed over the years much more than his voice: technical changes have more influence over instruments than vocals. To hear this time compression of so many of his sounds on this one cd is to enlighten the listener to the truth behind the seemingly unchanging BB. Hey, BB, let's start at the end of this one and do it again!



3. This is an all instrumental sampler from BB's classic 50's and 60's lp's, no vocals. B.B. seems inspired, and improvises a bit on a jazz level. B.B. is backed on each track by inoovating big bands, with jazz or swing based arrnagements, which feature jazz horn solos written in teh arrangements. This is a great cd taht casts BB in the light of a jazz/blues guitarists, and prooves he's a pretty gutsy player, in the smoothest & most accesible way possible. Fun rumblin' blues and jazz.



4. Cut between 1960 and late 1961 this is one of the King's most brilliant works. It is all instrumental and all perfect. So maybe all the songs don't sound different from each other to an untrained ear. However this couldn't be a classier album. If you enjoy the horn layden [ extremely tasteful and unintrusive horns ] blues, this is it. It is blues that blues lovers and jazz lovers of all kinds can listen to. The Bobby Bland fan- the Tony Bennet fan, the guitar player, the piano player, the human being with taste-Anybody! 43 minutes long. Good with headphones or without. This is one of my absolute favorites. It shines and swings and stings. Tougher tone than lucille usually takes but it is okay, it works. This is a masterpiece of a record with no dullness at all. It makes sure that you don't get bored listening casually or intently. B.B. has a lot of records that are sort of- more of the same. Good stuff, or great stuff, but same stuff. This is sort of a breath of fresh air in the catalog. No it doesn't have that great booming voice with the exciting high notes thrown in here and there. But it doesn't have any downfalls in what it does have- perfect blues music with style and soul and class. Nothing quite as beautiful and brilliantly crafted as his instrumental ''Blues Boys Tune'' from his Blues on The Bayou album but just as bright and with tremendous energy. B.B. Picks the licks with pure intuition on all albums, this is no exception even if it is not as signature as some of his other records. It is completely based off of feel and touch music, not technical logic, and as always it works perfectly and probably better that way. Whoever played bandleader kept the horns tight and let Lucille take the spotlight with whatever she wanted to play. The other instruments at hand are totally sympathetic to her needs as well. I recommend this album for anybody who wants something that sounds good.



5. I suspect that many of BB's listeners are, like myself, amateur (or professional) guitar players. This CD has enough brilliant musical ideas to keep a player occupied for quite a long time. A lot of it can sound deceptively simple and easy to play but the beautifully musical way BB shifts back and forth between major and minor scales and blues and jazz licks is awe inspiring. If all a player ever learns is the stuff BB plays on this disc it'll be more than enough.

5 comments about Irish Folk Songs.

1. Robert Shaw was the master of choral singing in his day and the many albums of choral music, both a cappella and accompanied, both light classics and the big works, remain as a tribute to his gifts.
   
   IRISH FOLK SONGS are sung by the chorale unaccompanied in a simple straightforward fashion without the at times flawed scooping tones heard in other choral renditions. The songs are all tunes we've heard - no surprises here - but the quality of choral tone and inflection is unmatched. Included are exquisite versions of 'Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye', 'The Parting Glass', 'My Gentle Harp', 'Avenging and Bright' along with the more popular tunes.
   
   This is one of those nostalgia recordings, CDs you bring out for certain moods, and this is one that will stay active on the section of the much-played shelf! Grady Harp, April 06



2. Mostly I agree with the other reviewers. If all you want is lovely sound and melodies for playing as background or mood music, you'll be delighted.
   
   However, the lyrics on virtually every track cannot be understood. Here and there a few words and phrases break through, but that's it. You won't understand anything else unless you already know the words. One of the other reviewers hits on the real problem here: BMG's cheap job on the liner notes. There aren't any. This disk really needed the lyrics.
   
   By the way, the second to last track is "Garry Owen", the regimental battle march of Custer's 7th Cavalry in its folk song form. You still won't understand too much of the song, but the CD may be worth it just for that track.



3. If you like soft Irish songs sung very well, this CD is a good choice. The Robert Shaw Chorale gives an excellent performance, the orchestration is excellent and it is a very easy listening CD. It is a mix of nostalgic and love songs. A good CD to buy.



4. As with any Robert Shaw conducted chorale, this CD far supercedes traditional expectations about the performance of a single genre of music. As with his Sea Shanties recording, in this set of songs Mr. Shaw focused into a particular area of choral literature, this time with old Irish Folk Songs. Although each song has had a makeover by Alice Parker, the arrangements are a welcome sight into their appeal to a current listener. No, unfortunately every song may not appeal melodically or emotionally to a particualr listener, but if nothing else listen to them for the tremendous aesthetic value of a superior chorale. As with any typical Shaw recording, the voices are richly blended within each piece to bring about the finest aspects of it. From the beginning the resonance of the men of the chorale is obvious but not too prominent and never becomes a distraction. The women blend well without coming close to screeching or scratching away valued musical methods. Through such pieces as Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye and The Girl I Left Behind Me Shaw showed great control of dynamics and intonation. This CD is yet another example that should be produced for today's and tomorrow's singers as a model of how to correctly perform choral literature. A worthy addition to any collection of Shaw/Parker collaboratins.



5. For me, terms like "lush," "beautiful," and "gorgeous" are usually pejorative when applied to music, being most appropriate for describing Readers Digest boxed sets of dinner music. But there are always exceptions, and this is a big one. This disc is superb.

   This was originally recorded in the late 60s, near the end of The Robert Shaw Chorale's reign as arguably the finest chorus in the U.S., and the arrangements are by Alice Parker, who I personally consider to be among the best choral arrangers since Bach.

   There is nothing particularly challenging on this disc, but everything is just so well done. The interpretations are tasteful, never unduly bombastic or corny. Except for just a few passages, the a capella intonation is spot on throughout the entire disc (sadly, too much the rarity). And despite the somewhat limited tibral palette of an unaccompanied mixed chorus and the single genre of traditional Irish folk songs, this disc has not grown boring, even after repeated playings.

   The sonics were a pleasant surprise, too. The sound is reasonably warm and clear, much better than I expected from late-60s RCA. BMG did cheap out on the liner notes, though. Nothing more than song credits and a cheesy stock photo of the shore. Otherwise, a great reissue.

2 comments about The Rough Guide to Delta Blues.

1. Perfect compilation for anyone interested in 20s-30s rural blues. Every song is perfect.



2. This albumn is one of the best compilations of Delta/Traditional/Country Blues I've ever listened to. It's easy to listen to from beginning to end. The albumn flows well, reaching back into the "old-timey" Blues with musicians like Charley Patton, Geechie Wiley & Elvie Thomas, Blind Joe Williams and others. From Mississippi John Hurt's soft playing and soothing singing to Robert Belfour's painful moans and rythmic plucking, this albumn is a trip back to jook joints, front porches, and planting fields. Definitely worth looking into for the buff and the beginner, alike.

5 comments about A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

1. 
   Vaughan's old band, led by his brother Jimmie, and a group of big-name blues-rock stars, play tribute to the late-great blues man. Guests are B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Dr. John and Art Neville.
   
   In between the songs are tributes by those guests, and some short excerpts of Vaughan's performances from various concerts. Those excerpts are great, and really show off Stevie Ray's extraordinary talent.
   
   Speaking of talent, all the guests are entertaining and fun to hear. Buddy Guy is fun to watch, too. Does anybody have more fun playing blues on his guitar than Guy? Nobody, frankly, does a super song but they are all good and, for just $10, this is a good deal.. The best number is at the end when the group jam and takes turns with solos. The finale, "SRV Shuffle," to me, was the best song on the DVD. It's so good I get tears in my eyes every time I watch and hear that last number.



2. This is one of the best of ACL and that's saying a whole lot. This 1995 tribute to Austin-based Stevie Ray Vaughn featured an all-star cast, including Stevie's brother, Jimmy, Eric Clapton, BB King, Bonnie Raitt, and more.
   
   "Pride and Joy" by Bonnie Raitt is probably my favorite of the bunch, but there's not a bad song in the collection.
   
   For such a short life, Stevie Ray Vaughn made an outstanding contribution to blues and guitar and he will be sorely missed. In my opinion, this is one of the best tributes I have ever seen or heard.



3. Stevie Ray Vaughn and Albert King are my two favorite electric blue guitarists. I've had this CD for 10 years and it's just as great every time I play it. Until the last month (December 2006) I didn't know about amazon.com's venue for reviews, so Shaq is making up for lost time. This is without a doubt a 5 star classic! With stars paying tribute to Stevie, such as Bonnie Raitt, BB, Buddy Guy, Clapton, Doctor John, Robert Cray, brother Jimmie, and others. Buddy Guy performs a "haunting" version of "Long Way From Home". The lyrics for "Six Strings Down", which basically, welcomes Stevie to blues heaven, where he joins with the likes of Albert King, Freddie King, Albert Collins, T-bone and others, is intelligent, touching, and oh yea! Has a good beat! SHAQ BLUES HISTORICAL TRIVIA NOTE FOR MY LOYAL BLUES FANS: "The night Stevie died, at the end of the concert in Wisconsin, Eric Clapton, told Stevie, with witnesses, "You're the best blues guitarist I ever heard!" By the way, read all of Shaq's blues reviews for all kinds of nuggets like these. P.S. Stevie's last recorded CD is "Family Style". I'll rate it a 5 here because I can't find it on amazon. It's a 4 musically, but the fact that it was the last CD he recorded, in addition to being the reuniting of brothers Stevie and Jimmie, and the hatchet between the brothers was buried.



4. Tribute albums aoften strike me as a collection of poor imitations of the original- but this is different. First and foremost, everyone on it was close to SRV, from his brother on down. They knew him, they played with him, and they understood his style. Second, and perhaps even more importantly, this was a live concert. Instead of a bunch of gunslingers trying to out-SRV each other in a studio, you have a group of great musicians, each a great stylist in their own right, and none of whom has to prove anything to anyone. The result is magical music that serves as a true tribute to that great Texas guitar player, Stevie Ray Vaughn.



5. This CD has the best blues musicians in the world paying tribute to SRV.
   Bonnie Raitt opens with a killer slide version of Pride and Joy,
   Jimmy Vaughn does a great version of Texas Flood second only to the version by Stevie.
   BB King does Telephone Song. Buddy Guy almost steals the show with Long Way From Home.
   Eric Clapton does a solid version on Aint Gonna Give Up On Love.
   Robert Cray does a strong version of Love Struck Baby
   This is a fitting tribute of musicians who are honoring SRV along with SRV's former band members.
   This is a must for any SRV fan, or any blues fan............

3 comments about Ultimate Rebirth Brass Band.

1. This CD is near and dear to my heart as a DC native who has a grandfather who hails from New Orleans. He took me to see Rebirth in New Orleans, and I've been a brass band junkie ever since. I'm a big fan of old school Dirty Dozen and Rebirth Brass Band. This compilation is a good way for those looking for an introduction to Rebirth to find out whether they prefer the jazz influenced, hip-hop, or trad sound of Rebirth.
   
   I feel that Rebirth has three phases. First, they were kids from Treme trying to be like their heroes in bands like the Dirty Dozen. Early Rebirth is not really represented on this compilation and you're better off checking out the album "Here to Stay" if you want to hear that stuff. That's before they were with Rounder Records so I'm not suprised that it's not on the compilation. Second, they were the kings of New Orleans with Phil Frazier rocking the bottom on the tuba and Kermit Ruffins on the frontlines with a fat trumpet sound. "Do Whatcha Wanna" was a regional hit and it's on this compilation. Finally, Rebirth is kind of the old school hip-hop equivalent of the brass band movement. Tracks like "New Orleans Music" and the final track with "My Thing" represent Rebirth originals that have some hip-hop style chants in them.
   
   Fans will like some of the cover tunes represented here. "Let's Do It Again" by the Staple Singers show their old school soul leanings and "Ate Up the Apple Tree" show New Orleans traditional sound. There's also excerpts from their monster 24 minute medley on their Live At the Maple Leaf LP. That's an album you need to hear in its entirety, though. For folks in the DC area, that's frequently available at the local library if you want to check out what they've been up to.
   
   I'm really pleased to hear that Kermit Ruffins and the Rebirth linked up again on a new CD. Kermit left Rebirth a few years back to pursue more of a Louis Armstrong traditional sound. Hopefully, this new project means that the parting was amicable and Rebirth and Kermit can link up from time to time for positive projects.
   
   Rebirth has done so much for New Orleans music, black music, jazz music, funk music, and just about any other kind of good music you can think of. It's a shame these brothers are underground.
   
   For those who are Rebirth heads and already have a lot of their stuff, the cover of Bustin' Loose that opens the compilation is slammin'! I've always said that "Feel Like Funkin' It Up" is basically "Bustin' Loose" and they probably ought to give Chuck Brown from DC composer credit. Well, here they give the Godfather of Go-go his props and cover his tune straight up.
   
   New Orleans brass bands and DC go-go need to get together now more than ever before with the way that DC gives New Orleans a raw shake on the Katrina stuff.
   
   Please support this music and check this out....
   
   4.5 stars
   
   --SD



2. top-notch groove music. i had the pleasure of meeting them and seeing them live, cool guys and a great group that works as a unit.



3. The Rebirth Brass Band has been funkin' it up for 20 years now, still looking young and still full of energy, turning every place they go into Mardi Gras for one night. This is a fresh new set of tracks recorded live in concert, which is the only way to hear Rebirth. Enjoy!

5 comments about Ball n' Chain.

1. I'm not that familiar with her work, but I enjoyed this CD a lot. I will probably get some more of her earlier work. If you love Blues, then you can't go wrong with this one.



2. Big Mama --the best of the black, southern, gut-bucket female blues singers/composers. Backed by some of the best guitars of the time, like Muddy Waters. Strong, melodius voice. Great rhythm. Sexy, just too sexy, take your breathe away and send you looking. An education for anyone listening to rap.



3. When Janis Joplin electrified the folk/blues scene with her incredibly propelled version of Big Mama Thorton's "Ball & Chain," I really wanted to hear more from the source. Unfortunately it wasn't until recently that I listened to this CD that features "Ball & Chain." I was surprised at the high quality of the entire CD--and also a little surprised how "modern" Willie Mae "Big Mama" sounded on the CD. I don't know, I guess I was expecting more in the line of an anthology, archival performance in the way of Bessie Smith recordings (and I am serious Bessie Smith fan too.)
   
   Willie Mae originated "Hound Dog" that was later such a hit for Elvis. Elvis' version is great, but I prefer the original.
   
   Legendary Muddy Waters accompanies on five tunes.
   
   As for "Ball & Chain," you can really hear the influence the original had on Janis Joplin--and how Janis also made it her own.
   
   This is CD is hardcore blues delivered in Big Mama's light, almost delicate style.
   
   No, there's nothing "almost" about it. Big Mama Thorton's blues phraseology is both strong & unequivocally delicate.
   
   Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thorton is one of the blues Greats, sharing the galaxy with other blues/jazz devas like Billie Holiday & Etta James.
   
   Jail
   Big Mama Thornton in Europe
   The Complete Vanguard Recordings
   Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings
   All the Way
   Let's Roll
   The Essential Bessie Smith
   Greatest Hits
   Bessie Smith: The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1
   Cheap Thrills
   Pearl
   I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama



4. Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton was much more than the originator of "Hound Dog" - she was one of the greatest Blues singers. She could be fun and sassy, and could also be plaintive and emotional. After Bessie Smith and before Koko Taylor, there was Big Mama Thornton.
   
   BALL `N' CHAIN consists of 16 songs recorded 1965-1968 (tracks 1-8 in 1965; 9-14 in 1966; 15 & 16 in 1968). Disc packaged in black jewel case; total running time: 61:50. Booklet includes an essay by Chris Strachwitz, several black & white photos, and track information (songwriter credits, musician personnel, recording dates). Sound quality is good.
   
   These are re-recordings of songs Thornton had previously recorded, including "Ball N' Chain", a song that was notably recorded by Janis Joplin. Tracks 1-8 feature Buddy Guy on Guitar. Tracks 9-14 recorded with Muddy Waters Blues Band (and also issued on Arhoolie's 2004 release "Big Mama Thornton with the Muddy Waters Blues Band - 1966"). Noteworthy are Thornton's complaints on "Unlucky Girl" about being followed by the FBI everywhere she goes.
   
   This may be the Blues, but it is a joy to listen to. Thornton sings Blues ballads and fun up-tempo songs. I hesitate to call it "country Blues" because it just seems too sophisticated to be called that. Whatever it is, it's beautiful.



5. Brilliant!
   Big Mama's powerful vocal is accompanied by some really, REALLY, strong musical groups; including Muddy Waters' band on several classical interpretations ("I'm Feeling Alfight", "Sometimes I have a Heartache", "Black Rat"...).
   My other favorites on this CD are, probably, "Unlucky girl" and "Little Red Rooster" (with Buddy Guy, Walter Horton and others) and, even more probably, the best of them all, erotically highly charged "School Boy" (with only instrument being the sugestive and even eerie guitar of Fred McDowell)...
   Some songs ("Swing it on home"...) unfortunately cross the line of R/B and approach rock 'n' roll, but it is only minor problem on this brilliant CD... Every unce of blues this lady carries is worth hearing!
   
   Great songwriter ("Sweet Little Angel"...) and great interpreter, Big Mama Thornton is one of the best blues musicians I've encountered so far...
   Oh yes, what was the name of that movie star hip-shaking white boy who also tried to sing Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog"?

4 comments about Alphabet Blues.

1. Some reviewers have said Rod Piazza isn't original. This may be true to a certain degree; but there's much to be said for achieving excellence in a specific area. Rod continues to deliver fine vocals, outstanding timing and plain ol' good time blues. There isn't a loser on this disc; The Mighty Fliers mix it up between Rod's harp, the guitar and Honey's lively piano poundin'. I highly recommend this to all lovers of music!



2. This is some foot stompin', finger twitchin' killer blues. In my opinion this is for ANYONE who likes blues. The guy at the CD store said they're OK...he needs to get his head out of...Anyway, great keyboards, harp, vacals and guitar...and some very original songwriting too. I will buy all of their CD's. Buy it...you won't regret it.



3. This is the real thing, and "Hydramatic woman" is an undiscovered classic. Among the very best contemporary recordings I've heard: musically unimpeachable, clever, and acres of heart. Hear this!



4. I had the pleasure of hearing Rod Piazza and his fine group at Jazz Alley in Seattle and I've never heard a band that I wanted to get up and boogie to more than these guys ! If you get a chance to hear this band do it!This band is top notch!I recommend this cd and any all the other cd's by this fine group