1 comments about Genuine Houserockin' Music II.

1. VARIOUS
   Genuine Houserockin' Music II
   Alligator ALCD 102
   
   There are five Genuine Houserockin' samplers, and each is worth owning. This one, from 1987, lasts 67-minutes, and contains four additional tracks over its cassette edition. The 16 songs were originally released between 1980 and 1987. There are no previously un-released cuts. Only five of these treasured artists remain Alligator's current roster.
   
   With wicked finger pickin' and pluckin', Albert Collins lays down a signature tune that features a Texas shuffle. Big Twist's deep, assertive voice and the Mellow Fellows' dangerous horns create a soulful party. "I'd Rather Go Blind" is still regularly performed by Koko Taylor. On this absolutely brilliant version, her throaty vocals roar. Slide master, Lil' Ed, is better when experienced in concert. On "Pride and Joy", his antics get distorted. Little Charlie and The Nightcats have just released their ninth Alligator record. Their West Coast style blues feature Rick Estrin's classic harp and Charlie Baty's fat-toned guitar. Back in '87, being "T.V. Crazy" was their greatest concern. Witty lyrics that refer to shows such as: Love Boat and Dallas, give away the song's era. Prior to Mavis Staples, Johnny Winter was Alligator's greatest international superstar. He uses his slide guitar like an axe grinder on "Mojo Boogie". Lonnie Brooks combines many styles into his bayou music. His friendly, yet intimidating, vocals have a voodoo presence, while his guitar emits more passion than multiple rock guitarists combined. Thanks to Michael Coleman, "Part Time Love" is from the funkiest era of James Cotton's long-standing career. Long before Joss Stone butchered "The Chokin' Kind", two of America's roadhouse kingpins (Roy Buchanan and Delbert McClinton) created the definitive version. New Orleans piano master, Professor Longhair, creates a party out of personal disaster. "The Dream" is taking from Showdown. It was recently chosen, by GuitarOne Magazine, among the Top 200 greatest guitar recordings of all time. Lonnie Mack performs a soft rock ballad which is now a classic. However, the music's pace didn't have to be reduced in order to be meaningful and heartfelt. In fact, almost all the disc's songs possess these qualities which will move you as a listener. This is why this collection is so essential.
   
   As with the other Genuine Houserockin' Music collections, this CD is an advertisement for the label. The main goal is to get you hooked on them and their artists. Detailed liner notes contain biographies on all featured artists. The downside is there are no songwriter credits or studio musicians listed. You'll experience all types of blues on this vibrant sampler. Best of all, the music genuinely is the blues, or a very closely related cousin. How is a sampler CD worthy of a perfect score? The answer is simple, and it is based entirely on quality and value.
   
   --- Tim Holek

No comments about Hot Number.

2 comments about The Best of Bobby Bland.

1. The "Sepia Sinatra" delivers some gorgeous music. "Poverty" is a great song, as is "There Ain't Nothin' You Can Do," and Bland's singing matches. I'm a bargain shopper, and this is one's a bargain.



2. ...the legendary Bobby Blue Bland's classic cuts all on one great priced right CD. "I Pity the Fool", "Turn On Your Love Lite", "Don't Cry No More" and the definitive version of "Stormy Monday"...are you gonna luv this.

No comments about Black Snake Moan.

No comments about Mellow Fellow.

No comments about Stormy Monday.

2 comments about Wrap It Up.

1. I somewhat sheepishly admit that I skip over certain songs on this CD when they come up, because they just don't hold my interest, but others, including of course the two hit songs "Wrap It Up" and "Tuff Enuff," make up for a couple of misses.

   I've heard that the real forte' of the T-birds was their live performances, and I'm inclined to believe that, because I know of so many bands who absolutely brought down the house in person, but only rarely captured the same excitement in the recording studio.

   If you're a big fan, you might wanna check out Sam & Dave's original version of "Wrap It Up", and you'll see that the FT's borrowed quite a bit from them. Of course, if you're gonna borrow from somebody, Sam & Dave are a great choice for source material. But that's another review...




2. The Fabulous Thunderbirds are far from the blues band status of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, but nevertheless "Wrap it Up" is a pretty fair record, with a pop-blues sound that is rare to hear these days. Worth a look if you like old time rythem and blues.

5 comments about Dreamer.

1. It does not get any better than this, fantastc voice meets young Larry Carlton(!)on guitar. -Peter



2. Together with Little Milton this man has to have one of the most recognizable & imitated voices in music. Take note please because this c.d. is timeless. The songs will leave you breathless from the very first track which is "Ain't no love in the heart of the city"...a song later covered by Dave Coverdales rock band "Whitesnake" and also Walter "Wolfman" Washington. But just listen to this original version because NOBODY sings it like Bobby Blue Bland! Bobby Blands voice was MADE for this song. He smoothly sings about life and it's hardships, the ups & downs, and his lyrics apply to some stage in our lives. This album contains some fine guitar work from a young Larry Carlton.
   "24 Hour Blues" is the real deal as is the title track, "Dreamer". Smoky, growling and sensual.Pour yourself a drink, turn the lights down low, spin this disc and let Bobby tell you about life.



3. Another album of mine which is atypical of my collection in that it is vocal based, but one which is memorable. Bobby Bland smoothly delivers some smokey, husky sounds from 1974 which still measure up. Blues on the edge of soul.



4. This album is a gem.....classic R&B sung by the master himself, Mr. Bobby Blue Bland. Do not let the release date of 1974 scare you...there is absolutely no "disco" sound only pure "sung from the soul" R&B with a fantastic back-up band. Each cut is unique to itself so that it never gets boring; each song is a timeless classic of love lost or of being down and out. When you're feeling blue this is the album to turn to!



5. I bought this album as it featured constantly in critics fave lists over the years (especially remember reading about Dreamer in a Desert Island Collection by Australian music critic Stuart Coupe in an ex-girlfriend's magazine one lazy afternoon). Bobby sings like no-one else. He has this growl that at first seems out of place - it's so unexpected. But he puts such feeling into building up each tune - no song of his starts on high emotion - Bobby likes the slow burn, you dig? When I play his music for my friends they think it's someone having a laugh - sort of like comedian Lenny Henry doing his Theo T Wildebeast routine (especially going by the photos in the jacket too - they're in a classic pimp style). But to true lovers of soul you can tell that Mr Bland is the real thing. Defintitely worth a listen.

No comments about Cold Cold Feeling.

No comments about Spoon So Easy: The Chess Years.