No comments about T-Bones That Way.

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

3 comments about Stormy Monday.

1. Pretty good recording of live set in France. The cd is woefully short on information. Tracks are misnamed/mislabeled and no players are listed. The only information given is that it was recorded in 1968. It wasnt. I think it's from 1971, which will be born out if you listen to Paul Pena's (yes, that Paul Pena) guitar playing. In 1968 only Hendrix was playing like that. Very cool playing, though. The addition of violin is also very cool. Worth the price for the groove on "Late Blues" (sic). For fans only but definitely interesting.



2. I bought this CD Used in a CD sale outside a campus bookstore. I was surprised to hear the energy from this group, and the sound is pretty good for a live recording in 1968. The violin was interesting - I don't recall too many Blues Artists using one in their group.



3. Laserlight has done a good job cleaning up this set. The sound isn't perfect but still very good. The set is full of energy even though not the best version of Stormy Monday I've heard. Still, a chance to hear T-Bone live is well worth the money and I suggest this CD to anyone who is a fan!

1 comments about Rockin' with the Spoon.

1. Jimmy Witherspoon belts out the blues with his powerful voice. Great selection of tunes. I'm not an afficionado particularly, but this is a splendid collection recorded at Monterey in 1959. Features saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, as well as Woody Herman, Roy Eldridge, Ben Webster and Earl Hines.
   
   From the notes "Witherspoon is an Arkansas man, born in 1923, who first came to fame in Jay McShann's band in the 1940's. The R & B hits started impressively with a number one "Ain't Nobody's Business" in 1949, and continued for several fruitful years."

2 comments about Mojo Hand.

1. the other reviewer is correct in stating that this reissue is not the same as the original one, but it is a nice collection of early Lightnin Hopkins material, less folk-oriented, like his later stuff, and doesn't have any of his "steam-of-consciousness' songs, like "everybody's blues", for example.



2. I have this collection on LP. The track listing on Amazon does not correspond with the contents of my LP, which is titled "Mojo Hand" and manufactured by the Collectables record label. If the CD cover appeared on this page then I could review the product with more confidence. The LP cover is almost entirely red, with a big fist and forearm jutting from one corner into the center of the square. Anyway, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).

   "Mojo Hand" features very little improvisation and none of Lightnin's famous stream-of-consciousness material. The set sounds like a real attempt to score on "the market." It's sharp, professional and intense, very unlike Lightnin's later recordings for Prestige/Vanguard in the '60s, which are more folk-traditional in orientation and more haphazard musically. Here, the monaural production is excellent; vocals and guitar are both miked perfectly (there's slight distortion, which is for the better).

   My favorite track is the closer, "Santa," a fundamentally filthy Xmas song. The version of "Mojo Hand" which opens the LP is superior to others I've run across elsewhere. For all these reasons I would rank this album at 5 stars, but it's docked a star for economic reasons - the 9 tracks run 33 minutes, 8 seconds, less than half the length of most reissue CDs. Couldn't the Collectables company have found something else to fill the time?

1 comments about The Best of Lightnin' Hopkins.

1. This is the kind of blues that I can pick a guitar up and just play with it for hours. Early in the Morning Blues is a round robin of talented older blues artist. Some of these songs were the artists actually playing for themselves in the studio on acoustic instruments. In fact in one of the tracts Lightnin says "this is taped". An excellent piece of remastering for anyone what wants to hear the real side of polished electric blues.

No comments about Lightnin's Love.

2 comments about The Very Best of Lightnin' Hopkins.

1. I'm nearly happy with this album. Its major flaw, that I'm quite irritated about, is that the introduction to Big Car Blues cuts off before Hopkins has finished his story. It goes straight to the song, which is about Lightnin' trying to recover his stolen car, but the listener never gets to hear how it was stolen. This effectively butchers the story telling element of Hopkins' work.

   Other than that, it's a fine collection. But since it contains songs that are obvious choices for an anthology, I'd suggest getting another anthology with a more complete version of Black Car Blues




2. I'm nearly happy with this album. Its major flaw, that I'm quite irritated about, is that the introduction to Big Car Blues cuts off before Hopkins has finished his story. It goes straight to the song, which is about Lightnin' trying to recover his stolen car, but the listener never gets to hear how it was stolen. This effectively butchers the story telling element of Hopkins' work.

   Other than that, it's a fine collection. But since it contains songs that are obvious choices for an anthology, I'd suggest getting another anthology with a more complete version of Black Car Blues

2 comments about The Best Of Bobby Bland, B. B. King & Junior Parker.

1. Note: two songs (Wondering & Mother-In-Law)are credited to Junior Parker and Bobby Bland, leading one to believe that they are duets. Not so! They are performed by Parker, only. They originally appeared on an old LP, "Blues Consolidated", which was credited to Bland and Parker. But THAT was because side 1 of the LP was Bobby Bland tracks, and side 2 was Junior Parker tracks. Whoever complied this CD must have made the erroneous assumption that all the songs from that LP were duets involving BOTH artists. Also, "Let The Good Times Roll" is credited to Bland and BB King. Well, there is a live version of the song, with the two singers alternating on verses, which can be found on other CD's. The version, here, is live - but it sounds like BB King alone on this performance. Small points, though - it's still good Memphis-style blues from three of it's greatest practitioners.



2. I recently order this cd in july after listen to it, It made me feel like feel good in my opions it is the best this is what you call music in my days

1 comments about Hung Down Head.

1. Here's a great compilation of great blues from chess sessions from approx 1956 through the early 60's. Great guitar and classic chess blues sound. This features Lowell Fulson's classic guitar and some great classic blues. Get it.