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In Session Average Customer Review:  Audio CD (24 August, 1999) list price: $17.98 -- our price: $13.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Recorded for a television program of the same name back in 1983, In Session bills itself as the only known recording of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King, who was Vaughan's idol and mentor, playing together. That leads to some heavy expectations, which fortunately aren't disappointed, at least if you aren't expecting the customary over-the-top performances Vaughan was famous for. His playing here is much more laid-back and controlled, which is actually a recommendation--the stylistic similarities between teacher and student are that much more pronounced. The songs are mostly King concert staples, with the exception of "Pride and Joy"; highlights include the T-Bone Walker classic "Call It Stormy Monday" and one of King's own, "Overall Junction," which features some excellent guitar solo work. The snippets of recorded conversation between songs are interesting curiosities as well. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more Features Reviews (97)
Where just about anybody with an FM radio knows who Stevie Ray Vaughan is, casual listeners may not be as familiar with Albert King. Albert King was a frequent performer at Bill Graham's Fillmore auditorium back in the 60's, opening for rock acts like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. Albert King soon developed a large following among white rock fans, and was an early idol of the young Stevie Ray Vaughan. Albert King's most memorable records were cut on the Stax label, and his "Born Under a Bad Sign" became familiar to rock audiences after it was covered by the group Cream. Albert coaxed a unique, string bending sound out of his Flying V guitar; a sound that many artists have since tried to imitate. Hearing Stevie Ray and Albert playing together is a rare chance to hear a young artist and one of his idols share the stage. The musical chemistry between these two blues greats makes for joyous listening; each one seems to bring out the best in the other. The two really stretch out on the slow blues numbers "Stormy Monday" and "Blues at Sunrise", and show off some fiery licks on the up-tempo "Overall Junction." Stevie Ray takes over the vocals for a version of his own "Pride and Joy", and the two exchange solos between verses. When you listen closely to this album, you can hear just how awed Stevie was to be in the presence of his idol. This is especially apparent during the bits of dialogue between songs. At one point, Albert reminisces about a young "Little Stevie" timidly joining him onstage in Austin. Stevie laughs good-naturedly, like someone being teased by an older brother. The respect these two artists had for one another is undeniable. Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan may no longer be with us, but thankfully music like this helps us to keep their memory alive.
Respect! ... Read more Asin: B00000JTB2 |
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Riding with the King Average Customer Review:  Audio CD (13 June, 2000) list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review It sounds like the beginning of a story: "So, Slowhand and the King of the Blues were riding in a car ..." If this is a musical journey, it's the kind that rolls down long, empty stretches of country highway at 80 miles an hour, with the top down and the stereo blasting. Clapton and King may be more city than country, but this collection has the relaxed, laid-back feel that only comes from a pair of veterans doing what they do best. What they do here is cover 12 classic blues songs, many of them staples of King's repertoire, so the title of this album makes sense. Whether it's the rollicking rock & roll of the title track, or the acoustic shuffle of "Key to the Highway," or the sweet notes of "When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer," a real sense of pleasure comes through on this album, the kind of pleasure one gets from jamming late at night with a good friend. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more Reviews (325)
There is a lot of genuine blues here as well, however, and the eight-minute "Three O'Clock Blues" burns with long and (usually) excellent guitar solos from both men. Other highlights include a good rendition of Big Bill Broonzy's "Key To The Highway", a song which Clapton has recorded again and again for over 30 years, a nice, acoustic "Worried Life Blues", a seven-minute version of King's own "When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer", and the best song on the album, a delightfully swinging "Help The Poor", Charles Singleton's 60s classic. There are some clunkers here..."Marry You" and "I Wanna Be" are a couple of bland, repetitive dime-a-dozen rock songs, and the novelty-like "Days Of Old" isn't destined for classic-status either, but most of the album works really well, although a whole handful of weak songs are too many.
Texas blues great Jimmie Vaughan adds a few biting solos to "Help the Poor". The backing band is also very tight and some of the finest around...Andy F. Low (guitars, EC's sideman) Nathan East (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Joe Sample (piano) and Tim Carmon (B3 Organ. The overall feel of this is "good time" blues, bouncing rhythms and the two blues guitar masters having fun. It's not the heavy sound of EC's "From the Cradle", but more like BB's "Blues on the Bayou". A great cd that will no doubt win a Grammy and delight millions of blues fans (not to mention guitar players, like me). Super summer driving tunes like the title track or "Marry You" will have their melodies locked into you head for days.
Nevertheless, there are some outstanding blues on this album. The Big Bill Broonzy favourite, Key to the Highway, previously covered by both men, shows a rare acoustic treat on BB's behalf and seems to be a favourite with previous reviewers. The seven minute reworking on 3'o clock Blues is awesome as well; it features some great BB vocals and delicate guitar work by both men. My favourite track however is Days of Old. An up tempo Chicago blues, it shows a comfort between the two that perhaps is lacking on some of the slower tunes where Clapton flags. Low lights are Help the Poor (see BB's Live at the Regal for a better version) and I Wanna Be which doesn't really seem to fit in with the blues genre. Overall, had Clapton not been quite so in awe of his recording partner here a better effect would have been acheived (even his liner notes seem rather incoherent compared to B's.) Having said this, for an introduction to the blues and BB King for fans of Clapton's rock legacy, this album is a good place to start. It shows what the two legends love to do and despite weak moments it is genuine and proves that Pop Idol is not the be all and end all of 21st century music. ... Read more Asin: B00004THAY |
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Not the second coming, but a nice listen while it lasts
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Force of Nature Average Customer Review: Audio CD (15 November, 1993) list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Force of Nature is aptly titled; over three decades into her career, Koko Taylor is unstoppable. The Queen of Chicago Blues is in fine form on this 1993 release from Alligator, from her own "63 Year Old Mama," "Put the Pot On," and "Spellbound" to such blues classics as "Hound Dog," "Bad Case of Loving You," and "Born Under a Bad Sign" (featuring an appearance by Buddy Guy). "Mother Nature," with Carey Bell on harmonica, is a well-chosen opening track; Taylor's earth-shattering voice brings the roof down on your head and shakes you out of your shoes. Sit back and enjoy, but you'll soon find yourself up and dancing around the room. --Genevieve Williams ... Read more Reviews (5)
Asin: B000000A0J |
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King of the Blues Guitar Average Customer Review: Audio CD (18 August, 1989) list price: $9.98 -- our price: $9.98 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review These 17 tunes come from King's most fertile period, his 1966-68 tenure at Memphis's Stax Records. Stax chief Jim Stewart had been reluctant to sign blues artists because he felt straight blues wouldn't mesh with Stax's patented Memphis soul. Ironically, the fusion of King's sharp guitar wails with the dynamic rhythms of Booker T. & the MGs--the Stax house band--was what set King apart from other bluesmen. The unique blend produced classic after classic: Booker T. Jones' rolling piano propels "Laundromat Blues." Al Jackson's drum shuffle supports "Crosscut Saw." The driving horns of Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson, and Joe Arnold accent "Born Under a Bad Sign." King's ripe and mellow vocals are a perfect match for the soul-drenched music while his dramatic string bends leap out. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more Reviews (18)
King was without a doubt the most prolific Blues guitarist of his generation, and his sound spawned more imitators than even B.B. King. The remastered Rhino CD The Very Best of Albert King is the place to go to get the full effect of Albert's Blues power. His guitar doesn't stand out here near as much, but this is really a showcase for not only King's soulful string bending, but for the MGs' superior ensemble playing. It took the greatest Soul band in the world to be the most perfect band any Blues singer could ask for. Multi-instrumentalist Booker T. Jones will dazzle the listener with the most impressive technically and stylistically Blues piano work I've ever heard. And with King's producer and drummer Al Jackson, Jr. leading the way, these are some of the greatest records ever made - whatever the genre'.
The album is a great overview of King's early period with Stax. Actually, it is a double album- the seminal album "Born Under A Bad Sign", with additonal cuts. All bonus tracks are originally from that Stax classic album-the most influential Black Blues LP of the late sixties. The tunes include his classics such as "Laundromat Blues" Albert's first Stax release with his soulful double string bends, "Overall Junction" a mono instrumental masterpiece, that unlike Albert Collins or Freedie King tunes has no primary melody "or head". He offers "Born Under A Bad Sign" a tune he recorded in one take as an overdub to the MG's backing track, "I Love Lucy" is a great example of his talking blues abilities (he was one of the best) and the guitar is super raw with superb bends! "Cold Feet" a tune written with drummer Al Jackson, Jr (who also helped him on "Night Stomp" and produced his famous "Live Wire" set) it is a great talking blues with a catalogue of King licks-it was his second highest charting single. "You Sure Drive A Hard Bargain and You're Gonna Need Me" are later cuts that were added on the release of the original LP. "Bargain" was a cover a another R&B tune with a great Memphis Horns chart and "Need Me" is a self-penned Albert Classic that became the basis for Otis Rush's "Right Place, Wrong Time". "Crosscut Saw" is my personal favourite with "Personal Manager" second. Crosscut Saw was an old 1940s tune which was given a rumba beat and still was originally released even though the first tape had been damaged! "Manager" is a great showcase for KIng's soloing technique. It may even be too much for some people! "The Very Thought of You" and "I Almost Lost My Mind" are great examples of Albert's Big Band Blues roots and his great tenor vocal ability. Many people are thrown by these tunes as not being really blues, but they demonstrate the versatility of this genre. "The Hunter" is a famous tune that was never a hit for Albert, but was on his Bad Sign LP. Ike and Tina Tuner later recorded it with much success. "Oh Pretty, Woman" is a powerful tune that has been covered many times (Gary Moore, John Mayall) but was never actually a hit for Albert. It was wrtitten by WDIA's A.C. Williams and demonstrates the close link Stax had to Black radio play (Rufus Thomas was also a DJ there!). "As the Years Go Passing By" is one of Albert's best slow blues numbers. The best take of this tunes is to be found on the "Hard Bargain" CD released after his death and has many outtakes from this period! No one really knows who wrote the song or where it originally came from. Dedric Malone, another DJ is credited with penning it. Finally the thrilling instrumental, his first in stereo, "Funk-Shun" contains his famous stop break bending from his original tune "Won't Be Hanging 'Round" (Although this phrase is never actually sung in the tune, a charactersitic he must have learned when he played with Jimmy Reed!). It is great, but too short! This LP is a great overall introduction to the Albert King style of Blues. An essential part of any Blues collection! ... Read more Asin: B000002I7H |
$9.98 |
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Blues Summit Average Customer Review: Audio CD (22 June, 1993) list price: $13.98 -- our price: $13.98 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review This is B.B. King's most delightful recording of the '90s. He duets with other blues greats, including Koko Taylor ("Something You Got"), Buddy Guy ("I Pity the Fool"), Etta James ("There's Something on Your Mind"), Ruth Brown ("You're the Boss"), and his dear friend John Lee Hooker ("You Shook Me"). The peaks come in his guitar shootout with Texas Telecaster slinger Albert Collins on "Call It Stormy Monday" and his high-spirited run-in with Katie Webster, who steals their performance of "Since I Met You Baby" with her saucy asides. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more Reviews (18)
The stand out song for me is Call it Stormy Mondy with Albert Collins - a great version of this song! ... Read more Asin: B000002OMU |
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Damn Right, I've Got the Blues Average Customer Review: Audio CD (27 August, 1991) list price: $16.98 -- our price: $13.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review This guest-studded CD relaunched Buddy Guy's career and set him toward the pinnacle of contemporary blues. Despite turns from Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and others, it's Guy who burns brightest--and loudest. He delivers roaring, exuberant performances of classic R&B ("Mustang Sally"), old-time blues ("Black Night"), and house rockers ("Where Is the Next One Coming From"). Most poignant, though, is his seven-minute instrumental "Rememberin' Stevie," which not only rekindles the fiery spirit of his own youth, but pays sensitive tribute to his late friend and admirer Stevie Ray Vaughan. This is the blueprint for Guy's current performing style. --Ted Drozdowski ... Read more Reviews (31)
In interviews regarding Damn Right I've Got the Blues, Guy says that Silvertone allowed him to do on record what he had been longing to do for years. Damn Right nicely show cases Guy's skills and genius at the guitar. He does covers of songs by Willie Dixon, Eddie Boyd, Louis Jordan and John Hiatt, as well as a number of originals including the original. With help from Jeff Beck, Buddy sizzles on Mustang Sally. Black Night is done in the heartfelt and soulful manner that only Buddy can do. The instrumental Remembering Stevie is a wonderful tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan. This is a wonderful CD. It was done in a way that Buddy Guy had long wanted to do. Moreover it brings the blues to a greater audience and there is truly nothing wrong with that. If we are to keep the blues alive, we need CD's such as this. Go for it Buddy.
The track list spans classic electric blues, Memphis soul, and, well, John Hiatt. Guy's cover of Hiatt's "Where Is The Next One Coming From" is okay, but doesn't really add anything new to the song, and we don't need another version of "Early In The Morning", especially not this bland one. His expressive tenor voice suits the slow, tortured blues songs on this set very well, but Guy performs equally well on the powerful, swaggering title track and the mid-tempo "Too Broke To Spend The Night", two of his best self-penned songs for a long, long time. "Too Broke" in particular is strongly reminiscent of Guy's sizzling 60s recordings for Chess, and Buddy Guy's reading of Willie Dixon's "Let Me Love You Baby" is among the highlights as well. This is a really fine album, deservingly winning Guy an Emmy in 1991. The sometimes erratic veteran plays some tremendous electric guitar, and the self-penned material shows that Buddy Guy's muse is not spent after all. Asin: B0000004XH |
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Deuces Wild Average Customer Review: Audio CD (04 November, 1997) list price: $18.98 -- our price: $14.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review B.B. King, probably the most celebrated living blues player, has come a long way from Itta Bena, Mississippi, and this CD illustrates just how far. A series of guest shots by such artists as Van Morrison, Tracy Chapman, Eric Clapton, Mick Hucknall, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Joe Cocker, Marty Stuart, the Rolling Stones, and Willie Nelson, Deuces Wild is far removed from the blues King played in the '40s and '50s. It's more like psychodrama, especially in the case of the Cocker track, "Dangerous Mood." Nobody here, celebrity notwithstanding, is just going through the motions. The album's crass concept is redeemed by, among others, drummers Steve Jordan, Jim Keltner, and Charlie Watts. Although it's an overblown international project with no affinity for the meaning of the blues, the players and their love for the music triumph. --Stanley Booth ... Read more Reviews (27)
This cd would be a good introduction to the blues. We can see how many of these popular musicians have been influenced and moved by the blues.
With one or two exceptions, the entire album is great. Highly Recommended! ... Read more Asin: B000002P86 |
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Stevie Ray Vaughan - Greatest Hits Average Customer Review: Audio CD (31 October, 1995) list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Reviews (63)
PROS: CONS: OVERALL:
When it came to playing blues, through adversity as well,Stevie Ray Vaughan has achieved a level of immortality. If you call yourself a true blues/rock fan don't go without this CD in your collection. In fact if you're a true blues/rock fan you shouldn't be without SRV period, end of discussion. So I also reccomend for beginners The Real Deal; Greatest Hits 2, Texas Flood, and Blues at Sunrise. Experienced SRV fans should buy this anyway in order to complete their collection with the unreleased Taxman.
Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Greatest Hits" does the opposite. Now, the new "Greatest Hits 2" goes a very long way towards rectifying these problems, but this album by itself just doesn't do it. Sure, "Pride And Joy", "Texas Flood" and "Cold Shot" are here, but way too many great songs are not: "Ain't Gone 'N' Give Up On Love", "Scuttle Buttin'", "Love Struck Baby", "I'm Cryin'", "Dirty Pool" and "Willie The Wimp" to name but a few. If you are looking for a really good Stevie Ray Vaughan compilation, go for the double-disc "The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble". Asin: B000002AOU |
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The Complete Recordings Average Customer Review: Audio CD (20 August, 1990) list price: $24.98 -- our price: $20.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review This two-CD box contains all 41 recordings Johnson made, including 12 alternate takes, and each cut remains a classic. This set's release in 1990 caused quite a stir, selling more than 500,000 copies, and, on the basis of endorsements from Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, introduced a great number of rock fans to Delta blues. Amazingly, Johnson built his enormous legacy on the strength of just two recording sessions: the first session, in November of 1936, produced among others "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom," "Sweet Home Chicago," "Cross Road Blues," and "Walkin' Blues," making it perhaps the most influential single session in blues history.--Marc Greilsamer ... Read more Features Reviews (84)
Most people know Robert Johnson's story, so I'm not going to write it A G A I N, but I would just like to say to people who think Robert Johnson's music sucks because 'his singing is bad, he plays acoustic, he sings stupidities and the sound quality is awful' that they prove their lack of musical culture. Robert Johnson is without a doubt an icon in blues music, and music in general. He's - to me - the greatest musician ever (whatever the time period or the style). This Complete Recordings is definitely an item you should own, but we aware that the sound quality isn't as good as modern CDs (that box set was issued in 1990, and the tracks come from 78's of the 30's), but the music inside is extremelly powerful. Also be aware that this box set, who's said to contain each Robert Johnson's takes, actually doesn't contain 'Traveling Riverside Blues (take 2), which does appear on a more recent compilation called 'I'm A Steady Rollin' Man' (who also has the 41 other tracks available here). But that's a very small complaint, since they haden't yet realized - back in 1990 - that the second take of that song was on the 1961 LP : King Of The Delta Blues Singers. However, this item is great and is one you should have in your collection. Whatever the kind of music you listen to, you will find yourself in admiration before the legacy a certain Robert Johnson left more than sixty-five years ago...
I would like to point out that the reviewer calling himself Tony Thomas is RACIST. I have read several of his reviews and he uses the term "bleus lovers" derisively put into quotes to refer to whites. When he says real blues people he obviously is talking about blacks. These slightly hidden racist slurs and his general tone is elitist and offensive. I would have thought that amazon would be ethical enough not to post this sort of RACIST PROPAGANDA! ... Read more Asin: B000002757 |
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Ice Pickin' Average Customer Review: Audio CD (25 October, 1990) list price: $16.98 -- our price: $13.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Until this album was released in 1978, Albert Collins hadbeen a journeymanTexas bluesman, little known and unrecorded for six years. Hisguitar playinghere won him a new generation of fans, and set the stage for thepopularity heenjoyed until his death. His clustered, sustained, choked, andbent notes,played with his thumb and fingers, set a generation of pickersagog. The tonewas piercing; the timing impeccable. Collins' vocals were neverquite asstrong, but it scarcely mattered as he was the man for whom theelectricguitar might have been invented. The eight songs on this setinclude "When theWelfare Turns Its Back on You," and several jaw-droppinginstrumentals.--Colin Escott ... Read more Reviews (13)
Although "Ice Pickin'" is a short album, it is jammed with the blues over eight tracks. In such a short amount of time, Collins covers a lot of ground. From his upbeat "Honey, Hush!" to making his guitar talk the argument between him and his wife on "Conversation with Collins" it is nothing but enjoyable. He shines with instrumentals like "Ice Pick" and "Avalanche". His phrasing is like talking. Never to many words, and he can get his point across with hardly any effort. Humor shows through in "Too Tired", where he's too tired to stand after sitting on a pin, and "Master Charge". He also gets heavy on "When the Welfare Turns Its Back On You" and "Cold, Cold Feeling". A definite master of the guitar, and the blues. He has entertained many a people over his life. As he said in the movie "Adventures In Babysitting" - No one leaves until they sing the blues. He sure did.
One thing that often doesn't get discussed in these reviews is what setting the music is good for. After all, unless we are professional critics, we don't often have time to just sit down and listen to a CD. This one is good for doing housework, driving to work, late night listening, eating breakfast to, working in the yard, just about anything. If you like blues, you can't go wrong with it. ... Read more Asin: B0000009XI |
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Nothing But the Blues : The Music and the Musicians by Average Customer Review: Paperback (01 September, 1999) list price: $39.95 -- our price: $26.37 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Reviews (3)
A great book for the blues fan, but readable enough for a newcomer to the genre. A must buy at an not unreasonable price, considering some slighter, less well researched and informative volumes.
Isbn: 0789206072 |
$26.37 |
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Portrait of the Blues: America's Blues Musicians in Their Own Words by Average Customer Review: Paperback (01 September, 1997) list price: $25.00 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Reviews (1)
Isbn: 0306807793 |
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Hellhounds on My Trail - The Afterlife of Robert Johnson Director: Robert Mugge Average Customer Review:  DVD (09 September, 2003) list price: $14.99 -- our price: $13.49 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Features Reviews (9)
Asin: 1572526653 |
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B.B. King: Blues Summit Concert Average Customer Review:  DVD (05 December, 2000) list price: $19.98 -- our price: $17.98 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Features Reviews (3)
Where is the concert? Although the DVD gives you the option of "playing just the music" , you just don't get much. The producers should have just recorded the show in its entirety and the DVD would have been close to a masterpiece! Instead, they make it a documentary instead of a concert. I was very disappointed!
It is full frame, mastering is decent, some bleeding and fuzziness - no big deal unless you have some monster 61" screen. What annoyed me the most is that the master is sped up by about 7-8% Ugghh! and the DVD is short to boot. I wind up playing the JAZZ DVD over this one. But, this has it's moments (except for the songs are way too short, and the sped up master doesn't help). Recommend for fans of BB! I am a huge fan of BB and still must give this a 3. ... Read more Asin: B000056B0F |
$17.98 |
A great idea botched!| 1-14 of 14 1 |
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