Features

• Live

Reviews (9)

Blues For The Lost Days
Well, I've heard the music, watched the DVD, and read the reviews and after doing so am slightly amused by the somewhat overwrought enthusiasm for Buried Alive In The Blues. Sure, I like the music and enjoy the commentary, but this CD is more nostalgia and an affirmation of a musical style than a bold statement.
back to the sixties
The music on the cd is great, but the real value lies in the dvd, which takes you back to the development of the 60's "white" chicago blues scene with actual footage of icons like Muddy Waters and Mike Bloomfield (with The Electric Flag). All the musicians are interviewed at length, and there are great comments from B.B.King and Buddy Guy. The dvd is actually good enough to be shown as a documentary on public television, and it also includes "concert" footage of about half the songs featured on the cd.
Father, Sons and one Heck of a Daughter
The folks at Amazon always discourage referencing previous reviews for various reasons--but big one certainly is that those other reviews sometimes seem to just disappear.And then you've got egg on your face.Why does this happen? Usually, I understand, it's because the author of same has opted to delete his or her critique (maybe there was a change of heart or maybe just too much hate mail).Sometimes an irrelevant or morally reprehensible tract in the guise of a review might be successfully challenged by another customer, but I suspect that's rarer.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Chicago Blues    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Electric Blues    5. Electric Chicago Blues    6. Modern Electric Blues    7. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    8. Pop   

Editorial Review

The velvety voiced Mo' shifts away from his usual matters of the heart to matters of the world on this disc of predominantly covers. He has also abandoned his bluesier roots in favor of a slicker, jazz-based pop. The result is a protest album for the double-latte crowd, most of whom can hum along to chestnuts from the Rascals ("People Got to be Free"), John Lennon ("Imagine"), and Bob Dylan ("The Times They Are A-Changin'"). While a jaunty banjo- and fiddle-flecked version of the Nick Lowe-penned "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" (popularized by Elvis Costello) uses a questionable rearrangement to convey the song's message, Mo' really connects when he raids the soul vaults for tunes by Marvin Gaye, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, and Donny Hathaway. It's a pleasant, subtle, and always professionally performed detour that's as comfy as a warm cup of hot chocolate on a chilly day. Read more

Reviews (12)

A Blues Man with a Conscience
I have owned this CD for a while and I keep coming back to play it for comfort.I love his blues style and interpretation of old Vietnam war classics.The timeing and message is clear, but the songs are beautiful.He can do it all!What a musician!

Different - and an impressive effort
Having been a fan for years - and seen Keb play live - this is a different bag from the blues-inspired material that put him on the map. Some have knocked this CD as it ain't blues; don't much matter to me - the guy is still a great musician. Nice arrangements of some oldies played with a lot of heart.

As meaningful, uplifting, and enjoyable as ever!
I have loved Keb' Mo for about 10 years. I knew that there were mixed reviews for this CD, but I still put it on my Christmas wish list and I'm glad I did. He makes the covers his own. I don't hear the original artists, but the message of the songs which seems to be his intent. I love how he applies his style especially to the Bob Dylan song which I understand more now than before! With every song I thought, "Okay, this is my favorite." Now it's impossible to decide. Some of the songs made me want to dance and think at the same time!
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Subjects:  1. Adult Contemporary    2. Blues    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Folk-Jazz    5. Jazz-Pop    6. Modern Acoustic Blues    7. Political Folk    8. Pop    9. Pop-Soul    10. Pop/Rock    11. Soul-Jazz   

Editorial Review

Louisiana bluesman Chris Thomas King's brilliant and beautiful Read more

Reviews (4)

Moving Post Katrina Blues and More
Chris Thomas King, the Baton Rouge born son of Tabby Thomas, has issued a most impressive recording reflecting on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, "Rise" (21st Century Blues). From the opening "What Would Jesus Do?" to the closing "What a Wonderful World," Thomas interprets classic songs associated with New Orleans and gives us originals covering a wide range of musical styles, although not the incorporation of hip hop that King has utilized on other recent recordings. He is on an almost traditionalist mode here. The CD's tracks include several where Thomas plays all the instruments along with several musicians assisting Thomas. These include Mike Finnigan and Tony Braunagel of the Phantom Blues Band, and drummer Jason Marsalis.
A shot in the foot
Chris Thomas King has been making riveting, moving, pleasing, melodic, deep and soulful albums for some time."Rise" focuses on the sorrow and stress of a post-Katrina South.The album is, and should be, another great addition to his output.
A Powerful Album
Rise has got to be one of the most powerfully moving works of music I've heard in a very long time.I can't imagine a more appropriate medium than gospel and the blues to capture what happened in New Orleans and King's expression of the wrenching sense of loss and abandonment in those musical forms is stunningly apropos.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Modern Electric Blues    3. Pop   

Editorial Review

Many believe this 1967 landmark, Sam Maghett's first full-length studio recording, is the greatest blues album ever made. While that assertion is awfully difficult to substantiate, these 11 gems (plus one alternate) certainly deserve hyperbolic praise. These cuts have a dramatically direct emotional appeal, a blunt, unfiltered artlessness that's rarely been achieved in an electric setting. Sam's spirited vocals come from his heart and his belly, not his brain. His guitar work is smoothly melodic, à la B. B. King with a bit more bite, frenetic and energetic like Buddy Guy, but with more taste. Since this Mississippi native died at age 32, this album sits in a mystical place in blues history: In many ways, it is to Chicago blues what Robert Johnson's meager output is to Delta blues. Read more

Reviews (23)

They don't get much better than this........
In the history of the blues, there are many great names whose lives were cut far too short (Robert Johnson dying from strychnine comes to mind), and Magic Sam is another great bluesman whose life ended far too soon, dying at the age of 32 from a heart attack.But simply because they lived a short time on this earth in no way means their music will fall by the wayside; if anything, they are legendary in part because of this.
All of Magic Sam's Magic on Display
On West Side Soul, Magic Sam, who died tragically in 1967 at the age of 32, teases and perplexes us with what was and what could have been.
Magic Indeed
There are only two ways that someone could not like this album: 1. he/she lacks the capacity to feel emotion ie has no soul.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Chicago Blues    4. Electric Blues    5. Electric Chicago Blues    6. Modern Electric Blues    7. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    8. Pop   

Features

• Live

Reviews (3)

A very strong performance!
Finally after a long waiting the first live album of Joe Kubek and Bnois King. Having been their fan for long time I never had the chance to see them playing live as I live in Europe. If their gigs are all like this I must have missed out a lot! What a fantastic performance! Recorded at Ft. Worth, Texas on December the 31st 2005, this is a marvellous CD. Full of energy from start to finish, this live act of powerful Texas style blues shows once again how well the two different styles of Joe and Bnois blend together. I would like to say that from my point of view they are one of the few bands out there with a very personal sound, a sound that makes them immediately recognisable. Their interpretation of Texas blues is very original and very personal too. Joe's guitar playing is surely very close to the giants of the past such as Freddie King, Bnois's sound is very much jazz infected. In a set packed wall to wall with excellence, I particularly like the fantastic version of "Where I want to be" a nine minutes plus burning slow blues in which both of them have the chance to display their qualities as guitar players. If you like Texas Blues I believe you shouldn't miss this one. Very highly recommended.

OUTSTANDINGMUSIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS CD IS OUTSTANDING. GREAT BLUES, ROCK, JAZZ ALL BLENDED TOGETHER INTO ONE BIG GUMBO POT. THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN THIS IS THE DVD. I SAW THE DVD FIRST AND THEN BOUGHT THE CD. I LIKE THE DVD BETTER BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE INTERACTION THAT RUNS THROUGH THE WHOLE SHOW.BUY THEM BOTH. THE SET LISTS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT BUT WHO CARES WHEN THE MUSIC IS THIS GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!

True Rock Jazz Jam
As a fan of mountain folk music, blues is ususally not my first choice.It's often too predictable because so many aging musicians have played this genre ragged.Having said that, this album was impressive.Fans of this genre will love the dynamic guitar of English cap-wearing Smokin' Joe Kubek and black-leathered Bnois King, reinforced by background percussion from their bespectacled drummer.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Electric Texas Blues    3. Modern Electric Blues    4. Modern Electric Texas Blues    5. Pop    6. United States of America   

Editorial Review

With an unmistakable falsetto delivery, Skip James created some ofhistory's eeriest blues records. His blues sounds dark and mysterious, using odd tunings, structures, and rhythms, and exploring gloomy lyrical themes. Unlike other bluesmen of the day, James's music was personal and bleak, played for his own emotional release and not for purposes of entertainment."Devil Got My Woman," "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues," "Hard Luck Child," and "Special Rider Blues" convey sorrow and misery like few others can. Uptempo numbers such as the classic "I'm So Glad" and "Drunken Spree," which resembles the hillbilly traditional "Late Last Night," showcase his forceful guitar picking while rags "Little Cow and Calf" and the jumpy "How Long 'Buck'" feature his unique piano work.Read more

Reviews (28)

awesome!
skip james is one of those true masters. there is so much to say about him, the way he sang, his funny tunings, the lyrics he wrote. he was an absolute genius. stay away from early recordings if you have a problem with lo-fi sound, but if you do you're cheating yourself. Amazing!!!

"I'd rather be dead and six feet in the ground..."
Wow!!!This is history on CD!! One of the darkest, eeriest , blues recordings I've ever heard.Pop this in the player and you feel like you're out in a lonely bayou in the dead of night."Devil Got My Woman Blues", "Cypress Grove Blues" are probably my favs on here.And while it is a shame that the sound quality of the recordings are subpar, after a few listens you don't even seem to notice.It gives it an earthy quality that if absence could probably take away the powerfullness of the songs.

leaves you wanting more....
Skip James is wonderfully quirky in his interpretation of delta blues.These recordings comprise his entire output before the delta blues revivial in the early 60's, and as such, are priceless as a musical document.Too bad that the recording they obtained have deteriorated so badly.I have heard better versions on other collections.The piano work was cool, though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Country Blues    5. Delta Blues    6. Piano Blues    7. Pop    8. Prewar Country Blues   

Reviews (2)

A southern man full of soul sings to his wife.....
Simply put, this album is great! Dave Barnes is a talented singer/songwriter and this time out he writes of his recently wed wife and their relationship (except for the break up song). Dave sounds very comfortably as he moves through these songs. His sound this time is less based around his acoustic guitar (although it is there) but more the musicians that play with him. Chasing Mississippi comes away with more of this funky blues rock feel to it; however, it still feels like Dave Barnes. This album feels more like a next step him I think. The quality of the production itself is very good. It doesn't feel like an independent record at all. Ed Cash did a good job producing this one for Dave. If you like singer/songwriters, soulful singers, or just good music then check this album out. Then after that check out his other album.

Great cruisin' CD
This CD would be right at home with late 70's-early 80's pop/rock (Kenny Loggins, Eagles)...very well-crafted with excellent musicianship...my favorite tunes are "Everybody Knows But You", "Jackson" (with harmony vocals from Vince Gill), "Sounds Like Me". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Americana    4. Contemporary Blues    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Few blues artists have achieved as much crossover success as Robert Cray. Though it's not infrequent for blues purists to proclaim a dislike for his work, his skillful blend of blues, R&B, and soul has undeniable appeal. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (13)

Deep Pockets
Heavy Picks is a 14-track retrospective that spans Robert Cray's brilliant recording career.Early independent label cuts like Phone Booth, Too Many Cooks, Bad Influence, and Playin' in the Dirt provide wonderful insight into the amazing song writing potential of "Young Bob" and demonstrate why the Robert Cray band was a college radio favorite.The 1986 release of Strong Persuader on the Mercury label marked an important milestone in Robert's recording career; more importantly, it helped spark a major blues revival.Cray's blend of blues and Memphis soul, combined with the Fabulous Thunderbirds straight ahead, Gulf Coast style and Stevie Ray Vaughan's merciless intensity, brought blues to the MTV generation.While hair bands like Quiet Riot, Motley Crüe, and Poison were prancing around stage in women's clothing, singing about the clichés of adolescence, Robert Cray released overtly adult themed songs like Smoking Gun, Strong Persuader, and I Guess I Showed Her.With the Grammy Award winning Strong Persuader, Robert's ability as a guitarist became the talk of every guitar-geek magazine on the newsstand - and rightly so.His percussive attack, amazing timing, and hip phrasing landed him a deal with Fender guitars that resulted in the production of the "Robert Cray" model Stratocaster.With both critical and commercial success under his belt, Cray was free to developed as an artist.With each recording subsequent to Strong Persuader, Robert has made the story the most important aspect of the song; consequently, the guitar has often been cast in a supporting role.Robert Cray is brilliant as a songwriter and often genius as an instrumentalist but what makes him special is his ability to deliver lyrics.Tracks like I Shiver, the Dream and Forecast (Calls for Pain) are testaments to Cray�s awe-inspiring talent as a vocalist.Robert�s dynamic voice effortlessly produces the hollers, moans, and melismatic leaps characteristic of the great gospel singers in the Southern tradition.As a result, Cray is able to confidently approach songs like the Otis Redding classic, Trick or Treat and deliver it with an earnest authority.I was Warned, the final track of the album, is perhaps the best, most defining tune on Heavy Picks.This dark and brooding minor rumba is Robert Cray at his very best.Layers of guitars frame the poignant melody as Cray recalls the warnings of his friends regarding the love of his life.In a classic moment of irony, Cray sings, �whether they�re right or wrong, at least the mystery is gone.�Throughout his career, Cray has suffered from categorization.His music is found under the category of blues in most record stores but purists more often than not scoff at this classification.They insist that his music is not the blues in a traditional sense but, while they may have a point, it is a shame to overlook the casual brilliance of Robert Cray as a singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.Cray may not be the torchbearer of the blues as many had hoped following his work with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland on the Alligator release, Showdown, but he certainly represents a continuation of the legacy created by soul singers like O.V. Wright, Ottis Redding, and Marvin Gaye.Heavy Picks is not the shining jewel of the Robert Cray collection but it does provide listeners with a nicely packaged summation of the man�s career.

A CONVERT'S review: The soul, the blues and the passion...
To me, 'Heavy Picks' is something very, very special: it's the best blues album in my quite extensive collection, both on vinyl and on CD.Robert has selected these outstanding tracks from a wealth of material to choose from. It contains the best of his songs - among them the superb 'I shiver' and 'I was warned'. The sound quality -the tracks have been remixed- and the overall production are excellent. One example: the drum sounds are perfect on all selections. Through the years, Robert has transformed the classical structures of the blues into something very much his own: an inimitablemixture of blues and soul. Can you name to me a better blues singer than Robert Cray? I love the -very 'un-Claptonesque'- punchiness of his guitar playing, too. To me, buying 'Heavy Picks' was coming back to Robert Cray after quite a long time. When I listened to his very first album quite a few years ago I was disappointed because I listened from a purist's point of view - I wanted blues, blues and nothing else. Robert didn't seem a faithful enough scholar of the blues. Of course, I was wrong - if you want the essence, the passion and the soul of the blues - go for Robert Cray! This compilation is an excellent introduction to Robert Cray's music, and a disc to cherish for anyone who loves good blues and soul music. I made an interesting discovery: this is a record that also sounds excellent if you play it at a very low volume, as background music, because the rhythmic patterns keep shifting and the punchy guitar solos come like flashes of lighting.

I can't believe it's missing . . .
Any Robert Cray "best of" compilation is NOT complete without the fabulous tunes "On The Road Down" and "He Don't Live Here Anymore."Thus, the 4-star review.I was deeply disappointed that those 2 great songs were not included, but I'll live. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Modern Electric Blues    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Soul-Blues   

Reviews (7)

Amazing soul CD by a largely unknown soul star
I guess that if I had to style myself a soul connoisseur I would have to say that I'm a lateral connoisseur, rather than a deep one.I know a lot of music by a lot of different artists, but I don't know most artists' rare songs, nor do I carry along a lot of information about the artists.I simply enjoy the music and I'm always on the lookout to expand my soul library.
Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans - Irma Thomas
Some nice songs, but the quality of the recordings leaves much to be desired.Scratchy sound - Doesn't seem to be digitally remastered.

Movie with "Ruler of My Heart"
The movie you're referring to with the song "Ruler of My Heart" is probably "That Night" with Juliette Lewis, C. Thomas Howell, and a very young Eliza Dushku as the girl who tells the story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. New Orleans R&B    2. Pop    3. R&B    4. Soul    5. Soul/R & B    6. Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues    7. United States of America   

Features

• Live

Reviews (21)

more raw than his studio work
Like many live albums this takes away the studio gloss and we hear jb tear things up.In this case this is a good thing.I love all his work, but this really captures the energy jb can whip up.I do love the blues and joe can rock with the best also.It is hard for me to pick a favorite jb cd this may be the one.

The show is 6 stars; the disc production is 1 star
Joe Bonamassa is truly a gifted individual.This live recording from early in his solo career (2001) is absolutely wonderful!The man (and his band) can flat out wail.It's just incredibly dissapointing that the disc production was so gawd-awful.I've purchased (and then returned) this disc 5 times.I've never been able to get a clean version.The disc usually plays fine until "The Colour and the Shape" or "Trouble Waiting".After that, it skips, scratches, pops, and sometimes just stops because of the errors.
GREAT MUSIC! TERRIBLE PRESSING!
My second Bonamassa CD...really liked the music. Takes me back to my Jeff Beck days! Unfortunately, last cut, which is killer by the way, is unlistenable due to lousy quality pressing. Keeps cutting out,jumping and actually skipping like an old fashioned LP. Tried on three different CD players...same symptoms on different places of the track. Even returned CD to Amazon but problem persisted! (GREAT RETURN SERVICE, GUYS!)Settled for refund. Oh well maybe some new day yesterday I'll reorder and hope for a new pressing! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Electric Blues    4. Modern Electric Blues    5. Pop    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (11)

REAL blues and REAL good
I just listened to some audio clips of an inept but very popular young guitarist (if we can call him that)who was trying (poorly) to play the blues.Then I pulled out this excellent CD, stuck it in my computer and cleansed my ears of noise pollution.
I'LL PLAY THE BLUES FOR YOU !
This is the best compilation to pay tribute to the late, great blues legendAlbert King ! There should also be tributes to : Charles Brown, Freddie King, Amos Milburn, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Little Milton, Little Willie John, Little Johnny Taylor, Z.Z.Hill, Johnny "Guitar" Watson.Rest In Blues Heaven !!

Highly Recommend!!!!
Over the years their have been countless compilations of albert king's Stax recordings. But this Rhino's very best of Albert King serves justice to the legendary guitarist most greatest hits including Born Under A Bad Sign, Crosscut Saw, Let's Have A Natural Ball, Blues Power, and many more. Albert King was Stevie Ray Vaughan's biggest influence and he has soon became mine after listening to this incrediable album. You will learn to appreciate a long but forgotten guitar hero Albert King. Enjoy~ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Modern Electric Blues    4. Pop    5. Soul-Blues    6. Urban Blues   

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (7)

Poor Blues Collection
As a long time Blues player, I was very disappointed with this set from two perspectives:poor quality recordings on the CD itself (I expected a better digitally mastered sound, and the imprinted sound volume was sorta lower than normal) and the actual collection of selected songs (not overly representative of the best Blues by these artists or Blues in general).I had seen part of it on PBS TV and bought the collection w/o first listening to it.So after spending the big bucks for it, I was sorely disappointed and do NOT recommend it for anyone serious about the Blues.It's just an okay set.There are many other higher quality collections online. Check them out first.

Excellent Blues Compilation!
This is a seriously excellent sampler of blues.It gives a great introduction to the genre for those that are either new to the blues or are interested to expand their knowledge of the classics.Of course, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix make their way onto this CD.BB King and John Lee Hooker are on it, as they should be.I was disappointed not to find a single song by Albert King - I think he made a serious contribution to the blues.Otherwise, it's an interesting and mostly quite a worthy selection.

Blues Rocks!
This album is a wonderful compilation of different artists singin' the blues.From John Lee Hooker to Etta James to Susan Tedeschi to Stevie Ray Vaughan, many different types of blues are included.How can you go wrong with this?I wanted to start a blues collection, and I'm so glad that I bought this one.Everyone should get this for a rounded collection of blues!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues-Rock    4. Chicago Blues    5. Modern Acoustic Blues    6. Pop    7. Soul-Blues    8. Soundtrack    9. Soundtracks & Film Scores    10. Television Soundtrack   

Reviews (5)

Still Crankin'
John Mayall has issued yet another new album? It amazes me that he has so much music in him that he continues to put out one quality album after another. Out of all he's done, there are very few Mayall albums I consider unworthy of his talent.
Best Mayall in Years
This is the best that I've heard "The Father of British Bues" sound in years. It seems that he is at his best when he has something to say, and say it he does. I've been a Mayall fan since 1967 so we mustn't forget that he was part of the social protests of that era. The Bluesbreakers are fabulous as always and fill out the tunes quite nicely. I had a chance to attend a club show just prior to the release of the CD. The show was fantastic! Afterwards I was fortunate to chat with John. Filled withvim, vigor and vip, Mayall's energy seemed endless. It's this energy on "Road Dogs" that makes it a must for the Mayall fan.

Good stuff
There are several very nice tunes on Road Dogs- 40 Days, Kona Village and You'll Survive among them. The instrumental Brumwell's Beat is as good as anything the Bluesbreakers have ever done. The CD may be a little message heavy at the expense of allowing the band to jam a little more. Make your own decision. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Revival    3. Blues-Rock    4. British Blues    5. Electric Harmonica Blues    6. England    7. Pop    8. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Where so many duet projects seem like shotgun marriages, this one sounds like a labor of love, celebrating Southern music as a common denominator that transcends racial and categorical divides. Among the highlights, the pairing of Lyle Lovett and Al Green finds revelation within the funky groove of "Funny How Time Slips Away," while the album-closing "Patches"--with George Jones playing father to B.B. King's son--achieves a spine-tingling majesty. Though Natalie Cole and Reba McEntire misconnect on "Since I Fell for You," Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) and the late Conway Twitty are at their soulful best on "Rainy Night in Georgia." Read more

Reviews (29)

Wonderful!
A friend loaned me a copy of this CD last week and I've been frantically searching for the name of it ever since so that I could buy my own copy and one for my folks.I'm glad I finally located it.
Natural High for "Cover" Junkies
I recently rediscovered this musical gem (on CD), and now I know why I wore out two cassette versions in the 1990s. As someone who doesn't often listen to songs recorded after 1979, I've become addicted to new twists on old favorites. When these voices combine, the angels weep. RCB is among my top five faves of all time!

Rhythm and Blues were hot
When "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" is for Gladys Knight, formerly the Pips and Vince Gill recorded. When Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell had a song. Al Green and Lyle Lovett recorded Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away." Aaron Neville and Trisha Yearwood recorded Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces." Little Richard and Tanya Tucker recorded Eddie Cochran's "Somethin' Else." Patti LaBelle and Travis Tritt recorded Sam Moore and Dave Prater's "When Something is Wrong with My Baby." Moore and Conway Twitty recorded Tony Joe White or Brook Benton's "Rainy Night in Georgia." Clint Black and the Pointer Sisters recorded Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." Natalie Cole and Reba McEntire recorded Lenny Welch's "Since I Fell for You." Allan Toussaint and Chet Atkins recorded Toussaint's song "Southern Nights." Marty Stuart and the Staple Singers recorded the Band's "the Weight" and the Staples also performed at their movie "The Last Waltz." George Jones and B.B. King recorded their old song "Patches," about a dying father told his son to depend on. Did we forget it on the special edition 12 years ago? No, Melissa Danko and Wilson Pickett recorded with their version "634-5789." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 90's    2. Adult Contemporary    3. Black Gospel    4. Bluegrass    5. Contemporary Country    6. Country    7. Country & Western    8. Country-Pop    9. Country-Rock    10. Country-Soul    11. Memphis Soul    12. Nashville Sound/Countrypolitan    13. New Orleans R&B    14. New Traditionalist    15. Pop    16. Pop-Soul    17. Quiet Storm    18. R&B    19. Smooth Soul    20. Soul   

Editorial Review

This package combines blues giant Howlin' Wolf's first two albums, themselves compilations of his singles released between 1951 and 1962. Apart from two tracks cut in Memphis with Ike Turner, these Chess Studios recordings are landmarks in the development of electric Chicago blues. The Mississippi Delta native's gruff persona towers over "Smokestack Lightnin'," "Red Rooster," "Spoonful," "Evil," "Wang Dang Doodle," "Back Door Man," and others that have become standards since being "discovered" by the Rolling Stones, Clapton, The Doors, et al. Almost as influential as Wolf's bottomless growl are the guitar playing of Hubert Sumlin and the writing and direction of Willie Dixon. An exceptional twofer value for such a weighty slice of American musical history. Read more

Reviews (23)

Doesn't Get Any Better
My friends, this is the real deal, it just doesn't get any better than this. This is Howlin' Wolf at his gritty, slashin', terrifyin' best, and just about nothing matches the greatness and intensity of the Wolf at his best. Nearly every track is a classic and all of them are superb. "Red Rooster" "Wang Dang Doodle" "Spoonful" "Back Door Man" "Evil" "I Asked For Water..." are among the most well known clasics in the entire genre, but every track is top notch. His voice was truly original (even tho Capt. Beefheart managed to imitate it uncannily well) and likely shocked the pants off the first to hear him. This is such down and dirty, greasy, slicin' blues that it's impossible to think of it as being as "old" as it is. The Wolf was so far ahead of his time that time still hasn't caught up. Though he's had many admirers among rock stars, such as the Stones, he's really never quite received the fame and recognition that he deserves for having been such a genius. THe musicians are wonderful, Hubert Sumlin may be the nastiest blues guitarist ever to grace a track, but it is the monumental, legendary, godlike Wolf who stands out the most.

Amazing music, terrible packaging.
Let's get my only gripes out of the way now--a drunk monkey could've come up with better packaging than what comes with this 2-albums-in-one set. The cover art is sloppily integrated and cheap, the albums are oddly in reverse chronological order (the self-titled album was released in 1962, Moanin' In The Moonlight in 1959), the liner notes are minimal given Chester Burnett A.K.A. Howlin' Wolf's importance to modern blues and the sound quality is so-so (Chess offers a remastered single disc titled His Best, if this bothers you). They even left off a track due to what they claim is CD length limitations, which is B.S. since the whole thing is under 70 minutes and most of the existing tracks are under three. Who are they trying to kid?
Essential Wolf
This is the most essential single Howlin' Wolf CD there could possibly be and would make an excellent first purchase for a Howlin' Wolf novice. It comprises The Wolf's first two long-player releases, both what we would now regard as compilations, and was put out by Chess/MCA in 1986.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Chicago Blues    5. Electric Blues    6. Electric Chicago Blues    7. Pop   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (20)

Great Album, but the live cuts really shine
Fathers and Sons was a concept album from Chess that paired blues masters like Muddy Waters and Otis Spann with young guns like Mike Bloomfield and Pual Butterfield.Following the success of this album, Chess sent Muddy and Howlin' Wolf to London to record with the best of the British rockers. This is by far the best of the series and the best of this album lies in the live cuts. The studio cuts are very good, but sound a little generic compared to the outstanding live music. The all star band rips up songs like 'Long Distance Telephone Call'and 'Got my Mojo Working' and really slows it down for 'That Same Thing', which may be the finest live blues song ever recorded.This is a great blues CD.You will not be disappointed.

A classic recording,stands the test of time
Every once in a while an artist puts out a recording that transcends it's genre. This is one of those. If you have to own one blues album this is it. When people say I don't get jazz I turn them on to Kind Of Blue by Miles, Somethin' Else by Cannonball Adderley or Take Five by Dave Brubeck because these albums transcend theirmusical catagory and enlighten people.
The bonus tracks are worth it alone
I like Mike Bloomfield quite a lot as I like Butterfield's harp playing. But the real star here is Otis Spann. I was never before able to aprecciate his talent , but here he shines. Even more than Muddy, who sounds a bit bored on the first couple of tracks but then gets it on. However, the best track s here are the live bonuses. Muddy's strong vocal performance and his amazing soulful slide work blew me away. First time I heard it I got real chills.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Chicago Blues    5. Electric Chicago Blues    6. Pop   

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (22)

No Crossroads Duel, No Problem
I see that most of the reviewers for this record are disappointed that the Cooder-Vai duel didn't appear on the soundtrack album.That's understandable.But for me, that was better experienced as video.Personally I think the high point of the soundtrack, and the movie for that matter, was the electric guitar bottleneck piece "Feelin' Bad Blues".It is fantastic.It sounds like the guitar may be accompanied by a hammer dulcimer toward the end.I played this for a young guy I work with who