Editorial Review

Hurricane Katrina may have devastated New Orleans and surrounding Gulf communities in 2005, but it was also a forceful reminder of the Crescent City's world renowned status as the epicenter of much American musical heritage. This benefit album (all net proceeds will be donated to the local relief efforts of Habitat for Humanity, with a portion specifically set aside to provide housing for local musicians left homeless by the disaster) picks up that latter thread, a sometimes bittersweet reminder of how deepy ingrained, yet all-too-fragile, that cultural legacy really is. Allen Toussaint's succulent reworking of his "Yes We Can Can" sets a rhythmic, optimistic tone that parallels his city's own historical resilience, while Dr. John turns in a bluesy, laid-back "World I Never Made" that's a sharp contrast to the flashes of anger he showed on Tab Benoit's earlier benefit collection, Read more

Subjects:  1. Louisiana Blues    2. New Orleans Blues    3. New Orleans Brass Bands    4. New Orleans Jazz    5. New Orleans R&B    6. Pop    7. Rock/Pop Collections    8. V/a Compilations    9. Zydeco   

Editorial Review

This album's all about the blazing virtuosity of Robert Randolph. The pop-music arrival of the young pedal-steel guitarist from the Pentecostal church was shepherded last year by the North Mississippi Allstars and groove organist John Medeski in a brilliant album and group called Read more

Features

• Live
• Original recording reissued

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock    3. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Hazmat Modine is the kind of ensemble that could have come only from New York. The core group consists of harmonica virtuosos Wade Schuman and Randy Weinstein, tuba player Joseph Daly, drummer Richard Huntley, guitarist Pete Smith, and Pamela Fleming on trumpet and flugelhorn. The fifteen-track CD presents an ensemble with a Sybil complex of multiple musical personalities."Yesterday Morning" resembles a New Orleans funeral dirge with a reggae beat. "It Calls Me" melds the Mississippi Delta with Huun-Huur-Tu's Asian-born Tuvan throat singing. The exotic array of instruments includes the Romanian Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Pop    4. Rock   

Features

• Limited Edition
• Original recording remastered

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Electric Texas Blues    4. Modern Electric Blues    5. Modern Electric Texas Blues    6. Pop    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Texas Blues   

Editorial Review

When you're an early success in jazz, the temptation is to hunker down in the style that's earned you acclaim. Pianist Jason Moran will have none of that. While thriving on the edgy interaction of his terrific working trio, Bandwagon, featuring bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits, he keeps reaching for new modes of expression, drawing upon sources as varied as Italian film themes, Turkish language rhythms and hip-hop. This time, he cuts loose behind smartly sampled commentary by conceptual artist Adrian Piper and waxes lyrical on a ballad featuring the operatic voice of his wife Alicia Hall Moran. Taken from works commissioned by institutions including the Walker Arts Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Read more

Reviews (3)

Tremendous masterwork
"Breakdown misunderstanding, breakdown the artist", a looped refrain from African American philosopher/artist Adrian Piper, is the opening to jazz pianist Jason Moran's new album Artist in Residence. Piper's metaphor is a theme throughout Moran's seventh work for Blue Note Records.
Staggeringly, mind-bogglingly brilliant
A few random observations, because I'm so blown away by this disc that I'm not sure I can write anything coherent.
Great CD
Despite mixed reviews in publications, this album is absolutely mesmerising.There is something for everyone in this album; whether it's the song about the culture of America (Break Down) or the inspired national anthem (Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing), every song has the kind of genius ideas that we've come to expect of Jason Moran.Also, Cradle Song is a nice touch, a tribute to his mother, who recently passed away. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Avant-Garde Jazz    2. Jazz    3. Mainstream Jazz    4. Modern Electric Blues    5. Pop    6. Post-Bop    7. Progressive Jazz   

Editorial Review

George Winston is no stranger to benefits. He often gives the proceeds from his concerts to charitable organizations, and in 2001 he released Read more

Reviews (1)

From Solo Piano Publications
George Winston's "Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions" is both a benefit album to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as a tribute to New Orleans jazz piano. Those who have seen Winston perform in concert know that this style of music is one of his passions, so it's fun to have a full recording of both quiet and rollicking forms of jazz piano from this artist. Six of the tracks are original compositions in the styles of some of Winston's favorite jazz composers, three are covers, and one is an almost twelve-minute arrangement of the New Orleans musical staple, "When the Saints Go Marching In." Folks looking for meditation music should probably move on, although four of the tracks are much quieter and more what Winston's fans have come to expect. All of George Winston's proceeds from this album will go directly to the Dancing Cat Benefit Fund, to be distributed to organizations helping people on the Gulf Coast and New Orleans to rebuild and return. In unity with the artist, RCA Records will be donating the bulk of its net profits to benefit musicians in the New Orleans area, so this is a very noble cause deserving of everyone's support.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Adult Alternative    3. Adult Contemporary    4. Contemporary Instrumental    5. Neo-Classical    6. New Age    7. New Age / Meditation    8. New Orleans Blues    9. Piano Blues    10. Pop    11. Solo Instrumental   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful fingerstyle guitar
Etta Baker is such a lovely lady who is one of the leading practioners of the Piedmont blues guitar.This, one of the wonderful albums issued in conjunction with the Music Maker Foundation, showcases her fluid picking.The lack of vocals is the only complaint about this release.Otherwise this showcases of her fluid finer picking on a variety of tunes shows why Etta Baker is so highly regarded by fans of acoustic blues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Country Blues    5. Folk-Blues    6. Piedmont Blues    7. Pop   

Editorial Review

Chester Burnett's ferocious growl was a staple of Chicago's electric-blues heyday. This 20-song compilation ranges from his 1951 debut "Moanin' at Midnight" with Willie Johnson on guitar to 1964's "Killing Floor" with Buddy Guy on guitar. His scratchy, sawed-off vocal approach and his energetic harmonica grace original classics such as "How Many More Years" and "Smokestack Lightnin'." By 1960, he became, along with Muddy Waters, the foremost interpreter of Willie Dixon's songs, lending his coarse voice to legendary Dixon cuts such as "Wang Dang Doodle," "Back Door Man," "Spoonful," "The Red Rooster," and "I Ain't Superstitious." Wolf's style was based on primal raw power, and he ranks among the genre's most distinctive performers. Read more

Reviews (41)

Awesome Electric Blues
If I were to give up all of my Blues albums but one (make it two, John Lee Hooker can't be left out) I would nominate the best of Howlin' Wolf. This CD does have the best of Howlin' Wolf's songs: Spoonful, the best version of Willie Dixon's original along with Cream's, the awesome Smokestack Lightnin': you can actually hear Howlin' Wolf Howlin', Wang Dang Doodle, and all the amazing Blues you could ever want, all packaged up in one neat package for that awesome price - I wouldn't miss it for anything.

A good collection but not necessarily "his best"
This is a fine collection and I'm glad to own this. However, I think material gives too much weight for Dixon's stuff and some Wolf's own essential pieces are missing.
My favorite bluesman by far
I've always loved deep, gruff male singing voices.If there's one thing I cannot stand, it's an effeminite-sounding male singer.That's why Roger Daltry is my favorite Rock 'n' Roll singer.Come to think of it, I even like my female singers gruff -- a la Janis Joplin and (sometimes) Fiona Apple.If you also like raw and rough singing, and you are looking at Howlin' Wolf's stuff, you've hit the jackpot.He's just amazing.Captain Beefheart is the only voice I've ever heard that matches Howlin' Wolf.No wonder Beefheart used to cover "Evil" in concert - he was pretty much the only person who could!I like a lot of other bluesmen like Elmore James and Otis Rush, but this guy is just as good as the genre gets.He's certainly the most distinctive bluesman, to the point that he appeals to many people who otherwise could not care less about the Blues.Get this CD! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Chicago Blues    5. Electric Blues    6. Electric Chicago Blues    7. Pop   

Editorial Review

Other post-WWII Chicago bluesmen are better known, but the work of Elmore James holds up as well as any of theirs. If he never had the technical accomplishment of, say, Earl Hooker, he did have as much depth of emotional expression as Muddy Waters; just listen to the sweetness of "I Need You" or the pain of "It Hurts Me, Too." Read more

Reviews (22)

One of the Greatest
Outside of those really knowledgable about blues and some of the classic rockers, Elmore James seems to not be extremely well-known; he's hardly a household name... but HE SHOULD BE! Elmore's slide playing is among the best and most influential ever, but, as another reviewer noted, he is a VERY good, expressive, and passionate singer. Elmore poured every ounce of his soul into every note he played and every note he sang and his passion translates well onto record; as evidenced by this fabulous collection. It is a real tragedy that he passed away so young, as he was truly one of the most talented musicians to ever walk this earth. I'll bet the sky was crying the day that ole Elmore died, if I would've been alive, I probably would have cried too.

New at Blues
I haven't heard Elmore before until just now on a cd I bought, and this preview. (Well, I did hear Sky is Crying covers but never the real thing.) I have Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, BB King, and a blues compilation cd with Rollin' and Tumblin. This guy is slick. I must get this tomorrow; I would right now but the store is closed. I can't wait for shipping either. Since last weekI've become addicted to the blues.

Historic James Recordings a Master's Class In The Blues
The incomparable Elmore James still reigns as the master of the slide guitar, influences scores of musicians from Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt to beyond.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Chicago Blues    5. Electric Blues    6. Electric Chicago Blues    7. Guitar    8. Pop    9. Slide Guitar Blues    10. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Recording for forty years now, Rory Block has devoted the entirety of her newest album to the songs of Robert Johnson. This is no mere dalliance or bandwagon jumping for her, as this music has informed her own musical path from the outset, starting with her love of his records when she was just a child. Her subsequent studies of Rev. Gary Davis, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt and others put her in good stead for understanding the dynamics of one guitar and voice. Like some of those blues masters, Block uses the subtle complexities of fingerpicking combined with occasional slide work to create a whole that has the range of a small combo. What's amazing in hearing these thirteen songs is how fully they became part of the blues lexicon -- not just the individual songs, but their entire bearing. Read more

Reviews (2)

Rory's Best--(so far)
Unless you've been living on another planet you've heard of Robert Johnson and heard these songs.They've been covered more times by more people than anyone can count-but never like this!Rory Block herself has even recorded them in the past-but never like this!
BluesLady
After seeing Rory perform in July, I eagerly anticipated this release. A number of artists have done justice to this collection of Robert Johnson songs, notably Eric Clapton, Peter Green, John Hammond and recently Dion. I really believe that Rory matches or exceeds these guys in getting into Robert's skin/soul. Rory's slide guitar is easily as good as Bonnie Raitt and her vocal delivery really communicates. She does not "sing" these songs: she wears them, owns them and breathes them in a most authentic way.Rory is not limited to the blues---check out her cd Tornado. Also look ahead to her collaboration with Robert Johnson's grandson. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Delta Blues    4. Modern Acoustic Blues    5. Pop    6. Slide Guitar Blues   

Reviews (11)

Billie's Best - Accept No Substitutes
Billie Holiday is the quintessential jazz singer; despite a limited vocal range she set the standard by which all others are measured.It's all about the quality of her voice, the lush tone, and her marvelously idiosyncratic phrasing.Though her career was short and troubled, she recorded a lot, which means novice collectors must avoid innumerable bear traps.In general, her later work should be ignored, by then she was wearing her emotional problems like an ugly hat, despair manifested itself in performances so lackluster they're depressing at best, frequently downright tragic.
A serious and great artist's best work, you need these sides
If there were some way to award music 200 stars, I am sure all of us would have done so for this set!
Descent Compilation
Apart from the fact that some of my favorite Billie Holiday songs are missing...its still a very good intro to those first timers.I first heart HOliday when I was 18 years old..and 5 years later...I still can't get enough of her ...she's such a great singer...along with Ella Fitzgerald she is the only one who can bring me to tears. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballads    2. Classic Female Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Pop    7. Standards    8. Swing    9. Torch Songs    10. Traditional Pop    11. United States of America    12. Vocal Jazz   

Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Contemporary Singer/Songwriter    4. Country-Folk    5. Honky Tonk    6. New Orleans Blues    7. Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop    10. Singer/Songwriter    11. Slide Guitar Blues   

Editorial Review

A million or so collections, all from different record labels, document this Detroit blues guitarist's influential boogie-woogie career. This 16-song Rhino CD is an excellent starting point, with definitive versions of Hooker's classics "Boom Boom," "Boogie Chillen'," "I'm in the Mood," and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer." It's interesting to hear the singer's voice progress from a deep, growling slur to the more polished later material, such as his collaboration with slide guitarist Roy Rogers on Robert Johnson's "Terraplane Blues," but he never lost his bottom-line rawness. Read more

Reviews (19)

Boogie King
John Lee Hooker, "king of the boogie," is one of the most influential guitarists to ever record. He is also one of the most unique, as his rhythmic and dynamic senses are more free than what one may be accustomed to... he also changes chords rarely, if ever, in some songs. Now i myself have complained about 3 chord bands... this is different, this man hypnotizes you with his awesome, entrancing riffs and licks. This collection is probably the finest one disc compilation of this master's work and belongs in any music lover's collection. If you think that all blue sounds the same and all is 12 bars etc etc (any blues aficionado knows much better than to pay any heed to these ridiculously ill-informed stereotypes), John Lee Hooker is a good place to see that the blues is one of the forms most open for free expression and experimentation.

A Legendary and Prolific Bluesman!
Some of John Lee Hooker's best known songs are compiled from his many years and albums onto this budget CD, with not one being one you will skip over.From "Boogie Chillen'" to "Boom, Boom,"they are all here.Even the songs which made others famous, such as "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer."
one cd, one artist, one to have!
Every serious blues collection needs something from John Lee Hooker, and this cd is a great place to start. It is a great variety of all his early classics, and the sound quality is very good as well. From Dimples to Boom Boom to Boogie Chillen to One Scotch... they are all here. You cant go wrong with this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Revival    5. Blues Traditional    6. Country Blues    7. Delta Blues    8. Detroit Blues    9. Electric Blues    10. Electric Delta Blues    11. Juke Joint Blues    12. Pop    13. United States of America   

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (28)

Hope springs eternal
A classic.Just got it recently and it sounded as good as the 60's when I first heard it.Kooper can produce, Bloomfield can sing and play like he really has the blues (died a heroin addict overdose in SF), and Stills can play guitar and sing like he's happy - a predecessor to CSNY days to come.Someone here made that fuzzy sound, sound good.Could have been two different albums, so no complaints about some of the best lead performances by great prock/blues aetists of the 60's.

Exquisite
I had forgotten over the years just how wonderful this album was, so I was thrilled to find it here at Amazon! Granted, it's not the heavy black vinyl with the faded dog earred cover, but this one fits in my car stereo, makes the commute miles fly by and sounds even better then it did long ago! Thanks!

Classic Album Stands the Test of Time
"Super Session" still sounds fresh and exciting after 35 years. What makes the album great is the guitar playing -- Mike Bloomfield for the first half, and Steven Stills for the rest. Al Kooper's keyboards and vocals supply the continuity in sound. Bloomfield's playing is among his best recorded work. He sounds like a jazzy B.B. King with his precise, melodic solos. "Stop" and "His Holy Modal Majesty" are highlights, but all his songs are excellent. Stills' playing on this album has been underrated by critics. "Season of the Witch" displays some of his richest playing. Kooper and colleagues' arrangements are inventive and effective, with their rockin' version of "It Takes a Lot to Laugh" a stand-out. The additional tracks on this version of the CD do not really add to quality of the original, but they do provide some insights into the process of producing the music. For example, after listening to "Season of the Witch" without horns, one is likely to conclude that Kooper did a great job in including them in the original album. Overall, this is an excellent album, revealing Bloomfield at a high point in his playing (sadly, drugs and other demons would trouble him until his premature death in 1981). Stills' fine guitar playing is also a revelation. And Kooper never had a finer hour on record. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

New York guitar phenom walks tall in the blues tradition with this third album, jettisoning fiery riffs inspired by John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, Elmore James, and Albert Collins into the future with furious playing, a hard-rock sensibility, and a grizzled voice that owes a debt to Gregg Allman. Equally inspired by the Delta blues and the mid-'60s British blues boom, the young firebrand--who titled this CD after a Rod Stewart song penned while in the Jeff Beck Group--is able to fuse those two schools together, creating edgy blues rock. Read more

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

Editorial Review

"Yeah, it’s been a long time coming, never thought it’d take so long," moans Jonny Lang on the seemingly autobiographical title track to his first release in five years. But its stark acoustic, near demo quality is in contrast to the preceding 12 songs, which are buffed to an arena-rock sheen. The youngster has shifted from an up-and-coming bluesman into a tough, journeyman melodic rocker with a dab of R&B. He has also honed his songwriting skills, resulting in the majority of this album (except a rugged bonus live cover of Stevie Wonder’s "Livin’ for the City" and the first single "Red Light") being self-penned. Aiming for the back rows, Read more

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

Features

• Soundtrack

Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Pop/Rock    3. Soundtrack    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

She's no stranger to the towering highs and lows of the heart, and Etta James's soaring, gospel-tinged pipes match up well with the rigors of unabashed bliss. Happily, the good people at Chess Records recognize this, and they have thoughtfully collected some of the best examples into one tidy record. Kicking off with her classic treatment of "At Last," the collection moves through the lilting strings of "My Dearest Darling" on into the expressive tones of "I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)" with grace and emotional candor. James can be simultaneously tender and deeply honest and her ability to express the desperate joy that is the soul of love remains one of life's marvelous pleasures. Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Classic Female Blues    4. Pop    5. R&B    6. Soul    7. Soul-Blues   

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

Editorial Review

Band leader and lounge kingpin Louis Prima will be best be known for the classic, "Just a Gigolo," immortalized by David Lee Roth for a whole new generation of swingers. But Prima's output went much further: in his day he recorded for Capitol, acted in a movie or two, even owned a golf course. Prima's genius is infectious: lounge, swing, and Dixieland all fuse together into medleys that are fun, dance-worthy, and upbeat. Prima's duets with Keely Smith are the obvious highlights here: "That Ol' Black Magic," "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!," and "I've Got You Under My Skin" are essential Prima tracks. Sure, the cheese factor occasionally runs high, but it is a fun trip. --Read more

Subjects:  1. Dixieland    2. East Coast Blues    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Music    5. Jazz Vocals    6. Jump Blues    7. Pop    8. R&B    9. Swing    10. Traditional Pop    11. United States of America    12. Vocal    13. Vocal/Standards