Reviews (1)

Another excellent CD by Doug Macleod
I just finished listen to this latest release from a great bluesman. Each of his albums get better, the musicianship, level of intergity and honesty. Along with John Hammond and a handful of others, Doug Macleod keeps spreading the blues news to us old timers who need 'em. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Pop    4. United States of America   

Editorial Review

Very few artists have attempted--or succeeded in--improving thestandard template for classic blues records set some 40 years ago in the golden age of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Perhaps R.L Burnside's recent heavily produced work on Fat Possum Records has come closest to adding an original slant.Read more

Reviews (113)

Not for me, but...
This is going to be a strange review.Being from Chicago and have had the pleasure and opportunity of meeting Buddy a few times, I was very excited for this release.I've really tried to get into this disc, but I just can't ... it's just not for me.
bitter never sounded so sweet
i chose to review this , not because im a big buddy guy fan , but because im a fan of this album.it has one of the best sounds ive ever heard on a blues album. words like Raw, Spacious,Haunting,Uneasy,Tense,and definitelyDarkcome to mind.its a very humid, sweaty sound , kinda like sitting outdoors on some hot summer evening down south, looking out over the swaying cattails and swarms of mosquitoes. alongside Buddys heavily distorted strat bending , you can hear the bullfrogs, gators,owls,and all the other tenants of the dank bustling swamps in head nodding agreement.not literally of course , but theyre there in spirit, Buddy himself sounding plaintive and wise , like some grizzled old bird dog in his latter years. i mean that in the best possible way , i prefer this to his older stuff by far , even though these are all( but 1 ) covers, of the mississippi hill countrys better known blues artists, mainly Junior Kimbrough, but Buddy puts his reverant stamp on these songs ,making them his own, the way Jimi Hendrix did to'Watchtower','Hey Joe' etc. its one of my favorites , i definitely recommend it if youre into guitar playing, and if youre fed up with some of the more slick watered down blues thats polluted the scene the last few years.

burning sexual blues
The fact that this album gets such mixed reviews proves that Mr. Guy effectively pre-eulogized a style of blues (Northern Mississipi) that is sadly dying with the rural culture and raw lifestyle from which it was born.Sex, food and alcohol relieved oppression and hard labour in that area in those times and music to dance to at juke-joints was the embodiment and freedom of that life.To see the likes of T-Model Ford in his 80's getting lascivious embraces from young female audience members at recent shows proves the essense of the music and the feelings which create it.Buddy Guy is still vigorous for his age and starting the album with the "old man" song; then breaking into some of his heaviest playing ever over a militia drum-beat proves his point.This work is a masterful homage to the true roots of blues music and should be seen for what it really is...burning sexual blues from a very human, non-corporate era, when people enjoyed (or did not) each other; not things. ... Read more

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   

Reviews (3)

A Masterpiece Of Understatement
Cantos Is without a doubt the most intimate recording to date. It feels like you are sitting in a living room listening to a private concert. The songs have a certain simplicity that is at once sincere, charming and deceiving. While they all have universal themes lyrically, musically there is a raw sophistication that has grown with every release.

A huge step forward
Just like many of you I am a fan of the first three records and above all AJ's raspy voice.
Another AMAZING AJ cd...
For fans of AJ's (now legendary) first cd this is a trip back in time. You'll find more more piano oriented stuff here than the last record. You will also find AJ the singer coming to the forefront. He's taking more chances vocally and it pays off in spades. Falsetto is a place AJ really never gone before but here he is and it's wonderful. A cover of the Wings/McCartney classic "Maybe I'm Amazed" fits perfectly on this set. This is just another fantastic offering from the guy Willie Nelson says holds the future of entertainment and Ben Harper (who appears on the cd...) says is one of the top 3 musicians he's ever worked with.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop    6. United States of America   

Reviews (12)

excellent like father like son
this is a great album its like jimmy buffet meets sinatra meets jim croce. amazing
He Give me "Plenty"
Think of a studio session and Dr. John, Tom Waits and Marcia Ball drop on by and oh yeah Jim Keltner is beatin' the skins and T-Bone Burnett just happens to pick up Robben Ford''s guitar and voila! one DAMN FINE ALBUM is recorded.
One of the best albums ever!
This is a soulful ablum that is impossible not to love, buy this and you will not be disappointed, in fact I WORE THROUGH my CD and I am ordering a second! Great Great album!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Blues    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Pop    5. Popular Music   

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Electric Blues    4. Modern Electric Blues    5. Pop   

Reviews (17)

What's not to love?
This has to be one of my favorite Taj's records. Great yet earthy production, soulful delivery, and cool arrangements!
don't believe the hype
Can't see what all the fuss is about, not his best but a nice , breezy, summertime album let down by some pedestrian lyrics and same old same old songs- some people are just easy to please , me i think it contains maybe two really good songs. It made me laugh the other reviewers comments that this is "up there with'" kind of blue, love supreme , Robert johnson ... it's not even on the same playing field as those classics.
missing the point
Taj IS spoofing (or maybe better said "tributing") the man who DID the tune Mr. Pitiful - and it ain't James Brown. It is Otis Redding. I can see where some could prefer other Taj; but if you don't like him all that much anyway (or love him...) and you don't get the allusions to other artists (let alone know who they are...)...well,,,hence the Review Title. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Electric Country Blues    5. Folk & Traditional    6. Modern Acoustic Blues    7. Pop   

Reviews (5)

Love it!!!
I love this album so much I can't stop playing it (and dancing to it.)Also Check out "Trouble".Love them both.I dance in my car all the way to work!!

THE MAN IS BACK!!!
AWESOME!!!! If you love Buckwheat you will be happy to know that the man is BACK!This is one of his best albums, from the word go it will keep you dancing all of the way through.If you don't like this album you've got a hole in your soul!Keepin it FUNKY!!!

Wow
This is a wonderful album.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Cajun / Zydeco / New Orleans    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Creole    4. Pop    5. Soul-Blues    6. United States of America    7. Zydeco   

Reviews (1)

Best album of '71 we never got to hear.
I bought this album after Smither's excellent "Train Home" and it's like seeing a new black belt in his first tournament after you've seen him as grand master.It's very good, "Train Home" is great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues-Rock    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Folk & Traditional    5. Pop    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

Here's a bountiful blues buffet from deep in the heart of Texas, courtesy of the long-running Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent cd...But there's not anyone hotter
Than Buddy Guy, doing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" This cd was a pleasant surprise, too bad Austin City Limits does not offer more of these blues tributes on cd and dvd..Would be sweet to hear the full hour performance of Buddy Guy and others listed on here. Buy it..You won't be disappointed, if you are, then you just don't get the blues.

A great compilation!
This is a great sampling of the blues.B.B. King does an excellent "Night Life", his guitar is fabulous!One of my favorites is W.C. Clark, who I had never heard before."Queen Bee" is the best Taj Mahal I have heard.Miss Lavelle White, Stevie Ray, Lightnin' Sam, Collins....I could go on and on.The recording quality varies very little from track to track, which is expected from Austin City Limits, as they are one of the few TV program which delivers excellent sound.Don't pass this one up! This is a Texas blues mirror!!
Texas is a State,full of hot deserts,but this cd shows that not only hot deserts...Texas always have hot blues with great icons of this musical style. We must reverence this contribution,specially the legendary SRV,and the great melodic voice of Delbert Mc Clinton! If you don't know what is the Texas Blues Twister,just buy this cd and......... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 70's    2. 80's    3. 90's    4. Adult Contemporary    5. Blues    6. Blues Collections    7. Blues Music    8. Blues-Rock    9. Contemporary Blues    10. Electric Blues    11. Electric Texas Blues    12. Funk    13. Modern Acoustic Blues    14. Modern Electric Blues    15. Modern Electric Texas Blues    16. New Orleans R&B    17. Pop    18. R&B    19. Soul    20. Soul-Blues   

Editorial Review

Silvertone Records has done a smart job of resurrecting Buddy Guy's career. When the label signed the Chicago blues guitar master in 1990, the 54-year-old legend hadn't had an American release in nine years. Silvertone introduced him to a new audience by having him play duets with such rock-star admirers as Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, and Jeff Beck on the 1991 album, Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (16)

The essential moment of terror on a rock-solid album
First, it's Buddy in fine form, Second, it's G.E. Smith and the SNL band, providing excellent support. A fan of Buddy and / or a fan of the blues can't go wrong with this one, but there's a real, raw, "Hellhound On His Trail" moment that makes this a must-have. Even the fans who are moderately familiar with Buddy's history know of his connection to Muddy Waters. During "My Time After A While" (around the 5 minute mark) he does an extended Muddy "Mannish Boy" type of scat that ends with him howling "lookee here, lookee here, lookee here, lookee here" as the band rallies and stomps and thuds around a brutal, paint-peeling guitar solo. Buy this one. NOW.

Good. Almost great
Buddy Guy is accompanied by the Saturday Night Live house orchestra on this album, which may only include nine songs, but still clocks in at well over an hour.
buddy Guy takes the SNL band to blues school
this is an interesting album.I have been a Buddy Guy fan for a long long time and I've seen him live on a few occasions.While I like the sound of the album and it does have some great moments I just don't get the whole SNL band thing.While great technical musicians they just don't know the blues and it is glaringly obvious when one of them attempts a solo.G.E. Smith's weak excuse for a call and response section with Buddy during, "Damn Right I've Got the Blues" sounds like my cat when she is wining about being hungry.Buddy will throw out some amazing guitar line and smith will answer with something that a ten-year-old would play while learning how to bend the strings.Pathetic!the only other soloist who keeps up with Buddy on this album is the amazing Johnny Johnson on piano.the man is just a legend and he does show it here.This album seems to be another attempt to make Buddy palatable to the casual blues fan, (The ones who think Keb' Mo' is a blues artist), in an attempt to widen his audience and from a financial standpoint I can't blame him or his record company.Ih short, if you are a true Buddy Guy fan you'll find this album to sound pretty waterd down so I wouldn't rush out and buy it.If you are someone who is interested in learning about the blues and have heard about Buddy Guy then I would recommend buying this album simply because Buddy's playing is normally very intense and it may scare off someone who is not familiar with his style so start with this one and then build into the real good stuff. ... Read more

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

Reviews (9)

One of my favorites...
This disc was my introduction to the music of John Lee Hooker and it proved to be worth every penny. This CD is full of classics and is also a good way to hear some of the best tracks off of the currently out of print albums "Urban Blues" and 'Never Get Out of These Blues Alive". The liner notes are in depth and explain how John Lee's music went through some changes during this period of his career in order to have more of a commercial edge with the fickle blues buying public of the time. I don't think John Lee sold out by any means, this is unmistakeably his sound on this CD. This disc captures all aspects of John Lee Hooker's music: the uptempo ("One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer", "Mr. Lucky"), slow blues ("Decoration Day", "The Waterfront"), celebrity duets ("Never Get Out of These Blues Alive" with Van Morrison), and live jams (I'm Bad Like Jessie James" where he is backed by Muddy Waters' band). This disc also contains my favorite verson of John Lee's "Bluebird", which includes some studio chatter from the man himself where he jokes to his band that the Albany Street he refers to in the song is where all the pimps hang out (!). If you are a fan of John Lee Hooker or the blues, this is a great collection to have.

He's Baaaaad. Like Jesse James
I can't remember when I first heard Johnny Lee but I was a teen-age guitar-player-wanna-be. Must have been around 1969 or 1970.He's been my favorite blues man since then.This collection is my favorite and presents Johnny Lee ina wide range of moods - tender (Waterfront), intimidating (Bad Like Jesse James), joyful (Doin' the Shout), down and out (Back Rent),happy (Mr Lucky), hot-nasty (Shake it Baby) and so on.
***1/2
MCA's "The Best Of John Lee Hooker 1965 - 1974" opens with the best-ever rendition of "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer", a swinging, piano-driven boogie version, followed by superb songs like "Think Twice Before You Go","House Rent Boogie", the slow shuffle "I'm In The Mood", and "Back Biters And Syndicators", which features Louis Myers on harmonica.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Detroit Blues    5. Electric Blues    6. Electric Delta Blues    7. Juke Joint Blues    8. Pop   

Editorial Review

Originally recorded in 1971 and composed during a time of intense creativity, anguish, and physical and mental exhaustion, Eric Andersen's ode to despair and cry for renewal is widely acknowledged to be his masterpiece. Along with Bob Dylan's Read more

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (10)

It took a while....
I bought "Blue River" on vinyl in my early 20s, and I have to confess, I didn't care for it much back then. I knew that something important--maybe even vital--was going on in those grooves, but I just didn't "get it." A couple of decades later, I went back to that old vinyl and listened again with different ears and 20 more years in the rear-view mirror. It blew me away; I was moved to tears by the joy I felt on finally "getting it" as well as the sadness I felt for the years I had lost without this music in my life. Nostalgia reaching back almost 40 years
I first attended an Eric Anderson concert at the urging of my then girl friend in 1966. Over those early years I probably saw him perform a half dozen times, once an a Cambridge coffee house sitting next to Janis Ian, and the last time in San Francisco about 20 years ago, when he was unexpectedly (at least for me) joined by his ex-wife Debbie Green on the piano.There areindividual song favorites scattered across all of his albums, but this is the one I played for my children as something from my past and my present.It is one of the most hauntingly beautiful albums I own.Share it with someone you love.

A Masterpiece
This is one of my all-time favorites."Is it Really Love at All" alone is worth the price.However, the more I listen to it, "More Often Than Not" emerges as my favorite.If you didn't know that Anderson was singing, you'd swear it was Rick Nelson.Stop reading these reviews and just go out and buy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folk    2. Folk & Traditional    3. Pop    4. Popular Music    5. Singer/Songwriter   

Reviews (2)

Doug Macleod CD releases
This one is even better than Little Sin. Ca'nt wait for his next album.

Great Original Blues
Hearing Doug Macleod perform it's like you're listening to a group of musicians. Even when he talks to explain the meaning of a song you hear the 'band' in the background. Very entertaining! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Modern Electric Blues    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

The blues-Mali connection has been much pondered, and Read more

Reviews (10)

awesome
This cd is smooth and mellow.I've been addicted to it since I first got my hands onto it.A real pleasure.

I really love this CD
I love the music of Mali--the home of Timbuktu and some really amazing musicians. Their music and its five-tone scale is supposed to be the roots of the Blues. Though the slave trade was mostly a coastal event (Mali is land-locked), wars in the area resulted in prisoners who ended up on slave ships heading for America. The rich Mali music tradtion may have created our American blues. African Culture Across the Atlantic
When many westerners think of African music, they expect something exotic, something primitive, something mysterious. Yet for all their expectations, few Americans seem to realize that they are sitting on a goldmine of African traditions. The African musical traditions served to feed what would develop into the traditions of Blues, Jazz, Rap, Reggae, Rock, Gospel, Salsa and the like. And the purpose of this particular CD is to explore the African roots of the Blues.Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Blues Collections    3. Blues Music    4. Contemporary Blues    5. Delta Blues    6. Int'l & World Music    7. Mali    8. Modern Acoustic Blues    9. Pop    10. World Fusion   

Reviews (2)

ALSO A MISSISSIPPI BOY
I agree with the other reviewer, (EXELENT) I also have his other cd's I find him to be A great guitarist and vocalist.This is by far his best yet, his notes are razer sharp on the guitar, great style.I hope this is not his last only 3 cd's in 11 years. just buy it if you like classic Miss.blues.

Smokin' hot electric blues!
Folks, this ain't no smoke and mirrors blues recording!It's a studio recording, but it's really close to what Dave sounds like live!Dave picks up his Les Paul, plugs it into a Fender amp and the results are nothing short of phenomenal!Dave has that Albert King cutting style, but he's no imitator.His guitar wizardry speaks well for the Delta area of Mississippi that Dave calls home... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Modern Electric Blues    4. Pop    5. United States of America   

Editorial Review

No doubt about it, Deborah Coleman's got chops. Voice, guitar, songwriting: they're all there, and musings as to why this woman hasn't yet achieved crossover success are necessarily uncharitable toward mainstream tastes and predilections. There's no question she could teach a thing or two to all those young axe slingers littering the blues-rock landscape; briefly put, she's better. Coleman seems to be heading in a more contemporary direction with Read more

Reviews (12)

Killer cool album
ok maybe somebody slap me aside the head , but i can't believe this talented woman has'nt got any top 40 radio play i mean come on i think this is one excellent album she has the attitude, soul she's got the groove so what's wrong with that have flavor on the radio , i'm sick almost sound the same bland pop stars that think they're so hot, she could blow them out of the water. i dig what she playing this album has a mix of different things , but all in all it's still blues r&b smokin.

Lady Rocks the Blues
Playing a wicked slide guitar and lead guitar and always writing some of the most impressive cuts on her CDs, Deborah Coleman is a new force to be reckoned with on the blues scene.Her voice is raw and full and powerful, capable of punching out biting sarcasm or pure sexy overtones that will set the blood to throbbing with the basso backbeat on many of her songs that are just fun.A person new to Deborah Coleman will want to pick up SOFT PLACE TO FALL as the introductory CD to showcase her guitar work, her voice, and her full range as an entertainer. Riveting
I don't count myself as a fan of the blues.But I happened to hear Deborah Coleman perform live.From the first bass heavy chord, I was hooked.I bought her CD right then and there.Her songs are full of bass, raspy voice and emotion.There's something about her that just gets into your blood, into your being and hangs on for dear life.There's no one thing I can pinpoint that strikes me about her music but I can say that this is a lady of true talent with a true understanding of the music she has chosen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Modern Electric Blues    5. Pop   

Reviews (13)

It only gets better
I've had this cd for about 7 years now and every now and then pull it out for a listen and each time I leave with a new song that I feel is the best and a need to search out a few cds from the artist who cover them .The last time was about a month ago and it hasn't been out of my car since."You Can't Always Get What You Want"...brilliant."Sway"...unforgettable."Beast of Burdon"...outstanding.This last time has been "Ventilator Blues" by the late Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.
On the Cover of the Rolling Stones!
On this CD premier blues men like Luther Allison, Junior Wells, Johnny Copeland, Holmes Brothers and Taj Mahal cover some of the Best Rolling Stones Classics and adds it a twist of Blues. The first song on the CD seems to be the absolute best and the most refreshing - Luther Allisons version of the 1969 hit "You Can�t Always Get What You Want". Sadly this version came to be Luthers Last studio recording ever, recorded short before his sudden death i 1997 - But truely at the Peak of his career. Umm....yeah!!!
Ok.Just think about this....Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues-Rock    3. Chicago Blues    4. Contemporary Blues    5. Electric Chicago Blues    6. Electric Texas Blues    7. Modern Acoustic Blues    8. Modern Electric Blues    9. Modern Electric Chicago Blues    10. Modern Electric Texas Blues    11. Pop    12. Popular Music    13. R&B    14. Retro-Soul    15. Slide Guitar Blues    16. Soul    17. Texas Blues   

Editorial Review

Why settle for one great female vocalist when you can get three, especially when they're stylish soul diva Irma Thomas, Tracy "Mother Earth" Nelson, and swamp rocker (and roller) Marcia Ball. The talented trio take the Read more

Reviews (14)

A Singular Trio
I can understand the sentiment expressed by at least one of the previous reviewers that, despite the considerable appeal of this collaboration, the three remarkable singers behind it had all done better solo work before--and since.That's probably arguable, but I admit I'm kind of "solo oriented" myself. There's nothing quite like exploring the work of an individual performer at some depth.Of course, since I HAVE so much of the solo work by Nelson, Thomas and Ball, I don't personally feel deprived, and this collaboration is a certainly a welcome and kind of special treat.But I do appreciate that reviewer's frustration to a degree.Why is it that this one collaborative effort--good as it is--garnered these talented artists considerably more attention than almost anyof their solo projects?It even got them an all-too-rare Grammy nod back in 1999.
All have done much better work; buy their solo work instead
Growing on me as I accept it without the expectations I get from their solo work.Mostly friendly, solid, wholly idiomatic, but unexceptional New Orleans and Memphis R&B.All of them have done much better work, but it is still fun to hear them together.Standouts:Please no more; tr 13-You don't know nothin' about love (with Tracy's full power)[49:38]

These gals are the stuff.
I actually heard these ladies first on Austin City Limits and decided thatI needed the CD. Friends take one listen to this CD and fall in love withit just as I did. They like it so much that I am eager to let them take ithome. I have bought FOUR copies and sent TWO as gifts. And I don't evenhave a copy for my own right now. My female friends have shared with methat this CD is highly suitable for listening while taking a candle-litebath to soak away those "man-trouble" blues and also while tryingto shake the road-rage syndrome on the ride home from work (of which Iagree). BUY IT. And share it with a friend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Electric Texas Blues    4. Louisiana Blues    5. Modern Electric Blues    6. Piano Blues    7. Pop    8. R&B    9. Swamp Blues   

Reviews (8)

Delbert rocks some more
This is another great example of Delbert's music.A lot of honky tonk rock with one of his classics, I'm With You, and another frequently played at his live shows, I Want To Love You.The latter is a slow song, which gives a newcomer to Delbert time to catch their breath and change the pace.Is definitely worthy of any Delbert collector or somebody just wanting to experience his music for the 1st time.

Delbert is great.
I never tire of listening to Delbert's music - both the older and his more recent creations.His energy is intoxicating.Anytime I play his songs I start dancing around the house and singing along. Having recently had the good fortune to see him in a live show I enjoy it even more."I'm with you" is great!

One Of Delbert's Best
Blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh leaves his mark all over this release, & the result is one of Delbert's best efforts. Funderburgh's bright, clear tone livens up everything from the opening uptempo blues "That's the Way I Feel" to the catchy, funky blues of "My Baby's Lovin'" & the mid-tempo, 50's-style swagger of "Go On". The great, bouncy "Got You On My Mind" pairs two of rock & blues' best vocalists in Delbert & Jimmy Hall (former lead vocalist for the Wet Willie Band).Read more

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

Reviews (5)

First rate gone-fishin blues
There's something about this guy that really reminds me of William Topley and Greg Brown. Good stuff. Check him out.

Don't know nothin' 'bout the blues...
well not much anyway, and especially not acoustic blues, but Eric Bibb makes me want to know more. Caught his show last year--he was the opening act for the Robert Cray Band, and after hearing "I Heard the Angels Singing" I was hooked. This is a fine album. If you get the chance to catch him performing in a small-ish venue, go.

Balancing Act
Eric Bibb on his cd Painting Signs has managed a balance of realism with hope,a balance of original songs with blues standards. and a balance musically of the slow plaintive ballads with upbeat rollicking blues. It is a wonderful cd for lovers of acoustic blues.Read more

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