Reviews (3)

nice try
nothing new here, same old worn out blues, nothing that really moves the soul,seems to play it safe, we have heard all of this 40 years ago, nice try

Understands the blues
I recently saw Janiva in Grapevine, Texas and it was a relevatory experience. This is not your slicked-up, bogus blues parlayed by so many. This is gut bucket, down in the dumps reality. Hot singing, hot combo playing, nothing produced or pretentious. If you like the blues, old school variety, KoKo Taylor, Bessie Smith, etc., you NEED this cd.

Easily Janiva's best album to date!
I first became aware of Janiva Magness when I got a promo copy of her 2001 release, "Blues Ain't Pretty" from a fellow programmer at our local community radio station. Janiva's vocals were strong, the original music was great, and I really enjoyed her cover of the Ray Charles/Percy Mayfield tune "Tell Me How Do You Feel". I was hooked from day one.
Read more

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

Editorial Review

This 2 CD set represents the best introduction to Hooker's trademark sound: one- and two-chord vamps delivered with a hypnotic, perpetual boogie rhythm and accented by reverberating staccato runs and intense foot-stomping. With his deep, rich voice, Hooker electrified the blues of the Delta, bringing the stark, brooding sound to the city and influencing scores of rock musicians. Most of his highlights are here: from early Modern classics "Boogie Chillen," "Crawlin' King Snake," and "House Rent Boogie"; to Vee-Jay singles "Boom Boom" and "Dimples"; to 1966 Chess work with Chicagoans Lafayette Leake and Willie Dixon;to 1971 collaborations with rockers Canned Heat;to performances with modern blues stars Roy Rogers and Bonnie Raitt. Read more

Reviews (14)

492 John Lee Hooker CD listings on Amazon and counting...
A truly original Emperor of the Blues has left behind a legacy that few of us can fathom.Where does one begin?This collection of 31 classic hits, though some 12 years premature to be complete, is an excellent start, and will literally save you hundreds of dollars if you are an avid collector.I might add that you will need that money to own every recording he's made since 1990; they are superb!You will be disappointed if you go out and buy everything out there.You can run into some pretty iffy recordings and collections, and lots of rehashed material pieced together under different titles, especially when rummaging through all the Best ofs and compilations that have been produced over the years, so it is best to stick with John Lee's early and later classics, like Live at the Cafe Au Go-Go and Live at Soledad Prison, and for more recent excellence The Healer and The Best of Friends.My favorite John Lee Hooker treasure is the The Healer Original Master Recording Gold CD B000000IS9.Beautiful.

Get Hooked
Thank you Rhino for doin' it one more time. This fabulous 2-CD compilation, nicely packaged and including a good booklet, profiles The Hook in all his glory. Perfect if you're new to John Lee and an excellent overview for those attempting to efficiently replace several worn-white Hooker LPs, The Ultimate Collection 1948-1990 provides everything except the board he's beating his foot on. Those who would weep and wail that this compilation is incomplete are losing sight of the basic truth about Hooker, he only did one thing. And it was incredibly simple. And he did it over and over and over. Most Hooker songs aren't even structured like songs, they seem to begin and end in vapor. But what happens in-between is nothing short of magical.
I'm teachin' the blues to this cat.
This is a solid collection of songs by John Lee Hooker, spanning most of his long career.It doesn't have every important track by him, but it's the best that's available. ... 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. Modern Electric Blues    13. Pop   

Editorial Review

Arkansas, home to ex-Nighthawks guitarslinger Jimmy Thackery and his friends and guests Earl and Ernie Cate (guitar and keyboards, respectively), is nicknamed "the Natural State." But the natural state for these three musicians is really somewhere between traditional blues fervor and knuckle-busting guitar hypnosis. This disc kicks in with the latter: "Out of Mississippi" is a big-bottomed, blustery riff-fest. Yet two tunes later they're adopting Muddy Waters's "I Got a Rich Man's Woman." Thackery's slide whinnies with a sensitivity near the old master's as the Cates paste down a powerhouse Chicago shuffle. And so it goes, ricocheting between the past and present. They summon the spirit of fellow Arkansan Junior Wells in "Snatch It Back and Hold It" and "Hoodoo Man Blues." But the most emotional number is Thackery's flood ballad "Levee Prayer," which is all restraint and subtle six-string colors until the finale, when his dark-toned solo enters like inexorable waters to claim the song. The disc ends with Thackery's "Tell Me Goodbye," a paean to '50s sock-hop rock that's got a chordal guitar break as sweet as his innocent lost-puppy-love lyrics. Read more

Reviews (3)

Terrific tunes all the way through
I saw this group not too long ago and was instantly impressed.I have all of their CD's and I admit I was initially hesitant to purchase this one, but well, I thought, I love the other ones, how can I go wrong.The ripping, pulling you into every song was apparent from the onstart. The versatility so appreciated.I am sincerely moved by the song, Levee Prayer, lest anyone forget what hurricanes can do!I sincerely believe that you just would not be disappointed in any way. A true great set of tunes.Go for it,you'll definitely be glad you did. When I have that moment of,'what do I listen to'I grab 'In A Natural State' and am always glad I did.

another great Thackery release!
Teaming up the Cate brothers and Jimmy Thackery was a brilliant idea. This disc is a true feast for guitar fans. All of the musicians really cook here, and since it was recorded live in the studio it has a nice raggedy feel to it. True, there is nothing original here, but these guys infuse these songs with their own unique styles. Pay no attention to any negative reviews, this one's a winner!
A Major Disappointment
This one is a real disappointment. I was a little suspicious before buying it after I read it was recorded in four days. I think this album is a prime example of what is wrong with the blues music industry these days, that being guys like Jimmy Thackery who go into a studio for a few days and throw together a set of poorly written clichéd blues songs, and then package it up with some press releases to make it appear like it's a "can't miss" release. There is absolutely nothing new or inspiring on this thing. What makes it even worse is Jimmy's brought in two of the best songwriters to ever grace this planet (The Cate Brothers) and given them back up roles, taking very little advantage of their talents. Jimmy Thackery is a very gifted and talented blues guitarist who gives his all at his live shows. He has established a reputation over the years as one of the heavyweights of the blues music industry. If he keeps releasing products like this, that reputation will eventually be eroded to the level of being one of thousands of blues artists who produce and release average run-of-the mill blues recordings. Don't waste your money on this one. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Trying to boil down a prolific 40-year career into 18 songs is an impossible task, but that doesn't stop Rhino from taking a shot. To its credit, this single-CD compilation reaches across many labels, highlighting Guy's explosive work for Chess and Vanguard in the 1960s, Atlantic in the 1970s, and diverse labels in the 1980s. On the other hand, his Chess and Vanguard work deserve significantly more attention than they're given here. In addition, Guy's rejuvenated 1990s work for Silvertone is completely ignored. The result is a rather cursory overview of Guy's career, despite the high quality of what is present. The benefit of this approach, however, is that it displays Guy's versatility: The Guy of feverish guitar pyrotechnics, wailing vocals, and rocker intensity lives alongside a smoother, more soulful and melodic Guy.Read more

Reviews (10)

Good Start for New Buddy Fans
Anyone familiar with blues Gitar' knows Buddy is the man.While I don't think that he's anymore talented than the other greatest living bluesman,Otis Rush, he seems to play like Otis with a whole lot more solos.What I wouldn't give to see one of their classic duels in the flesh.Buddy's chess recordings are of course top notch, but my favorite on this complition is the 7 minute extravaganza "Blues at My Baby's House", which in my opinion features some of Buddy's most soulful licks and vocals.If you can only afford one Buddy Guy record make it this or his 2-cd chess collection, that one really cooks.

Best Single Buddy Guy Compilation.
For someone on a budget who is interested in the music of this legendary artist, look no further than this single disc album. The sound and track selection here are excellent. Anyone interested in electric Chicago Blues needs to have at least one Buddy Guyalbum in their collection; and you can't go wrong here. There is some song overlap here with the "Chess 50th Collection" single disc compilation, but "Very Best Of" features 18 tracks over the 15 presented in the "Chess 50th Collection" cd.Plus, this disc has the great remastered sound the folks at Rhino are known for. For those of you have a few extra dollars around, I strongly suggest 2 disc set, "The Complete Chess Studio Sessions" which boasts 47 tracks!
The all around best intro cd to Buddy Guy!
There are too many great blues artists out there to spend a fortune on every artists complte recordings would cost tens of thousands of dollars, so getting comprehensive samplers of the artists earliest recordings in the best way to go.This cd have mostly the 50's & 60's sessions, his early stuff, and a bit towards the end of the cd his later works, but just a small sampling, the majority of the cd is his best work for Chess and other jump blues labels.This cd is exellent and is the difinitive sampler(though one should not overlook his duo albums with junior Wells), this cd will do a fine job of summing up Guy in his early prime and middle years.Guy has an incredibly piercing voice, similsr in texture and feeling as BB King, though less of a baritone, and his guitar solos, are creative, and even jazz and improvisation occur every so often.This cd is full of energetic performances, from shuffling jump blues to slow blues drags, it's all great stuff.Essential for any blues collection, to be complete. ... 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   

Editorial Review

On this 1993 album produced by John Porter, Taj Mahal applies his revivalist instincts and remarkably pliable voice to the classic rhythm & blues styles of the 1940s through the '60s. The program ranges from T-Bone Walker ("Hard Way") and Howlin' Wolf ("Sitting on Top of the World") to Fats Domino ("I'm Ready"), Otis Redding ("That's How Strong My Love Is"), and the Four Tops ("I Can't Help Myself"). Etta James sings a duet on "Mockingbird," while guitarist Johnny Lee Schell, bassist Bob Glaub, keyboardist Bill Payne, and drummer Richie Hayward provide tight and supple studio backing. Read more

Reviews (10)

Give me the Blues!
Taj Mahal gives us the blues through the years and makes it sound timeless.Every song is great, but my personal favorite is "Down Home Girl"Just makes me want eat a mess of soul food!This album is soul food!

Let's dance!
Dancing the Blues is one of my very favorite CD's by one of my very favorite artists Taj Mahal.It's great to listen to, great to dance to and every song is a living thing. One of the Best
This is one of my favorite albums. When I'm down, I like to play this album, and it cheers me up. My favorite song on the album is "Mockingbird." It makes me want to just get up and dance. Etta James and Taj Mahal are terrific! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Ostensibly a collection of Cooder's film music, the two-CD Read more

Reviews (12)

Captures The Mood
Ry Cooder has always been one of the most understated players I listen to; He hides in layers, almost demanding your complete attention to fully hear and understand each musical statement; Some of his best material has always been from the movies; 'Southern Comfort', 'Johnny Handsome', and 'The Long Riders' have some of his best work(sadly this CD was released before 'Last Man Standing', which I consider some of his rawest work to date...). Still, while not every track here is a great one, this is a nice CD to throw on and go about your day, pausing every once in awhile for those moments that will catch your ear...and there are plenty of them. Lots of different styles of music, mostly instrumental. Nice production;Excellent headphone experience; A really good retrospective of an excellent musician.

If you're a Ry Cooder Fan, and you like Instrumental Music......
For those of you that are fans of 'Ry Cooders' work, collecting his music is something of a daunting proposition.With a collection of regular Studio albums totalling some 25+ albums (with 2005 utterly sublime "Chavez Ravine", being the most recent).If you are (like I am) a relatively newbie to his music, picking which albums to start with is an slightly tricky option.
The Good Stuff Is Good Stuff!!
I enjoy the movie 'Southern Comfort' which had it's soundtrack performed by Ry Cooder. This is the only CD (I believe) that features the songs from that film. This is a collection that features a diverse selection of Ry Cooder's music from a number of films. Some of it is very good. The track 'Theme From Southern Comfort' is very haunting especialy if you turn all the lights out and listen to it in darkness. I also really like the track 'Klan Meeting' from the film The Alamo, however I've never seen the film itself. Another film I do have is 'The Long Riders' which also featured Ry Cooder in the soundtrack. Some of these tracks are included here and are good listening. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues-Rock    2. Contemporary Blues    3. Film Music    4. Instrumental Rock    5. Modern Acoustic Blues    6. Original Score    7. Pop    8. Popular Music    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop    11. Roots Rock   

Editorial Review

The series of Stevie Ray Vaughan concert albums that began with Read more

Features

• Live

Reviews (31)

Home boy made it great....and he did it all alone...
Carnegie Hall!!Wow!!!Steve, you sure have come a long way.But, we all knew you would.Yes, that's right, all of your Oak Cliff buddies and Kimball High School friends...Yes, we knew you were headed for greatness way back there in the late 60's and early 70's. But, you were with us in first period Gym class playing flag football on those cold mornings.And we came by to pick you up to go to school and you would come draggingout of the house with a toothbrush in your mouth and your shoes and socks in you hands.You were up 'til 3am playing music around Dallas nightclubs.going to school was tough.But you were with us and we will always remember and love you for it..
Good CD With Original Material
Everyone knows SRV was great so of course this CD will be excellent, but it's not the same old SRV.It shows SRV in a setting that is not captured in any other SRV recordings.
really great. i own it. a must get
yo. this is one of the best live albums of SRV i've ever heard. every song is great from Cold Shot to Lenny. he always wanted to play that live and he got his chance then. a must get. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Electric Texas Blues    4. Guitar Virtuoso    5. Modern Electric Blues    6. Modern Electric Texas Blues    7. Pop    8. Popular Music    9. Rock    10. Rock/Pop    11. Texas Blues   

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

Editorial Review

Ry Cooder has done some of the best soundtracks in the last 20 years orso (I wouldn't live without Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (19)

Paris, Texas (the movie)
Who doesn't like Ry Cooder. His music is just so individual, like nothing else. (Good to listen to when you're spaced out). Or just listening to the soothing relaxing southern twang of his guitar just sends you to another plane.What I see when I hear this music is the wide open spaces and desserted highways on a hot hot summer's day somewhere in the middle of Texas. It just wants to make you chill out! It's so cool.

Elemental and essential.
There are two types of soundtracks, and this is the more significant kind. The first type gives you a selection of tracks in no way related but for the taste and selection of a movie maker. I prefer my own compilations usually, but there are some good ones, usually from films no one really saw like Sleep With the Fishes. The other kind are inspired by images and landscapes no longer seen, but felt in the songs that came from them. They open the same spaces within the listener, but these are no longer owned by the movie maker, actors and their characters; some story in a film. It's not about the film at all anymore. It's music that doesn't demand you attention in the three-or-so minute grab of a regular song. This is music that you put in the background as you look to open your soul and create something yourself. And it's only found in this second type of soundtrack. There's the whole genre of New Age music which tries to do the same thing, though rarely achieves it with such deft subtlety. If you liked this one, listen to Monster's Ball, though skip the first five songs.

In my top 5
Paris Texas and Wings of Desire - 2 of my favorite movies.I LOVE them.Beyond Wenders theme of love (in my mind)....is space.Space to think.And the music reflects this beautifully.It is short - I simply play it over and over!!And the dialogue is the point.....haunting, honest and just beautiful.How Travis knows just what the right thing to do is is nothing short of a miracle to me.His love is pure.Yes we all made lots of mistakes in our youth.He learned.Can't wait to see Wenders other movies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Blues    2. Film Music    3. Instrumental Rock    4. Original Score    5. Pop    6. Roots Rock    7. Slide Guitar Blues    8. Soundtrack    9. Soundtracks    10. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

Call it three for the price of one. Far from engaging in a guitar-playing shootout, Albert Collins, Robert Cray, and Johnny Copeland work together incredibly well, achieving a kind of musical synergy that's rarely heard. Copeland and Cray handle most of the vocal duties, and Cray's smooth, soul-tinged voice (positively shiver-eliciting on "The Dream," as is Collins's lead guitar work) complements Copeland's growl perfectly. Collins doesn't get to sing as much, but he more than makes up for it with his harmonica on the slow blues "Bring Your Fine Self Home." And of course, all three turn in stellar guitar work, trading solos and rhythm parts with the greatest of ease; Cray was a relative newcomer at the time of this recording, but he more than holds his own. One would be hard pressed to find a better blues collaboration anywhere. Read more

Reviews (15)

A Must-Have in Any Blues Collection - Simply Stellar
I just came across this disc recently, while I was doing searches on Johnny Copeland's records.When this record came up, I was surprised to see Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, and Robert Cray play together, but now I know that both Copeland and Cray were Albert Collins' proteges when they were starting out.
Synergy
I first bought this on vinyl in the mid-80s. I listened to a lot of blues back then because, well, pop music really sucked.
Brilliant Collaboration
I've been listening to this effort for over a decade and it still sounds good.It's hard to imagine that these guys hadn't worked together for years. Many collaborative efforts come off as contrived. This comes off smooth and natural. The combination of Collins' guitar and Cray's voice on "The Dream" is spine-tingling. "Black Cat Bone" is another favorite. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (40)

Great musicians, great songs, lousy CD
After 39 reviews, I have some doubts about any beneficial effects the 40th may have, but I feel so strongly about this disc that I decided to weigh in anyway.
WHAT IF BARRY MANILOW SANG TOM WAITS?
Okay, Tom is one of those artists who's music transfers well to almost anyone's interpretation. They are just damn good songs, and it's hard to mess up a good song. But listening to this music is like hearing Tom Waits emasculated, or maybe a Stepford Tom Waits. Hammond's voice and delivery doesn't even approach the pathos or spirit of Tom's. Sure it has a nice "Blues groove", but the spirit of Waits is lost in this recording. If Tom's music is smoked brandy,this music is a blended daiquiri with a paper umbrella. Holly Cole, who is, sometimes, so upbeat I want to slap her, gives a much more sensitive, gritty, and moving performance of Waits' songs than this Julie-Andrews-Guy. If you want mediocrity, buy this cd. If you want artistry, pass it by.

Essential postmodern blues--
Since the day this disc came into my life, it's consistently been one of my faves for those "what's it all mean" kinda moods. There is true wisdom in Tom Waits's wordplay, and true power in the thumping, thudding skronk that backs it up. It's heavier than rock and deep as Dylan. I can picture John sitting in a half-lit bar somewhere in the middle of a crowded city on a rainy night, howling these offbeat blues poems to an audience of a dedicated few hipsters. I could only hope I'd be worthy enough to get a seat in there. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

A decade after his tragic, untimely demise, electric-blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan has left behind a void that remains largely unfilled, despite a number of ballyhooed young pretenders. The guitarist's career was long troubled by personal demons, and this album chronicles those deceptively languorous, slow blues jams where Vaughan did battle with them. The howling, fervent tone he coaxed from his instrument was a product of lessons learned only in the School of Hard Knocks, accompanied by a voice--perhaps the most underrated of Vaughan's talents--that perfectly underscored his tortured gospel. But those who stereotyped Vaughan as a paint-by-numbers bluesman misunderstood the breadth of his lexicon; listen to "Chitlins con Carne" (from the guitarist's posthumous Read more

Reviews (47)

An amazing journey through the blues universe!
The brief existence of Steve Ray Vaughan meant a great loss not only for the guitar world but the blues. Vaughan owned a personal trademark for this genre, even he was a famed rock singer. His special dark vocal inflections, and his peculiar style added the blues a propulsive fresh breath.
Nothing new, but it's great anyway
Well, I felt a little bit bad about not actually reviewing the album...you can find my original "review" below, where I make myself interesting by pointing out that this is not new material but rather a collection of previously released songs (with the exception of "The Sky Is Crying", an outtake from the "Couldn't Stand The Weather" sessions, but that one also appereared on the similarly titled album of outtakes issued after Vaughan's tragic death, although that was a different take). sloooow and easy
If you haven't already OD'ed on Little Rave On's post-mortal Hendrixonish blues-on-Reds Texas riff noodling, here's some more. This time it's the slo-o-o-w stuff, the blues as blueRead more

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

Reviews (4)

Good Stuff
Ry broke into the digital technology early in the game, a pioneer.Interestingly, Ry was also one of the first out of the gate to digitalize his early releases, and we're fortunate for it.This release was pivital in 1972, and just as ground breaking in the CD format.Ry cataloged a variety of styles here, renditions of folk songs, delta, progressive blues... all with the originality and sparkle of Ry Cooder's slide guitar style.Profoundly original.
Boomer's the Best
I have been a long time fan of Ry Cooder's music.Boomers' Story hasalways been dear to my heart.Ry's version of Maria Elena is the sweetestI've heard, gives me goosebumps!Each song on this cd (album in my day!!)is first rate.Good morning Mr. Railroad Man indeed!!!Seems to me thatthere is a celebration of a great many important human emotions expressedin this music, and I think I am fortunate to have shared in it all.I sawRy Cooder in a few small venue performances in the 70's and came away withan enlightened feeling that has stayed with me through the years.This isreal art, folks.

Great songs and some incredible guitar playing
I had never heard of Ry Cooder until I found out he did the soundtrack for the movie "Crossroads".I immediately bought this album and it's one of my favorites.I still get goose bumps when I listen to "DarkEnd of the Street" and "A Wing and a Prayer".Many of thesesongs were written in the pre-World War II era and I don't think thecompositions were changed too much from the originals.With a bunch ofgreat musicians though these songs give them a chance to play someincredible music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Country-Rock    4. Pop    5. Popular Music    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Roots Rock    9. Slide Guitar Blues   

Editorial Review

Like many other senior bluesmen, Delbert McClinton is getting back to basics: Read more

Reviews (40)

Delbert is the best
I'm never disappointed by Delbert. I chose this purchase because I heard him recently singing the song, When Rita Leaves, and when I did the research - this was the album with the song. It's not often you hear a rhumba - and this one is great! I highly recommend this CD!

Delbert's the BEST of Texas music
Delbert has aged to PERFECTION.For the essential Delbert, you must get both Nothing Personal and Room to Breathe.Delbert's rocking is infectious, his wit is wry, his blues are pure Texas... he's simply THE BEST of Texas.Want some great humor and clever rhyming?Try Living it Down.When you listen to When Rita Leaves, you KNOW that man really did something awful to get a woman so mad that she... (you'd better listen to the lyrics).The joy of sex with a twist of humor?Try All Night Long.More sex?find it at the steamy Baggage Claim.The song I first heard by Delbert that got me wanting to hear more was Squeeze Me In...what a fun rocker.I'm proud to be from Delbert country!

His best
I thought "One of the Fortunate Few"would be Delbert's best ever, forever.I was wrong.This is great stuff here.Took me a few listens to really get into it, but it is GREAT."Read Me My Rights" is just the greatest. "When Rita Leaves," "Desperation," 'Don't Leave Home Without It," are all top, top notch.This CD has variety and quality from start to finish.This isn't just GREAT DELBERT, this is GREAT ANYBODY!! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Paul Pena should have been a star. Maybe he would have been if this album had been released in 1973, when it was recorded. Instead, it's taken 27 years for this brilliant collection of Pena's songwriting to see air. Well, except for two of its numbers: "Jet Airliner" was such a big hit for Steve Miller it sustained the blind singer-guitarist through the lean years, and "Gonna Move" has become a favorite of R&B bands. But the best tracks are numbers like "Let's Move and Groove Together," on which Pena makes like Marvin Gaye--his husky voice working the magic of eros. Or "Cosmic Mirror," which recalls nothing less than Hendrix's "Machine Gun," testifying to Pena's brawny-toned guitar virtuosity. (He also outplays Miller's version of "Jet Airliner" with Clapton-like bends and vibrato.) If spirituals and country are your bag, Pena captures a seeker's fervor in the title track's freedom prayer and turns "Venutian Lady" into a tripped-out reflection of hippie-era Nashville. The good news is that now Pena may get his shot. He's making a new album, and this time there will be no waiting. Read more

Reviews (48)

what a gift
Anyone truly interested in and educated about rock/soul/r&b music will be glad to own this cd. Warning... it will be lost on someone who is looking for an album full of big hooks and snappy radio hits. Technology like the web and XM radio leads true music lovers into material like this which was never mainstreamed yet deserves to be heard and enjoyed.I purchased this cd after learning about Paul in Genghis Blues. As child of the 70's and big big Steve Miller fan I was shocked to learn that Paul had written Jet Airliner, one of the biggest radio hits of the 70's. Frankly the two versions are not even comparable. Steve made the song into a monster rock radio hit while the original is a 5 minute plus r&b jam.Every song on this cd is worth enjoying.His lyrics are very personal and autobiographical, his guitar playing is simply outstanding. If you have seen Genghis Blues and combine what you saw of Paul's talent and spirit with what you hear on this cd you cant help but become a fan. Bottom line, this guy should have been a star and deserved a much longer, smoother, happier ride.Rest in Peace, Paul.

Fantastic!
I was not sure what to expect when I ordered this, but I so loved Genghis Blues that I had to hear it.This is an amazing album.These songs are all winners.What a gift it is, and such a shame there will not be more to come.

Paul Pena CD Review
I read about this Album and artist in the Rolling Stone magazine.He had played with some of the groups that I like and I thought it might be interesting to see what he had done on his own.It's a good CD, but it wasn't really what I had expected.I listen to it occasionally as a break from the regular CD's I play more regu- larly.It was kind of a nice addition to my collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues-Rock    3. Pop    4. R&B    5. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (12)

cream of the crop
I am actually listening to this CD right now.It is awesome.This is the modern-age John Lee Hooker at his best.If you are looking for pure John Lee, though, this isn't your CD.In this CD, pretty much every song, with the exception of a couple, is a collaboration with someone, whether it's Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Los Lobos, George Thorogood, or Charlie Musselwhite.This CD is very smooth, romantic, laid-back, classy, and has very good sound quality.I think this is a fine addition to your collection if you like either blues or rock or both.And as is true with most Hooker recordings, this is one is very energetic.Hooker's blues never really sound sad.Somehow he manages to perform even the saddest lyrics in the way that it would sound energetic rather than depressing, possibly because of his constant sense of rhythm (on other CDs, you can hear him stomp his foot in many, maybe most, songs he performs, especially in earlier work).The Healer marked re-birth of John Lee's activity in modern blues.He is a class act and aged like fine wine.

Heal me....
When I hear the first few bar's of the song, I get Chills up my spine, The True soul that Mr. Hooker has, and the Supernatural sound that Carlos provides, there's nothing that those two together can't heal.
**3/4. Superflous
Don't get me wrong, I like John Lee Hooker a lot. It's just that this album adds little of interest to his legacy.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Electric Blues    5. Modern Electric Blues    6. Pop   

Reviews (11)

ignore the "paid" reviewer, this cd is great!
I have intimate details in how this cd was made and let me tell you, when you listen to these tunes most of what you hear are "first takes"...the recording budget was extremely tiny and forced most of what you hear into the shining examples of how great musicians can overcome b.s. corporate hacks only concerned with the "bottomline". If you listen close you can even here Robben hit a couple of clams in his solos. It's beyond stupid for someone to say that the jackets members don't know how to play 12 bar blues, as well. The Yellowjackets can turn any blues form inside out and Russell Ferrante is one of the most proficient and versatile keyboard players in the world, period. When the recording budget is less than most people earn in a month, you end up with a hurried recording that focuses much more on the solos and less on production. But, as real musicians, what do we want to hear anyway? The solos! Good song writing, as well, but in the end I wait for the solos or cool musical cues. Despite the budget impediments, Robben is burning as is the whole band. This album and Mystic Mile are my two personal favorites and to me show off Robben's jazz-tinged, edgy blues playing to their fullest expression. If you've never heard Robben play blues it's nothing like SRV...it's much closer to Chicago in his rythm playing. His solo voice on guitar is pretty much his own. He sort of invented this kind of playing back in the 70's, well he and Larry Carlton. It's edgy but you can tell there's alot of polish under the grit. He can just as easily rip off Wes Montgomery or John Coltrane as Buddy Guy or the "Alberts". I understand some people not really digging his voice as it's very pure and doesn't have the stereo-typical gritty delivery that alot of blues or rock singers have, however there are plenty of vocalists that have the same kind of delivery and convey and interpret the tunes in their own cool way. Robert Cray for example...Robben sings just fine, he just doesn't sound like B.B. King. You won't be disappointed with this purchase. It's Robben at his most aggressive approach tone-wise and the spontaneity in the tracks can be felt, not just heard. Take it from a professional guitar player and bass player of 20 years you'll love this cd.

Stellar Blues Guitar
I love this CD.Perhaps the guy that wrote the editorial review is not a guitar player, but anyone who is will love this CD.Robben Ford plays with great sophistication and intensity.The guitar is mixed hot.The vocals are excellent.

Robben Ford Review
The best musicians to come along in a real long time. I never tire of listening to it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues-Rock    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Crossover Jazz    5. Fusion    6. Jazz Blues    7. Jazz Music    8. Modern Electric Blues    9. Pop    10. Rock   

Reviews (6)

Under-appreciated artist, great talent, great guy!
Last Saturday evening (July 15th 06), I had the opportunity to meet Lee Roy Parnell. I have been a huge fan for several years after being introduced to his music by a friend who was with me and able to meet him as well. The concert was in an out of the way place in Massanutten Ski Resort in Virginia and the turn out was low. I was tremendously dissappointed with the crowd in attendance. Although they were big fans of Lee Roy, they were quite lackadaisical and quiet. It was interesting that they cheered wildly for the local start up groups that were horrible (to say it kindly)... A very unsophisticated bunch. This is not to cast aspersions on Virginians (being one myself) but I was literally embarassed.