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

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   

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   

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

• 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 is a heavy metal fan and is just discovering the blues.He got wide-eyed.

I just wanted to correct a post I read earlier...
All of the best cuts from this movie are actually located on Steve Vai's CD entitled "The Elusive Light and Sound". It is a very excellent CD, and has over 40 tracks on it. Thats all, Thanks.

Good Soundtrack
Good sountrack, and while I think that the idea was to lean towards blues on this release, some of the best music from the movie isn't on this release.To get that you need the movie DVD, and though I have no complaints in seeing the movie to get hear these tracks, it would have been nice to have them included on the soundtrack. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Blues-Rock    3. Contemporary Blues    4. Film Music    5. Instrumental Rock    6. Modern Electric Blues    7. Original Score    8. Pop    9. Roots Rock    10. Slide Guitar Blues    11. Soundtrack    12. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

A veteran of long years on the Boston club scene and a stint as sideman to former J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf, guitarist Johnny A. originally self-released this masterful, tasteful solo record to much local acclaim, and then guitar ace Steve Vai added the musician to the roster of his label. Proving that the term "guitar god" has too often been misapplied in the post-Van Halen era of diddly-squeak school of soloing, Johnny A. draws on a more classic pantheon of American fret deity for inspiration, including Chet Atkins, Scotty Moore, James Burton, Nokie Edwards, and Wes Montgomery. And like the late Danny Gatton (whom the musician's fiery solos recall), Johnny's years as a sideman have taught him the importance of space and dynamics. The smoky, moody title track sets the tone. While his choice of covers (the Beatles' "Yes It Is," Jimmy Webb's "Wichita Lineman," and the Ventures' signature "Walk, Don't Run") underscore his restraint, the guitarist proves his overdrive can burn with the best of them on "Two Wheel Horse," "In the Wind," and the rockabilly kicker "Up in the Attic." Read more

Reviews (47)

"holy Chet Atkins Batman!"
I do not know if people that do not play the guitar understand the value and meaning of tone; but most guitar players lack that one rare ability to achieve the perfect meld of guitar and melody through the right set up WITH originality and verve. Johnny A has been around for along time performing other artists songs, but wow!, he should not have spent so many years as a sideman. This CD will grab you from the first cut withhaunting chord progression with that unique custom hollow body sound. You will be hooked right then and there. This CD will take you on a ride of classics,rock-a-billy,swing, blues and downright DIRTY rock and roll, Texas style. This is a must, buy it, give it, and youwill never tire of it. If you do not love this CD, then give your stereo away and buy some books....You guitar players, listen and learn how the tone of your guitar and the phrasing you use can be magical..

Although He's a Relative Unknown, Johnny A's Album Has A Stellar Quality About It
Sometimes it's fun to be a fan of an obscure artist, but in this case there is absolutely no joy in it. Both of Johnny A's albums should be far more popular than they are.
Fresh Sound Cool Vibe
Johnny A. has a cool style.Whatever song he plays he makes it his own.This gives his CD a very cool unified vibe with an edge which is uniquely Johnny A.Goofy photo in the CD liner, though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country Blues    2. Instrumental Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

Doyle Bramhall certainly has impressive rock & roll connections. His father played drums for Lightnin' Hopkins; Texas-born Bramhall himself has served as guitarist behind Jimmie Vaughan in The Fabulous Thunderbirds and alongside Charlie Sexton and Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section, Double Trouble, in Arc Angels. However, anyone who buys Read more

Reviews (49)

Like the hungry roar of a rock crusher being fed quarry stone
Doyle Bramhall II and his band Smokestack pretty much pile drive their way through this entire set of pulsing, droning, classic, old school blues-rock. And for many folks, the growling vocals, relentless guitar solos, and slamming drums equals audio nirvana. For me it equaled headache.
Stop messing around and buy this album!
I didn't think anyone made albums like this anymore! The album has the same feel and energy as Led Zeppelins first! Everything sounds live and in your face. It's like a combination of Led Zeppelin and Stevie Ray Vaughan with a little Jimi hendrix thrown in.
incredible album
Just a note....dont listen to the reviewer above.... he doesn't have a clue what the F he is talking about. If you like good music , buy this album, now. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

These 17 tunes come from King's most fertile period, his 1966-68 tenure at Memphis's Stax Records. Stax chief Jim Stewart had been reluctant to sign blues artists because he felt straight blues wouldn't mesh with Stax's patented Memphis soul. Ironically, the fusion of King's sharp guitar wails with the dynamic rhythms of Booker T. & the MGs--the Stax house band--was what set King apart from other bluesmen. The unique blend produced classic after classic: Booker T. Jones' rolling piano propels "Laundromat Blues." Al Jackson's drum shuffle supports "Crosscut Saw." The driving horns of Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson, and Joe Arnold accent "Born Under a Bad Sign." King's ripe and mellow vocals are a perfect match for the soul-drenched music while his dramatic string bends leap out. Read more

Reviews (23)

Some of the best Albert King stuff
Agreed - this is some of the best songs I heard Albert play on record.Truly an excellent collection.You'll hear not only Albert's awesome soulful singing but also a LOT of intense blues guitar, which is truly "King".The sound quality leaves more to be desired, but it is acceptable.Material more than makes up for it.I played this record to someone who's never heard Albert King's material before and they were shocked.I'm a fan of Albert King, and this is a valuable disc in my collection.

King of the Blues Guitar
This is my absolute favorite recording by Albert King. I had the album for years and literally wore it out playing it. I finally got the CD to replace my album and was pleasantly surprised to find it included some additional material not on the LP. Any collection of blues material is not complete without this.
King of the Blues Guitar, Albert King
CD arrived in sealed jewel case, new, and was without flaws.The music was great, as expected, and the artist lived up to his reputation as one of the truly fine blues pickers. ... Read more

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

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (114)

Horribly Disappointing
Like many others I had eagerly awaited the release of this album.KWS's first three albums were so fantastic and I expected this one to be at least as good, if not better.Unfortunately, it falls far short of my expectations.
Keeny Wayne Rocks Once Again
I will start out by agreeing with everyone that is not his best album by any means, but I will also say that it is very good. The sound is different from the first three but it is still some great guitar.
Kenny, get back to your roots!
This album is a disappointing departure from the signature, blues rock sound of KWS.Kenny seems to be hunting for a new musical persona, with varied results resembling Lenny Kravitz, pop rock, and progressive rock.
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Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Bass (Electric)    3. Blues-Rock    4. Contemporary Blues    5. Drums    6. Fender Rhodes    7. Guitar (Acoustic)    8. Guitar (Electric)    9. Hard Rock    10. Modern Electric Blues    11. Organ (Hammond)    12. Piano    13. Pop    14. Rock    15. Rock/Pop    16. Vocals    17. Vocals (Background)   

Editorial Review

This second album in Dancing Cat Records' Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Masters Series produced by George Winston follows its successful Read more

Reviews (8)

beautiful
This cd would be worth buying even if it only had one song on it - the version of "Pu'u Anahulu" with Martin Pahinui on vocals.I get chicken skin just listening to this song and how much he sounds like his father!Of course I love Gabby's version but always wondered what it would sound like without the cheesy strings; this is it.Unlike one other reviewer, I love the vocals.

2006 GRAMMY WINNER!!!
This album won a Grammy in February 2006! And diservedly so...
Please, more slack key without vocals!!!
That's my call to record execs, or George Winston, or whoever, if they ever read these. I bought volume one, absolutely thrilled that finally, after 40 years of searching, I'd finally found slack key without singing. I don't hate the vocals, and the vocals on this CD are less annoying than a whole lot of the vocals I've heard in Hawaiian music (yes, I grew up there, and have gone back every year for the last 30 years, and I've heard a whole lot of Hawaiian music that I didn't exactly ask for.) I love finger-picked ukulele (NOT strummed), and I love the cheesy steel guitar, but if I never hear another vocal, it'll be too soon. So anyway: is everyone who ever published Hawaiian music confident that people like and expect vocals? I see other reviews here that could do without the vocals. I hereby swear that if Dancing Cat (or anybody) ever does another collection anywhere near as good as Vol. 1, without vocals, I will instantly buy it at a premium price. I promise! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative    2. Adult Contemporary    3. Contemporary Instrumental    4. Country Blues    5. Electric Blues    6. Ethnic    7. Hawaii    8. Hawaiian    9. Hawaiian Music    10. Int'l & World Music    11. Neo-Classical    12. Pop    13. Slack-Key Guitar    14. Solo Instrumental    15. World Music    16. Worldbeat   

Reviews (32)

WELLDESERVED RECOGNITION
I am lucky enough to have been acquainted with Johnny A and his mesmerizing talent for decades...it is so satisfying to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves. Buy this CD and his first release Sometime Tuesday Morning and you will understand what all the hoopla is about.
Musicality and monster chops
This is a most enjoyable set of instrumentals, and the only reason I haven't given it 5 stars is because I heard the man live, playing a killer set, before I bought this CD. In an intimate club setting, Johnny A burns the house down, and plays with a raw intensity that this studio recording does not quite catch. It's an excellent record nonetheless,full of masterly yet understated guitar playing, and solid songwriting.The soloing is concise and every note counts. If you really want to spoil yourself, see the man live withhis trio...very awesome, and not just for guitar geeks.

Get inside, put your seatbelt on, and enjoy the ride.
You'll cruise by quaint country scenes, race a train skirting rolling hills and rustic mountains. You'll make it all the way to Nashville via gritty city streets past all the coolest jazz and rock clubs. That's where you'll go when you put "Get Inside", a slick offering from Johnny A, in your CD player.
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Subjects:  1. Contemporary Blues    2. Instrumental Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock/Pop   

Reviews (11)

Not a CD to add to your Johnny Lang Collection
I appreciate and like Johnny Lang's music.There is no doubt that he is amazing.However, this CD is awful.It does not demonstrate his true abilites and should have the "kid" still in the title.The CD is good if you want to complete your collection, but this CD is not one worth listening to twice.Save your money and wait for his next CD release.

Jonny Lang
this kid is great.i have several of his cds and they all are great.this kid can sing.i listen to him at work, in the car and on my ipod.
A solid, rocking blues cd
I recommend this cd to anyone who likes Jonny Lang and his brand of music. This was his first cd and a brilliant entrance into the world of music. The boy is a very talented writer and musician. ... Read more

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

Reviews (32)

A FABULOUS WORK OF ART!
Wow...what a wonderful artist!In this day of x-rated lyrics that promote disrespect and violence, how refreshing it is to have an artist like Anthony Gomes who is obviously trying to spread the word of friendship, faith and love.It seems that his lyrics are like a window into his soul, and this is such goodness there!Very uplifting, I highly recommend.His guitar work is incredible...Stevie Ray comes to mind.I think folks are going to take notice of this deserving young man and there will be many more cd's to come!

DIG IT!
YEA BROTHER, U GOT IT TOTALLY GOIN ON!
Gimme another dose!
This is a terrific disc showcasing Gomes' growth as an artist.Those familiar with his work already know him for his powerful vocals and incendiary guitar, this new CD brings funk, rock, R&B and the blues together in a manner that few artists could pull together without sounding contrived or manufactured.
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Subjects:  1. Modern Electric Blues    2. Pop    3. Rock    4. Rock/Pop   

Editorial Review

This is by far the best and most comprehensive introduction to recorded blues ever assembled, drawing styles, record labels, and eras together with the efficiency of a spider’s web. These five discs--tied to the hit-and-miss PBS film series Read more

Features

• Box set
• Soundtrack

Reviews (20)

Best blues compilation
IMO, this 5-disc set is par none the best blues compilation spanning over 50 years.Not everything noteworthy has been included, but it is the best bang for your buck you're going to find anywhere for a wide blues selection from early to recent, and Marty Scorese did a fantastic job in selection.I have given it as a gift several times and it is the gift that keeps on giving.Some very great tunes.

Raw
This box set compliments the film series very well. Musically, the set is wonderful until the middle half of the fourth disc and wans quite considerably on the fifth disc. This is not only a matter of bad taste in choosing appropriate music for these parts of the set, it is merely a matter of musical history: the blues at the time in which these portions of the set cover was simple not very good music.
The Best Compilation on Blues Ever Made
One day in early 1968 I bought the album Wheels of Fire by Cream. Cream of course featured Eric Clapton.
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Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Revival    5. Chicago Blues    6. Country Blues    7. Delta Blues    8. Electric Blues    9. Electric Chicago Blues    10. Electric Texas Blues    11. Modern Acoustic Blues    12. Modern Electric Blues    13. Pop    14. Prewar Blues    15. R&B    16. Retro-Soul    17. Rock & Roll    18. Slide Guitar Blues    19. Soul-Blues    20. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Editorial Review

Another day, another Lightnin' Hopkins collection. It's only to be expected for a musician whose career lasted six decades, and whose recorded output was so profuse (often for several labels simultaneously) that the neophyte is hard pressed to determine which of the many albums, compilations, and box sets to acquire. One could do worse than this collection from Rhino Records, which includes classics such as "Coffee Blues" and "Mojo Hand," and even includes a few songs that aren't to be found on Read more

Reviews (5)

The blues do not get any bluer than this.........
The blues do not get any bluer than