Editorial Review

Muddy Waters started out playing acoustic blues in the Delta, and it shows on this return to his roots, designed to appeal to the mid-1960s surge of interest in folk music. The back of the CD includes a photo of Waters with bassist and songwriter Willie Dixon, as well as a very young Buddy Guy, gathered around a single microphone. This particular CD reissue includes five bonus tracks, among which are "The Same Thing" and "Short Dress Woman," which take advantage of the longer CD running time. All of the other reasons to hear this one remain--Waters's strong, confident voice, the relaxed smoothness of the material, and the surprisingly clean recording, made even cleaner by the digital remastering. Read more

Features

• Extra tracks
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (18)

Lousy Title. Fabulous Music
This is not a folk album; it's a blues album. And it's one of the best blues albums anybody ever recorded. I have a lot of Muddy Waters' CDs, and this one makes me stop and listen to how great his voice was, how well he could tell a story, how deeply he could hook you. You get that "back porch blues" feeling, like he's there with you on a hot summer night strummin' and singin' with a couple of friends he brought along.
BLUES EN SU SIMPLE Y MAGISTRAL ESCENCIA
Este album llego a mi por simple curiosidad en el 2000. Nunca imagine que alguien pudiese juntar tal talento en sus manos y voz como lo hizo Muddy para este album. La seccion de musicos que le sirven de soporte son nada mas y nada menos que. Buddy Guy y Willie Dixon. No hay palabras que puedan describir la magia que emanan de estas grabaciones, tan solo blues en su mas puro estado... es como trasladarse al delta de los 1930. Sonido puro y llanamente acustico con un entramado de guitarras magistral entre Muddy y Buddy Guy que sirven de fondo a la ya famosa interpretacion vocal de Muddy y eso sin contar con el solido sonido de Willie Dixon al bajo. Recuerdo que en una vieja revista de blues apuntaba sobre la existencia de este disco como una muestra de musica folk interpretada por quien se supone fue, es y sera la mejor voz y guitarra del blues americano... pero aqui no hay nada de folk, es blues delta en su estado mas primitivo. Maravilloso y dotado de una sencillez total que asombran por el resultado; PURA MAGIA. Se agregan una serie de bonus tracks que no deslucen del contenido inicial de la edicion original...pero los temas grabados en acustico son y seran la parte central de esta obra unica en su genero. Las fotografias que se incluyen en el inserto y enla propia caja del cd demuestran por su elegancia el disfrute de tres maestros del blues que nunca imaginaron que al juntarse para esta sencilla grabacion, crearian una de las mejores muestras del espiritu del blues delta. El album recoje algunos de los temas mas interesantes de la discografia del Mudddy;
Not Only Muddy, also a Great Buddy Guy and Willie Dixon Album
As the other reviewers have already clearly said, this is one of the 25? 10? 5? 3? greatest Albums of all time. I never tire of hearing it and the extension tracksa are nicely chosen. If you like the blues just a little, you'll be happy you bought this.
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Subjects:  1. Acoustic Chicago Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Revival    5. Blues Traditional    6. Chicago Blues    7. Delta Blues    8. Electric Chicago Blues    9. Pop    10. Slide Guitar Blues   

Editorial Review

This 1971 collaboration between primal one-part-Delta/one-part-Detroit singer-guitarist John Lee Hooker and Southern California blues revivalists Canned Heat works in large part because all parties involved are a little off. Hooker, the most unsystematic of the major bluesmen of his generation, isn't a good fit for disciplined players; rather, he requires sidemen who play by feel. In harp player-guitarist Alan Wilson, the Crawling King Snake found a particularly sympathetic foil; sadly, Wilson died shortly after these sessions were completed. Roughly divided into spare, gritty Delta exercises and full-on boogie stomps featuring the full band, Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (12)

A seminal blues album and John Lee's best........
I wore a hole in this vinyl record simply because it was definitive blues at its best.
Hooker n' Heat Boogies, but isn't perfect
Hooker n' Heat is a great collaboration between white blues players and the Hook (in my opinion, the best blues singer of all time).The recording is raw, stripped down and meaty.Reverb wasn't even added to John Lee's vocals or most of the instruments for that matter, which makes me think of After the Goldrush by Neil Young, also a profoundly stripped down record made the same year.Because of its simplicity, this album sounds very different than the Hook's famous late 50's, early 60's work.
This is too intense...
When I first heard it, "Hooker and Heat" blew me away.It still does.Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Revival    4. Blues Traditional    5. Country Blues    6. Delta Blues    7. Detroit Blues    8. Electric Blues    9. Electric Delta Blues    10. Leader    11. Pop    12. Rock    13. Songwriter    14. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

This is the infamous "somebody-put-something-in-the-Waters" LP from 1968. A relative hit for Chess, it features the exalted bluesman bellowing over psychedelicized arrangements that owe more to Steppenwolf than Willie Dixon. Waters himself complained that the drums were too busy and the lead guitar sounded like a cat's meow. Not a bad critique. Read more

Reviews (31)

If you like Electric Mud, watch the film!
It's funny how when it comes to the products that Amazon sells, company reviewers just happen to always write glowing reviews -except in this case. Here, Steven Stolder really picked the wrong recording to knock. "Electric Mud" isn't for everybody, but it's great for what it is. It sounds like the spirit of Jimi Hendrix possessed Muddy Waters for a session at Chess Records. This important album turned new generations of listeners onto the Blues. If you dig this album, then you must watch "Godfathers and Sons," a film which is the fifth disc in Martin Scorsese's "The Blues: A Musical Journey." In this documentary, Marshall Chess (the producer for "Electric Mud") explains the history of the project to none other than Chuck D.Furthermore, the film captures the reunion of the Electric Mud band with the addition of a DJ and rapper. If you've been able to put aside the negative reviews and find a place in your heart for "Electric Mud," the film is essential. As for me, I picked the disc up after watching the film. I am happy that the film turned me onto such a unique recording.

Dylan Blew Off the Folk Purists, Muddy Blew Off the Blues Purists
I bought this LP a year or two after it came out, and to my Hendrix/Cream/Page 'energized' ears, Muddy Waters never sounded better!
WHERE IS THE CAT?
I bought this lp in 1968,(for $1.77) It was in the bargain bins at JC PENNY. I was 14, and this was my introduction to muddy.OK I am very happy they released this on cd. It brings back a lot of fond memories. A lot of people slammed this album but I think it rocks. The sound quality of the cd is very good, but they edited out the cat screaming at the start of "tom cat" Anyway dont expect a traditional muddy waters album, but this is a lot of fun with the fuzz guitar, and driving drums. Now maybe they will release "after the rain" marshall chess's other cadet concept muddy waters album. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Chicago Blues    5. Electric Blues    6. Electric Chicago Blues    7. Pop    8. Slide Guitar Blues   

Reviews (4)

Pretty close.
This single-disc compilation makes a pretty good introduction to the legendary folk/ blues musician, Lead Belly. The sound quality is good and comparable to the more recent collection Absolutely the Best, and this CD contains many of the same standards as that album, including "The Bourgeois Blues," "In New Orleans," "Goodnight Irene" and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night," as well as additional classics such as "Yellow Gal," "Blue Tail Fly" and "The Boll Weevil Song." The only thing stopping this collection from being indisputably more definitive than Absolutely the Best is the unfortunate absence of "Midnight Special," a song famously covered by Creedence Clearwater Revival in the late 1960s, and probably one of Huddie's four or five most popular songs. My suggestion? If you're willing to shell out a bit more, then get this album along with Lead Belly Sings for Children, also available on Amazon. The latter contains the aformentioned "Midnight Special," as well as a number of wonderful children's songs, spirituals and medleys.

Almost
You can't go wrong with this compilation.For a longer review, see the other reviewer's remarks.Remember no "best of" is best without "Midnight Special", recorded by a kajillion other artists. (Is there a Leadbelly estate?)Be prepared though for the sellers of any compilation including that song to stick a gun in your ribs for the CD(s). If you can afford more money, skip this one for the one with ...you get up in the mornin', you hear the ding dong ring...

One of the very best single-disc Leadbelly compilations
This Cleopatra disc is a great place to start for those just getting acquainted with Huddie Ledbetter. It's not definitive, of course, but these fine transfers of Leadbelly's best-known songs will satisfy most casual fans, and while "Take This Hammer" (a part of the "When The Sun Goes Down"-series) is probably a little more accessible for the casual listener, you can't beat this disc as far as the song selection goes.
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Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Folk-Blues    6. Folksongs    7. Pop    8. Songster   

Reviews (6)

WLJ
Five stars does not do justice to this classic. Trust me; if you are a fan of true spiritual gospel music, this is the CD for you. A CD for all times that will magnify your collection.
Buy This Album
Your soul will thank you.One of my all-time favorites.Thomas A. Dorsey is a genius--one of the best American songwriters...ever.As a tunesmith, he is up there with Jagger, Richards, Dylan, Lennon, Waits, Newman, Foster and Ray Charles.What a record.

This is a par-excellent album!!!
This is a wonderful album, I love it!Dorsey is a master, and this album includes a powerful testimony before track one, describing the moving story of the death of his wife, and the inspiration for writing "Precious Lord, Take My Hand".Top to bottom this album is a gospel classic! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Chicago Blues    2. Black Gospel    3. Blues Gospel    4. Gospel    5. Gospel Collections    6. Gospel/Christian Music    7. Piano Blues    8. Pop    9. Prewar Blues    10. Prewar Gospel Blues    11. Southern Gospel    12. Traditional Gospel   

Reviews (9)

This guy deserves to be heard
It's not surprising that Blind Lemon was the most popular bluesman of his era for when you have the pleasure of hearing him for the first time you are subconsciously captivated by a voice which is obviously blessed with such rare subtle harmony that it can only be desribed as other worldly. Excellent overview
Taking the place of Yazoo's previous compilation, 1985's "King Of The Country Blues", this fine collection of Blind Lemon Jefferson's prewar singles is just about the best on the market (unless you want to spring for JSP's superb four-disc boxset "The Complete 94 Classic Sides"). One of The Original Bluesmen
Along with men like Frank Stokes, Charley Patton, Furry Lewis, Mississippi John Hurt and Cryin' Sam Collins, Blind Lemon Jefferson was one of the original bluesmen. Although it's commonly thought that he was born in 1897, more recent research has suggested that he was born in 1893. During the years of his adolescence, the blues was first beginning to take shape. Songs like "Black Horse Blues," "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean," "Matchbox Blues," "Corinna Blues," and "Rabbit Foot Blues" are all absolutely essential to anyone's blues collection, or to their general understanding of American music. Jefferson's strange and unconventional vocals controlled and dictated what he played on guitar. His guitar playing was highly influenced by the Flamenco playing of Mexican workers whom he lived near during his life. His lyrics are bright, original, often sarcastic and humorous, and great poetry. Unfortunately, both this disc and a Yazoo Blind Blake disc that I have, often skip when I play them. Better luck to others who purchase this Jefferson disc! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Acoustic Texas Blues    3. Blues    4. Blues Music    5. Blues Traditional    6. Country Blues    7. Field Recordings    8. Pop    9. Prewar Blues    10. Prewar Gospel Blues    11. Texas Blues   

Editorial Review

This two-CD box contains all 41 recordings Johnson made, including 12 alternate takes, and each cut remains a classic. This set's release in 1990 caused quite a stir, selling more than 500,000 copies, and, on the basis of endorsements from Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, introduced a great number of rock fans to Delta blues. Amazingly, Johnson built his enormous legacy on the strength of just two recording sessions: the first session, in November of 1936, produced among others "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom," "Sweet Home Chicago," "Cross Road Blues," and "Walkin' Blues," making it perhaps the most influential single session in blues history.Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (108)

Wonderful
While I have to agree with some people that the second takes should've been put on the second CD, I have to say that it really isn't all that difficult to skip to the next track or put your player on random. The only reason this set didn't get my full 5 stars is because the audio wasn't cleaned up. While I don't mind the old feel of the "dirty" sound, I would prefer to have it clean, just being able to hear his voice and guitar.
of course you need this.
robert johnson is simply a cornerstone of american music. buy it, breathe it in through the ears and feel america pushing up at the soles of your feet. then have a beer. you can call that a good evening, yes sir.

Robert Johnson.....the stuff of legends!
Robert Johnson is probably one of the most enigmatic figures in the history of the blues, or even perhaps in all of American music.In his youth, he was berated and even whipped by his stepfather for not getting behind a mule and working in the fields.....he knew he had a different calling. This calling was his music.
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Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Country Blues    5. Delta Blues    6. Pop    7. Prewar Blues    8. Prewar Country Blues    9. Slide Guitar Blues   

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   

Reviews (22)

Great Intro. to The Blues
If you like Classic Rock and Roll and are looking to get into The Blues this is a great place to start.Chess Records, in following the success of Fathers and Sons, ships both Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters to play with a who's who of British Rock.On this album, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Charlie Watts, and more accompany Howlin for a set of his classic tunes.While this may not be Howlin Wolf's best material it is still fun.The take out of Little Red Rooster is great where Eric and others try to talk Howlin into play along.Steve Winwood really shines on this album.Howlin while not at his peak is still a force of the blues. This is a great place to start and a great way to get someone into the blues.Won't spare the expense of the delux version.

LISTEN BABY, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN LOVED BY A MAN THEY CALL THE WOLF?

A fun listen--but doesn't approach wolf at his best
This album was my introduction to the Wolf, and I loved it. It was after I had heard some of his other work and then came back to the London Sessions that I found myself disappointed. Howlin' Wolf possessed the most distinctive voice in blues--a genre full of distinct voices. The London Sessions feature a fairly ill, and rather old Howlin' Wolf, and he simply doesn't have the raw power that he possessed on earlier albums. The songs on this album are good as always, and the Rolling Stones' rhythm section, the Eric Clapton guitar work, give Wolf an updated rock feel. If you're looking for classic blues songs with a slightly smoother feel and production, this is definitely a great purchase. But if you want Wolf at his most powerful, check out something earlier, like "Moanin' in the Moonlight". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 70's    2. Adult Contemporary    3. Album Rock    4. Blues    5. Blues Music    6. Blues Traditional    7. Blues-Rock    8. Bop    9. British Blues    10. Chicago Blues    11. Electric Blues    12. Electric Chicago Blues    13. Electric Memphis Blues    14. Hard Rock    15. Pop    16. Pop/Rock   

Editorial Review

A founding father of electric blues in general and Texas blues in particular, guitarist T-Bone Walker influenced countless blues players and, by extension, countless rock & rollers as well. Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (18)

FATHER OF ELECTRIC BLUES
T-Bone not only invented the electric blues but he still remains it's most towering stylist and symbol of pure cool. T-Bone's smokey after hours blues is still one of the most vital parts of the genre. Smooth is the key word here. T-Bone's singing and playing never lacked the smooth quality that was T-Bone Walker. He could sing songs of misery and hurt with incredibly deep soul but still manage to keep it cool. This set is a fantastic value! Each track stands on it's own merit. I don't have a favorite here because all are top notch.
I have nothing but pure admiration for "Bone..."
The late "T-Bone" Walker, a pioneering mastre of the electric blues guitar and a close friend/ certainly unremitting influence on my Uncle "Pee Wee" Crayton another "axe-handler" during the immediate postwar era. However, avoiding comparisons, Uncle "Pee Wee" Crayton brought enough "heat" and daring innovation to his playing to avoid being labeled as a mere "T-Bone" copy-"kat."
you will be jumpin' and swinging in no time
T-Bone sweet T-Bone - he is the founder of modern blues - and I think he does not get enough credit for his influence on jazz guitar. Kenny Burrell, in fact, has mentioned that T-Bone was one of his early influences. He certainly has a sweet tone, and he has a nice voice too. Pair this with a hot horn section, and this cd is a steal at 10 bucks. T-Bone is a classic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Blues Traditional    4. Electric Blues    5. Electric Texas Blues    6. Jump Blues    7. Pop    8. Texas Blues    9. West Coast Blues   

Subjects:  1. Early American Blues    2. Field Recordings    3. Folk & Traditional    4. Folk Collections    5. Folksongs    6. Old-Timey    7. Pop    8. Traditional Bluegrass    9. Traditional Folk    10. V/a Compilations    11. Work Songs   

Features

• Original recording reissued

Reviews (11)

Son House was the grandaddy of 'em all!
If you're interested in the blues roots of rock, you've come to the right place. Son House laid down tracks that have echoed down to this day, and he may have been the first true wellspring of what became rock. I've been a listener and collector of what's now called classic rock for more than 40 years, and I have never found an earlier or truer original source than Son House. With all the fuss being bestowed on Robert Johnson these days, here's a clue: Son House taught RJ how to play! Listen to this album and hear the foreshadowings of ALL the great music to come... Truly great guitar pickin', and a voice as rough, plain and honest as Mississippi dirt clods... You may not want to put this album on Infinite Repeat, but you will not walk away unimpressed or unmoved. IMHO, Son House truly deserves the title of Great Grandaddy of Rock!

great, great collection
son house is one of the most amazing musicians to ever live. that much has been said, and that much is true. "my black mama tracks" along with "mississippi jailhouse blues" are particularly impressive. the other son house songs are amazing as well, but you do have to get beyond the scratchy recordings. that said, i highly encourage you to take the effort; if you do, you'll treat yourself to some of the finest music ever created.
Great Stuff, Some Repeats
Son House is essential to any blues collection. And as is usually the case with pre-war blues artists, Son's early stuff is better than the 60's revival stuff. That said, the company put songs on here by other artists that already appear on Mississippi Masters--which I also highly reccomend, especially for Geechie Wiley's "Last Kind Words." This CD would be 5-star and beyond if it weren't for those repeated songs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Country Blues    6. Delta Blues    7. Pop    8. Prewar Blues    9. Prewar Country Blues    10. Slide Guitar Blues   

Editorial Review

Forty-three tracks of the seminal bluesman's recordings for Aladdin in the 1940s, Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (7)

From the Cotton Patch to the Big City
Learning at the knee of legendary Bluesman Mance Lipscomb, Sam "Lightnin" Hopkins blazed an incendiary trail through the urban Texas landscape. From a man who loves the blues:
Many bluesmen have come and gone, but certain ones seem to have been around forever.Their music predates the fancy new singers, and while those new guys rise and fall, the old bluesmen stay the same, unchanged by time and just as beautiful and appealing as ever before. An Overlooked Founding Father.
There is a lot of John Lee Hooker here, and a lot of other stuff as well...Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Texas Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Country Blues    6. Pop    7. Texas Blues   

Reviews (16)

not bad for what it is
So he sang some simple blues songs and played his simple guitar licks and died young. And thus begins the pattern that if you die young your importance and talent become magnified far beyond what it would have been had he lived another 20 years and drank himself into obscurity. Forget the hype and get real.

Poor sound quality... so what?
Mount Vernon Maven points out accurately that this recording sounds "horrific" and that it needs to be "remastered remastered remastered" to sound good on that "fabulous audio system". To be fair, it does sound bad.
The Title Of Ths Album Says It All!!!RIP Mr. Johnson
The Late, Great Robert Johnson was truly the King Of The Delta Blus. I have heard that his guitar work was unique because he played his instrument as if it was a Blues Piano and if you listen carefully to his technique you will realize that this is a pretty good assessment. This album contains many fine tracks such as "Cross Road Blues". Mr. Johnson lived hard and fast with a drink in one hand and a lady in waiting on his arm and he travelled on Railway cars as if he truly did have a Hellhound on his trail. One gets the impession that perhapshe believedthat his time on this Earth would be short which it sadly was. RIP Robert. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Acoustic Blues    2. Blues    3. Blues Music    4. Blues Traditional    5. Country Blues    6. Delta Blues    7. Pop    8. Prewar Blues    9. Prewar Country Blues    10. Slide Guitar Blues    11. United States of America   

Reviews (10)

Amazing grace
We'd never heard of Alberta Hunter until reading a profile of her in The New Yorker, I think by Whitney Balliet, though I wouldn't swear to it. That would have been in about 1981 or so. We couldn't afford full-priced theater or clubs in those days, but the performance sounded great, and Hunter was already 86; God only knew how much longer she'd carry on.
Absolutely incredible
I'm absolutely blown away by this recording. Alberta Hunter may have been a blues singer but her phrasing and breath control (at 83!) are fantastic. Quite a few jazz singers could learn a thing or two from listening to her.

Her Voice and Her Rhythm are Complex and Unbeatable
These 'standards' are anything but; Alberta Hunter's versions are unbeatable.She has that kind of voice and rhythm that seem so natural and yet, like Billie Holiday, defy the human range thus placing her in the pantheon of jazz greats.She is earthy yet refined and completely in touch with the band, she moans and cries at places that you'll find yourself wondering how she got there."Darktown Strutters Ball", "Georgia Brown" and the intensely down and dirty "My Handyman" are sensual, comic and dramatically original-your body will react- guaranteed.Unpredictably fresh, this late great senior citizen packs all she's got and all we need, right in to each piece. I have given this CD as a gift to many people and they have all been smitten and grateful.Decidedly worthwhile. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Music    3. Classic Female Blues    4. Jazz Vocals    5. Pop    6. Standards   

Editorial Review

Leadbelly wasn't exactly the Raffi of the Roosevelt era. Convicted of attempted murder and murder, the man born Huddie Leadbelly on January 20, 1888, in Mooringsport, Louisiana, began forging a career as a performer in the 1930s after his discovery by John and Alan Lomax. By then he'd developed an enormous repertoire as well deft vocal and instrumental skills. Despite his sordid past, Leadbelly won over adults and children alike; this generous 28-song collection demonstrates the source of his pied-piper appeal. While the master of the 12-string guitar drew upon traditional kid fare ("Skip to My Lou," "Blue-Tailed Fly"), he recognized that plenty of goodies from his adult bag of songs appealed to tykes, too. Consequently, blues, work songs, and prison numbers turn up in this gratifying collection, which consists of a 1960-released children's LP in its entirety, plus selections from two other records and a previously unreleased radio track. Read more

Reviews (7)

The Blues Master Of The Twelve String Guitar!!!
Not only was Huddie Ledbetter a geat Blues songwriter he was also the King Of The Twelve String Guitar which made him unique among his contemporaries. Anybody who has tried to play a 12 string guitar knws it takes a lot of strength and muscle . This album contains some fine and unforgettable tracks such as 'Good Morning Blues", "Irene Goodnight", "Rock Island Line" and "Midnight Special" which was inspired by his time in Prison. The story behind this song is that if a train's light shone on a Prisoner then he would soonbe released. The greatness of this artist can be seen by the many cover versions of his songs which were released by many well known artists such as Johnny Cash and John Fogarty. It is interesting to note just where Huddie got the nickname "Leadbelly". I have heard it was given to him by a prostitute who admired his Sexual Prowess or another versionwhere he was shot in the stomache but thankfully survived. Or perhaps it was just a misspelling of his surname. This guy was and is a Blues Legend.

A brilliant album for all ages
In many ways, this album is an oddity. First, it is a blues album. The blues are supposed to be about sadness and hard times, yet this a remarkably upbeat album, Second, it is a children's album, except that it may be better appreciated by adults. I have not played this album to children, so I can't say what today's children will make of this album. An album to all of the family!!
I'm a bluesfan and have a daughter at age of 11,and since she was a baby the blues was ever a sound listened in my home.So,she likes the blues,and when i 've brought this Leadbelly album,she becomed so interested in that kind of music and it touched me inside.I've explained her all of the history of blues,specially in the person of Leadbelly,his own history too,the hard days at Angola prison,his lyrics asking for liberty,the poverty of that days,and specially the capacity of that suffered man to change all of his own life,when he decided to do what he really knows better,just to play and to sing.Then i could explain her that the man can changes the reality,just with some educative activities,and the music ,is one of that.Read more

Subjects:  1. Blues    2. Blues Traditional    3. Childrens    4. Country Blues    5. Folk-Blues    6. Folksongs    7. Pop    8. Songster   

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