Showing posts with label historical blues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label historical blues. Show all posts

The Complete Plantation Recordings Review

The Complete Plantation Recordings
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The Complete Plantation Recordings ReviewWhen Muddy Waters made the first recordings here, he was 26 or 27 and had not been playing regularly. He didnt own a guitar and had to borrow Alan Lomax's Martin. You see here your basic Delta and Mississippi blues in full blossom, by a man who was a great player if he could sound like this when he wasn't in practice. People look at Mississippi blues with a distorted mind thinking of it only through the stream of Robert Johnson, when the music and the tradition was much broader.

In the interviews on this recording you can see how lame and ignorant at times the folklorists were, both white and black, Lomax and Work. But you also see a testament to Son House who taught Robert Johnson, Muddy, and a whole layer of bluesmen and who was such a great artist even in his revival 1960s that Muddy would make his band members keep quiet and play close attention when House performed with them at Newport and elsewhere.
However, you also see his roots beyond this. We get to hear a good string band performance with Muddy Playing with fiddler Son Sims and a mandolin player in a blues fiddle band that was typical of what was going on at the time. Muddy explains his decision to start playing music was inspired by Sims and the string band with Sims and the mandolin player was the band he performed with when he got work. Neither Waters nor the liner notes let you know that Waters also played mandolin, and that when Muddy was a teenager in the 1930s, his favorite blues group was the fiddle band The Mississippi Sheiks. Years later, Muddy would explain he walked all day just to hear the Sheiks.
Despite all this history, this is some good blues music to listen to,. More relaxed,and less intense, and of course less masterful than the Chess masterpieces Muddy began putting out in Chicago in the 1940s, but this is still a CD I put on my player with it set to keep replaying it because I want to hear it.The Complete Plantation Recordings OverviewRecorded on Stovall Plantation in Clarksdale, MS by Alan Lomax in 1941 and 1942, these 18 tracks represent the first recordings of a sharecropper named McKinley Morganfield a.k.a. Muddy Waters. And, yeah, there's an unreleased track, and four interviews, but really, for something this historic the less said the better. Just listen.

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Howlin Wolf: The Chess Box Review

Howlin Wolf: The Chess Box
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Howlin Wolf: The Chess Box ReviewIf life were a college course in Blues Appreciation, at least three aural textbooks would be required listening: the Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson and the Chess Boxes of Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf. Just purchasing a CD or two of any of the other blues masters will suffice (for awhile anyway), but these three giants produced so much listenable and danceable music that nothing less than complete box sets will do. Even at 71 tracks, this set still feels incomplete; where is Wolf's fabulous live recording of "Highway 49" from the Newport Folk Festival? Or "Do the Do" from London Howlin Wolf Sessions, featuring Eric Clapton and Hubert Sumlin's fantastic guitar figures? But these are minor quibbles. How can you argue with an album that starts with a lonesome Wolf moan ("Moanin at Midnight") and ends (well, one track from the end, anyway) with a frail Wolf teaching a roomful of top blues acolytes (Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts) how to play acoustic guitar on "Little Red Rooster" the way Charlie Patton himself taught Wolf some 40-50 years ago? What an experience! His powerful, gargling-battery-acid voice (only Blind Willie Johnson and Captain Beefheart had more abused throats) now a shadow of it's former self, his commanding presence still moves the assembled royalty of British blues-rock to "get on it" and produce a memorable take. In between are too many highlights to mention, including "Killing Floor" (probably the only song set in an animal slaughterhouse), "Back Door Man" (later covered memorably by the Doors), "I Ain't Superstitious" (also covered well by Jeff Beck Group and Savoy Brown), and most memorably, his signature song "Smokestack Lightning." As a bonus, there are several snippets from an interview recording just a few years before his death in which he reveals how he got his name, how he got started playing the blues, and the "hidden" meanings behind both "Smokestack Lightning" and "I Asked Her For Water". These glimpses into the real, behind-the scenes Wolf persona, each about 30 seconds to one minute long, are priceless. Throughout the set, Wolf is supported by first-rate musicians, particularly the aforementioned Sumlin, who was such a good guitarist that he was "borrowed" regularly by the likes of Muddy Waters and Little Walter, but always made his way back to Wolf's pack. This set and all it's great music should keep most listener's happy for hours. Now, when will some great writer take up the challenge of giving Howlin' Wolf the biography he deserves? (Waters and Walter already have fine bios.) Until then, the Wolf fan will just have to make do with the (excellent) liner notes from this set and play it once again to hear the magic of the Wolf moanin' at midnight, or at any time of day he so desires.Howlin Wolf: The Chess Box Overview71 of the rawest Chicago blues ever recorded! Wolf's greatest sides from 1951-1973, including two previously unreleased acoustic tracks and never-before-heard interviews, and unreleased stereo versions of such classics as Spoonful and I Ain't Superstitious . Two sets of liner notes, too!

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Definitive Collection Review

Definitive Collection
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Definitive Collection ReviewEver notice that you're seeing more and more of these "best of" collectons out there now? Now there is UMVD's "The Definitive Collection" of numerous artists from that same unforgettable era featuring 20 or more top tunes of the featured artist crammed onto one disc. Sometimes these single-disc collections fail to make the grade because of so much essential material that ends up being left off for reasons of space alone and the rest of it is the same predictable fare. An exception in this case would be this: Muddy Waters' Definitive Collection. This collection runs through Muddy's premiere years featuring his swampy, slide guitar sound and musical style then continues through the '50s and early '60s when he began to make his significant impact on blues music and eventually would be regarded as one of the most highly respected names in blues music. So many of his best tunes like "Hoochie Coochie Man", "I'm Ready", "Forty Days and Forty Nights" and "Got My Mojo Working" were covered by so many bands so many times that these tunes are really timeless and have becomes standards in blues. You really do get and stay interested for the entire length of the album. It is a little slow to start, but it picks up quickly and the bulk of the action happens with tracks 8-18. "Crosseyed Cat", recorded in 1976, is something you really got to hear. It is swampy, raw and tough. A 6 minute jam session, basically. This "Definitive Collection' lives up to its name overall, and is absolutely essential for the blues fan if the 2-disc anthology is a bit much.Definitive Collection Overview

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King of Delta Blues Singers Review

King of Delta Blues Singers
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King of Delta Blues Singers ReviewThis is some of the best delta blues ever recorded, but enough has been written about that. The reason to get this compilation and its companion "King of the Delta Blues Singers Vol. 2" is for the wonderful remastering. The sound on these two issues is far better than the 1990 "Complete" box set (and better even than the remastered 1997 version of that set). Both volumes of "King of the Delta Blues" employ minimal noise reduction. While this leaves some high end hiss and low end rumble, it makes the recordings clearer, more full bodied and natural sounding than any versions of Johnson's recordings that I have ever heard. His voice and guitar do not sound as thin as they do on previous issues. I also prefer the sequencing on this CD over the "Complete" set, which has back to back alternate takes. The only thing you miss out on with "King of the Delta Blues" volumes 1 and 2 are a handful of alternate takes which appear only on the "Complete" box set. It should be noted, however, that this CD contains a version of "Traveling Riverside Blues" that does NOT appear on the "Complete" box set. Highly recommended!King of Delta Blues Singers OverviewBlues lovers everywhere knew the legend of Robert Johnson, but only one complete Robert Johnson song was commercially available until this 1961 album came out. The most anticipated blues album of all time also became the most influential as future rock stars devoured it. Along with Crossroads Blues; Rambling on My Mind , and all the other classics, this reissue contains a newly discovered, previously unissued alternate version of Traveling Riverside Blues ! 17 tracks.

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Blues Masters: The Very Best of Review

Blues Masters: The Very Best of
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Blues Masters: The Very Best of ReviewIt's encouraging to hear contemporary artists like Keb Mo', Robert Cray, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd carry on the blues tradition into the new millennium. However, I'm always drawn back to the originals like Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and of course Lightnin' Hopkins.
This newly packaged collection of songs from Rhino is an excellent companion to Rhino's 1993 anthology Mojo Hand. The Very Best of duplicates seven tracks from that release and focuses on Hopkins' work from 1947 to 1961, but offers enough new material to make this a worthwhile purchase. And with Hopkins' lack of loyalty to any one record label, no fewer than seven different labels are represented on this 16-track collection.
On many of these songs Hopkins performs solo accompanying himself on guitar (and adding piano on "Mighty Crazy"). On a handful of tracks he is backed by a bass player and on "Shotgun Blues," a second guitarist. Only on "Conversation Blues" and "Last Night Blues" is there a full band of bass, drums and harmonica (provided by Sonny Terry) backing Hopkins.
This is an excellent introduction (or addition) for fans of acoustic Texas folk/blues performed by one of the genre's greatest practioners. HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDBlues Masters: The Very Best of OverviewA killer compilation of early (1947-1961) essentials by this Texas blues titan, drawn from 10 labels and featuring solo and band recordings. His Top 10 R&B hits Shotgun Blues; Coffee Blues , and Give Me Central 209 join Katie Mae; Baby Please Don't Go; I'm Beggin' You; Contrary Mary; Mojo Hand , and more.

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Art of Bottleneck Slide Guitar Review

Art of Bottleneck Slide Guitar
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Art of Bottleneck Slide Guitar ReviewSam Mitchell's playing is a throw back to the simpler musical life we enjoyed in the late sixties. His clean performance of the great slide tunes of the 20th Century make this CD a classic. If you play slide guitar at all, this is a must have for your collection. Stephan Grossman, the guitar educator, has devoted almost half his Slide Guitar book directly from the tunes on this CD (tab and notation both). A new Sam Mitchell album has justed been released (Oct'00) so keep you eye out for that one also.Art of Bottleneck Slide Guitar Overview

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Complete Recordings Review

Complete Recordings
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Complete Recordings ReviewThe irony of Robert Johnson's superstar status is hard to miss. He was almost completely ignored by the music-buying public of his day, even in the market his records were aimed at. Yet in the present day, he's practically the only country blues artist most people know about. On one level, this is because of relentless championing by other blues artists, not least Eric Clapton. On another level, Johnson's fame rests on the fact that he was able to write, or more properly pull together from his various mentors and influences, his songs and make them complete unto themselves. His songs have made an impact, and have been covered time and again by countless artists. That counts for something.
Part of who Robert Johnson was as a singer and songwriter is obscured by his legend, which has been retold so often it borders on cliche. But even after the hype has been dismissed, this box set shows Johnson as a powerful, innovative, soulful blues man, a great performer and a great songwriter (in the context of blues songwriting) with his own unique sound.
Johnson was not without his influences, and if he had lived he would have told you that himself. However, the interesting thing was that he managed to transform his influences and personalize them into his own vision of the blues, a blues that was one of the first steps away from country blues toward city blues - a vision that would eventually become Chicago blues.
It has been fashionable in blues circles to put Robert Johnson down recently, and to gripe about how Johnson's influences should be as well known as he is. This is a valid point. However, Johnson became an influence himself, and as such, he still deserves a good deal of respect. This box set, which contains every recording he is known for, is a just tribute to a brilliant singer, songwriter and performer.
The remastering is surprisingly good, considering the sources. Johnson's voice and guitar playing come through vividly and illustrate his wealth of talent. The only possible drawback to this box set, for the casual listener, is the number of alternate takes included. They show that Johnson was an adept performer, because a lot of the alternates are similar to the "released" versions. This showed that he was no closet bluesman or flash-in-the-pan, but was adept at entertaining an audience. And to this day his guitar playing is astonishingly fluid and innovative. However, the repetitiveness of the alternate takes can become trying to people who are not students of the blues, and for the casual listener a single-disc set would probably be sufficient.
This box set, is, and remains, a worthy overview of a talent that received its due far too late. I would advise the listener not to be put off by people who would place Johnson's influences over him, but to listen to Johnson on his own merits. My guess is that he'll win you over, as he has generations of listeners.Complete Recordings OverviewUK pressing of this two CD collection from the Blues legend.This collection lives up to its title, containing every known recording by Johnson, including alternate takes. Though the 41 tracks in this double disc set were recorded in a span of only eight months (November 1936-June 1937), Johnson left behind a musical legacy that continues to influence and inspire. Features tracks like 'Sweet Home Chicago', 'Love In Vain' and 'Hellhound On My Trail', which are now considered Blues standards. Camden.--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

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Blues Masters 15 Review

Blues Masters 15
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Blues Masters 15 ReviewThis is another fine entry in Rhino's lengthy Blues Masters series. It isn't the definitive word on slide guitar blues, of course, or on any of the artists represented, but as a sampler it works very well, featuring a lesser-known (but very good) rendition of "Dust My Broom" by Elmore James, and well-chosen cuts by Muddy Waters, J.B. Hutto (the tough boogie "Too Much Alcohol"), and Robert Nighthawk (a superb medley of two of his best songs, "Anna Lee" and "Sweet Black Angel").

The compilers at Rhino have included the Allman Brothers' version of Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues" rather than the original, "Shake Your Moneymaker" by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, and Canned Heat's take on "Rollin' And Tumblin'"...I would probably have gone with McTell's own "Mama T'Ain't Long Fo' Day", which is one of the most beautiful acoustic slide guitar blues tunes you'll ever hear, but that's just me.

Robert Johnson is missing, and Son House is, too, but the compilers try to make amends by including some lesser-known tracks which should appeal to the experienced blues fan, like James Williamson's "Homesick's Shuffle", Babe Turner's "I Am The Black Ace", Earl Hooker's "If You Ever Seen A One-Eyed Woman Cry", the harsh "Treat Me The Way You Do" by Joe Carter, and a rare opportunity to hear Chuck Berry wielding the slide on the odd instrumental "Deep Feeling". And the awesome Blind Willie Johnson is here as well, performing the eerie "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground".

Very good. But its companion volume, Blues Masters Vol. 18, is actually even better.Blues Masters 15 Overview

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Sky Is Crying: The History of Review

Sky Is Crying: The History of
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Sky Is Crying: The History of ReviewI can't think of anybody in the history of rock and roll or blues who has had their music covered more than Elmore James. For a man who died almost 40 years ago, his music has held up well with time. James has influenced generations of musicians. From the older blues acts like B.B.King and Jimmy Reed. To the old rock acts like the Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix, and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac. To the newer acts like Stevie Ray Vaughan and especially George Thorogood. And I still never get tired of hearing these great songs. All of the music on here was recorded between 1951-61. The first 6 songs here, including his most famous "Dust My Broom", were all done on prehistoric recording equipment, and the sound quality isn't always the absolute best, but they did an excellent job on here of restoring these early recordings, which were done many times in later years for many different record labels, but they were never as good as the older versions you find on this cd. The rest of these tracks were done after 1954 when recording techniques got much better. That's when his slide guitar prowess really began to shine through, on tracks such as "The Sky Is Crying", I Can't Hold Out", "Done Somebody Wrong", and "Shake Your Moneymaker". It didn't hurt that he had the Broomdusters, who were probably the smokingest band of backing musicians as there ever was. James had a pretty prolific catalog of music for somebody who died at the young age of 45 from heart disease. There's no telling what he could have done if he had lived longer. The fact that James was an electric slide guitar pioneer was probably as important as his music. Having influenced thousands of would be guitar players to pick up a bottleneck. As for this compilation, I think the older versions of these classic songs are every bit as entertaining and worthwhile as the newer souped up versions. This "History Of Elmore James", along with my Best Of from Little Walter's Chess recordings, are the two best blues compilations from the old guard that I've ever heard. It's all timeless music, and absolutely essential to any serious blues lovers collection.Sky Is Crying: The History of OverviewNo Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: JAMES,ELMORETitle: SKY IS CRYING-HISTORY OFStreet Release Date: 04/06/1993

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