Eric Bibb "Painting Signs' |
Robert Nighthawk, "Live on Maxwell Street". Sorry the list goes on. |
Junior Wells "Hoodoo Man Blues", Muddy Waters "Hard Again", B.B. King "Live at the Regal". Not a fair question, by hte way! |
Treble:
Ditto on the Steve Ray, I discovered his music when he had already passed away. I have not that much blues music but would like to expand it any recommendations, thanks |
If you can only have one Muddy Waters album in your collection, make it Muddy Waters Sings Bill Broonzy. Whatever an original Chess costs, it's worth it.
Also, does anyone besides me wish Steve Ray had made an acoustic album? An opportunity tragically missed I'm sure. |
a favorite blues album? can't say i can pick just one, but i've been listening to the bluesbreakers w/ clapton and mayall quite a bit lately. i just got it on cd and have had it on vinyl for years. don't have a tt right now, but the cd reissue ain't bad. worth checking out imo. |
One can never have one favorite(cd, wine, car, etc). I haven't seen it mentioned but check out John Campbell's One Believer. |
Diane Schuur -- Music is my life |
I have always enjoyed "Hoodoo Man Blues" by Junior Wells. |
"Can't Beat The Kid"/JOHN HAMMOND (Capricorn)
"Johnnie B Bad"/JOHNNIE JOHNSON (Elektra Nonesuch)
"Hound Dog Taylor & The House Rockers"/HOUND DOG TAYLOR (Alligator)
"King of the Jngle"/EDDIE C CAMPBELL (Rooster Blues)"
"Swamp Boogie"/LITTLE FREDDIE KING (Orleans)
"Goin' Away"/LIGHTNIN HOPKINS (?)
"Hot Wire 81/JIMMY DAWKINS (Evidence)
"The Complete Blue Horizon Recordings 1967/1969"/FLEETWOOD MAC (blue Horizon)
"Best of"/CEDELL DAVIS (fat Possum)
"Folk Singer" & "Plantation Recordings"/MUDDY WATERS (Chess?)
"Red Mud" & "Me, My Guitar & The Blues"/CHRIS THOMAS KING (?) |
Luke and Locomotives, by Robert Lucas on Audioquest! |
I re-post, only to ensure that my word is heard (if only some pols could do the same). Read the previous (actually, it's two up) post and then seek out and find the Fat Man (Leslie West, you gotta lose some weight anyway). And then, well, just enjoy. |
Actually, my feet would be tapping ... if they weren't taping. |
Came across an interesting CD last week. "Booty and the Beast" by Popa Chubby. The songs are for the most part original, the recording quality is not too bad for a small label, and the serious, serious "Boooogey Woooogey" sound keeps my feet taping. I don't know if I would label it my favorite, but I think it deserves a listen. |
Anyone have a COME TO FIND on AUDIOQUEST vinyl to trade or sell? Can't find anywhere. Limabean,if you like Joe turner you will love a Mercury CD called the R&B years, It's a 2cd set,1st disc: Eddie Vinson, Dinah Washington others. 2nd disc: Louis Jordon, Buddy & Ella Johnson who are fantastic.Their only album on Mercury (Stage Show) goes for a tidy sum and for good reason. And the Louis Jordon tunes are some of his very best. Both artist will remind yu of the very best Joe Turner years. |
I can't pick just 1...
Taj Mahal "The Real Thing" cooks and has 4 tubas.
Keb Mo "Just Like You" has wife appeal.
BB King "Blues On The Bayou" is the best in years from BB.
Burton Garr "Mighty Long Road" is the best you never heard. |
Real Folk Blues series by Chess Records in the fifties were outstanding especially the Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf. Another series that came later, More Real Folk Blues wasn't as entertaining but still okay with no real standouts. Original mono's sound infintely better than the Steve Hoffman digital mastered,CHESS/MCA reissues of the 1980's.In the GRT/Chess days there was a series called "aka" double sets that were pretty good too. Great pre-digital mono sound but not as glorious as the original pressings. |
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Howlin Wolf "The Real Folk Blues" none better! MOFFI did it on Gold cd. If they had issued it on vinyl they probably would not only still be in business but also have added new members to the hobby. Something that's desperately needed at this point. Every song a killer in the Chess Records tradtion. I'm also not traditional blues fan. If you are the same you will probably like Sam Cooke's Nightbeat, Irma Thomas' Simply The Best CD on Rounder (again, no vinyl,)Joe Turner's Big Joe Rides Again,any Ray Charles on Atlantic,and WPFW in DC on Saturdays. |
!. Junior Wells
2. James Cotton
3. Siegel- Schwall Band
4. Stevie Ray
5.Johnny Winter |
Tough call. I'll vote for Junior Wells and Buddy Guy, "Live at Montreux." Might be hard to find. I have only got a tape of it, which I recorded around 1980. I don't have a tape player in my system right now, so haven't heard it for awhile.
This is the album that made me realize that I wasn't actually a Junior Wells fan as much as I was a Buddy Guy fan (but check out Junior Wells "On Tap" on Delmar records). Went on to see Buddy Guy 4 or 5 times in the mid-80s. Often in clubs with 10 or 20 people in the whole place (boy have times changed - now he headlines festivals).
I don't think any of his recordings capture the amazing stage presence Buddy Guy had in those days. A favorite trick of his was to play and sing softer and softer, until you could hardly hear, and even 5 or 6 feet away you were straining to follow him. He completely controlled the crowd, you could hear a pin drop.
That kind of thing doesn't translate very well to record, and unfortunately his early records (Chess set, for example) were usually attempts to make him into a sort of pop star. The over-rated (IMHO) "Damn Right I've got the Blues" is very well-recorded (so it's nice to listen to), but has an insistently up-tempo rock and roll feel that doesn't really reflect his best playing. Not to put that down (Buddy is great at it), but it's best when mixed in with slow and/or quiet stuff, and then rips loose, only to get throttled back again.
Some of his best recordings are as a member of the band. I heard a great Big Mama Thornton album where he is a young studio musician doing his job (can't remember the name).
Well, this turned into sort of a rant. Anyway, would be curious if anyone has heard and enjoyed this album.
- Eric |
Indeed the duet is "In the Mood" by John Lee Hooker with Bonnie Raitt. Although it's kind of pop (not old fashioned hardcore) it's probably my fave blues disc. It has many different artist on their with JLH such as Santana, Bonnie Raitt, George Thorogood and Robert Cray, all great guitar players in their own right might I add. Another disc similar to it is the B.B. King, Deuces Wild. It is very sad that John Lee passed away but he did leave us many presents to remember him by. |
The duet you are seeking is off of John Lees "the Healer" cd. The song you ssk is "in the mood"( I think) |
Lots of good stuff here so far. Keep'm coming. I have just started to listen to the blues masters collections. The harmonica classics, Vol 16 is outstanding.
Bean |
Subaruguru,
John Lee did a duet with Bonnie Raitt on "The Healer" cd. |
So sad to hear of John Lee Hooker's passing. Heard a fine duet with Bonnie Raitt during a tribute. Anybody know which disc could've been from?
Those of us in the Boston area are used to hearing Mae Cramer's "Blues After Hours" show on WGBH (89.7 FM) Friday and Saturday nights. So many great artists! |
What does the term "nation sack" mean Blues Brothers? Just heard it on a Cassandra Wilson tune. |
The late great John Lee Hooker "Mr. Lucky" |
I don't know what it is about "Folk Singer" but it does not grab me. I am very keen on Philadelphia Jerry Ricks "Deeper In The Well" (I think that is the title). I sure enough like Junior Wells a lot. "Going Away" is good but I prefer the music on Lightnin' Hopkins eponymous disc on Smithsonian Folkways. |
Great post! This is by no means a definitive list, but here's some of my favs:
Albert King -- Live Wire/Blues Power
Otis Rush -- Cold Day In Hell
B.B. King -- Live at the Regal
Buddy Guy/Jr. Wells/Jr. Mance -- Buddy & the Jrs.
Muddy Waters -- The Chess Box Set
Howlin' Wolf -- The Best of (Chess)
also check out a recent tribute to the Rolling Stones on House of Blues records call "Paint It Blue". Blues oriented renditions of classic Stones tunes. It includes Taj Mahal ("Honky Tonk Women"), Jr. Wells ("Satisfaction"), Holmes Bros. ("Beast of Burdern"). |
If you are a fan (or wanna be) of heritage blues, then check out http://www.musicmaker.org they are a non-profit organization devoted to preserving the music of elder blues artists...before they are lost forever. Most recordings are excellent...well recorded, quiet backgrounds, and musically satisfying. Your purchases and/or contributions will go towards further preservation efforts. You owe it to yourself to check them out!!! |
I know this is a bit contemporary and not purist blues, but Cowboy Junkies "Whites Off Earth Now". Amazing single take recording in a church with great natural reverb. If I'm not mistaken, it was recorded using a single stereo mike and a digital two track recorder. |
I 'll add several of my LP favorites (great music and good sonics).
1. Mississippi Fred McDowell: I don't play no rock and roll
2. Lightning Hopkins: Live at Berkley
3. John Lee Hooker: The Healer
4. Roy Buchanan (please, try Hey Joe, on That's What I'm Here For or Five String Blues on Second Album)
5. Butterfield Blues Band: East-West
(I don't believe the white men can play blues, but I have a soft spot for Paul Butterfield and Roy Buchanan).
6. No young blues players can touch my heart as much as Guy Davis, but I doubt his music is available on vinyl.
Best regards. |
muddy waters, folk singer |
SRV "Couldn't stand the weather" |
Blues Is King by B.B.King - live, hot concert from when his voice was so powerful he'd blow out microphones! Don't dismiss BB based on his recent slick stuff...
Also, all of the early Howlin' Wolf stuff is essential. You can get most of it by buying Howlin'Wolf Memphis Days The Definitive Edition I and II (Bear Family label) and Howlin' Wolf Rides Again (Flair) |
Rushton is right on about Robert Lucas. His "Locomotive" CD has fantastic slide guitar. Certainly one of my favorites. Craig |
Here's perhaps a quirky favorite: Robert Lucas, "Using Man Blues" on Audioquest -- engineered by Kavi Alexander. The LP is superb, but it will quickly reveal a system that is not "all together". On a system that gets the music right, this recording will sound superb. On systems that don't do the "PRAT" thing well, this recording will sound terrible. For me, its a quick way to tell 'em apart. |
Doug McLeod. "Come to Find." |
a couple more to add to the list: taj mahal, "an evening of acoustic music"; lucinda williams, "car wheels on a gravel road." -kelly |
"Strike a Deep Chord", sub-titled "Blues For The Homeless". This is a CD by various artists. It came out several years ago and proceeds from its sales were to go to the homeless. I don't know if it's still available, but is sure worth looking for-- there is incredible emotion and understanding of the homeless on this album.
I also really like Buddy Guy's "Damn Right I've Got the Blues", his other music, and anything by Koko Taylor. Cheers. Craig |
Albert King "Ill Play The Blues For You". He learned to play an upsidedown righthand guitar lefthanded and played with bare fingers. Hear his influence in countless players, especially Hendrix and SRV. I like to listen to Alligator collections, lots of great artists. "Mr. Lucky" is another good one. Have you heard "Dot Com Blues"? I think its by Jimmy Smith. Heard it the other day at a friends, really hot. Oh well, too many to list, gotta go' I feel the blues comin on. |
I'll add a extra few to all of the above:
*J-L Hooker: "Never Get Out of These Blues Alive"
*ditto, "Hooker n Heat"
*E James: "Stickin to My Guns"
*K Webster: "Two-Fisted Mama"
*"The London Muddy Waters Sessions"
*Screamin' J Hawkins: "Black Music for White People"
*Big Mama Thornton: "Jail"
J Wells, J Cotton: "Harpattack!"
Pick any one, for my *best*; choice is too tough for me! |
Here's a few of my personal favorites:
1. "Showdown", with Albert Collins, Robert Cray, and Johnny Copeland (this recording was a Grammy winner, which often means nothing, but in this case was deserved).
2. Buddy Guy: "Damn Right I've Got The Blues".
3. Luther Allison: "Reckless", and "Luther's Blues".
4. Katie Webster: "Swamp Boogie Queen".
5. Joe Williams: "Nothing But The Blues" (Delos label).
6. Koko Taylor: almost anything is great, but "Force of Nature" is a great place to start.
7. Etta James: "Seven Year Itch". |
I like all the above and would add Kelly Joe Phelps, "shine eyed mr. zen" and "roll away the stone". |
I love all of the artists & titles listed above. For the past few months, there is one album that has displaced all of the others in my 'playlist', however & its a superbly engineered Audioquest recording of song-writing virtuoso, Doug Macleod -Come to Find. |
Junior Wells - Hoodoo Man Blues |
Muddy Watters - Folk Singer |
Hmmmm.... that's a tough one to narrow down. My overall fav blues artist is John Lee Hooker. The "Mr Lucky" features Albert Collins, Ry Cooder, Robert Cray, Johnny Winter, Keith Richards, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, John Hammond, et al. That's a lot of talent for one cd. John Lee is a legend and I bet they had a ball making this cd. |
The name of my favorite is called "the best blues album....ever" seriously that is the name. It is a good compilation full of hard edged and at times 'screamin' blues music.
After that there are a whole bunch at the next level but charlie musselwhit ein "rough news" comes to mind.
Mcrheist, thanks for the tip, i will try it out.
Artemus, I have that one already and although it doesn't make my op list since, I don't know, it isn't hard edged screamin blues, it is still a very enjoyable album.
jd |
