Amtrak Blues

Alberta Hunter

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1978
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025IC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #127,366 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her Voice and Her Rhythm are Complex and Unbeatable, April 8, 2003

By	L. Dann "adhdmom" (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A (very) late bloomer?, December 26, 2000

By	Sasha "lampic" (at sea...sailing somewhere) - See all my reviews

Amazing woman,Alberta Hunter recorded this wonderful album at the age of 83 - great survivor of the original blues craze of 1920's,she was a contemporary of Bessie Smith ( Bessie's very first hit "Downhearted blues" was actually written by Alberta Hunter!) and all the other blues greats,and somehow she endured all the way up to 1978. when she recorded "Amtrak Blues".Yes,you can tell its an old voice,but she had such a character that made listen pure fun - her version of this old standards are simply undescribable,she sounds like great old lady,sometimes even dirty (You never heard "My Handy Man" if you didnt hear this one - in comparison,Ethel Waters version from 1920's is simply nice little song,Alberta makes a listener blush).Interesting,I found this late Alberta Hunter period much interesting then her younger phase.In the 1920's and 1930's she was never such a character as here - just as late albums by Ida Cox,Sippie Wallace or Victora Spivey shows,these women actually got better with age.This album is really heart-warming,showes that character never dies,age doesnt mean anything and one is young as he feels.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing, Inspirational Recording., September 1, 2001

By	Mark J. Koenig (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

I had never heard of Alberta Hunter until a good friend introduced her to me via the original vinyl recording of "Amtrack Blues". Made when she was 83 years young, the recording is absolutely fantastic. Her backup musicians are incredible, the sound quality is excellent, and Alberta is an absolute hoot! Alberta's vocal quality on this record is much more interesting than her earlier, younger period. Her age and wisdom are evident, and this only makes her more appealing. "Handyman" is positively hilarious. No one's ever recorded this song with such incredible wit and naughtiness - at 83 no less! If you like the blues - this deserves a place in your collection.