Customer Reviews

Blues Blues Blues

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jimmy Rogers was second guitarist in Muddy Waters' classic lineup, which also included harpist Little Walter and bassists Big Crawford or Willie Dixon. As a solo artist, Rogers used these musicians (minus Waters) to record his classic sides for Chess in the Fifties. If you don't already own the two-disc The Complete Chess Recordings, that would be the logical place to start.

But as a tribute to one of Chicago's greatest bluesmen (Rogers died in 1997 before this album's release), Blues Blues Blues is a great collection of songs. The idea of coupling an aging blues musician with superstar guests is nothing new. Chess Did it with its London Sessions series in the early Seventies, and John Lee Hooker has made a career out of it since releasing The Healer back in 1989. While this type of recording tends to be something of a mixed bag, Blues Blues Blues is an overall success.

Rogers is still in fine voice even into his seventies. And guest artists are top-notch. Guest vocalists (who share lead vocals with Rogers on all tracks) include Robert Plant, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger and Taj Mahal. Lead guitar is provided by Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and Jeff Healey. Either Kim Wilson or Carey Bell plays harmonica on most tracks.

Whether the band is performing Rogers' originals like "That's All Right" and "Luedella," or classic blues songs like Waters' "Trouble No More" or Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights Big City," they play with authority and conviction.

While the album was recorded as a celebration of Rogers' contribution to the blues, it serves as a fitting tribute. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I've always been a bit sceptical about these superstar collaborations...they don't always work too well, and sometimes the guest stars overshadow the supposed main artist. But Jimmy Rogers and his various all-star combos manage to pull it off really well.

Sure, the arrangements are generally very similar all the way through, which does perhaps detract a little bit from an otherwise fine performance, but this is actually a very accessible and fun blues record. It doesn't just appeal to hard-core blues fans, more mainstream rock- and R&B lovers can certainly enjoy it as well, and Rogers and his guest musicians have hand-picked some real blues classics, and they generally do very well by them.

The album opens with a faithful take on Muddy Waters' "Blow Wind Blow", with excellent harmonica by the Fabulous Thunderbirds' Kim Wilson, and lead guitar by white blues-rock guitarist Jeff Healy.
Jimmy Rogers' own "Blues All Day Long" has Rogers sharing lead vocals with a certain Mr Eric Clapton, who also plays lead guitar. Carey Bell lends a hand on the harp.
On a gritty reading of the classic "Trouble No More", Rogers shares the lead vocals with Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards plays lead guitar.
"Bright Lights, Big City" is another Jimmy Rogers-original, with Taj Mahal behind the microphone (he is also featured on Rogers' "Ludella"), and Lowell Fulson appears along with harpist Carey Bell on Memphis Slim's "Everyday I Have The Blues".

The all-stars also do the inevitable take on Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago", with Stephen Stills (!) contributing lead guitar and co-lead vocals, and Stills pops up again on Big Maceo Merriweather's "Worried Life Blues".
Mick Jagger can't quite match Sonny Boy Williamson II on "Don't Start Me To Talkin'" (Keith Richards plays lead guitar again), but "Goin' Away Baby" is pretty well suited to his voice, and Eric Clapton and Jimmy Rogers do a fine rendition of Rogers' "That's All Right".

The album closes with an alternative rendition of John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom" (retitled "Gonna Shoot You Right Down"), with - get this - Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page on guitars, and Robert Plant sharing lead vocal duties with Jimmy Rogers!
Rogers himself is in fine voice throughout, in spite of the fact that he was in his seventies at the time, and died before the album was released. The near-legendary blues- and R&B pianist Johnnie Johnson's dextrous playing belies his age. And finally, as a special treat for Hound Dog Taylor-nostalgics, the swivel chair is occupied by none other than the Houserockers' 66-year old drummer Ted Harvey.

Definitely recommended.

I tend to stay away from collaborations and stick to the original blues recordings, but I read a few good reviews of this disc and when I saw the line-up of the artists on it, I thought I'd give it a try. Let me tell you, it doesn't disappoint at all. This CD has a good drive, a strong rhythm, excellent production values and will definitely pick you up. This CD has blues classics laid on a British rock foundation. It doesn't get too much into the rock territory, though. I thought a really nice balance was achieved between blues and rock, such that the strong drive is always there, but at the same time, this is unmistakably blues, with excellent piano and harp to add to solid guitar work. Even though there are a few prominent rock guitarrists assembled in this CD, there is no guitar shoot-out here. The guitars provide a solid, pleasant, easy-to-listen backing but never take over the songs as is often the case in pure blues. This is a great CD for driving - you will never get any highway hypnosis if you have this CD on. If you've stayed away from blues but like classic/British rock, give this a try. If you are blues purist and are suspicious of this all-star line-up, give this a try. If you are looking to ease smoothly into the blues scene, give this a try. If you like country rock, give this a try. I think you can't go wrong with this disc. This a good value for the money.

Anyone put off by the "all-star" supporting cast on this tribute to the late Chicago blues legend Jimmy Rogers, which is an understandable thing based on other such offerings out there, is missing the point. The point is this is a good, solid effort throughout the disc. If you're new to the blues, this is a good, accessible intro. If you're a longtime blues aficionado, this is still strong; this is not "blues for kids". He gets help from the best: Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Taj Mahal, Robert Plant, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Jimmy D Lane, Kim Wilson on harmonica, Johnny Johnson on piano, even Stephen Stills. I agree with some of the other reviewers that the last track, John Lee Hooker's "Gonna Shoot You Right Down (Boom Boom)" is good stuff. Rogers himself sings the vocals and plays guitar on the tracks and sounds great. He passed before the album was released, but musically, he went out strong with this one. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the blues.

One thing that really makes me a bluesfan,is specially the family style that is always present! What can we expect from an album with these kind of people?Only the best! This album is one of that dreams,that come true when you play it! We didn't say nothing,only hear,hear,hear,....... One of the bests of my collection!

This CD is a pleasant surprise and shows some heavyweights banding together to honour an influence on them all.Unfortunately Jimmy Rogers died soon after the sessions,but this can double as a tribute to him.The songs express all that is infectious and pleasing about the rocking blues.The energy and feeling put into this recording by the likes of Clapton Jagger and Plant make a welcome for them.

Taj Mahal is great and this should spark a desire in anybody to seek out Jimmy Rogers past catalogue.This collection is well produced and would be a welcome collection to anybodys blues library.

Although characterized by some traditional, hard-line blues critics as being "too commercial and gimmicky" a marketing ploy for such a force as the late great Mr. Jimmy Rogers... the fact remains IT WORKS! And it works very well, to boot. So, WHO CARES if it was geared to reach a broader market? Certainly not me. This gem has cuts ranging from the low down and dirtiest to the toe tappin'-est. The guest "all stars" (Mick, Taj, Healey, Clapton, and more) on this CD are HUGE assets. They compliment, enhance, blend, and meld with Rogers' voice and playing like nobody's business. In my humble opinion I say, if you like the blues, especially the more modern ones, then don't just walk, walk, walk to buy Blues, Blues, Blues... I suggest you ought RUN RUN RUN to get your hands on this one!

I bought this CD predicated on reading the online reviews. This is not to be missed!!!

When I heard this CD I was pleased with the result of probably some enjoyable afternoons of fellowmusicians jamming through the day. In some songs it worked less and then you just hear the 12 bar blues that anyone can play, but on the other hand, these songs are helped by the great singing of Jimmy Rogers, Taj Mahal and Robert Plant which makes all these songs special. This is a very good CD. And although it's a CD full of easy songs they do not bring these songs like anybody can do. You may think that anybody could, in the beginning, but after you listen some more times, you'll realize that this is a great CD.

I found out about this disc from the Amazon recommendation list. It is outstanding! Not a weak cut on the entire disc. I especially like the 3 Mick and Keith cuts. (I wish the Stones would do more songs like these.) Sorry to read that Jimmy Rogers passed away before this disc was released. As it turns out this will be remembered as a fitting tribute to a true blues legend.