Customer Reviews

Complete Fire & Enjoy Recordings

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

 

 

Wow, Mr William S Crane really has a problem with this set.
I just need to clarify a few things....yes, "Anna Lee" is missing, but that's the only one of Elmore James' Fire and Enjoy recordings not included. Everything else which is on the now reissued "King Of The Slide Guitar" box set and not on here is from the Chief sessions, not the Fire, Fury and Enjoy sessions.
Also, the four songs not sung by Elmore are not presented as Elmore-tunes, they merely feature him playing guitar and the fact that Elmore James is not the featured performer is clearly stated on the outside of the box.
The Charly box set "King Of The Slide Guitar" gets the nod over this one because it includes the Chief sides and has slightly better annotation, but to give this set one star is ridiculous.

In spite of the title, this set is not complete. The most glaring omission is Elmore's recording of Anna Lee. They chopped the first 12 bars off at least one other tune and also interspersed mediocre tracks by Sam Meyers and other artists on which Elmore is nowhere to be heard. This period of Elmore's work has some real gems which luckily are available elsewhere. I recommend looking for a used copy of the Capricorn Box Set King of the Slide Guitar. It doesn't include all the alternate takes and false starts but its far better than this Collectables fiasco.

A great gaggle of top notch performances by Elmore. Some of the cuts seem more polished and have better side players. There's a great candid moment or two on the 2nd and 3rd takes supplied.

Elmore's indefatigable, heartscorched tenor just blaring into you.

The myth of Elmore James is what made me fascinated by his music. The "Urban Legend" says that Mr. James agreed to give the devil his soul for the ability to play the guitar. Elmore James is one of the best slide guitarists I have heard. The only problem with this box set is that the songs are somewhat redundant. This set will make you appreciate Blues/Folk guitar.