Don't Look Back [Original recording remastered]

John Lee Hooker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 17, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Shout Factory
• ASIN: B000OPO6WO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,922 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Don't Look Back is credited to John Lee Hooker and produced by Van Morrison, but effectively functions as a duet between the two, who have appeared and recorded together previously (Hooker's Never Get Out of These Blues Alive and Chill Out). Here, Morrison lends his hypnotic chanting--an intriguing complement to Hooker's spellbinding approach--to his own, "Healing Game," as well as contributing freely elsewhere, both vocally and on rhythm guitar. This set is more meditative than other recent Hooker discs, with the bluesman thoughtful and cogent on Morrison's "Don't Look Back," Hendrix's "Red House," and a number of originals. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Don't Look Back, originally released in 1997, was co-produced by Van Morrison, who also duets with Hooker on four tracks. The album contains newly recorded versions of Hooker classics, as well as some new songs and two bonus tracks. Los Lobos appear on a storming version of "Dimples," and Hooker takes on Hendrix with a cover of "Red House." The album won two GRAMMY Awards: Best Traditional Blues Album and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for the title track, with Van Morrison. Remastered with 2 bonus tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars John Lee Hooker's last (real) CD, June 24, 2001

By 

Curtis J. George (Centreville, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Look Back (Audio CD)

This CD recorded in 1997 by John Lee Hooker, was his last real recording. There was a CD released in 1998 called THE BEST OF FRIENDS, however it was just a re-release of classic tracks recorded by John Lee Hooker and friends. This CD, DON'T LOOK BACK, is the closest thing that you are going to find to the voice of this gritty blues man before his death four years later.

This CD won two Grammy awards in 1997. The first for, Best Traditional Blues Album and the second for, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, on the song, "Don't Look Back" with Van Morrison. However, if you were to ask me, the first track, "Dimples," is the best track on this disk.

The last song on the CD, "Rainy Days" seems to sum up John Lee's long and difficult life: "Rainy day in my heart...ain't gonna rain no more in my heart...it's all over baby...the pain is gone...you can't hurt me no more...it use to rain both night and day...teardrops raining from my eyes...you can't hurt me no mor!e...the pain is gone...it don't hurt no more...it ain't gonna rain no more in my hurt...my eyes...it's all over..."

The back of the CD also shows a picture of John Lee walking down the sidewalk with his back to the viewer, waving his hand as if to say goodbye. The man is gone, but his music lives on, and this CD is the closest thing out there to how he sounded before he died.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some Fine Blues..., March 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Look Back (Audio CD)

This is Hooker's latest original recording and the last one before he died in 2001. I have to say it's quite different from most Hooker recordings I've heard. It is very important to note that this CD is one big collaboration with Van Morrison, and the blues you'll hear here (with the exception of the first track) are mellow, laid back, and smooth. It's an excellent recording, although more mainstream than the real raw Hooker that can be heard on earlier recordings. He's aged like fine wine, and at about 80 years old, I'd say he's holding his own with amazing class :)

If you're new to Hooker, start either with this CD or "Healer". Healer is also an excellent recording (it does, however, have a lot more guest musicians). On this disk, you hear a more diluted Hooker, but you need to hear this before you hear the real raw Hooker.

The first track with Los Lobos is excellent - makes you want to get up and dance. Second and Fourth track are duets with Morrison and are both excellent work. Red House is a take on a Hendrix classic, and while the guitar work can't compare to the Hendrix guitar, the vocals, I thought, are a lot better, grittier, more bluesy than Hendrix's own version.

Get it - you won't regret it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars doesn't get better, January 31, 2003

By 

"enfirno" (Saratoga Springs, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Look Back (Audio CD)

If you're a fan of Van Morrison and his mellow style then you'll love this blues album. Of all the distinctive voices out there, John Lee's has to be the most unique. His almost-mumble singing plays well with Van's high pitched repetative style. An excellent collaboration produced by Van. A must have by fans of both musicians. Standout : "Don't Look Back".