Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers

Hound Dog Taylor, Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alligator Records
• ASIN: B0000009X7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,001 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #35 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Chicago Blues
  • #65 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Electric Blues Guitar

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Blues Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 20-MAR-1989

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rough but fun, September 27, 2003

By 

Docendo Discimus (Vita scholae) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers (Audio CD)

"When I die", Hound Dog Taylor is reported to have said, "people are gonna say 'he couldn't play s**t, but he sure made it sound good'!"
Well, truth be told, Theodore Roosevelt Taylor wasn't the most subtle or technically varied slide guitarist, but he and his Houserockers did indeed make it sound good.

The production on this their first record leaves a lot to be desired (the drums are mixed way too far into the background, and there are times when you can barely hear Brewer Phillips' second guitar), but having Hound Dog Taylor's crunchy, fuzzy lead guitar right up front isn't too bad, and he rocks on the funky "It's Alright", the fiery instrumental "Walking The Ceiling", and a raw, sloppy take on Tampa Red's "It Hurts Me Too".

Other highlights include the slow blues "Held My Baby Last Night", and Hound Dog Taylor's best song, the superbly groovy, up-tempo boogie of "Give Me Back My Wig" (later covered by Stevie Ray Vaughan among others).
Incredibly unsubtle and often unvaried, and too many mediocre instrumental pieces, too, but it's good fun all the same.
3 1/2 stars.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential work for anyone that rocks, September 3, 2006

By 

Scott B. Saul "opinionated, yet truthful, mu... (COOPER CITY, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers (Audio CD)

This is the pivotal work for all rock and blues fans. It cannot get any more raw. For all you Black Keys, White Stripes, etc fans, this is what the bands aspire to be.

This is the real deal, music played by true bluesmen that were not in it for the money.

The guitar is so raw,

production so raw,

singing so raw

...they just must have turned on the tape recorder and said okay...now play!

What Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue" is to jazz, this is essential for modern rock. This is absolutely ferocious guitar playing!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, October 30, 2006

By 

Boston Bluesman (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers (Audio CD)

Hound Dog Taylor and the House Rockers prove that you do not need to be great musicans to be a great blues players. Blues is as much an emotion as it is a music style and the great play the blues with soul. You will not be confusing Hound Dog with Robert Cray or Eric Clapton who are both better technically, but lack the raw soul needed to be great at the blues. The Dog brings it as raw as anyone and that is what makes this is a great blues album. The rawness of this album it may not be as accessible for everyone. Would only suggest for folks already deep in the blues. If you are looking for some great slide guitar that is a little more refined abd accessibile check out Lil' Ed and the Imperials.

This album is important historically for the blues being the first release for Alligator Records, which has since become a major blues label and help revived the blues in the early 80's. If you like raw honky tonk slide blues guitar this is the album for you.