Customer Reviews

Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.

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!

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.

This album captures the simplicity of the seminal blues like no other.Bruce Iglauer have done his best choice,at the beginning of the Alligator's Records.Houd Dog Taylor,with this work was really at an inspirated time,and his slideway to play was full of talent,an overdose of great blues! This was the first album of Alligator's,and it's fundamental for those that really want to start a collection of blues rarities! Hound Dog Taylor was among that blues artists,Iglauer most admired and really wanted to record,after he lefted Bob Koester's Delmark Records! Of course,seminal,essential...historical album!

I first heard Hound Dog Taylor on an Alligator Records compilation. I immediately went out and purchased this album. It is as powerful and raw as any I have heard. He tears apart "She's Gone" and "It's Alright." His voice is just as raw amd powerful as his slide guitar. Taylor also proved that two guitars and a drummer was all you needed to put out Chicago blues. There's no bass here, just excellent slide and rhyhm guitar. Once you purchase this CD, you'll want everything you can find with Taylor on it. This is essential listening for all blues fans.

If you like music that's raw, hard-driving, and intense...this is the album for you. Hound Dog Taylor was a true treasure. His style of blues expanded on that of his primary influence-Elmore James-and made in even rougher,louder,and funkier. This is true juke joint blues. My favorites include "It's Alright" and "I'm Wild About You, Baby." It's a shame that more contempory bluesmen don't follow Hound Dog Taylor's example and realize that blues isn't about musicianship...it's about feeling.

If you like raw, heavy blues, then you'll like this album. Taylor's Rock and Give Me Back My Wig are my favorites. Hound Dog Taylor really takes the slide guitar to the next level. I've never heard such raw emotion and energy, and this album (his first) captures all of that.

The best blues albums squeeze and rip all of the pain and emotion and logic and joy out of listeners. Somehow, you sit at "rock bottom" and are energized by a righteous confidence you never quite felt before. The added magic of every Hound Dog Taylor album is that you will swear the album you are listening to is the greatest blues album ever. Hound Dog did, in fact, say it best: "When I die, they'll say, he couldn't play, but he sure made it sound good!"

Ragged slide-driven blues like no one else. Sorry Elmore. No more needs to be said. Essential.

As someone who's only learned to adore and love the blues with all my heart and soul in the last 3 years, I have to say this is one of my best blues purchases yet! This is a trashier, rawer side of the blues, a great disc to get up and shake your bootie like it was meant to shake for the blues!

55th Street Boogie, 44 Blues and She's Gone are my favorites!