Incurable Blues: The Troubles and Triumph of Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin (Book) [Paperback]

Will Romano (Author), Hubert Sumlin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

Incurable Blues explores the life and genius of Hubert Sumlin, a highly influential guitarist who has survived cancer, alcoholism, and personal and professional tribulations to testify to the classic days of Chicago blues. Sumlin's incendiary guitar playing is heard on most of Howlin' Wolf's classic Chess sides. Sumlin's pick-less playing has inspired countless blues-rock luminaries. Author Will Romano places Hubert's playing and performing style in context, showing how it formed the basis of blues rock and rock n roll and how it bridges the gap between African folk; the work of early masters like Robert Johnson, Charley Patton and Peetie Wheatstraw; the revisionist British invasion guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Keith Richards; and the modern-era blues styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879308338
• ISBN-13: 978-0879308339
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #878,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars if you want a sense of the person..not just the musician - this is a great read, October 6, 2005

By 

J Smith (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Incurable Blues: The Troubles and Triumph of Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin (Book) (Paperback)

Some time ago, at a show in NYC, I got the chance to see Hubert play and was just amazed. Not only at the music I was hearing...but at the vibe that he exuded. At the end of the show I was lucky enough to briefly meet him..and I can tell you that he just put you in a good mood the moment he spoke. After the show I was interested in hearing more of his music and while searching for some Howlin' Wolf tunes I came across this book..I immediately picked it up and it was a great read.

I really liked that the book was different than most bios. It seemed to focus more on Hubert's character, and I can tell you that the sense I got in that brief meeting shined thru in this book. I got the sense that Hubert's wonderful and unique guitar playing has always been a part of his personality. And his personality, as much as his musical abilities, makes Hubert special. I really enjoyed this book...and am enjoying Hubert's music - especially the music he made with Wolf. You can sense something different in the music he made with Wolf...and after reading the book and understanding that relationship I can see why.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, April 26, 2010

By 

J. Daunt (Flint, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Incurable Blues: The Troubles and Triumph of Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin (Book) (Paperback)

It's incredible to hear his stories. From breaking his older brother's Didley Bow, to meeting Wolf for the first time, moving to Chicago and playing with Wolf. The inside stories from their nearly 30 year musical relationship and his suffering and surviving lung cancer to continue performing and helping the music live on.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Buy The Biography of Howling Wolf Instead, September 29, 2005

By 

Frederick J. Decker "Fred Decker" (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Incurable Blues: The Troubles and Triumph of Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin (Book) (Paperback)

Hubert Sumlin is a wonderful and unique guitar player, and this is a well meaning but unnecessary book. Hubert Sumlin is important as a historical figure because he was the guitar player for 23 years in the Howling Wolf Band. Since Wolf's death in 1976 Sumlin has continued to perform and record but he has been unable to establish much of an artistic identity apart from being Howling Wolf's guitar player. That's why a decent biography of Howling Wolf, such as Segrest and Hoffman's "Moanin' At Midnight," covers the historically relevant portion of Hubert Sumlin's career adequately. Alternatively, "Rollin' and Tumblin': Postwar Blues Guitarists," edited by Jas Obrect, is a good compilatation of articles covering Hubert Sumlin and many other fine underappreciated blues guitar players as well. Both books are more carefully presented and more informative on the subject than this one.