Customer Reviews

Jammed Together

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One thing is certain...when these guys said "Jammed Together", they MEANT it; what an awesome album this is! Here we have two of the blues' elder statesmen (Pop Staples & Albert King), and the young "whippersnapper" (Steve Cropper) all assembled in one place, and the results are fantastic; there's no doubt that the three of them had a great time making this album!

"Jammed Together" isn't an album of self-indulgent guitar solos and noodling to satisfy egos; the title tells you all you need to know: this is all meat, no filler, folks. Because each of the three guitarists have very distinctive playing styles and tones, you can literally pick them out as you listen to it.

A great example of this can be heard on the rocking instrumental "Big Bird", where Cropper, King and Staples each occupy the left, middle and right stereo channels respectively, but the stereo separation didn't really need to be done so you'll know who is who; as I said, you'll literally be able to identify them with each solo turn.

In addition to the fabulous guitar playing, all three take turns on vocals as well; King leads off with the Ray Charles classic "What I'd Say", Cropper turns in a rare vocal on "Don't Turn Your Heater Down", and Staples on the positively spine-tingling "Tupelo", where his soulful vocals and trademark tremelo-effected guitar give the track a swampy, ominous feel and mood. It's very obvious that this song influenced John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, as evidenced by the CCR tracks "The Midnight Special" & "Born On The Bayou" alone.

Released on the Stax label in early 1969, "Jammed Together" is a genuine blues/soul classic; get it now!

Jammed Together is somewhat of a surprise jam disc featuring three musicians with seemingly little in common. Pops Staples, Steve Cropper and Albert King. Pops Staples, the leader of the Staple singers, started his solo career at the ripe age of seventy. Pops played guitar with incredible agility for a man of seventy and his voice has been described as rough and sweet, sometimes wispy but full of soul. Pops released two solo albums, both steeped in gospel, in addition to this jam before his death on December 19, 2000. Steve Cropper was a guitarist for the popular R&B band, Booker T. & the MGs. Cropper was also a member of the Blues Brothers Band of film and recording fame. Albert King, was, well, Albert King, guitar extraordinaire. The guitar interplay between these three performers is first rate, exciting, sometimes funky and never dull. The guitarists blend with harmonious splendor and it is often hard to pick out which guitarist is playing the various solos. Vocal performances are kept to a minimum with each performer singing lead on one song apiece. This is Stax Records equivalent to Alligators "Showdown" featuring Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland. Mighty good stuff. The liner notes are sparse and, as much as I would like to credit the excellent backup band, their identities are not revealed in the notes.

If you are like me, you sometimes wonder whether it's worth it to spend a couple of extra dollars to obtain a "remastered" CD, especially when the original version is still available. In this instance, I purchased the regular version of this CD and was so impressed with the performance of these three individuals that I gave in to the urge to also purchase this 24 BIT remastered for comparison purposes. The first thing that is noticeable is the improved quality of the bass and vocals on all songs. This is especially noticeable on the disc's opener, "What'd I Say" where, on the original, the bass and vocals sound as though they are miles away from the other performers. In fact, the bass is now so prominent on this particular track, that some may find it just a little too much. Overall, the improved sound quality merits the extra couple of bucks and the 24 BIT remastering will enhance your listening experience with this particular disc.

This is a great album that combines three very good musicians. Mainly an instrumental album, it contains some of the best blues/soul backing ever heard.

This remaster sacrifices the essence of the music and intention of the album: three guitar legends jamming together. By boosting the bass and drums they have successfully drowned the guitars in a misguided attempt to sonically improve the rhythm. The rhythm was produced musically to support the featured guitarists, not smother their symbiotic relationship, the very relationship which is the genius of the record. The magically improvised conversation of the guitarists has been destroyed. Please do not buy the remastered CD. Steve Cropper, Pop Staples, and Albert King deserve better, purchase the original recording.

Wow! I have just recently started getting into R&B and soul music and I think I have now been spoiled. This album has serious rhythm, which is incredible seeing as how there are three mofos tooling on their guitars at all time. In my opinion you can't find many more guitarists that are better rhythm players than steve cropper and even though the liner notes don't name names, it sounds like Duck Dunn (or an admirable clone of Duck Dunn) is the bassist. If those two don't ooze rhythm, I don't know what does. Then again, most of what I have listened to is metal and prog rock, which are more lead oriented.
This album is a miracle. Fantastic songs. That's all I can really say. The first song, a "cover" of Ray Charles' "what'd I say" will wake you up faster than any cup of coffee ever could. I didn't think the solos would ever end, and I didn't want them to. At times, all three of them solo simultaneously but never get in each others way...they seem to be helping each other out. Big Bird is another tune that perfectly blends rhythm and blues together for a unique experience. All these dudes are jamming on the same page AT ALL TIMES! The way Ned Flanders prepares for The Rapture, I prepare for a new Steve Cropper/Duck Dunn album. I feel I have missed the bus though.

This album has been overlooked by Stax fans as well as the general R&B public. With Albert King in his prime, you know the CD will not be disappointing! I liked the interaction with all 3 of these guys( Cropper, King, Pops Staples). They are very loose and play extremely well together. I took a chance and got a local record store to order it for me. I was delighted!

This is a must have for Stax / Albert King fans.

This is a great little album. Very mellow, emphasis on the guitar, of course, with some horn and piano action in the background. This is the sort of music that makes a funky background - not the sort of wailing, soulful blues that grabs your whole attention, which isn't to say it's not great to listen to. I especially enjoy 'Opus de Soul', it puts me in a happy mellow mood.

STEVE CROPPER, ALBERT KING, AND POP STAPLES WERE ALL ARTISTS WHO RECORDED ON THE STAX LABEL FROM MEMPHIS IN THE 1970'S, THIS ALBUM IS A PRETTY LOOSE JAM OF ALL THREE GREAT GUITAR PLAYERS PLAYING TOGETHER. MY FAVORITE CUT IS "BIG BIRD". GREAT R&B AND SOULD GROOVES.

Yeah man! You can feel the soulful blues trickling and dripping down the neck of Cropper's Telecaster. Love this album. So many standards. What blew me away was realizing that one of my favourite Hip Hop samples came from 'Opus De Soul,' Public Enemy used it for their 'Give It Up' track back in 94. I'm bias anyway, anything that has the Staxx house band or Cropper's licks gets my vote. Pop's and King to boot? Better get'chaself daawn the crossroads bawwy! My souls taken!