Customer Reviews

Live at Newport

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First of all, This is a 13 track cd! There are 3 Introductions by Hooker and 1 by George Wein which can't be considered as "tracks" as far as I'm cocerned! Secondly, I disagree with Mr. McLeese that such staples as BOOM BOOM lack the "sensual swagger" of the original recordings! Yes, Hooker is playing acoustic guitar at these 1960 & 1963 Newport Folk Festivals and, perhaps, to a predominately "white" audience, BUT SO WHAT!!! As an avid fan of Hooker it matters little whether the man has an electric or acoustic guitar in his hands: the conviction and power of his music still comes through like gangbusters!!! Hooker is one of the few great bluesmen who never compromised their integrity to the whims of changing times and fashions. His ability to stay true to his vision of the blues, regardless of venue, is unquestionable. What the Newport Folk Festivals did was to introduce the blues, via such as Hooker and Muddy Waters, to an entirely new audience. Thus was the legacy of one of America's truely original musical gendres passed on to future generations. The gift of the great luminaries of the blues tradition, and those who died in obscurity, can never be adequately hallowed. Their influence lives on as the roots of soul, rhythm & blues and rock & roll. Their legacy will live forever! 'Nuf said!

John Lee Hooker is one of the pioneers of the blues together with BB King, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and others. His performance at Newport is the start of his career in Europe in the sixties. Because people did hear the LP. A few years later he came to Europe. He inspired Harry Muskee, the leader of the best bluesband of The Netherlands, Cuby and The Blizzards (C+B). Do you like to hear a white man (Harry) sing the blues like a black man (JL)? Buy the CD of C+B: Boom Boom Bang In The Spirit Of John Lee Hooker (2003) and the CD Groeten uit Grolloo (1967).