Customer Reviews

Mr Cover Shaker

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

 

 

One of the great (and most bizarre) recordings of delta blues. Johnny Shines performs alone with his acoustic guitar, and on electric with the David Bromberg Band. A couple of the cuts are absolutely sublime: Shines' version of Robert Johnson's "Hellhound on my Trail", called here "Two Steps to Hell", and "The Face in the Courthouse" are particularly great, and truly bizarre for their weird narrative structures. But the whole record is very fine stuff, well-recorded and well-performed. By the way, if anybody reading this knows any details of Shines' stay in Windsor Ontario with Robert Johnson in 1936 or 37, I beg you to get in touch with me. Thanks.

This is not my favorite Shines record, but it's definitely diverse.
Listening to "The Face in the Courthouse" and then the electric rendition of "Blood Ran Like Wine" reveals Johnny's ability to play totally different types of music. One song is a pre-Blues story song and the other is a modern Blues song, but both have equal feeling and display Johnny's mastery of his instrument, voice, and lyrics. "May I Apologize" is great and "The Devil's Daughter" is impeccable.

This is a GREAT cd! The two tracks mentioned are worth the price of admission, but there are 11 more EXCELLENT cuts!!! NOT A WEAK ONE ON EITHER THE SOLO OR BAND NUMBERS!!! This is a MUST HAVE for fans!!! Now, you probably think the old man is senile as I don't do a bad Johnny Shines review, but I tell you this man is the REAL DEAL!!! Just check out any cd and you'll SEE!!! ( P.S.: The only one I've given 4 stars is "Live" In Europe 1975 because of the rather poor recording quality, so be forewarned on that one! ) 'Nuf said!