Customer Reviews

Real Folk Blues / More Real Folk Blues

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This 2002 Universal CD on MCA-Chess 088 112- 821-2 reissues two stunning albums from the mighty Hook at the height of his blues power. It's also part of the "Blues Classics - Remastered & Revisited" series of 10 titles and is an absolute blues peach.

Here's a detailed track breakdown first (79:47 minutes):

1. Let's Go Out Tonight
2. Peace Lovin' Man
3. Stella Mae
4. I Put My Trust In You
5. I'm In The Mood
6. You Know, I Know
7. I'll Never Trust Your Love Again
8. On Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
9. The Waterfront

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "The Real Folk Blues" issued October 1966 in the USA on Chess LP 1508 - all tracks were written by John Lee Hooker except "I'm In The Mood" which was co-written with Bernard Besman.

10. This Land Is Nobody's Land
11. Deep Blue Sea
12. Nobody Knows
13. Mustang Sally & GTO
14. Lead Me
15. Catfish
16. I Can't Quit You Baby
17. Want Ad Blues
18. House Rent Blues

Tracks 10 to 18 are the album "More Real Folk Blues" issued September 1991 in the USA on MCA-Chess 9329. All tracks were written by John Lee Hooker except "I Can't Quit You Baby", which is a Willie Dixon song 1st issued by OTIS RUSH on Cobra Records 5000 in 1956 (it was also famously covered by Led Zeppelin on their 1969 debut album).

The band on both sessions were:
JOHN LEE HOOKER - Guitar and Vocals
EDDIE BURNS - Guitar
LAFAYETTE LEAKE - Piano and Organ
FRED BELOW - Drums

ERICK LABSON of Universal Mastering (has over 800 mastering credits to his name) remastered the original master tapes and the sound is typically magnificent - fantastically clear. The drums, vocals, the bass and especially the duel guitar chugging of Burns and Hooker - all of it - muscular and in your face - and in all the right ways.

The 12-page booklet has a short essay on the album by CHRIS MORRIS of Billboard fame and then follows that with the album's original liner notes and reissue credits.

But the big surprise for fans will the 'afterthought' album of 1991 "More Real Folk Blues" - although it's essentially more of the same, the quality never lets up and it absolutely rocks. It isn't remotely "folk" in its blues approach - most of the tunes are full band work outs - funky blues - with an almost James Brown 1966 vibe to the rhythms - very, very cool stuff indeed. Check out "Mustang Sally & GTO" on iTunes for a taster - it perfectly compliments "Stella Mae" on the 1966 original. The solo performance on "The Waterfront" is beautiful - the tune is `so' quiet - yet the hiss level isn't that bad - a sweet remaster by Labson.

"I said the night time is the right time...I'm in the mood for love..." John Lee moaned on his famous sex song. Well on the evidence of this compilation - yeah baby is all I can say!

A much missed blues man - and a highly recommended reminder of why.

PS: This CD is also part of the "Blues Classics - Remastered And Revisited" Series. For a list of 10 titles in the Series - see my posting in Listmania.

Some John Lee Hooker albums are hard on the ears. That is of course no fault of Mr. Hooker's but simply the recording quality. These are songs that Hooker recorded for the Chess label which sound great. Whether you've never heard John Lee Hooker or are a big fan, you really need this album. The reason is easily summed up in one word: singing. The man has such a mean howl. If Mr. Hooker's voice just dosen't grab you and squeeze your guts than it's possible your heartless. I'm not saying it's a fact but it would probably be a good indicator.

I have poured out kudos to the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Skip James, Son House, Bukka White and an assortment of other legendary male acoustic and electric blues guitar players in this space. I have not, until now, mentioned the name of the legendary blues artist John Lee Hooker, although he belongs up there with those other above-mentioned names. Why? Well, frankly, it is a question of tastes. Other than an occasional song here or there John Lee Hooker does not "speak" to me, a term that means something to me in the blues context. Sure his guitar smokes when he is on. He always had more than enough black and white bands (Canned Heat, for one) clamoring to back him up and certainly his lyrics (with a few "politically incorrect" exceptions common to the genre) drove his message home. But we never connected at that "soul" level the way Wolf, Son House or the recently discovered (by me) Bukka White do. This happens. But I know enough about the blues to know that John Lee Hooker will "speak" to others. Legends are like that.

So given the above comments what is classic here, according to my tastes. Well, hell "Stella Mae" is one of those here or there songs Hooker songs I mentioned above that I liked. Others may like the much covered "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer". (This may be the best way to state my case- George Thorogood's version "speaks" to me.) "Peace Lovin' Man" and "I'm In The Mood" are exemplars of Hooker's boogie guitar style.

Put this on, sit back and enjoy the groove! John Lee Hooker's voice is full of rich subtle expression, setting the mood for an outstanding collection of music!