So Many Roads

John Hammond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B000000EIA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,764 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

A mid-price release of Hammond's 1965 album of blues covers. The son of legendary talent scout John Hammond Sr, who discovered Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen amongst others, John Jr has recorded over 30 albums. His Vanguard releases are consistent sellers. This release was notable for including three future members of The Band - Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm. Also contributing are Charlie Musselwhite and Mike Bloomfield. Vanguard Masters. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Classic Blues and Robbie Robertson's best playing!, September 2, 2000

By 

Joan May (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So Many Roads (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite blues CD's and much of the reason is Robbie Robertson's incredible edgy guitar playing, which I don't think he ever equaled in his work with The Band or elsewhere. Other members of The Band are also on this CD -- Garth Hudson, Levon Helm -- as well as the already mentioned Mike Bloomfield (inexplicably on piano, but I don't think even he could have surpassed Robertson on guitar in this set) and Charlie Musselwhite. John Hammond's dramatic vocals are great as is his choice of some of the best blues tunes in existence. Highly recommended for all fans of blues, and blues-guitar.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kick ___ white boy blues!, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: So Many Roads (Audio CD)

John Hammond's strength is not songwriting. Rather, his strength is effectively covering and interpreting old blues songs into a more contemporary setting. This is John Hammond's best early album from 1965. The record features ace players such as Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica as well as future Band members Levon Helm and Garth Hudson. The playing is strong and Hammond gives his best white boy blues growl. The record is pure electric blues, none of the acoustic wimpy stuff. Hammond's vocals may seem a bit parodical because it sounds like he is trying too hard, but it is good music nonetheless. Check out his version of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?"

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You aren't just kidding!, March 16, 2000

By 

Eric T. Dean (Hamden, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: So Many Roads (Audio CD)

Check out "Who Do You Love"! It's got Charlie Musselwhite at his best, and Mike Bloomfield on piano (Bloomfield seemed to be a victim of excess, but as a sideman or with Butterfield, he came through as a tremendous student of the blues and quite a talent in his own right!). And it just doesn't get any better than "So Many Roads." John Hammond really hit his groove with this record/CD.