Customer Reviews

Vanguard Visionaries Series Sampler

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

 

 

The sound quality of these songs is amazing. I have Odetta's Midnight Special from At the Gate of Horn already loaded on my iPod, but when I play it next to this recording the difference is just startling. The sound quality is so much clearer, so much richer on this recording. Her voice is amazing and it's even more enjoyable on this recording. Obviously all the recordings are classics - you simply can't go wrong with this one. Amazing sound quality, amazing songs, and amazing price.

If you like blues, this album will be sweet music to your ears.

The first four tracks are blues from seasoned performers. The last act is a rock n roll / soul number ala James Brown.

Definitely worth the money (free!) if your like your blues as sweet as molasses!!

Wonderful tracks from influential artists. This is a great introduction since most blues-folk fans already own most of these tracks. Ramblin' Jack Elliot has had a dedicated following for decades and this rendition of Blind Lemon Jefferson's Black Snake Moan is a pleasure (listen to Joe Ely's Long Snake Moan to fully grasp how hot this song is). Rising Sun Blues, perfectly rendered by the incomparable Doc Watson, is also known as House of the Rising Sun, a big hit for The Animals in the early 60's. Odetta's Midnight Special is from her classic 1957 album "At The Gate of Horn." Buddy Guy is known to every blues fan - this track illustrates why. Somehow I've missed Lakes of Ponchartrain and it is a joy to discover it.

Perhaps I never should have listened to this sampler, but negative reviews like this are the price of pulling together a free sampler.

The "Rising Sun Blues" reminded me so strongly of my favorite Classic Rock song of all time, "House of the Rising Sun", that I had to keep it. It was a good recording of a good song, with a good lead vocal performance, and I'll probably listen to it over and over.

The rest of the songs had no such redeeming factors. The instruments and vocals grated on my ears. I understand that these are old recordings, and that the genre is meant to feel "down home", both of which contribute to the shrill treble sound, but that doesn't change my opinion that it's low quality.