Customer Reviews

Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey

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Leave it to a Rolling Stone to assemble the most generous, distinctive collection of classic blues issued this year. I purchased this set on impulse because I love early blues recordings and heard that Bill Wyman, of the Rolling Stones, had just produced a broadcast series based on the lives and works of early blues musicians. To be honest, there aren't many early blues recordings on CD that have been as carefully researched or as beautifully remastered. There are two disks and 46 cuts on this bargain-priced collection, only about a third of which are performed by die-hard favorites like Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, Charlie Patton, Big Maceo, Lonnie Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Minnie and Blind Lemon Jefferson. The balance of the collection includes performances by musicians you may not have ever heard, or at least listened too very often, from Mamie Smith and Bo Carter to Casey Bill Weldon and Georgia White. But there isn't a bad cut in the bunch. As with most of Wyman's recorded projects, there is a distinctive, laid-back feel to the compilation. The music is intensely personal, and very listenable. Originally remastered in the UK by Denis Blackham, the warmth and presence of the collection is startling. Add to all of this a booklet that is handsome and informative, and I couldn't imagine a better way to spend 20 bucks. PS. You don't have to love the blues to enjoy most of these performances. Anyone who loves vintage jazz or roots music can dive right in. Very strongly recommended.

I'm rarely in someone's Amen Corner, but I can't disagree with anything the previous reviewer wrote. Rather, let me expand on it. The Rolling Stones, particularly in their salad days, were heavily influenced by black American blues as were many of their British contemporaries. Here the listener has the chance to hear 46 of the songs which influenced that generation of musicians and which touched Wyman in particular.
Bill Wyman has put together a fine group of old blues that feature a wide range of musicians, both famous and obscure, playing a wide range of blues styles. Rock fans who have never listened to traditional blues will recognize a number of these songs which have been covered by artists ranging from Van Morrison to John Mayall.
The 2-CD set includes an informative booklet containing short biographical sketches of each featured artist. It also contains many rare photos obtained from various sources.
Hats off to Bill Wyman! Blues Odyssey is a noteworthy compilation, very well remastered, that is worth every penny of its price. If you love the blues, buy this one today.

For all of you who enjoyed Ken Burns' epic Jazz series, former Stones bassist Bill Wyman follows it up here with his own study and insight on the musical genre that he obviously loves, the Blues. Besides the handsome coffee table book, this 2 CD set contains most of the legends of the American blues spread over 46 tracks, from Papa Charlie Jackson's 1925 recording of "All I Want is a Spoonful" to 1951 blues tracks from Elmore James and B.B. King. No, "The Thrill is Gone" isn't covered here nor are the newer blues artists like Robert Cray or Stevie Ray Vaughan, just the old masters.

One thing I was reminded of was that the blues did not begin with Robert Johnson who emerged in the mid-'30s. Of course! Just like rock and roll didn't begin with Elvis. Get this collection and check out Wyman's commentary on each of the artists. It's very informative and easy to get a grasp on what for many is an arcane musical genre.

And yes, as Wyman states, "the Blues are perfect however you feel."

January 30, 2003

When Bill Wyman left the Rolling Stones in the early `90's he claimed there were more important projects he wanted to work on including photography, art, and writing. Wyman was the first Stone to release solo albums that were released on Rolling Stones Records label.

Wyman has excelled in at least one post-Stones arena: writing. While his two books regarding his time as a Rolling Stone offer a sanitized glimpse behind the curtain, Wyman's book, `Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey' and the companion two CD set is nothing short of an excellent narrative of that great American art form, `the blues.' For a brief time a companion television piece also aired on satellite networks.

As an avid, albeit older, music fan, there is nothing I enjoy more than delving back into time and finding a rare gem recorded 50, 60, or 70 years ago. While its like admitting you have fleas on your first date, I have to confess that some of these recordings are so poor that any listening enjoyment is erased. Sure, all those 78 rpm's being transferred onto CD make it easier and the liner notes are fascinating, but even the Yazoo label often releases titles that are so marred with `snaps, crackles, and pops' that I can't bear repeated listening. Which brings me to the point of this column.

Do you remember when Columbia released the 2 disc Robert Johnson box set back in the very early `90's? Anyway, with the dawn of digital recordings, Columbia made the brief and untenable, yet true, boast that the box set recordings, since they had been remixed and remastered, were, "better than the original recordings." Listeners could distinctly hear Johnson rocking in a wooden chair while he recorded. Now I know someone, somewhere is going to tag me with the old lie, "I love the warmth of those old records." O.K. sure. But I like clarity. Wyman's companion two CD set release for `Blues Odyssey' is the finest example I have ever heard representing this era of the recording industry. To put a point on it, the two CD set is a compilation, 46 cuts in all, is of early period blues artists including Bessie Smith, Frank Stokes, Blind Willie McTell and Robert Johnson contemporary Charly Patton. Within the compact disc is a 22 page booklet with excellent liner notes regarding each artist represented on this collection. The Linear notes are a good indication of how excellent the Wyman's book was written.

The mists of the past are parting.

What Wyman has truly accomplished is to lend his name and credibility within the industry to create well deserved interest in the artists that are unquestionably the pioneers and bedrock of the music industry and rock music in particular. Through the use of video, the printed word, and digitally enhanced audio recordings, Wyman has created a veritable time machine that allows the serious music fan to truly experience this music as it sounded when it was originally recorded. Since purchasing this disc I have been trawling in the 1920's listening to music that is humorous, enlightening, and, "dadgumit" just darn great

Very good collection of songs that accompany the series. The most infuriating thing is the title track/theme of the DVD isn't on the CD. It's like buying the Pulp Fiction soundtrack and finding (Girl, you'll be a woman soon) isn't on there. In fact it's worse than that because it's not the theme tune. It's a million times worse than that! What were they thinking?
In case you're wondering the theme song is 'I'm going upstairs' by John Lee Hooker

This compilation of Bill Wyman's favorite blues songs gives a decent history of blues music. While listening to this music, it is quite interesting to note the influence it had on many rock n roll bands.

However, the versions presented here are a stark in arrangement. Although they are performed well, usually its just a guitar and a vocal or a piano and a vocal. A few instrumentals thrown in for good measure. Unfortuantely after a while it all sounds pretty similar in spite of some good performances.

Truthfully, I would prefer a smaller compilation of blues standards as opposed to this extensive batch. Nonetheless, big time fans of blues music might want to at least preview this collection.