The Best of Friends

John Lee Hooker

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 20, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B00000DCER
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,010 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Music > Blues > Regional Blues > Detroit Blues
  #33 in	Music > Blues > Delta Blues
  #82 in	Music > Blues > Traditional Blues

Track Listings

1. Boogie Chillen'

2. This Is Hip

3. Healer

4. I Cover the Waterfront

5. Boom Boom

6. I'm in the Mood

7. Burning Hell

8. Tupelo

9. Baby Lee

10. Dimples

11. Chill Out (Things Gonna Change)

12. Big Legs, Tight Skirt

13. Don't Look Back

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The premise behind this compilation is somewhat unusual: classic tracks, yes, but classic tracks recorded by John Lee Hooker... and friends. Charles Brown, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Los Lobos, and Bonnie Raitt are only some of the performers who appear here, and the tracks, selected from recordings made by the prolific guitarist since 1988, show that Hooker hasn't lost his touch. Among the highlights, there's a smokin' duet with Raitt on "I'm in the Mood," a rendition of "Boom Boom" with a guest appearance from Jimmie Vaughan, and a reprise of Hooker's 1956 hit "Dimples" with Los Lobos backing up. Mention must also be made of the lone solo track on this CD, the acoustic "Tupelo," which hearkens to Hooker's Delta blues roots. There are also three previously unreleased tracks, which are probably the real reason to get this compilation. --Genevieve Williams

Vibe

Duets rarely add up to the sum of their parts ... but John Lee Hooker's The Best of Friends ... proves it can happen.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Over an hour of classic blues, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

John Lee Hooker's mumbling delivery always kind of bugs me. But his music usually makes up for it. High points on this CD are the songs with Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, and Santana. Everything on here is good, though.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great CD for people new to the blues., January 7, 2000

By	"my1vice" (Vermont) - See all my reviews

I've been a Johnny Lee fan for a long time. When I heard this CD I had to Have it! It is made up of Duets with people such as Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Vaughan....an all-star cast.

The songs are from Johnny's vast career, but done with the other artist's style meshed with Johnny's. They really did a wonderful job with this CD.

And if you are new to the blues, have no fear buying this CD, in fact it is a great "first blues" CD for your collection...Enjoy!

Spin

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply said, this album is a must-have for all Hooker fans., January 1, 1999

By A Customer

Blues fans will be pleasantly surprised by this recording pairing the master himself with some of the finest musicians alive today. Special mention should be made of "I Cover the Waterfront" and "Don't Look Back" which feature the soulful voice and guitar of Van Morrison, as well as the familiar touch of Carlos Santana in "The Healer". Last, but certainly not least, adorers of Bonnie Raitt will love the playful duet she and Hooker provide in "I'm in the Mood".

BUY THIS CD, lower the lights, crank up the volume, and be swept away. You won't regret it.