His trademark sound is also presented in a variety of arrangements and small combos. A set of spoons or spurs creates a jangle on “Weeping Willow Boogie.” He overdubbed his voice three times to create an interesting effect on “I’m In The Mood.” “Frisco Blues” finds him backed by female singers a la The Raelettes. Disc Three concludes with four tracks where an organ is more prominent than guitar. They are “Bluebird”, “Early One Morning”, “We’ll Meet Again”, and “Loving People.”
Hooker’s influence on the music world is presented. We get the originals of “Crawlin' King Snake,” covered by The Doors, and “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” covered by George Thorogood, who also included a bit of “John L's House Rent Boogie” into his version. Hooker recorded with Canned Heat in 1970, creating a double album appropriately titled Hooker ‘N Heat. It was Hooker’s first time on the Billboard charts. Three tracks are from those sessions, “Burning Hell,” which includes 90 seconds of Hooker banter at the open, “Peavine,” and “I Got My Eyes On You.”
Disc four showcases Hooker’s collaborations in his later years when many artists came to pay tribute. Robert Cray is the most frequent guest at three appearances. Bonnie Raitt turns “I’m In The Mood” into a wonderful duet. Charles Brown plays piano on “Kiddio.” Los Lobos gets things rockin’ on “Dimples.”
Unfortunately, it’s the weaker disc of the bunch because very few songs come close to the originals. “Boom Boom” with Jimmie Vaughan and “Boogie Chillen’” with Eric Clapton are all right, but there’s no reason to listen to them over the originals. Some are very different arrangements that appear to be Hooker sitting in rather than collaborations. The two songs with Van Morrison are almost too lush and Hooker’s voice has too much echo; however, taken as Morrison songs, they work. The two songs with Santana are Latin jazz/rock and Hooker’s voice doesn’t fit at all.
Forget Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and the rest of that pharmaceutical nonsense. Instead, take two CDs from Hooker and call me in the morning. Your blues are sure to disappear.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
El B, I am going to read and comment upon this properly as soon as I post my review. I just got the set on Monday so it will take a little more time to really get a handle on what's here and write it up. That and I am hopelessly behind, as always. I am looking forward to reading your review very soon.
2 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites.
3 - Connie Phillips
Really nice review, El Bicho! A great kick off for the Blues focus.
4 - DJRadiohead
El B, I finally finished writing my review and am pleased to have had the opportunity to finally read yours. I feel better about mine having seen how much of the same ground we covered without my actually having read this before I wrote it. Good stuff here.
I agree the first two discs are the strongest. Disc 3 is still good. Disc 4 is a little less.