DVD Review: John Hammond: The Paris Concert - Page 2

John Hammond is a living compendium of the best blues music sung, written, and performed since the beginning of the 20th century. From Robert Johnson, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, on up to the blues of the early Rolling Stones, John Hammond: The Paris Concert is a journey through music history.

From the Piedmont style of the Carolinas by artists like Blind Boy Fuller, with its roots in the Appalachians and country blues, that was popular during the thirties, to the Mississippi Delta, and across the breadth of the United States on up to the streets of Chicago, Mr. Hammond can play the blues in all its variants, shapes, and forms. But it's not just the music he knows – the stories he has to tell about the people he's played with and met along the road are equally fascinating.

Introducing a Howling Wolf song, he recounts his first meeting with the great artist who was one of his biggest influences. Mr. Hammond had just finished his set on a bill that included Howling Wolf. He had shown up early hoping to meet his idol during the sound check, but Howling Wolf hadn't shown by the time John had to perform.

John%20Hammond_1
He got backstage after he finished and there, standing in front of him, was Howling Wolf. The first words out of Howling Wolf's mouth were, "Where did you learn to play like that?" Hammond responded, "from records." Howling Wolf looked at him for a second and said, "So did I." He then sat Hammond down and talked about those writers who influenced him and how he learned to sing and play.

When your father is the man who produced Billie Holiday, "discovered" Bob Dylan, and worked with most of the great blues, folk, and jazz musicians of his time, you either can go the opposite direction into something like accounting, or do your best to make people forget there are two John Hammonds in the music business who are related. Of course, there are advantages to be found in such a relationship, like being able to listen to all that great music at home and absorb it like a sponge.

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Article Author: Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus is the author of the What Will Happen In Eragon IV? and The Unofficial Heroes Of Olympus Companion, both published by Ulysses Press. He has had his work published in print and online all over the world including the German edition of Rolling Stone Magazine and www.Qantara.de. …

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  • 1 - Mark Saleski

    Jul 07, 2006 at 9:19 am

    great review richard. i saw Hammond in concert once. quite the experience. strings breakin', spit flyin'. unbelievable.

  • 2 - Richard Marcus

    Jul 07, 2006 at 10:49 am

    Mark,

    I'm now definatly jealous of you. Damn I'd like to see him perform. At the bottom of the press release that came with DVD it said contact for interviews, so I did, but I'm not holding out much hope, but if it happens I'll let you know and I can ask him some questions from you if you want.

    Cheers

    Richard

  • 3 - Pat

    Mar 15, 2009 at 6:33 pm

    Saw John in the mid-nineties, opening for Duke Robillard & Buddy Guy. Blew me away. Saw him this past summer in a smaller venue. He came out to meet everyone after the show. An acoutic-blues powerhouse. See him live.

  • 4 - Brittany Lane

    Jul 08, 2010 at 11:36 am

    This is definitely a work of art. I appreciate this type of music. When is the album coming out?

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