As is so often the case with bluesmen, Earl's long due recognition eluded him until late in his career. He cut a couple of outstanding LP's for the Arhoolie label, an excellent one for Blue Thumb with Ike Turner and his band backing him and an LP for ABC which is my personal favorite of his 60's sides. The ABC album shows off his complete mastery of the wah-wah pedal. The wah is a device not often used by blues players but which in Earl's hands and combined with his slidework was used to devastaing effect: so much so that it is said Jimi Hendrix, a big fan of Earl's, was completely blown away and he and Earl cross-influenced each other on its use. The large part of E.H's recorded solo output was instrumental as he was self-admittedly not much of a vocalist. He was happy to use vocalists with his own bands and some of tastiest work can be found as sideman backing other blues singers and players.
Earl Hooker passed from this world in April of 1970 after almost 3 decades on the road, worn down from constant touring, drinking & the ravages of tuberculosis. Although he may be physically removed from this realm, his influence lives on the likes of Johnny Winter, Ronnie Earl and the recording of "Boot Hill" by Stevie Ray Vaughn. His Arhoolie recordings, which contain some fine sides, are easy to be had, and his various recordings for Sun, King, and Chief Records have been on various re-releases under different titles for several years now on CD as well as vinyl for you die hards. Essential listening for any and all fans of the blues and you rockers could likely and happily pick up some tips here as well.
Article comments
1 - adrian rendell
Actually, the bit about Muddy Waters is not quite right. Earl Hooker actually recorded an instrumental which was released in that format but then someone at Chess Records thought it would be a good idea for Muddy Waters to overdub some vocals. This was what was done and the record was re-released under Muddy's name.
2 - Lisa Lauenti
Yeah, the record was originally released under Earl Hooker's name as "Blue Guitar" having been recorded in May 1961. Muddy's vocals were overdubbed on June 27th 1962 and the new version was released as "You Shook me" under his name. Because this formula was so succesful, Chess repeated it with the songs "you need love" and "Little Brown Bird" but ther is no evidence,at least as far as the undersigned is aware, that Muddy and Earl recorded on the same sessions nor, indeed, that Earl had any further involvement whatsoever after he cut the original recordings from which Muddy's versions were derived.
3 - Adrian Rendell
Sorry, slight typographical error in my last message. It's "Lisa Laurenti"
4 - Bas Jean (Paris Blues Web )
Earl Hooker was my favorite blues guitariste. A master of nuance and soulful feeling. A boss of the wahwah, swing blues, country blues, and a great slide player. But I am surprised that little is said about the great players that he directly influenced, and taught. Four years ago, Earl Hooker's original lap steel player was in Paris (the great Freddie Roulette) and the young San Francisco guitariste trained by Earl's band from childhood, Ray Bronner. The Show was at Lionel Hampton Club. John Lee Hooker gave an interview to a French fanzine (about 20 years ago) mentioning Roulette and Bronner as the best examples of Earl's style of playing. They still play together, and have recorded Earl's music, with some critical recognition by other musicians. I heard it once, and liked it very much. The band name (I think?) is the Daphne Blue Band. But when I was in New York, I could not find a shop with the CD. If someone can find it, please make a post to me.
5 - raggedy
I am new to the Blues, and I loved "Blue Guitar" by Earl Hooker the first time I've heard it. Now I am looking for a good starter CD of his for my Blues collection. But -- I get mad as hell, when I see that most CD's offered have not even one sound clip available. This is downright ridiculous! Before I buy I'd like to be able to hear what I'm going to pay for.
6 - lookah
emusic.com has some of his albums and allows previews...
http://www.emusic.com/artist/Earl-Hooker-MP3-Download/10559402.html
7 - lookah
emusic.com has previews...
8 - Bianca
Earl Hooker was my grandfather, I wish I would have had the chance to meet him
9 - Bianca
If any reads this knows how to get in contact with any of his family please let me know. I will check this site.
10 - Reginald
Yes, I knew Earl Hooker well. His Son lives in Atlanta but was originally from chicago. His son ANDRE is my 1st cousin. He looks exactly like earl
and when Earl died from Tuberculosis, he left Andre all of his Instruments and other musical things from earls band.
I can get in touch with him , anytime