A great introduction to the Blues / Rhythm & Blues

Posted by: JWM on 03 November 2006

First, I don't want to suggest to any conscientious objectors that they should shop at Tesco! But...

For the car (initially!) this week I bought a very cheap and - as it turns out - very excellent 2-CD compilation called "Best of the Blues" - 40 tracks in all, classics like John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Son House, Robert Johnson, Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, Willie Dixon, etc, etc. Plus a lot, lot more - SRV, Fab Thunderbirds, Chicken Shack, Taj Mahal, Dr Feelgood, etc, etc.

If you want to dip your toes into the Blues and haven't known quite where to begin, you know, I think this might not be a bad place to begin - especially for £5.99 (and it plays really well!).

Those who know my particular musical obsession will not be surprised to hear how delighted I was that Rory Gallagher's "Messin' With the Kid" is included.

"I won't need this, but it's nice that it's there" I thought. But the really great news is that it is, in fact, a BLISTERING live recording which I certainly have never heard before.

Of course, for me, this on its own makes it worth the £5.99 - but plus all that lovely other stuff. Wonderful!

James
Posted on: 03 November 2006 by JWM
I now see it's EMI 0946 3 74068 2 3, so should be more widely available than Tesco!
Posted on: 03 November 2006 by Sloop John B
It's not the one from Calling Hard Part 2 is it?






SJB
Posted on: 03 November 2006 by smiglass



Sorry, I was trying to post on the "listening to now" thread.
anthony
Posted on: 03 November 2006 by JWM
quote:
Originally posted by Sloop John B:
It's not the one from Calling Hard Part 2 is it?


Thanks, SJB - this is a new one to me. Bootleg?

James
Posted on: 03 November 2006 by Sloop John B
Bootleg- not quite.

It's part of what was to be a series of official cd's to beat the bootleggers at their own game. Only one was ever released on Castle in 1992 titled "G-Men: Bootleg Series Vol 1

Here is the back cover.




Judging from this it's not available at the moment.



Rather sad that that "it is intended to make all the bootlegs of Rory available" has not been followed up on.

SJB
Posted on: 03 November 2006 by JWM
SJB -
Thanks, I didn't know about this. If you see another one on your travels, perhaps you might let me know?!

jwmather at tiscali dot co dot uk

Thanks,
James
Posted on: 06 November 2006 by billgpdx
If you are a fan of (or simply interested in) Chicago blues, it is hard to beat "Chicago: The Blues Today!". Originally released in the mid-60s on Vanguard Records and now available as a 3 CD set.

All the best,
Bill
Posted on: 07 November 2006 by JWM
Thanks Bill.
Posted on: 05 December 2006 by JWM
quote:
Originally posted by Sloop John B:
It's not the one from Calling Hard Part 2 is it?

SJB



In some ways this post might be best on the 'HiFi Corner' thread about CD vs Hybrid SACD...!

But - SJB especially - the version of "Messin With the Kid" on the 'Best of the Blues' compilation actually turns out to be the one at the end of Disc One of the "Big Guns" set issued to mark the 10th Anniversary of Rory's death.

I didn't twig for ages, because they sound so different!!

And the CD version on this 'best of' compilation sounds so much better than the Hybrid SACD "Big Guns", which suffers from MASSIVE over emphasis, like it's been mixed with the VU meters permanently in the red!

That might be the case, I haven't heard the 'ordinary' CD version of "Big Guns". But with the addition of an XPS2 S-XPS Burndy and Hi-Line since I last listened to it, the Hybrid SACD I would now describe as simply unlistenable.

To change tack slightly, I have to say that the three 'official' bootlegs mentioned by SJB - "Bullfrog Interlude" (also previously released as "What's the Story, Rory?") and "Calling Hard Pts 1 & 2" are absolutely FABULOUS, with some phenomenal performances from the Rory/Gerry/Lou/Rod and Rory/Gerry/Ted line-ups when they were new and fresh.

THANK YOU SJB for putting me on to these and making sure I was fixed up with a set!!

James
Posted on: 06 December 2006 by BigH47
I recently picked up RG Meeting with the G-Man+. ( 14 tracks). The sleeve notes say it is an enhanced version of the album originally released in the " Let's Go To Work"" boxset. Features 6 extra tracks and it constitutes Vol 4 in the G-Man " live bootleg" series.

Howard
Posted on: 06 December 2006 by Max Bass
All good artists on that compilation, thanks James.
If you really want to hear the definitive version of Messin' with the Kid get a hold of Junior Wells classic version. Wells burns the house down on this one.

I can also recommend without any hesitation Junior Wells album Hoodoo Man Blues. Recorded on Chicago's Delmark records . . . definately a Desert Island disc for those brave enough to go there. One of my all time favorites. Great songs. Raw, essential, Chicago blues that just Cooks!!! You will Not be disappointed.

Max