The chess blues compilation

Posted by: EAROTICA on 09 May 2013

Last night I listened to the 4 disc boxset of the chess blues and loved every song. Some of these were recorded in the 40s and 50s and sounded amazing. It's very rare that I like every song on an album let alone a box set. I was wondering if anyone can recommend anything similar for me to try out aswell.

Many thanks,

Mike
Posted on: 09 May 2013 by Max Bass

Willie Dixon the Chess box set.  This is an amazing collection of Dixon songs in the categories listed . . . writer, producer, performer.  The songs are either a top 40's hits , and/or lesser known blues songs.  All performed by various Chess artists including Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddlley, Otis Rush, etc.

 

This a really great retrospective of the best Chicago Blues has to offer, and the sound is really good as well.  Highly recommended!

 

Max

Posted on: 09 May 2013 by EAROTICA
Hello Max, Thanks for that will check it out. Mike
Posted on: 10 May 2013 by Pev

A good strategy would be to get complete albums from the artists you like best on the compilation - not sure which version you have as I have several Chess compilations issued over the decades, but Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson etc. all have huge repertoires of great songs.

If you want to get more rootsy, check out Lightnin' Hopkins, or for hard core delta blues then Robert Johnson or maybe Mississippi Fred McDowell. The shops are full of cheap blues cds and I've filled my boots. Many of them have surprisingly good quality sound.

If you want to listen to live blues then Eric Bibb, Robert Cray, and Joe Louis Walker are all still performing and pretty authentic.

Posted on: 10 May 2013 by EAROTICA
Hello Pev, Thank I will be listening to it more over the weekend for sure. Where's a good place to get them cheap in uk. I found one place welling them for silly money. Thanks, Mike
Posted on: 10 May 2013 by EAROTICA
I've just bought muddy waters 2 disc best of for just over £3 free delivery. Sadly they aren't all that cheap.
Posted on: 10 May 2013 by Pev

In Bristol we have 2 shops Head, and Rise which both often have a lot of Blues cds for a fiver or less, I guess Amazon or Ebay would be even cheaper - just search on the name of the artist. 

An even cheaper option would be to borrow from your local library - obviously it varies but many libraries will order discs for you for a nominal fee.

Posted on: 10 May 2013 by Clive B
Originally Posted by Pev:

In Bristol we have 2 shops Head, and Rise which both often have a lot of Blues cds for a fiver or less, I guess Amazon or Ebay would be even cheaper - just search on the name of the artist. 

An even cheaper option would be to borrow from your local library - obviously it varies but many libraries will order discs for you for a nominal fee.

Pev,

Whereabouts is 'Head'? I know Rise and Fopp, but don't know Head. Please advise.

 

Thanks.

Posted on: 10 May 2013 by EAROTICA
Hello pev, Bristol is vinyl heaven my girlfriend took me there for a day for my bday to go shopping and we went to 3 vinyl shops. One even had a cafe and sold books so I could spend ages looking without my gf going mad. its her dads 60th next year and in Wales so planning on doing a detour to Bristol before or after and can't wait.
Posted on: 11 May 2013 by Pev

Hi Clive

 

Head is in the old Virgin Megastore in the Mall (used to be called the Galleries) which is the indoor shopping complex in the old part of Broadmead, not the new Cabot Circus - it's on the second floor. HMV in the Broadmead is also still going and sometimes has some cheap stuff.

 

Earotica - I think Bristol is well supplied with vinyl outlets because of the big dance/clubbing scene which kept the faith through the lean years - not my cup of Ovaltine but having over 30,000 students in a medium size city supports some interesting infrastructure!

Posted on: 11 May 2013 by EAROTICA
It's very good. I'm looking forward to going back. Did you see the wildlife photographer exhibition at the museum there were some amazing shots. Thanks, Mike