CD-Charts Position 71
Average Rating:

Precious Lord: The Great Gospel Songs of Thomas A. Dorsey

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Thomas A. Dorsey

Release Date February 01, 2008
Back in 1973, I bought the double LP set and was able to fit the whole set on one CD, so why this had to be abbreviated, I'll never know. The whole two-record set clocks at just over 77 minutes and the one track left off was a bit over two and a half minutes. The track in question is "Let Us Go Back To God" by the great Sallie Martin. At the time of the recording, Ms. Martin and Willie Mae Ford Smith were considered the living legends of Gospel Music and both starred in the film, "Say Amen, Somebody!". Sallie's voice is dry and husky, but carries a great deal of conviction and heart. "I'll Tell It" showcases her in a slight swinging style of the late thirties. She was certainly one of a kind and her presence is greatly missed. In fact, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 72
Average Rating:

It's Hot in Here

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: EG Kight

Release Date August 19, 2008
Back in 1973, I bought the double LP set and was able to fit the whole set on one CD, so why this had to be abbreviated, I'll never know. The whole two-record set clocks at just over 77 minutes and the one track left off was a bit over two and a half minutes. The track in question is "Let Us Go Back To God" by the great Sallie Martin. At the time of the recording, Ms. Martin and Willie Mae Ford Smith were considered the living legends of Gospel Music and both starred in the film, "Say Amen, Somebody!". Sallie's voice is dry and husky, but carries a great deal of conviction and heart. "I'll Tell It" showcases her in a slight swinging style of the late thirties. She was certainly one of a kind and her presence is greatly missed. In fact, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 73
Average Rating:

East-West

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: The Butterfield Blues Band

Release Date October 25, 1990
This recording contains what has to be the one of the greatest blues/rock songs of all time. The song is East West which contains some of the greatest music I've ever heard. It is a preview of what the bands later in the 60's will produce and remains one of the finest example of the extended guitar solo pieces.

At this time the Butterfield Blues Band had two of the best guitarist around, Elvin Bishop and (my favorite) Mike Bloomfield. They each take an extended solo, Elvin Bishop first. Elvin throws out a blazing fast mountain of notes. It is what happens next that makes this an unique experience. It is Mike Bloomfield's turn next, not with another show stopper solo, instead he pares back the music to the absolute minimum. His ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 74
Average Rating:

Electric Mud

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Muddy Waters

Release Date November 19, 1996
Muddy is always great but this CD is a little sad. I bought it when it first came out and it was disappionting then. I think it an attempt to cash in on white performers sucess with "electric" versions of classic blues tunes. The fuzz-tone guitars are just out of place with Muddy's robust blues voice. It has some historical value given the unique nature of the collaboration but other than that forget it. For the real thing get "Mississippi Muddy Waters" a great live album with Pinetop Perkins and Johnny Winter. It's 100 proof.

CD-Charts Position 75
Average Rating:

Trouble in Mind

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Big Bill Broonzy

Release Date February 22, 2000
This "Trouble In Mind" compilation from the Smithsonian is the best collection of Broonzy's later period acoustic work. I think this is a better collection than the other 'best of' compilation ("Absolutely The Best" on Varese Records). The remastering on these tracks is excellent and they are the best sounding recordings of Broonzy I have ever heard. The songs here are all of his classics. The only thing that's disappointing is that they left off the track "Never Satisfied", which would have made this the ultimate collection of Broonzy acoustic blues songs. Highly recommended!

CD-Charts Position 76
Average Rating:

Live On

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Release Date October 12, 1999
Perhaps Kenny's best album to date great cd ! If you don't own a Kenny Wayne Shepherd album this is a good one to start with.

CD-Charts Position 77
Average Rating:

An Anthology: The Elektra Years

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Release Date January 20, 1998
These Electra sessions recordings include almost all of the songs from the original Butterfield Blues Band album and many more. It is a classic. Butterfield and Bloomfield with the rest of the original cast, including Sam Lay on drums. It is just a superb collection of some of the best Chicago blues ever recorded. While there are literally hundreds, maybe thousands, who have recorded songs with the harp, there are only handful who could play the harp as well as Butterfield and, like him, most are no longer with us. He grew up hearing the great players in Chicago but developed his own style, with a tone that sometimes sounded like a trumpet. Both he and Bloomfield possessed musical genius that burned out too young. I have been listening to this album ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 78
Average Rating:

Buddy's Blues (Chess 50th Anniversary Collection)

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Buddy Guy

Release Date April 08, 1997
Buddy Guy is one of my all-time favorite bluesmen....and this is the album which started it all for me.

Listen to these songs and be changed. The album starts out with "Worried Mind", a relaxing blues tune, which shows the mellow side of Buddy Guy. Relax while you can, for some fiery vocals are not too far off! When Buddy sings "She Suits Me To A Tee" I honestly wonder at what point his vocal chords will snap. And when Buddy sings "I Cry And Sing The Blues" you are convinced that in fact he is crying and singing the blues. Listen to this album just once to hear one of the greatest bluesmen in history and no doubt you will be won over just as I was to Buddy Guy's music.

5 stars....a fantastic single disc compilation at a very ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 79
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Stone Crazy!

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: Buddy Guy

Release Date October 25, 1990
"Stone Crazy" is one of the best records Buddy Guy has made. Unvarnished, raw, not contaminated with pop-sounding songs and superfluous guest stars, this CD was recorded when Buddy Guy was just another much admired, but little recorded bluesman.

This record sounds like Buddy was set free. After being corseted by record companies and made to play with brakes, Buddy plays with unrivaled fury and intensity on such cuts as "When I Left Home," "The Outskirts of Town," "I Smell A Rat," and others.

Buddy needs to make more records like this. Any Buddy record is awesome, but this kind of Buddy record is priceless.

CD-Charts Position 80
Average Rating:

The Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Chicago Blues
by: The Four Aces

Release Date September 28, 1993
There are various CDs available for sale here on Amazon on singing groups from the early 1950s, and if you are looking for one on The Four Aces this is the one you want to buy. It includes all the hits and the sound is first rate. The sound you hear on this CD is how I remember listening to The Four Aces when they were in their prime. I honestly can't imagine anyone rating this CD with a negative review. The voices you hear on this CD is how I remember them sounding, and that's good enough for me. If you enjoy the singing groups from this time period then this CD belongs in your collection. I've purchased several extra copies (I'd be embarrassed to say how many) as a gift for students in my after school elementary music class.