Label: Testament Records.
Release Date: April 7, 1998.
Recording Time: 43 minutes.
Recording Date: 1962 - 1966.
Releases: May 19, 2014 (Shout! Factory).
Recording Information: tracks 1, 7, 12, and 16 recorded circa 1964; track 4 and 8 recorded April 4, 1964; tracks 2, 3, 9, and 11 recorded May 2, 1966; track 10 recorded July 24, 1963; track 14 recorded June 18, 1966; track 5 recorded September 30, 1962; track 6 recorded October 21, 1962; tracks 13 and 15 recorded circa mid-1960s.
All tracks recorded in Chicago, Illinois.
Styles: Contemporary Blues, Chicago Blues.
Hard Luck John is the first John Lee Granderson album ever released. Influenced by country-blues musicians, Granderson had played on the streets of Chicago for years in the '60s. He also cut some sessions for producer Pete Welding, who later collected highlights from these tapes for Hard Luck John. The album is divided between original numbers and traditional blues songs, each showcasing Granderson's sturdy skills as a singer and guitarist. It isn't exceptional blues, but it is a solid collection of solo Chicago blues that's worth a listen by dedicated fans of the genre. - Review by Thom Owens.
"This is the first full album devoted to the music of fine Chicago singer/guitarist John Lee Granderson."
Credits: Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup - composer; Bill Foster - guitar; John Lee Granderson - arranger, composer, dobro, guitar, guitar (electric), primary artist, vocals; Blind Lemon Jefferson - composer; William Mack - guitar; Carl Martin - violin; Big Maceo Merriweather - composer; Bob Stone - mastering; Prez Thomas - harmonica; Traditional - composer; Jimmy Walker - piano; Brian C. Walls - design; Pete Welding - engineer, producer; Sonny Boy Williamson I - composer; Johnny Young - mandolin.
Tracks: 1) Minglewood Blues; 2) Hard Luck John (feat. Bill Foster); 3) Flora Blues (feat. Bill Foster); 4) Please Come Back to Me (feat. Johnny Young, Jimmy Walker); 5) Death Valley Blues (feat. William Mack, Prezs Thomas, Jimmy Walker); 6) Texas Blues; 7) Rock Me All Night Long; 8) Cold Cold Evening (feat. Johnny Young, Jimmy Walker); 9) County Farm Blues (feat. Bill Foster); 10) Decoration Day Blues (feat. Prezs Thomas, Jimmy Walker); 11) Aching Pain Blues (feat. Bill Foster); 12) This Is Your Last Chance; 13) That's Doggin' Me (feat. Bill Foster); 14) Watch Out Girl (feat. Johnny Young, Carl Martin); 15) One More (feat. Bill Foster); 16) One Kind Favor.