Release Date: March 31, 2017.
Recording Time: 44 minutes.
Release Info: VJR00005, Vinyl, LP, Compilation.
Classic tracks from the prime of the legendary bluesman's career, including "Boom Boom" and "Dimples". New liner notes by music journalist Bill Dahl.
More detail:
2017 marked what would have been John Lee Hooker's 100th birthday. As part of a larger, year-long centennial celebration for the legendary bluesman, this collection features some of Hooker's most celebrated recordings, from the prime of his career. Spanning his time on Vee-Jay, Stax, Riverside and Specialty Records, the collection includes such favorites as "Boom Boom," "Boogie Chillun'" and "Big Legs, Tight Skirt." New liner notes by music journalist Bill Dahl round out the package.
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"Many of Hooker's best-known songs are here, including a lively version of "Boom Boom," the swinging "Boogie Chillun'," "Dimples," and the gritty and blatantly sexual "Grinder Man"... All of Hooker's best-loved qualities are showcased - his rich and tremulous voice on "I Need Some Money" and the title track; the singular guitar style of "Crawlin' King Snake" and "Frisco Blues"; the raw emotion on "No Shoes"; and the swagger of "Big Legs, Tight Skirt." ~ Karen Bells, The Absolute Sound, July/August 2017
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This album is a best of John Lee Hooker on Vee-Jay,with 3 tracks from other labels (Specialty,Stax and Riverside);with "The Legendary Modern Recordings" (Ace) it is a perfect introduction to John Lee Hooker.It's useless i keep talking about Hooker or the songs,only a note on sound quality:exceptional. ~ Mario Cesarano
Credits: Compilation Producer - Mason Williams; Design - Jimmy Hole; Executive-Producer - Sig Sigworth; Lacquer Cut By - CJIII; Liner Notes - Bill Dahl; Mastered By - Paul Blakemore; Photography By, Cover - Burt Goldblatt; Research [Editorial] - Ryan Jebavy; Research [Project Assistance] - Chris Clough, Steven P. Gorman; Written-By - Bernard Besman (tracks: 2, 4, 13), Berry Gordy (tracks: 7), James Bracken (tracks: 3), John Lee Hooker (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 10, 12 to 16), Jules Taub (tracks: 11), Rosco Gordon (tracks: 11).
Tracklist:
- A1. Boom Boom [2:34]
- A2. Boogie Chillun' [2:35]
- A3. Dimples [2:11]
- A4. I'm In The Mood [2:43]
- A5. I Love You Honey [2:34]
- A6. Whiskey And Wimmen [2:58]
- A7. I Need Some Money [2:28]
- A8. Grinder Man [3:56]
- B1. I'm Going Upstairs [2:55]
- B2. Big Legs, Tight Skirt [2:17]
- B3. No More Doggin' [2:46]
- B4. No Shoes [2:26]
- B5. Crawlin' Kingsnake [2:42]
- B6. Frisco Blues [2:45]
- B7. It Serves Me Right [3:36]
- B8. Time Is Marching [3:01]
Peronnel: (A1) Baritone Saxophone - Mike Terry, Bass - James Jamerson, Drums - Benny Benjamin, Guitar - Larry Veeder, Piano - Joe Hunter, Tenor Saxophone - Hank Cosby, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (A2) Guitar, Vocals - John Lee Hooker; (A3) Bass - George Washington, Drums - Tom Whitehead, Guitar - Eddie Taylor, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (A4) Guitar - Eddie Taylor, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (A5) Bass - Everett McCrary, Drums - Richard Johnson, Guitar - Eddie Taylor, Piano - Joe Hunter, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (A6) Bass - Sylvester Hickman, Drums - Jimmy Turner, Guitar - William "Lefty" Bates, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (A7) Bass - Sam Jones, Drums - Louis Hayes, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (A8) Bass - Earl Hooker, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B1) Bass - Quinn Wilson, Drums - Earl Phillips, Guitar - William "Lefty" Bates, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B2) Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B3) Bass - Theophilus Roosevelt, Drums - Tom Whitehead, Piano - John Griffith, Tenor Saxophone - Johnny Hooks, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B4) Bass - Sylvester Hickman, Drums - Jimmy Turner, Guitar - William "Lefty" Bates, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B5) Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B6) Backing Vocals - Mary Wilson, The Andantes, Piano, Organ - Joe Hunter, Tenor Saxophone - Hank Cosby, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B7) Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker; (B8) Bass - George Washington, Drums - Tom Whitehead, Guitar - Eddie Taylor, Harmonica - Jimmy Reed, Vocals, Guitar - John Lee Hooker.
Tracks B2, B6 and B7 - other musicians unknown.