Hooker, John Lee - Live At Newport


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Universe/Comet Records
Catalog Number: UV068
Format: LP
Total Time: 45:59:00

This reissue of John Lee Hooker's Live at Newport LP is a split between two performances at the Newport Folk Festival, a solo flight from 1960 and a set with upright bassist Bill Lee from 1963. Harvested from the analog master tapes and converted to 20-Bit digital audio, the LP now has a clear and crisp sound. It is so definitive that you can hear a seagull flying by as plain as day, now that is being there folks. Who says that CDs always sound better than vinyl LPs?

How many times have people said there will never be another one like John Lee? Well, probably never enough, in fact he said it himself - ?They will bury the blues with me.? He did not have a problem with self-confidence that is for sure, and that attitude always came through strongly in all his music.

This highly collectable gatefold LP includes extensive liner notes, black & white photos, and rare acoustic performances that give proof positive of whence this man came from. This is the real folk blues without exception. Very few original blues players could put all their cards on the table and walk away with a winning hand every time. As a matter fact, there is not one man alive today playing the blues that could duplicate what Hooker did. As much as I enjoy the "electric" blues, I found these acoustic sessions to be completely enjoyable. He was a colorful character that injected his personality into every note, promoting a very intimate interaction with his audiences.

With alternate versions of ?Hobo Blues? and ?Boom Boom,? blues lovers and collectors will be delighted with this quality piece. With a direct link to "real" country music and the foundation to all rock music more than evident, this is quite a package, offering a slice of the rich and full history of acoustic blues. All of this and more is right between the grooves of this fine vinyl platter.

Released the same year on CD by Vanguard Records (79703) (and where it is still available)


Tracklisting:
Introduction by George Wein (0:17) / Hobo Blues (3:07) / Maudie (2:44) / Introduction by John Lee Hooker (0:54) / I Can't Quit You Baby (3:02) / Stop Now Baby (1:41) / Tupelo (4:57) / Sometimes You Make Me Feel So Bad (3:33) / Bus Station Blues (3:20) / Introduction by John Lee Hooker (0:32) / Let's Make It (2:22) / Great Fire Of Natchez (5:16) / Boom Boom (3:08) / You're Gonna Need Another Favor* (5:01) / Introduction by John Lee Hooker (0:30) / Hobo Blues (Alternate Version)* (4:52) / Boom Boom (Alternate Version)* (3:23)

*Previously Unreleased

Musicians:
John Lee Hooker - acoustic guitar, vocals
Bill Lee ? upright bass

Guest: George Wein

Discography:
(selected discography (i.e,, just those we've reviewed); see website for complete listing)

Live At Newport (1960&1963/2003)
Hooker & The Hogs (1965/2003)
Face To Face (2003)
Blues Kingpins (2003)



Genre: Other

Origin US

Added: June 15th 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.johnleehooker.com
Hits: 2256
Language: english

  

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