RS #377: John Lee Hooker – The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990)

#377 

John Lee Hooker The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990)

Release Date: 1990
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

 Very, very early ’90s boxed-set album cover design. By Source, Fair use, Link

Impressions: Uh oh. I’m doomed. 1948-1990. That’s DECADES of music. Oh whew, it’s only 2 discs. And it’s great stuff, so no big deal. Wow, there are an endless amount of compilations out there of his music. But of course, this specific one is not available. Okay, he’s literally teaching the blues in the first song, but still sounds more interesting than Champagne Supernova. “Throw them fancy chords away and just get this slow beat” almost sounds like it’s directed at the Gallagher’s. Early stuff is great, I love that old spooky, spare Chess records sound. It’s sort of hard for modern ears to get into blues, like they’ve been rehashed to death, but the spare, direct playing and singing is more intriguing and satifiying to hear than Oasis (sorry to harp on them, they were the last band I heard before this one.) Love the shuffle in “Weeping Willow Boogie.” Love “John L’s House Rent Boogie”, I mean, there’s not much to it but for some reason gets the endorphins going. Lacerating guitar, tap tap tap of snare, his distinctive voice, it’s a simple formula. Some songs sound real close to each other, luckily they aren’t too long and …whoa, he wrote “I Need Some Money” WAIT “Dimples” is used in a Cialis commercial! Ha, still a great song.

Starred Songs: “Crawlin’ King Snake,” “Need Some Money”
Sneaky Track: “John L’s House Rent Boogie,” “Dimples”
Should this album be on the list? Yes. Although you know my problem with collections.

Will You Listen To This Again: Well not in it’s entirety
Verdict: Fine collection of one of the most distinctive and important voices in 20th century music.
Rating: ★★★★