Tag Archives: blues

Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

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 … Continue Reading ››

Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #458: Elton John – Tumbleweed Connection

Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection
Piano men have always been kinda like gunslingers, right?

#458

Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection

Release Date: 1970
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Not well-versed in Sir Elton outside of the big hits. I considre myself a fan nor a hater. Let's give this a spin... Weird choice for only his third album: a very loose old-West-themed concept album by two guys (Elton John, lyricist Bernie Taupin) who had never been to the US at the time. Hubris (and drugs) can only be the reason they'd do this. Oddly, this fake country … Continue Reading ››

Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

RS #468: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
That typeface really makes it look like "Paul Buggerfield," which would probably be the name of the band in "A Bug's Life."

#468

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Release Date: 1965

Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions:  Completely never heard of these fellas. Paul Butterfield is a blue-eyed leader of this blues/rock combo. Mid '60s. Loaded with blues standards. Sure. Let's put it on... Hmm, sounds kind of proto-Cream? "Born In Chicago" sets up the sound. Lots of energy, looseness, and has a gritty Chess records atmosophere that makes it almost sound … Continue Reading ››

Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

#490: ZZ Top – Tres Hombres

#490

ZZ Top, Tres Hombres

Release Date: 1973
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Having been exposed to ZZ Top in the dreaded '80s, I grew up thinking these guys were just weird, long-bearded curiosities who made goofball music videos and spun guitars around their midsections. But this rockin slab of '70s blues/rock shows they can play a little when those guitars stop spinning. "Waitin for the Bus" starts off the set with a catchy, crunching riff and from there  there's no let up ("Have mercy! I've been waiting for the bus all day!") Fun, no-nonsense tracks with airtight production and

Tres Hombres, ZZ … <a href=Continue Reading ››

Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

#491: Albert King – Born Under a Bad Sign

Those ARE bad signs...yipes!

#491

Albert King, Born Under a Bad Sign

Release Date: 1967
Previously Owned: No
First Time Listen: Yes

Impressions: Pretty rocking, soulful Stax-influenced blues record that came out during a huge year for music, but doesn't cop to psychedelic trends of that year. Still fairly modern and you can see why everyone stole from Albert King's stinging guitar style. The arrangements and funky back up from Booker T. & The MGs are predictably excellent, even for overly-familiar songs like "Kansas City." Songs are rock solid, and occasionally … Continue Reading ››

Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums

#499: B.B. King, Live In Cook County Jail

B.B. King, Live In Cook County Jail
IN, Live IN Cook County Jail...not FROM

#499

B.B. King, Live In Cook County Jail

Release Date: 1971
Previously Owned: Yes

Impressions: Well, well...I'm surprised this made the list. When I was a kid, I used to go from Evanston across the border to the Wilmette Public Library to ransack the music section for records, tapes and CDs. I check out the maximum amount, take them home, and dub them to add to my growing collection of tapes. Now, there wasn't anything too hip there … Continue Reading ››