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| John Lee Hooker - Live At Newport |
 Released: 1960 & 1963/2002 Label: Vanguard Records / Comet Records Cat. No.: 79703 Total Time: 45:59 | |
Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, June 2003 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. Rating: 5/5 More about Live At Newport: Track Listing: Introduction by George Wein (0:17) / Hobo Blues (3:07) / Maudie (2:44) (From the original vinyl) / 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 (traditional) (3:33) / Bus Station Blues (3:20) / Introduction by John Lee Hooker (0:32) / Let's Make It (performed by Hooker, Bill Lee) (2:22) / Great Fire Of Natchez (performed by Hooker, Lee) (5:16) / Boom Boom ( performed by Hooker, Lee) ( - 3:08) / You're Gonna Need Another Favor* (performed by Hooker, Lee (5:01) / Introduction by John Lee Hooker (0:30) / Hobo Blues (performed by Hooker, Lee; Alternate Version)* (4:52) / Boom Boom (Alternate Version) * (3:23) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.johnleehooker.com Discography
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