This masterpiece remains to this day, one of the best soul/R&B albums ever. Here Etta James was comfortable and convincing, singing pop standards as she did on the magnificent title track, which was written in 1941 and originally recorded by Glenn Miller's orchestra. At Last became Etta's signature song. It reached number two on the R&B chart and number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her powerhouse contralto voice was matched with the sumptuous, bluesy string arrangements of Riley Hampton, and James truly came into her own as a singer.
Etta James: THE MONTREUX YEARS is a treasure trove of timeless classics, powerful and electrifying performances and raw, soaring vocals by one of the greatest ever female vocalists. The collection, featuring recordings from James' Montreux Jazz Festival concerts in 1977, 1978, 1989 1990 and 1993, encapsulates and reflects Etta's dynamic artistry and long-lasting impact. Spanning performances from across three decades, Etta James: THE MONTREUX YEARS offers deeply personal and intimate snapshots into James' acclaimed musical journey, highlights and her phenomenal career.
Taj Mahal can rightfully be called a living legend for his contributions to popular music. With a voice as instantly recognizable as Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, or Dr John, Taj Mahal has throughout his career pushed the envelope of American music forward by incorporating sounds from the Caribbean, Africa, traditional blues and jazz. With Savoy, Taj takes a new direction in his musical journey, exploring classics from the American songbook with his good friend and acclaimed record producer John Simon, whose resume includes producing classic albums by The Band, Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Simon & Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, Mama Cass Elliot, David Sanborn, and Michael Franks. Savoy is the realization of a musical collaboration they had been planning for decades.
Gary Moore - "Bad for You Baby" [2 LP] Bad for You Baby is the 17th studio album by legendary Irish blues guitarist and singer Gary Moore. Released in 2008, it was the final album to be released in Moore's lifetime. Includes "Down the Line," "Did You Ever Feel Lonely?" and the title track. 2 LP set with printed inner sleeves.
Lightnin' Hopkins (1912-1982) was a country bluesman of the highest caliber whose career began in the 1920s and stretched all the way into the 1980s. One of the most influential blues guitarists to come out of the state of Texas, Hopkins' unique fingerpicking guitar style would alternate single-note leads with rhythm and bass guitar, adding percussive elements by slapping or tapping the body of his guitar. The Rooster Crowed in England was recorded in 1959, a few years before Hopkins' first trip across the Atlantic. His first London trip would take place as part of the 1964 International American Folk Blues Festival. THE COMPLETE ALBUM + 2 BONUS TRACKS - 180-GRAM VIRGIN VINYL - LIMITED EDITION
A prominent member of Chess' house band who elevated the recordings of Muddy Waters, Little Walter came into his own as a frontman with a unique, amplified approach to the harmonica - arguably doing for the blues harp what Chuck Berry or Jimi Hendrix did for the electric guitar. This must-hear collection offers a dozen of his greatest singles, including the No. 1 R&B hits "Juke" and "My Babe," "Mean Old World," "Blues with a Feeling" and more, plus original liner notes by legendary Chicago historian Studs Terkel. Bring home the sound of America's greatest blues label in high fidelity with the Chess Records 75th Anniversary Series. These audiophile reissues of classic albums and compilations from the Chess discography are remastered from the original analog tapes and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings (QRP). Each disc is packaged in tip-on gatefold sleeves printed on high-grade board.
Vinyl LP pressing. John Lee Hooker, known as "The King of the Boogie" and "the Boogie Man", was a true Blues icon. Quality rather than quantity is the key to Hooker's singular success. He did not have a huge number of hits in the R&B chart, but those that did make a major impact would provide some of the key musical architecture for future blues and rock artists. When he came to prominence in the late '40s, he was playing blues in a way that was regarded as somewhat spare, his dark repetitive vocals supported only by his amplified guitar and his stamping foot. His was no overnight stardom. Having paid his dues over many years, once he started recording, he did so prolifically. This fine collection of his earlier songs demonstrates Hooker's blues virtuosity while at the same time establishing his work as a signpost to a deeper understanding of the British Blues explosion. It features a host of early hits including the iconic No.1's "Boogie Chillen'" and "I'm In The Mood", alongside "Hoogie Boogie", "Hobo Blues", "Crawlin' King Snake", "Dimples", "No Shoes" and, naturally, the timeless "Boom Boom"
AMERICAN BLUES POP ROCK ROOTS MUSICIAN " "I was so happy to hear the latest new music from Matthew Curry. I've always really admired Mathew's music, ever since he, and his band began playing shows with us, maybe 6, or 7 years ago. The audience loved his well crafted songs, soaring guitar solos, and soulful singing. We were part of that audience. He is the real deal. His most recent album, 'Open Road', is further proof that Matthew Is continuing to hone his formidable chops. Mathew rips it up on the title track, which reminds me of a Delaney & Bonnie style Eric Clapton tune, and I say this with admiration, since that is one of my favorite Clapton eras. 'On My Way', is just great rointuneck 'n roll, in sort of a Skynyrd vein. 'I Think Of You', a beautiful ballad of lost love, and hope. Then there is some extreme angst in 'Workin' It Out'. A really interesting production, and once again, some killer guitar playing, and amazing vocals. Every song on the album has something special that sets it apart, and makes this a complete package. I've listened to all the songs several times, and I continue to hear things I hadn't noticed before. There's so much great music on this recording. I can't recommend it enough. Check it out, I know you'll feel the same!" - Pat Simmons (The Doobie Brothers)
