When John Lee Hooker met with The Groundhogs it was blues magic.
When he traveled to England, he enjoyed playing live with the Hogs
as his back up band. Originally, the father of the British blues John
Mayall had the job sewn up, until Eric Clapton quit his band and then
plans changed. Much to the delight of guitarist Tony McPhee, the Hogs were in.
Hooker was so pleased with the Hogs and their efforts that he decided
to go into the studio in 1965 to cut an album with them. This is a
paring comparable to the Hooker and Canned Heat sessions that
took place many years later. This CD is part of the Sanctuary Blues
Masters and it brings to light those original sessions. I stress the
word original as other unauthorized versions have surfaced with horns
added that were not part of the original mix. It was the intention
of Hooker and the Hogs to have only these genuine versions found on
this CD released. Four bonus tracks from the John Lee vaults are part
of this collection as well to make this an even more enticing purchase
for blues enthusiasts. The tracks cover the gamut of the hurtin kind
of blues one can have, from Wandering Blues to Goin Mad Blues.
This is archetypal John Lee with one of the great white boy blues-rock
bands from England. Nobody makes blues music like this anymore and
I guarantee it is just as good as you would expect from a great band
backing a blues legend. You know it had to the best if Mr.Hooker was running the show.
1. Mai Lee (Hooker) - 3:29
2. I'm Losing You (Hooker) - 3:53
3. Little Girl Go Back to School (Hooker) - 3:52
4. Little Dreamer (Hooker) - 4:19
5. Don't Be Messin' With My Bread (Hooker) - 3:20
6. Bad Luck and Trouble (Hooker) - 4:02
7. Waterfront (Hooker) - 4:13
8. No One Pleases Me But You (Hooker) - 2:24
9. It's Rainin' Here (Hooker) - 3:22
10. It's a Crazy Mixed Up World (Hooker) - 4:16
11. Seven Days and Seven Nights (Hooker) - 3:39
John Lee Hooker Bonus Tracks:
12. Wandering Blues (Hooker) - 2:59
13. Goin' Mad Blues (Hooker) - 3:47
14. Black Man Blues (Hooker) - 3:31
15. Helpless Blues (Hooker) - 3:41
*Tracks 1-11 In Mono with The Groundhogs
*Tracks 12-15 Hooker with guests
Credits:
John Lee Hooker - Guitar, Vocals
Dave Boorman - Drums
Tony McPhee - Guitar, Liner Notes
Pete Cruikshank-Bass
Tom Parker-Organ
