Rhino's double-disc 1991 set The Ultimate Collection (1948-1990) falls just short of the promise of its title, losing its focus toward the end of the set. That said, it comes close enough to satisfy, particularly because John Lee Hooker had such a long, convoluted discography, recording for a number of different labels over many decades. This gets the core of his legacy -- the early, minimalist boogie, the gritty late-'50s sides, all the way through to the superstar-studded recordings of the lat   [ read more ]

CD $23.71

The Healer was a major comeback for John Lee Hooker. Featuring a wide array of guest stars, including Bonnie Raitt, Johnnie Johnson, and Los Lobos, The Healer captured widespread media attention because of all the superstar musicians involved in its production. Unfortunately, that long guest list is what makes the album a fairly unengaging listen. Certainly there are moments were it clicks, but that's usually when the music doesn't greatly expand on his stripped-down boogie. The other mome   [ read more ]

CD $16.13

At the beginning of his career, Hooker's sides were leased to several different labels. This 20-song anthology of material from the late '40s and early '50s was originally released on the Sensation and Specialty labels; while the track listings indicate a timespan of 1948-50, the liner notes say that much of it was recorded in 1954. Doesn't anyone proofread these things? Anyway, this was mostly recorded solo, and boasts his characteristic spooky electric minimalist boogie sound. {^The Legendary Modern Re   [ read more ]

CD $14.23

There are literally dozens of John Lee Hooker compilations out there. Many of them come from far more important eras than the stuff here. That said, this is one recording for Hooker collectors. The material comes form the 1960s and '70s, all of it with a band. But the real thing to recommend this set over others -- for hardcore fans -- is the 18-plus-minute version of the title cut, which has never been released before now. Most of these tracks appeared n the late '90s, but most of them have only been   [ read more ]

CD $13.28

This interesting release re-creates the look and contents of the 1964 Kent Records LP called Original Folk Blues of John Lee Hooker right down to the original sleeve art, and ups the ante by including a previously unreleased version of "Let Your Daddy Ride" as well as six other additional bonus tracks. Most of these cuts were recorded with Bernie Besman in Detroit in fascinatingly primitive fashion between 1948 and 1954, and were then shipped to the Bihari Brothers' Modern Records imprint    [ read more ]

CD $16.13

There were already quite a few CDs' worth of early Hooker sides from the late '40s and early '50s on the market -- such as The Legendary Modern Recordings 1948-1954, the three-CD Alternate Boogie: Early Studio Recordings, 1948-1952, and Graveyard Blues -- prior to the 2001 appearance of this collection. So, is there a point to unearthing yet more tracks from his first years as a recording artist? Yes, actually, although this grab bag of early cuts, together with half a dozen previously unissued    [ read more ]

CD $21.83

This is the Boogie Man's 1967 ABC-BluesWay album in its entirety. Hooker's Chicago sidemen (including Eddie Taylor, Wayne Bennett, and Louis Myers) deftly handle Hooker's eccentricities on "Mr. Lucky," and the harrowing "The Motor City Is Burning," as well as a sprightly remake of "Boom Boom." ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide

CD $19.93

Given Hooker's unpredictable timing and piss-poor track record recording with bands, this 1965 one-off session for the jazz label Impulse! would be a recipe for disaster. But with Panama Francis on drums, Milt Hinton on bass, and Barry Galbraith on second guitar, the result is some of the best John Lee Hooker material with a band that you're likely to come across. The other musicians stay in the pocket, never overplaying or trying to get Hooker to make chord changes he has no intention    [ read more ]

CD $19.93

CD $19.93

CD $19.93

A decent if somewhat low-key electric set, recorded in August of 1966. One of his better live bands, featuring support from Otis Spann and other members of Muddy Waters' group. The eight songs include Hooker standbys like "One Bourbon, One Scotch and One Beer" and "I'll Never Get out of These Blues Alive." ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

CD $19.93

France's great Body & Soul label continues its exposition of the complete John Lee Hooker recordings with this two-CD set of master, alternate, and unreleased takes between the years 1951-1953 while Hooker was still in Detroit playing on Hastings Street. Though the first track here, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?," is from a 1951 Battle session that was later sold to Gotham, the remaining 45 cuts were taped in 1952 and 1953. As is typical of Hooker, the label array is dazzling and inc   [ read more ]

CD $28.48