Blues & Gospel - Silas Hogan -> Earl Hooker

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BLUES & GOSPEL
Silas Hogan -> Earl Hooker

SILAS HOGAN
SMOKEY HOGG
THE HOKUM BOYS
DAVE HOLE
EDDIE HOLLOWAY
THE HOLLYWOOD FATS BAND THE HOLMES BROTHERS
NICK HOLT
HOMESICK JAMES
EARL HOOKER

SILAS HOGAN Excello 3005 Trouble - The Best Of The Excello Masters ~~$14.98~~ ● CD $9.98

26 tracks, 68 mins, highly recommended Out of print - very limited stock. When it comes to down home Louisiana blues they don't come much more down home than the blues of Silas Hogan. Although they were recorded for Jay Miller between 1962 and '65 the tracks on this album could have been recorded years earlier. Hogan's rich vocals and basic guitar are complemented by guitar, harmonica (usually Sylvester Buckley or Whispering Smith), bass and drums. His approach is reminiscent of stable mate Lightnin' Slim with a touch of Jimmy Reed thrown in. Most of Silas's songs are originals but have a strong traditional feel to them and include such fine items as Out & Down Blues/ I'm Going To The Valley/ I'm Gonna Quit You Baby/ Airport Blues/ Go On Pretty Baby and the wonderfully brooding Trouble At Home Blues. This set features all his Excello recordings - some previously unissued in the USA and includes four fine alternate takes. Good sound and informative notes from Cub Koda but no discographical info. (FS)

SILAS HOGAN Wolf 120.927 Louisiana Swamp Blues, Vol. 6 - The Godfather ● CD $15.98

11 sides by this swamp bluesman recorded in 1988 and 1990 with his son Samuel on drums and guitar, Oscar "Harpo" Davis on harp and others. Also includes 4 solo sides from 1988 by Arthur "Guitar" Kelly. Generally unexceptional performances.

SMOKEY HOGG Ace CDCHD 780 Deep Ellum Rambler ● CD $18.98

27 track collection of sides recorded by this distinctive and idiosyncratic performer for Modern recorded between 1947 and 1951. Includes his two most popular recordings Little School Girl and Long Tall Mama and several previously unissued sides. Seven tracks duplicate P-Vine 3043 issued a couple of year ago.

SMOKEY HOGG Ace CDCHD 1019 Midnight Blues ● CD $18.98

Ace's third compilation of this distinctive bluesman features 24 tracks recorded for Modern and Combo in the late 40s and early 50s including 10 previously unissued songs and one previously unissued alternate take - You Can't Keep Your Business Straight/ Misery Blues/ Walking Dr. Bill/ Smokey's In Town/ It's Raining Here/ Pack Your Grip/ My Baby's Worrying Me/ Love Me With A Feeling, etc.

SMOKEY HOGG P-Vine PCD 3043 Sings The Blues ● CD $22.98

21 tracks, 56 mins, recommended Like many blues collectors I've tended to ignore Smokey Hogg and write him off as a limited performer and puzzled as to why he was so prolific and so popular. As this fine collection of sides recorded for Modern between 1947 and 1951 makes abundantly clear his popularity was at least partly due to the fact that his music was particularly appealing to African-American immigrants moving from the South to the Western and Northern Cities. His music was an attempt by a country bluesman to adapt his music to an urban style just as the immigrants had adapt their country ways to the big city. His songs were often wry observations on this situation or updates of traditional songs. He was a fine singer with a very engaging style and while far from being an exceptional guitarist he was a functional one even if his backing musicians sometimes had trouble following his erratic timing. On Coming Back To You Again he plays some very nice slide guitar. This set includes his top ten R&B hits Good Morning Little School Girl & Long Tall Mama. (FS)
SMOKEY HOGG: Coming Back Home To You Again/ Country Gal/ Goin' Back To Chicago/ Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/ I Feel Good/ I Got Your Picture/ It's Raining Here/ Little School Girl/ Long Tall Mama/ Look In Your Eyes Pretty Mama/ My Baby's Worryin' Me/ My Christmas Baby/ New Year's Eve Blues/ Oh Woman! Oh, Woman/ Runaway/ Too Many Drivers/ What More Can A Woman Do/ When You Get Old/ Worryin' Mind/ You Can't Keep Your Business Straight/ You Just Gotta Go

SMOKEY HOGG Specialty 7020 Angels In Harlem ● CD $14.98

Andrew "Smokey" Hogg was influenced vocally by Big Bill Broonzy, but musically he shared traits with Specialty artists Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker. Of the three, Smokey's erratic guitar most often left his piano and bass accompanists in the dust. This unpredictable habit, combined with some very imaginative lyrics, made him one of the most eccentric post-war blues hitmakers. Listen to I Want A Roller/ I Want My Baby For Christmas/ Gonna Leave Town/ If It Hadn't Been For You/ Angels In Harlem/ Born On The 13th and you'll see what I mean. The Bo Diddley-inspired Good Mornin' Baby is one of the latest tracks, coming from a 1958 Ebb single. The first 15 of these 22 numbers are from 1949, and include several unreleased sides as well as Specialty singles. Fun! (MB)
SMOKEY HOGG: Angels In Harlem - (previously unreleased)/ Boogie All Night Long - (prev. unrel.)/ Born On The 13th/ Crawdad/ Every Mornin' At Sunrise - (prev. unrel.)/ Evil Mind Blues/ Goin' Back To Texas/ Gonna Leave Town/ Good Mornin' Baby/ I Ain't Gonna Put You Down - (prev. unrel.)/ I Want A Roller/ I Want My Baby For Christmas/ I'm Through With You/ If It Hadn't Been For You - (prev. unrel.)/ Little Fine Girl/ Low Down Woman Blues/ Nobody Treats Me Right/ Size 4 Shoe - (previously unreleased)/ Sure 'Nuff/ What's On Your Mind/ Worryin' My Life Away - (prev. unrel.)/ You Better Watch That Jive

THE HOKUM BOYS Document DOCD 5236 Complete Recordings June-December 1929 In Chronological Order ● CD $15.98

25 tracks, 77 min., recommended The liner notes here point out that the first recordings issued under the name Hokum Boys are actually by Tampa Red and Georgia Tom. This disc, however, focuses on the later, largely double-entendre recordings by the group which featured at various sessions Alex Robinson, Dan Roberts, Alex Hill, Bob Robinson, Jimmy Blythe, and Banjo Ikey Robinson. They make up a solid jazz ensemble, though the thematic sameness of the material is something of an artistic limitation, as in Caught Him Doing It, Somebody's Been Using That Thing, You Can't Get Enough of That Stuff, Let Me Pat That Thing, and Ain't Goin' to Beg You for That Stuff. It's fun to listen to nonetheless, and the sound quality on most of the tracks is surprisingly good. (DH)

THE HOKUM BOYS & BOB ROBINSON Document DOCD 5237 Complete Recorded Works, 1935-37 ● CD $15.98

25 tracks, 76 min., recommended During the ten year popular reign of the hokum blues style, no single group of musicians owned the name The Hokum Boys. Thus the works offered here by the indefatigable folks at Document feature a constantly shifting personnel roster. The first few numbers - including Caught Us Doing It, Keep Your Mind on It, and I Ain't Gonna Do It - feature Casey Bill Weldon accompanied by Big Bill Broonzy and others. Later sessions feature Bob Robinson performing Down in the Alley, She's a Mellow Thing, Crying for Love, and It Started in the Garden of Eden in the company of various accompanists. These tracks come at the end of hokum's popularity, but are not one bit less energetic or raunchy for that. Sound quality is quite good, as are the notes by Chris Smith. Good clean fun from start to finish. (DH)

THE HOKUM BOYS Wolf WBCD 11 Vol. 1, 1930 ● CD $14.98

THE HOKUM BOYS Wolf WBCD 12 Vol. 2, 1930-31 ● CD $14.98

DAVE HOLE Alligator 4807 Short Fuse Blues ● CD $15.98

DAVE HOLE Alligator 4814 Working Overtime ● CD $15.98

EDDIE HOLLOWAY Hot Blues 3337 I Had A Good Time ● CD $15.98

There's no biographical or session information, but everything you need to know about Eddie and his music is right here. Holloway sings, writes, and produces soul music in the southern tradition. His Tribute To The Kings, that is, the late great kings of soul, names Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, O.V. Wright, and Philippe Wynne (of The Spinners). If that doesn't give you a pretty good idea of his influences, than his cover of the Sam And Dave hit When Something Is Wrong With My Baby might. Aside from a wonderful cover of Joe Simon's Nine Pound Steel, the rest are Holloway originals. Every track is powerful, with I Had A Good Time/ I'm The One/ My Mind Is Too Strong as obvious standouts. The uncredited musicians stick to the job of backup, wisely leaving the emotional flash to E.H. Great singer, great album. (JC)

THE HOLLYWOOD FATS BAND Crosscut 21069 The Definitive Collection ● CD $21.98

Two CD set, 24 tracks, 100 mins, recommended Hollywood Fats is a blues guitar legend, now gone but immortalized on a handful of recordings with various Los Angeles pals like James Harman. This session was originally issued on an 11 track LP in 1979. Black Top reissued it on CD in the early 90s with 6 additional tracks from the session and now Crosscut has gone one better and added 6 altrenate takes from the session along with the previously unissued tune Fred's Blues. This, the only album under his name gives us something to remember him by - songs with a tight and right band that recalls the 50's Chicago sound with scary accuracy. These guys obviously spent many nights on the stand together, and pianist Fred Kaplan and drummmer Richard Innes keep things pumpin'. But Fats is the star of the show, playing with dynamic flash when needed, and unerring good taste and tone throughout. Most of these are covers (Rock This House/ Okie Dokie Stomp/ Red Headed Woman/ Lonesome/ Caldonia, etc) with average vocals by Al Blake, but the houserockin' ability of this band, and Fats' solo work, put most bands to shame. This reissue also features a reproduction of the comic book that came with the original LP along with extensive liner notes. (MB/FS)

THE HOLMES BROTHERS Real World CAR 62319 Jubilation ● CD $16.98

Made during the international "1991 Recording Week at Real World Studios", The Holmes Brothers' new album is filled with inspired interpretations of traditional gospel songs - I'll Fly Away and a beautiful Amazing Grace being two fine examples. On All Night, All Day backing vocals are provided by musicians from Iceland, Tanzania, Ireland and other countries, creating a unique and striking musical collaboration. On Will The Circle Be Unbroken, three East African guitarists add their licks to Gib Wharton's pedal steel guitar as they all take that country gospel standard to another continent. Kind of a concept album where the concept (re-inventing gospel) is good and the music is better. (JC)

NICK HOLT Wolf 120.883 Chicago Blues Session Vol. 37-You Better Watch Yourself ● CD $14.98

HOMESICK JAMES Evidence 26085 Juanita ● CD $11.98

10 tracks, 45 min., highly recommended Recorded in 1993 for Fred James' Bluesland Productions, John William Henderson is in excellent voice, and with his slide guitar featured on almost all the tracks, this will appeal to all your electric delta blues fans. Highlights include "Time Is Growin' Near", "Juanita", "Stop That Thing" and a moving version of his 1952 Chance recording "Lonesome Ol'Train". (EL)

HOMESICK JAMES Fedora 5006 The Last Of The Broomdusters ● CD $15.98

11 tracks, 53 minutes, recommended. When he was a member of Elmore James' Broomdusters, William Henderson mostly played rhythm or bass guitar. Not so here. His slide playing is very upfront, and as Chris Miller states in his note, he's not the easiest to support. But with Ron Thompson at the helm, the session holds together. Thompson knows just exactly when to come in & fill in the spaces - just as he did when he worked with John Lee Hooker. The highlights include Crutch And Cane, Early One Morning, Truck Drivin' Woman, Elmore James' Shake Your Moneymaker, and the stellar 10-minute solo Woman I'm Lovin'"/"Two Days Before Christmas. (EL)

HOMESICK JAMES Official 5253 Chicago Slide Guitar Legend ● CD $17.98

26 tracks recorded between 1953 and 1964 by this distinctive performer - Johnnie Mae/ Lonesome Old Train/ Whiskey Headed Woman/ Homesick Blues/ The Woman I Love/ Lonesome Blues/ Williamson Shuffle/Long Lonseome Day/ My Baby's Sweet/ My baby's Gone/ Can't Afford To Do It, etc.

HOMESICK JAMES Original Blues Classics 529 Blues On The South Side ● CD $11.98

Originally on Prestige, this is a classic of latter-day Chicago blues with expert backing by Lafayette Leake, Eddie Taylor (on bass!) and drummer Clifton James. Out in front is Homesick's plaintive voice and raw slide guitar on 12 numbers including She May Be Your Woman/ Gotta Move/ The Cloud Is Crying and a masterful Stones In My Passway. Rec. 1964.

HOMESICK JAMES & SNOOKY PRYOR Wolf 120 409 Sad & Lonesome ● CD $14.98

EARL HOOKER Arhoolie 324 Two Bugs & A Roach ● CD $12.98

A collection of 14 tracks by this brilliant blues guitarist - 10 from 1968/69 and 4 from 1952/53. Most of later recordings feature him with a Chicago band including Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins/ pno, Geneo Skaggs/ bass and Willie Williams or Levi Warren/ drums. Hooker was a dazzling guitar player whether playing straight or with a slide. He was not confident as a vocalist and so there is a high proportion of instrumentals though the the couple of tracks he does sing on are quite appealing. There are also vocals by mediocre B.B. King imitator Andrew Odom and Carey Bell. Some fine performances though a few tracks feature rather heavy use of the wah-wah pedal. The early recordings feature a rawer Southern sound which also feature Pinetop Perkins on piano on 3 of the tracks along with Willie Nix on drums. There is a wonderful version of Sweet Black Angel from 1952 with intense harp from Little Sam Davis. Excellent sound and informative notes by Chris Strachwitz. (FS)
EARL HOOKER: Anna Lee/ Earl Hooker Blues/ Earl's Boogie Woogie/ Guitar Rag/ I'm Going Down The Line/ Love Ain't A Plaything/ New Sweet Black Angel/ Off The Hook/ Sweet Black Angel/ The Hook/ Two Bugs And A Roach/ Wah Wah Blues/ You Don't Love Me/ You Don't Want Me

EARL HOOKER Arhoolie 468 Moon Is Rising ● CD $12.98

14 tracks featuring this great and influential blues guitarist, eight tracks from a 1969 West Coast session with Steve Miller and Louis Myers, four cuts recorded live in Chicago in 1969 with Eddie Taylor and Dave Myers (two previously unissued) and two unissued cuts from Hookers first session for Arhoolie in 1968 with "Pinetop" perkins and Freddy Roulette.
EARL HOOKER: Can't Hold Out Much Longer/ Conversion Blues/ Earl's Blues/ Guitar Rag/ Hooker N' Steve/ I'm Your Man/ Improvisations On Dust My Broom/ Improvisations On Frosty/ Little Carey's Jump/ New Riviera/ Strung Out Woman Blues/ Swingin' At Theresa's/ Take Me Back To East St. Louis/ The Moon Is Rising

EARL HOOKER Culture Press 1006 Smooth Slidin' ● CD $14.98

18 tracks, 54 mins, recommended A collection featuring mostly instrumental titles by this great blues guitarist originally reissued on Red Lightnin'. The first six tracks were issued on 45s between 1961 and '63 and is solid blues. The rest are from a series of sessions in the mid 60s for the Cuca label out of Sauk City, Wisconsin - some with Freddy Roulette on steel guitar and the result is a mixed bag - some very good and some pretty bad. (FS)

EARL HOOKER MCA 11811 Simply The Best ● CD $16.98

19 tracks, recommended A nice look at some of The Hook's last work, done in L.A. for Blue Thumb/Bluesway in '69, most featuring long time keyboard sideman Big Moose Walker. After a 3 tunes intro of rare fifties 45s, including Frog Hop from Argo & Tanya from Checker, both with Walker & long time Elmore James saxist AC Reed (not to mention that same basic band's backing track with a Muddy Waters vocal overdub on You Shook Me), the remaining 16 tracks were recorded may-Sept 69, released on 7 LPs, starting with his own LPs "Sweet Black Angel" (with Ike Turner instead of Walker on keys) (3 cuts) & "Don't Have To Worry" (4 cuts) & the same band with Walker as the leader (Ramblin' Woman), then as backup for such disparate masters as Charles Brown, Andrew "Voice" Odom, Sonny Terry & Brownine McGhee, & Earl's cousin John Lee Hooker. (GM)

EARL HOOKER Multimedia 6118 There's A Fungus Among Us ● CD $9.98

CD issue of Red Lightnin' 009 which was a reissue of an album originally issued on the Cuca labl featuring 12 cuts recorded between 1964 and '67.

EARL HOOKER P-Vine PCD 24045 Blue Guitar ● CD $23.98

This is an expanded version of the old "Blue Guitar" album previously on P-Vine and Paula featuring Earl's Chief, Age and USA recordings. In addition to recordings under his own name it includes accompaniments to vocalists Lillian Offitt, Harold Tidewell, A.C. Reed, Ricky Allen, A.C. Reed and Jackie Brenston.

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SILAS HOGAN	Excello 3005	Trouble - The Best Of The Excello Masters	~~$14.98~~ ● CD $9.98
26 tracks, 68 mins, highly recommended Out of print - very limited stock. When it comes to down home Louisiana blues they don't come much more down home than the blues of Silas Hogan. Although they were recorded for Jay Miller between 1962 and '65 the tracks on this album could have been recorded years earlier. Hogan's rich vocals and basic guitar are complemented by guitar, harmonica (usually Sylvester Buckley or Whispering Smith), bass and drums. His approach is reminiscent of stable mate Lightnin' Slim with a touch of Jimmy Reed thrown in. Most of Silas's songs are originals but have a strong traditional feel to them and include such fine items as Out & Down Blues/ I'm Going To The Valley/ I'm Gonna Quit You Baby/ Airport Blues/ Go On Pretty Baby and the wonderfully brooding Trouble At Home Blues. This set features all his Excello recordings - some previously unissued in the USA and includes four fine alternate takes. Good sound and informative notes from Cub Koda but no discographical info. (FS)

SILAS HOGAN	Wolf 120.927	Louisiana Swamp Blues, Vol. 6 - The Godfather	● CD $15.98
11 sides by this swamp bluesman recorded in 1988 and 1990 with his son Samuel on drums and guitar, Oscar "Harpo" Davis on harp and others. Also includes 4 solo sides from 1988 by Arthur "Guitar" Kelly. Generally unexceptional performances.

SMOKEY HOGG	Ace CDCHD 780	Deep Ellum Rambler	● CD $18.98
27 track collection of sides recorded by this distinctive and idiosyncratic performer for Modern recorded between 1947 and 1951. Includes his two most popular recordings Little School Girl and Long Tall Mama and several previously unissued sides. Seven tracks duplicate P-Vine 3043 issued a couple of year ago.

SMOKEY HOGG	Ace CDCHD 1019	Midnight Blues	● CD $18.98
Ace's third compilation of this distinctive bluesman features 24 tracks recorded for Modern and Combo in the late 40s and early 50s including 10 previously unissued songs and one previously unissued alternate take - You Can't Keep Your Business Straight/ Misery Blues/ Walking Dr. Bill/ Smokey's In Town/ It's Raining Here/ Pack Your Grip/ My Baby's Worrying Me/ Love Me With A Feeling, etc.

SMOKEY HOGG	P-Vine PCD 3043	Sings The Blues	● CD $22.98
21 tracks, 56 mins, recommended Like many blues collectors I've tended to ignore Smokey Hogg and write him off as a limited performer and puzzled as to why he was so prolific and so popular. As this fine collection of sides recorded for Modern between 1947 and 1951 makes abundantly clear his popularity was at least partly due to the fact that his music was particularly appealing to African-American immigrants moving from the South to the Western and Northern Cities. His music was an attempt by a country bluesman to adapt his music to an urban style just as the immigrants had adapt their country ways to the big city. His songs were often wry observations on this situation or updates of traditional songs. He was a fine singer with a very engaging style and while far from being an exceptional guitarist he was a functional one even if his backing musicians sometimes had trouble following his erratic timing. On Coming Back To You Again he plays some very nice slide guitar. This set includes his top ten R&B hits Good Morning Little School Girl & Long Tall Mama. (FS) SMOKEY HOGG: Coming Back Home To You Again/ Country Gal/ Goin' Back To Chicago/ Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/ I Feel Good/ I Got Your Picture/ It's Raining Here/ Little School Girl/ Long Tall Mama/ Look In Your Eyes Pretty Mama/ My Baby's Worryin' Me/ My Christmas Baby/ New Year's Eve Blues/ Oh Woman! Oh, Woman/ Runaway/ Too Many Drivers/ What More Can A Woman Do/ When You Get Old/ Worryin' Mind/ You Can't Keep Your Business Straight/ You Just Gotta Go

SMOKEY HOGG	Specialty 7020	Angels In Harlem	● CD $14.98
Andrew "Smokey" Hogg was influenced vocally by Big Bill Broonzy, but musically he shared traits with Specialty artists Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker. Of the three, Smokey's erratic guitar most often left his piano and bass accompanists in the dust. This unpredictable habit, combined with some very imaginative lyrics, made him one of the most eccentric post-war blues hitmakers. Listen to I Want A Roller/ I Want My Baby For Christmas/ Gonna Leave Town/ If It Hadn't Been For You/ Angels In Harlem/ Born On The 13th and you'll see what I mean. The Bo Diddley-inspired Good Mornin' Baby is one of the latest tracks, coming from a 1958 Ebb single. The first 15 of these 22 numbers are from 1949, and include several unreleased sides as well as Specialty singles. Fun! (MB) SMOKEY HOGG: Angels In Harlem - (previously unreleased)/ Boogie All Night Long - (prev. unrel.)/ Born On The 13th/ Crawdad/ Every Mornin' At Sunrise - (prev. unrel.)/ Evil Mind Blues/ Goin' Back To Texas/ Gonna Leave Town/ Good Mornin' Baby/ I Ain't Gonna Put You Down - (prev. unrel.)/ I Want A Roller/ I Want My Baby For Christmas/ I'm Through With You/ If It Hadn't Been For You - (prev. unrel.)/ Little Fine Girl/ Low Down Woman Blues/ Nobody Treats Me Right/ Size 4 Shoe - (previously unreleased)/ Sure 'Nuff/ What's On Your Mind/ Worryin' My Life Away - (prev. unrel.)/ You Better Watch That Jive

THE HOKUM BOYS	Document DOCD 5236	Complete Recordings June-December 1929 In Chronological Order	● CD $15.98
25 tracks, 77 min., recommended The liner notes here point out that the first recordings issued under the name Hokum Boys are actually by Tampa Red and Georgia Tom. This disc, however, focuses on the later, largely double-entendre recordings by the group which featured at various sessions Alex Robinson, Dan Roberts, Alex Hill, Bob Robinson, Jimmy Blythe, and Banjo Ikey Robinson. They make up a solid jazz ensemble, though the thematic sameness of the material is something of an artistic limitation, as in Caught Him Doing It, Somebody's Been Using That Thing, You Can't Get Enough of That Stuff, Let Me Pat That Thing, and Ain't Goin' to Beg You for That Stuff. It's fun to listen to nonetheless, and the sound quality on most of the tracks is surprisingly good. (DH)

THE HOKUM BOYS & BOB ROBINSON	Document DOCD 5237	Complete Recorded Works, 1935-37	● CD $15.98
25 tracks, 76 min., recommended During the ten year popular reign of the hokum blues style, no single group of musicians owned the name The Hokum Boys. Thus the works offered here by the indefatigable folks at Document feature a constantly shifting personnel roster. The first few numbers - including Caught Us Doing It, Keep Your Mind on It, and I Ain't Gonna Do It - feature Casey Bill Weldon accompanied by Big Bill Broonzy and others. Later sessions feature Bob Robinson performing Down in the Alley, She's a Mellow Thing, Crying for Love, and It Started in the Garden of Eden in the company of various accompanists. These tracks come at the end of hokum's popularity, but are not one bit less energetic or raunchy for that. Sound quality is quite good, as are the notes by Chris Smith. Good clean fun from start to finish. (DH)

THE HOKUM BOYS	Wolf WBCD 12	Vol. 2, 1930-31	● CD $14.98

DAVE HOLE	Alligator 4807	Short Fuse Blues	● CD $15.98

DAVE HOLE	Alligator 4814	Working Overtime	● CD $15.98

EDDIE HOLLOWAY	Hot Blues 3337	I Had A Good Time	● CD $15.98
There's no biographical or session information, but everything you need to know about Eddie and his music is right here. Holloway sings, writes, and produces soul music in the southern tradition. His Tribute To The Kings, that is, the late great kings of soul, names Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, O.V. Wright, and Philippe Wynne (of The Spinners). If that doesn't give you a pretty good idea of his influences, than his cover of the Sam And Dave hit When Something Is Wrong With My Baby might. Aside from a wonderful cover of Joe Simon's Nine Pound Steel, the rest are Holloway originals. Every track is powerful, with I Had A Good Time/ I'm The One/ My Mind Is Too Strong as obvious standouts. The uncredited musicians stick to the job of backup, wisely leaving the emotional flash to E.H. Great singer, great album. (JC)

THE HOLLYWOOD FATS BAND	Crosscut 21069	The Definitive Collection	● CD $21.98
Two CD set, 24 tracks, 100 mins, recommended Hollywood Fats is a blues guitar legend, now gone but immortalized on a handful of recordings with various Los Angeles pals like James Harman. This session was originally issued on an 11 track LP in 1979. Black Top reissued it on CD in the early 90s with 6 additional tracks from the session and now Crosscut has gone one better and added 6 altrenate takes from the session along with the previously unissued tune Fred's Blues. This, the only album under his name gives us something to remember him by - songs with a tight and right band that recalls the 50's Chicago sound with scary accuracy. These guys obviously spent many nights on the stand together, and pianist Fred Kaplan and drummmer Richard Innes keep things pumpin'. But Fats is the star of the show, playing with dynamic flash when needed, and unerring good taste and tone throughout. Most of these are covers (Rock This House/ Okie Dokie Stomp/ Red Headed Woman/ Lonesome/ Caldonia, etc) with average vocals by Al Blake, but the houserockin' ability of this band, and Fats' solo work, put most bands to shame. This reissue also features a reproduction of the comic book that came with the original LP along with extensive liner notes. (MB/FS)

THE HOLMES BROTHERS	Real World CAR 62319	Jubilation	● CD $16.98
Made during the international "1991 Recording Week at Real World Studios", The Holmes Brothers' new album is filled with inspired interpretations of traditional gospel songs - I'll Fly Away and a beautiful Amazing Grace being two fine examples. On All Night, All Day backing vocals are provided by musicians from Iceland, Tanzania, Ireland and other countries, creating a unique and striking musical collaboration. On Will The Circle Be Unbroken, three East African guitarists add their licks to Gib Wharton's pedal steel guitar as they all take that country gospel standard to another continent. Kind of a concept album where the concept (re-inventing gospel) is good and the music is better. (JC)

NICK HOLT	Wolf 120.883	Chicago Blues Session Vol. 37-You Better Watch Yourself	● CD $14.98

HOMESICK JAMES	Evidence 26085	Juanita	● CD $11.98
10 tracks, 45 min., highly recommended Recorded in 1993 for Fred James' Bluesland Productions, John William Henderson is in excellent voice, and with his slide guitar featured on almost all the tracks, this will appeal to all your electric delta blues fans. Highlights include "Time Is Growin' Near", "Juanita", "Stop That Thing" and a moving version of his 1952 Chance recording "Lonesome Ol'Train". (EL)

HOMESICK JAMES	Fedora 5006	The Last Of The Broomdusters	● CD $15.98
11 tracks, 53 minutes, recommended. When he was a member of Elmore James' Broomdusters, William Henderson mostly played rhythm or bass guitar. Not so here. His slide playing is very upfront, and as Chris Miller states in his note, he's not the easiest to support. But with Ron Thompson at the helm, the session holds together. Thompson knows just exactly when to come in & fill in the spaces - just as he did when he worked with John Lee Hooker. The highlights include Crutch And Cane, Early One Morning, Truck Drivin' Woman, Elmore James' Shake Your Moneymaker, and the stellar 10-minute solo Woman I'm Lovin'"/"Two Days Before Christmas. (EL)

HOMESICK JAMES	Official 5253	Chicago Slide Guitar Legend	● CD $17.98
26 tracks recorded between 1953 and 1964 by this distinctive performer - Johnnie Mae/ Lonesome Old Train/ Whiskey Headed Woman/ Homesick Blues/ The Woman I Love/ Lonesome Blues/ Williamson Shuffle/Long Lonseome Day/ My Baby's Sweet/ My baby's Gone/ Can't Afford To Do It, etc.

HOMESICK JAMES	Original Blues Classics 529	Blues On The South Side	● CD $11.98
Originally on Prestige, this is a classic of latter-day Chicago blues with expert backing by Lafayette Leake, Eddie Taylor (on bass!) and drummer Clifton James. Out in front is Homesick's plaintive voice and raw slide guitar on 12 numbers including She May Be Your Woman/ Gotta Move/ The Cloud Is Crying and a masterful Stones In My Passway. Rec. 1964.

HOMESICK JAMES & SNOOKY PRYOR	Wolf 120 409	Sad & Lonesome	● CD $14.98

EARL HOOKER	Arhoolie 324	Two Bugs & A Roach	● CD $12.98
A collection of 14 tracks by this brilliant blues guitarist - 10 from 1968/69 and 4 from 1952/53. Most of later recordings feature him with a Chicago band including Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins/ pno, Geneo Skaggs/ bass and Willie Williams or Levi Warren/ drums. Hooker was a dazzling guitar player whether playing straight or with a slide. He was not confident as a vocalist and so there is a high proportion of instrumentals though the the couple of tracks he does sing on are quite appealing. There are also vocals by mediocre B.B. King imitator Andrew Odom and Carey Bell. Some fine performances though a few tracks feature rather heavy use of the wah-wah pedal. The early recordings feature a rawer Southern sound which also feature Pinetop Perkins on piano on 3 of the tracks along with Willie Nix on drums. There is a wonderful version of Sweet Black Angel from 1952 with intense harp from Little Sam Davis. Excellent sound and informative notes by Chris Strachwitz. (FS) EARL HOOKER: Anna Lee/ Earl Hooker Blues/ Earl's Boogie Woogie/ Guitar Rag/ I'm Going Down The Line/ Love Ain't A Plaything/ New Sweet Black Angel/ Off The Hook/ Sweet Black Angel/ The Hook/ Two Bugs And A Roach/ Wah Wah Blues/ You Don't Love Me/ You Don't Want Me

EARL HOOKER	Arhoolie 468	Moon Is Rising	● CD $12.98
14 tracks featuring this great and influential blues guitarist, eight tracks from a 1969 West Coast session with Steve Miller and Louis Myers, four cuts recorded live in Chicago in 1969 with Eddie Taylor and Dave Myers (two previously unissued) and two unissued cuts from Hookers first session for Arhoolie in 1968 with "Pinetop" perkins and Freddy Roulette. EARL HOOKER: Can't Hold Out Much Longer/ Conversion Blues/ Earl's Blues/ Guitar Rag/ Hooker N' Steve/ I'm Your Man/ Improvisations On Dust My Broom/ Improvisations On Frosty/ Little Carey's Jump/ New Riviera/ Strung Out Woman Blues/ Swingin' At Theresa's/ Take Me Back To East St. Louis/ The Moon Is Rising

EARL HOOKER	Culture Press 1006	Smooth Slidin'	● CD $14.98
18 tracks, 54 mins, recommended A collection featuring mostly instrumental titles by this great blues guitarist originally reissued on Red Lightnin'. The first six tracks were issued on 45s between 1961 and '63 and is solid blues. The rest are from a series of sessions in the mid 60s for the Cuca label out of Sauk City, Wisconsin - some with Freddy Roulette on steel guitar and the result is a mixed bag - some very good and some pretty bad. (FS)

EARL HOOKER	MCA 11811	Simply The Best	● CD $16.98
19 tracks, recommended A nice look at some of The Hook's last work, done in L.A. for Blue Thumb/Bluesway in '69, most featuring long time keyboard sideman Big Moose Walker. After a 3 tunes intro of rare fifties 45s, including Frog Hop from Argo & Tanya from Checker, both with Walker & long time Elmore James saxist AC Reed (not to mention that same basic band's backing track with a Muddy Waters vocal overdub on You Shook Me), the remaining 16 tracks were recorded may-Sept 69, released on 7 LPs, starting with his own LPs "Sweet Black Angel" (with Ike Turner instead of Walker on keys) (3 cuts) & "Don't Have To Worry" (4 cuts) & the same band with Walker as the leader (Ramblin' Woman), then as backup for such disparate masters as Charles Brown, Andrew "Voice" Odom, Sonny Terry & Brownine McGhee, & Earl's cousin John Lee Hooker. (GM)

EARL HOOKER	Multimedia 6118	There's A Fungus Among Us	● CD $9.98
CD issue of Red Lightnin' 009 which was a reissue of an album originally issued on the Cuca labl featuring 12 cuts recorded between 1964 and '67.

EARL HOOKER	P-Vine PCD 24045	Blue Guitar	● CD $23.98
This is an expanded version of the old "Blue Guitar" album previously on P-Vine and Paula featuring Earl's Chief, Age and USA recordings. In addition to recordings under his own name it includes accompaniments to vocalists Lillian Offitt, Harold Tidewell, A.C. Reed, Ricky Allen, A.C. Reed and Jackie Brenston.