Syl & Jimmy Johnson - Two Johnsons Are Better Than One

Album: Two Johnsons Are Better Than One
Size: 140,5 MB
Time: 60:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001/2002
Styles: Blues/Funk/Soul
Art: Front, tray

1. Two Johnsons Are Better Than One (4:50)
2. Uncomplicated Life (5:26)
3. I Used To Be A Millionaire (4:24)
4. Is It Because I'm Black (5:20)
5. If I Wuz White (4:25)
6. I Feel The Pain (3:59)
7. Oprah (4:12)
8. Ashes In The Ashtray (6:06)
9. Dangerous (3:10)
10. Let Her Go (3:07)
11. Living The Life (4:00)
12. I Can't Survive (3:18)
13. Goodie Goodie Goodtime (3:44)
14. Bottoms Up (4:41)

Look beyond the jokey title on the first record co-billed to brothers Syl and Jimmy Johnson - concentrate on the music, which happens to be an easy, effortless fusion of Jimmy's modern Chicago blues and Syl's bluesy soul. Both brothers let the other breathe, giving them space to stretch out instrumentally, as well as deliver easy, soulful vocals. They smartly rely on their own material throughout most of the album, both new and old (a nice revival of Syl's classic "Is It Because I'm Black," for instance).

The production, like many contemporary blues albums, relies on cleanliness and precision instead of grit, which is too bad, but that ultimately doesn't distract too much from the performances, which are warm, friendly, and engaging, filled with brotherly love. /Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic

Personnel: Syl Johnson (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Jimmy Johnson (vocals, guitar, piano, organ); Will Crosby (guitar); Anthony Space (keyboards); Frank Collier (bass); Darrell Peyton (drums).

R.I.P. Syl Johnson (Jul. 1, 1936 - Feb. 6, 2022) & Jimmy Johnson (Nov. 25, 1928 - Jan. 31, 2022)

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Syl Johnson - Bridge To A Legacy

Album: Bridge To A Legacy
Size: 97,9 MB
Time: 42:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1998
Styles: Soul/Blues
Art: Full

1. Who's Still In Love (3:11)
2. I Been Missin' U (w. Jonny Lang) (5:07)
3. Half A Love (w. Syleena Johnson) (3:48)
4. Unconditional Love (4:22)
5. Midnight Woman (4:58)
6. Piece Of The Rock (5:46)
7. I Don't Know Why (3:24)
8. Let's Get It On Again (3:44)
9. They Can't See Your Good Side (4:23)
10. Sexy Wayz (3:30)

A popular attraction on the Chicago blues circuit, Syl Johnson has often found his recordings in the blues sections of CD stores. But truth be told, his solo albums have generally had a lot more to do with soul than the blues. Even though Antone's advised retailers to file Bridge to a Legacy under "blues," this is an R&B release more than anything. In fact, Johnson was quoted as saying, "I'm a soul man. I ain't no bluesman." You won't find any high-tech urban contemporary music on this good-to-excellent CD, which was ignored by Black radio.

Sticking with the type of R&B he does best, Johnson sees to it that gritty cuts like "Midnight Woman," "Sexy Wayz" and "Who's Still In Love" aren't all that different from the songs he was recording for Hi 25 years earlier. Johnson was in his 60s when Legacy came out, and it was clear that his big voice had held up well over time. The Chicago-based singer not only sounds inspired on this album, he also sounds like someone who is still very much in his prime. /Alex Henderson, AllMusic

(For personnel details, see artwork included)

R.I.P. Syl Johnson (July 1, 1936 - February 6, 2022)

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Magic Sam - Chicago Blues 1957-1960

Size: 107,8 MB
Time: 45:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Chicago Blues
Art: Front

01. Love Me With A Feeling (Willie Dixon) (2:10)
02. 21 Days In Jail (Odie Payne & Willie Dixon) (2:46)
03. My Love Is Your Love (The Four Duchesses) (2:43)
04. Every Night About This Time (Boyd Atkins) (2:08)
05. Look Whatcha Done (Mack Thompson & Willie Dixon) (2:15)
06. Mr. Charlie (Ammons Sisters) (2:38)
07. Roll Your Money Maker (Syl Johnson & Willie Dixon) (2:48)
08. All Your Love (Billie Stepney & Willie Dixon) (2:57)
09. Call Me If You Need Me (3:04)
10. You Don't Have To Work (Odell Campbell) (2:42)
11. All My Whole Life (Harold Burrage) (2:17)
12. Blue Light Boogie (The Four Duchesses) (2:39)
13. Love Me This Way (2:51)
14. Everything Gonna Be Alright (Little Brother Montgomery & Mack Thompson, Willie Dixon) (2:58)
15. Magic Rocker (Willie Dixon) (2:32)
16. All Night Long (2:49)
17. Easy Baby (Harold Burrage & Willie Dixon) (3:25)

No blues guitarist better represented the adventurous modern sound of Chicago's West side more proudly than Sam Maghett. He died tragically young (at age 32 of a heart attack), just as he was on the brink of climbing the ladder to legitimate stardom, but Magic Sam left behind a thick legacy of bone-cutting blues that remains eminently influential around his old stomping grounds to this day.

Maghett (one of his childhood pals was towering guitarist Morris Holt, who received his Magic Slim handle from Sam) was born in the Mississippi Delta. In 1950, he arrived in Chicago, picking up a few blues guitar pointers from his new neighbor, Syl Johnson (whose brother, Mack Thompson, served as Sam's loyal bassist for much of his professional career). Harpist Shakey Jake Harris, sometimes referred to as the guitarist's uncle, encouraged Sam's blues progress and gigged with him later on, when both were Westside institutions.

Sam's tremolo-rich staccato fingerpicking was an entirely fresh phenomenon when he premiered it on Eli Toscano's Cobra label in 1957. Prior to his Cobra date, the guitarist had been gigging as Good Rocking Sam, but Toscano wanted to change his nickname to something old-timey like Sad Sam or Singing Sam. No dice, said the newly christened Magic Sam (apparently Mack Thompson's brainstorm). His Cobra debut single, "All Your Love," was an immediate local sensation; its unusual structure would be recycled time and again by Sam throughout his tragically truncated career. Sam's Cobra encores "Everything Gonna Be Alright" and "Easy Baby" borrowed much the same melody but were no less powerful; the emerging Westside sound was now officially committed to vinyl. Not everything Sam cut utilized the tune; "21 Days in Jail" was a pseudo-rockabilly smoker with hellacious lead guitar from Sam and thundering slap bass from the ubiquitous Willie Dixon. Sam also backed Shakey Jake Harris on his lone 45 for Cobra's Artistic subsidiary, "Call Me If You Need Me."

After Cobra folded, Sam didn't follow labelmates Otis Rush and Magic Slim over to Chess. Instead, after enduring an unpleasant Army experience that apparently landed him in jail for desertion, Sam opted to go with Mel London's Chief logo in 1960. His raw-boned Westside adaptation of Fats Domino's mournful "Every Night About This Time" was the unalloyed highlight of his stay at Chief; some other Chief offerings were less compelling.

Gigs on the Westside remained plentiful for the charismatic guitarist, but recording opportunities proved sparse until 1966, when Sam made a 45 for Crash Records. "Out of Bad Luck" brought back that trademark melody again, but it remained as shattering as ever. Another notable 1966 side, the plaintive "That's Why I'm Crying," wound up on Delmark's Sweet Home Chicago anthology, along with Sam's stunning clippity-clop boogie instrumental "Riding High" (aided by the muscular tenor sax of Eddie Shaw).

Delmark Records was the conduit for Magic Sam's two seminal albums, 1967's West Side Soul and the following year's Black Magic. Both LPs showcased the entire breadth of Sam's Westside attack: the first ranged from the soul-laced "That's All I Need" and a searing "I Feel So Good" to the blistering instrumental "Lookin' Good" and definitive remakes of "Mama Talk to Your Daughter" and "Sweet Home Chicago," while Black Magic benefitted from Shaw's jabbing, raspy sax as Sam blasted through the funky "You Belong to Me," an impassioned "What Have I Done Wrong," and a personalized treatment of Freddy King's "San-Ho-Zay."

Sam's reputation was growing exponentially. He wowed an overflow throng at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival, and Stax was reportedly primed to sign him when his Delmark commitment was over. However, heart problems were fast taking their toll on Sam's health. On the first morning of December of 1969, he complained of heartburn, collapsed, and died.

Even now, more than a quarter-century after his passing, Magic Sam remains the king of Westside blues. That's unlikely to change as long as the subgenre is alive and kicking. ~ Bill Dahl

Chicago Blues 1957-1960

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Rico McFarland - Tired Of Being Alone

Size: 116,9 MB
Time: 49:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Soul, Funky Blues
Art: Full

01. Bad Attitude (4:32)
02. It Ain't No Fun To Me (4:29)
03. What If God Were One Of Us (5:00)
04. Blues Falling Down Like Rain (3:43)
05. Tired Of Being Alone (4:58)
06. Johnny B. (4:42)
07. Giving Me The Blues (3:33)
08. Little By Little (4:02)
09. The Other One (3:58)
10. Made Up My Mind (3:16)
11. You Got What You Wanted (3:36)
12. Rockin' Chair (3:55)

Guitarist Rico McFarland gets a lot of help from his friends on this, his debut CD. Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, Teela, and Billy Branch (one of a trio of harmonica players) all chip in. McFarland grooves on "Blues Falling Down Like Rain" and "Tired of Being Alone" (not the Al Green song) and displays his guitar prowess on "Johnny B" while taking it easy on "The Other One"; Teela's alto delivers "You Got What You Wanted" on a silver platter. A unique blues set that lovers of the genre will find little to pout about, its fresh sound is heighten by earnest, heightened performances. ~Andrew Hamilton

Tired Of Being Alone

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Syl Johnson - Talkin' About Chicago

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:04
Size: 139.8 MB
Styles: Chicago blues
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[2:56] 1. Come On With It
[4:24] 2. Cheryl
[4:28] 3. Sweet Dynamite!
[3:35] 4. Talkin' Bout Chicago
[4:57] 5. Diff'rent Strokes (B.E.T.)
[3:21] 6. I'm Back Into You
[5:27] 7. Different Kind Of Man
[5:22] 8. Surrounded
[3:42] 9. Caribbean Beach
[4:48] 10. Call Me
[4:21] 11. Trade Secret
[4:16] 12. Finger Lickin' Good
[4:34] 13. All Night Long
[4:47] 14. Woo-Wee!

Backing Vocals – Dianne Madison, Theresa Davis; Baritone Saxophone – Willie Henderson; Bass – Orlando Wright; Drums – Wayne Stewart (2); Guitar – Pete Nathan (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 10), Syl Johnson; Harmonica – Syl Johnson; Organ – Charles Hodges; Piano – Charles Hodges; Tenor Saxophone – Gene Barge; Trombone – Willie Wood; Trumpet – Kenny Anderson (2); Vocals – Syl Johnson.

Johnson's second CD for Delmark finds the soul sender writing or co-writing 12 of these 14 songs. They continue in the Memphis Stax tradition Johnson is known for, and he also throws in a couple of Chicago-style blues. Good backup comes from pianist/organist Charles Hodges, electric bassist Orlando Wright, and drummer Wayne Stewart. Occasional horn and vocal complement, and the second guitar of producer Pete Nathan on four tracks juices up the proceedings even further. Singing in a style pioneered by Bobby "Blue" Bland, Johnson funks it up quite a bit. His "Come on with It," "Diff'rent Strokes," and "I'm Back into You" groove solidly, the latter tune in the same pocket as his immortal hit "Take Me to the River." Johnson whips out the harmonica for Magic Sam's "All Night Long" and the potent title track, his tune "Surrounded" is a hit as he talks about being an escaped convict of love, and states he's "happy to be under house arrest." Harder funk on the backup-vocal-and-horn-inspired "Sweet Dynamite" and a smaller groove for "Cheryl" define the core of Johnson's good-time sound. "Woo-Wee!" is more straight blues, while "Trade Secret" sends a message -- fight and then make up, works every time! Johnson seems to be having a great time leading this group, it's his enthusiasm that is more infectious than the actual music being made. He's also not a bad lead guitarist; perhaps a future recording will showcase this facet of his talent more extensively. Fans surely will enjoy this recording from an underappreciated figure of the '60s and '70s soul revival. Newcomers will discover one of the Stax-men who survived. ~Michael G. Nastos

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Various - All Night Long: Northern Soul Floor Fillers

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:44
Size: 113.9 MB
Styles: R&B, Soul
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[2:24] 1. The Sensations - Demanding Man
[2:14] 2. Richard Cook - Somebody Got'a Help Me
[2:25] 3. Chandlers - Your Love Makes Me Lonely
[2:40] 4. Otis Brown - I'm Ready For Love
[2:58] 5. Two Plus Two - Look Around
[2:18] 6. Brown Bombers & Soul Partners - Just Fun
[2:40] 7. The Matta Baby - Do The Pearl, Girl (Part 2)
[2:37] 8. The Mystiques - Put Out The Fire
[2:18] 9. The Vondors - Look In The Mirror
[1:39] 10. The Tonettes - I Gotta Know
[2:01] 11. The Chapells - Help Me Somebody
[2:32] 12. Jesse Fisher - You're Not Loving A Beginner
[2:23] 13. Webs - Little Girl Blue
[2:23] 14. Earnest Mosley - Stubborn Heart
[1:53] 15. Syl Johnson - Do You Know What Love Is
[2:46] 16. The Notations - Trying My Best To Find Her
[2:14] 17. Royal Esquires - Ain't Gonna Run
[2:38] 18. Eula Cooper - Let Our Love Grow Higher
[3:30] 19. Eddie Ray - Wait A Minute
[2:59] 20. Jerry Townes - You Are My Sunshine

Whilst not the first UK dance scene – the mods had that covered – northern soul is the longest running. Those northern clubbers who eschewed late 60s psychedelic fripperies for obscure old soul records with the requisite beat, couldn’t have known what they started. After using up all the UK released sides (and at least 80% of the country's amphetamines) they began digging in the United States and after nearly 50 years the northern soul scene has probably unearthed more great music than any other. All Night Long is a tribute to those pioneers and includes current in-demanders such as The Sensations ‘Demanding Man’, classics by The Chandlers and Ernest Mosley and a host of other dancefloor friendly masterpieces. On the 14th October 2016 J&D Records release three exceptional compilations that look at vintage African-American music through the prism of UK club culture.

All Night Long: Northern Soul Floor Fillers

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Various - Say Hi To Northern Soul

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:23
Size: 129.1 MB
Styles: Memphis blues, Soul
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:06] 1. Willie Mitchell - That Driving Beat
[2:26] 2. Charlie Rich - Love Is After Me
[2:59] 3. Melodics - Ain't That Sharing My Love
[2:12] 4. Ace Cannon - Sea Cruise (Instrumental)
[2:18] 5. Janet & The Jays - Hurtin' On You Baby
[2:08] 6. James Fry - Mama's Boy
[2:15] 7. Don Bryant - Comin' On Strong
[2:12] 8. Willie Mitchell - The Champion, Pt. 1
[2:52] 9. George Jackson - So Good To Me
[2:25] 10. The 5 Royales - Help Yourself
[2:49] 11. Gene Miller - Sho Is Good
[2:45] 12. Kim Melvin - Doin' The Popcorn
[2:31] 13. Willie Mitchell - Who's Making Love
[1:55] 14. Ann Peebles - I Can't Let You Go
[2:07] 15. Syl Johnson - Anyone But You
[3:08] 16. Charlie Rich - Don't Tear Me Down
[2:19] 17. Janet & The Jays - Love What You're Doing To Me
[2:58] 18. Bobo Mr. Soul - Hitch-Hiking To Heartbreak
[2:56] 19. Willie Walker - Love Makes The World Go Round
[2:37] 20. Veniece - Stepchild
[2:34] 21. Africano - Satisfactorize Your Mind
[3:42] 22. Majik - Back Into Your Heart

It's puzzling how they can promote this CD as a "Northern Soul" compilation, seeing as how these tracks were all recorded for the Hi Records label in Memphis; more like the heart of Southern Soul! Definitions and sub-genres aside, this is a very good collection of soul music, spanning the years 1965 to 1979. This album is subtitled "Willie Mitchell's Ultimate Driving Beat," mainly for the fact that Mitchell was an executive at Hi Records and produced most (if not all?) of these recordings, plus he also has two of his instrumentals on this collection. Another instrumental on here is a cover of "Sea Cruise" by Ace Cannon, but the rest of the tracks are vocal numbers. There are some VERY obscure artists on this CD, some of whom recorded only a single or two for the label. One of the last tunes that the famous Five Royales recorded before they broke up in 1967 is included, as are some dynamite songs by George Jackson, Don Bryant, and even the amazingly versatile Charlie Rich. Those looking for Hi Records stalwarts such as Al Green, Ann Peebles, O.V. Wright, Otis Clay, and Syl Johnson will be disappointed by their absence from this CD, but the many other quality tracks more than make up for the lack of big names. This CD comes with an informative booklet with short bios on each artist, along with song credits and times. A good package. Fans of 60s and 70s soul music, as well as Hi Records and Willie Mitchell fans, should find plenty to enjoy. ~Donald Gilliland

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Syl Johnson - Diamond In The Rough

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 28:05
Size: 64.3 MB
Styles: R&B, Chicago blues
Year: 1974/2010
Art: Front

[3:10] 1. Let Yourself Go
[2:47] 2. Don't Do It
[2:35] 3. I Want To Take You Home (To See Mama)
[3:07] 4. Could I Be Falling In Love
[2:49] 5. Stuck In Chicago
[2:54] 6. Diamond In The Rough
[2:41] 7. Keeping Down Confusion
[2:32] 8. Please, Don't Give Up On Me
[2:43] 9. Music To My Ears
[2:43] 10. I Hear The Love Chimes

This second of three underrated releases for Hi finds Syl Johnson slowly but surely transforming from a credulous loser into a standup guy no one messes around with. Diamond in the Rough could be viewed as a creative bridge between the slightly formulaic Hi approach of 1973's Back for a Taste of Your Love and the more bluesy and rewarding Total Explosion from 1975. Different from the southern soul belter which distinguished fellow Hi second leaguers Otis Clay and O.V. Wright, Johnson's unique feat lies in his earnest yet sometimes ironic take on love and relationships. Exemplary are "Keeping Down Confusion" with its rolling organ and "Don't Do It," where the singer drives home the ultimate cliché of "I was just doing my job/Working overtime," convincing listeners of wrongfully being accused of cheating on his better half. Singing at the top of his register unintentionally added to Johnson's well-timed delivery and was perfected for Total Explosion's closing track "That's Just My Luck." Not a dry eye in the house as Johnson's seemingly guilty conscious ("What am I doing here/With another man's wife/I'm shaking in fear/But I'm having the time of my life/I'm a fool/To put myself in jeopardy/But I can't help myself/She makes sweet love to me") makes for an adultery song which holds up with the likes of Don Covay's "I Was Checkin' out She Was Checkin' in." Diamond in the Rough has its own surprises, for instance in the minor R&B chart success of "I Want to Take You Home to See Mama." Initially coming on too joyfully honest for its own good, its credibility easily supersedes Al Green's "Let's Get Married." As ballads like the unfairly overlooked first single "Please Don't Give up on Me" stand out, the albums best song remains the driving "Stuck in Chicago." The only song not written by Willie Mitchell and his gang, it paved the way for Total Explosion's tougher approach where the former Chicago bluesman would let it loose on his harmonica. His reading of "Take Me to the River" gave the author and Hi superstar he was often compared to a run for his money. Like Big Mouth Billy Bass miming the song to Tony Soprano in one of the television series' episodes, Johnson did have the last laugh as "getting stuck in Chicago" would lead to his biggest hit. ~Quint Kik

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VA - Welcome To The Club

Size: 154,5 MB
Time: 66:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2004
Styles: Chicago Blues/R&B
Art: Front

01. Willie Wright - Gibble Gobble (4:50)
02. Lee 'Shot' Williams - You're Welcome To The Club (2:57)
03. Syl Johnson - Well Oh Well (2:43)
04. Eddy Clearwater - I Was Gone (2:10)
05. Jesse Anderson - How Long Has It Been (2:25)
06. Danny Oversea - I'm Tired Of Being Tossed Around (2:42)
07. Willie Wright - I Want To Love You (2:08)
08. Syl Johnson - I Resign From Your Love (2:38)
09. Lee 'Shot' Williams - I'm Tore Up (2:04)
10. Willie Wright - Hard Times (2:50)
11. Syl Johnson - (She's So Fine) I Just Gotta Make Her Mine (2:30)
12. Willie Wright - Got A Feelin' (2:31)
13. Lee 'Shot' Williams - Don't Misuse My Love (2:31)
14. Willie Wright - I'm Gonna Leave You Baby And I'm Goin' Away To Stay (2:43)
15. Syl Johnson - I Wanna Know (2:20)
16. Lee 'Shot' Williams - When You Move, You Lose (3:11)
17. Willie Wright - Slowly Losing My Mind (2:03)
18. Syl Johnson - I've Got To Find My Baby (2:38)
19. Willie Wright - Sufferin' In Mind (3:08)
20. Jesse Anderson - You'd Better Think Twice (2:20)
21. Willie Wright - What Will I Say (3:07)
22. Syl Johnson - Little Sally Walker (2:33)
23. Eddy Clearwater - Twist Like This (2:50)
24. Willie Wright - Bloodhound (4:39)

Chicago blues on Federal Records, the King subsidiary, is most notably personified by Freddy King's hit singles, and maybe the legendary collectors' album that Otis (Smokey) Smothers waxed with a major contribution from Freddy. These landmarks are both well documented on Ace. More Federal Chicago blues were gathered by Ace in 1999 on "Chicago Blues From Federal Records" (CDCHD 717). Those 22 tracks still left more than enough for a strong sequel. Indeed, "Welcome To The Club" proves to be a killer, with confirmation, reiteration and guaranteed revelations for blues and R&B fans.

As Bill Dahl recounts in another excellent note, Chicago pianist/A&R man Sonny Thompson was the local driving force for Federal, and to some extent stepped into the breach left by the demise of Eli Toscano's Cobra and associated labels. From 1959 through most of the 60s, Thompson directed an impressive array of Chicago talent to King and Federal, usually overseeing and often playing on their Cincinnati sessions which yielded a skilled blend of contemporary trappings and a blues base.

"Welcome To The Club" showcases the rousing 1964 R&B title tune by Lee "Shot" Williams (successful enough to be covered quickly for Checker by Little Milton) and three powerful blues by "Shot" featuring sterling guitar by fellow Federal artist Bobby King (see CDCHD 717). Stalwart singer/ guitarist Syl Johnson's contribution to Federal by introducing Freddy King to them is substantial enough. Unfairly, the dozen songs for Federal which started his own recording career are too often overlooked - as is his role as one of true pioneers of the famed "West Side" style of driving, percussive Chicago blues guitar. His six tracks here range from striking blues ballads (with creative input from Chicago soul veteran Howard "Seaphus" Scott) through two R&B remakes with nice guitar solos to a storming '61 coupling: (She's So Fine) I Just Gotta Make Her Mine / I've Got To Find My Baby is one of the great Chicago blues guitar singles, way overdue for reissue. As a point of interest, the attractive cover photograph of Syl was taken in a Chicago club in 1960 by revered blues authority Paul Oliver. Paul told me that Syl was the youngest artist he interviewed at the time for his noted book Conversation With The Blues.

Eddy Clearwater's cuts on CDCHD 717 are rounded out with two more appealing Chuck Berry-styled workouts here. Then singer/guitarist Danny Overbea (of 40 Cups Of Coffee fame and whom we remember working at Clearwater's West Side record store in the mid-70s) contributes I'm Tired Of Being Tossed Around, which he recalled to notewriter Dahl with probably less charity than is warranted.

That leaves the biggest surprise: nine of the eleven songs from a May 1960 marathon session by the Oklahoma-based aggregation led by drummer Wright and featuring vocalists Sammy Jr Faggitt and Jesse Anderson (also a saxophonist credited by "Lee Shot", but not the official papers, with writing You're Welcome To The Club). The group's tracks are as tough from top to bottom as they are obscure, whether it's the extended grinding, riffing instrumentals Gibble Gobble and Bloodhound, the previously unheard slow guitar blues of Hard Times (complete with a signature lick borrowed from Federal alumnus Johnny "Guitar" Watson), and Sufferin' In Mind or the unissued but rocking I Want To Love You. Anderson, who also has two strong cuts in his own name, gave a colourful account to Bill Dahl of the band's Cincinnati excursion that rivals the music in vividness and enjoyment. "Welcome To The Club" is an eye-opener for even the most experienced blues collector. That makes the thought of the next instalment almost scary. Meanwhile, there's a memorable, consistently rewarding blues "club" here to frequent again and again.

A most refreshing release. ~Review by Dick Shurman

Thanks to Marc.
Welcome To The Club

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