Blues
Old-school fans will be pleased to note that, even as the production on Hooker's albums was improving throughout the '70s, there was never any dilution of his hard-core traditional blues aesthetic. NEVER GET OUT OF THESE BLUES ALIVE is no exception, with slow, heavy-lidded blues shuffles like "Country Boy" fitted seamlessly beside such harder-driving jams as "Boogie With The Hook."
A full electric band, fleshed out on a few tracks with piano, violin, organ, and slide guitar, adds textures that are at once swirling and down-home. Hooker is joined by guests as distinguished as Elvin Bishop, mouthharp master Charlie Musselwhite, and--surprise!--Van Morrison, with whom Hooker duets on the title track. Overall, NEVER is a strong addition to the Hooker catalog.
**
Following the legendary bluesman's popular collaboration with Canned Heat, this album continues his work with mostly younger musicians and predates similar projects The Healer and Mr. Lucky by about 20 years. Van Morrison spans the gap by appearing on this 1972 release and Mr. Lucky. Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite, and even Steve Miller contribute here. Jazz violinist Michael White helps Boogie With the Hook take off and adds a mournful touch to the harrowing T.B. Sheets, which is much more restrained here than on the earlier debut release by Morrison.
By Mark Allan. AMG.
**
John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison- (Vocals, Guitar);
Luther Tucker, Ray McCarty, Paul Wood- (Guitar);
Benny Rowe, Elvin Bishop- (Slide Guitar);
Michael White- (Violin);
Charlie Musselwhite- (Harmonica);
Mark Naftalin- (Piano);
Robert Hooker- (Electric Piano, Organ, Keyboards);
Steven Miller- (Organ);
Cliff Coultier- (Electric Piano);
Gino Skaggs, John Kahn, Mel Brown- (Bass);
Ron Beck, Chuck Crimelli, Ken Swank- (Drums).
**
A1. Bumblebee, Bumblebee 4:11
A2. Hit The Road 2:55
A3. Country Boy 7:00
A4. Boogie With The Hook 6:29
B1. T.B. Sheets 4:57
B2. Letter To My Baby 3:56
B3. Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive 10:18
**
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