Reviews (page 2 of 8)
So beautiful melodically yummy
So good love John Lee Hooker great music
I don't care who you are, the title track is a certified tune... Heal me Carlos. No better way to grease the wheels of an evening walk through the city than with some straight up blues man. Makes every step feel three times lighter. Bonnie Raitt tears it up on the slide guitar too (and apparently said recording the song with him was the most erotic experience of her life). Okay I think I'm actually done now. Everything I said in my false start celebration for album number 1084 stands for number 1088. What an incredible journey. DONE (for real this time).
Man, I was not expecting this album to be as good as it was, I've never even heard of John Lee Hooker before this. Some great features on this album. I knew the Cuttin' Out was going to be a good song, given Canned Heat feature on it. That and Think Twice Before You Go are so fun and high-energy. I had to listen to this album 4 times to know what I wanted to rate it, I was so tossed between a 4 and a light 5, but honestly the last two songs on this album are so special and pushed me over the edge to a five. The emotion on My Dream really hit me, I had to pause the album and process in silence after listening to that song, that shit made me feel something. What a beautiful piece of music. This album has ended up being one of (if not) my favourite blues albums I've ever heard. Five stars.
Man this Album is something else, the instrumentals paint this vivid picture of the blues in so many different shades. Smooth to listen and just fun, I can take any song out of this album and 100% enjoy it no matter the season or mood. Never heard of this album or really J. L. Hooker, top song of his I could find was Boom Boom which is the only one I've heard before. But man did this album fucking rock. Really enjoyed this one and honestly I can not think of any other rating to give it than 5/5 and it is well earned.
Blues
The Legend John Lee Hooker. No mistakes here. I always take a step back before I listen to an album full of collabs. I ain't got a good experience with that. But like i said: no mistakes here. C'mon, it's blues! It's JLH! But I'll take a especial note to the first song with Carlos Santana. I really didn't knew that I was in need to hear that! Awesome!
John Lee Hooker and Carlos Santana on the title track is a match made in heaven and it will heal your ills. A great album, with a fantastic array of guests.
Love this album. Bought it as soon as it came out. A late career masterpiece.
Sweet! This is always gunna be awesome
Great blues album. All time great.
A great blues album
Superb!
Nice classic blues. I love his style.
Smooth southern blues rock. Love the Bonnie Raitt track. A nice mix of upbeat tunes.
A blues album. The first song on the album was like blues that was dripping with 80's cheese, but then it thankfully switched to good dirty, sludgy blues. Lolol, Bad trip man. This album is awesome! Fuck I love blues rock! Favourite songs: Think Twice Before You Go, I'm In The Mood, Baby Lee, Cuttin' Out, Sally Mae, That's Alright Least favourite songs: The Healer 5/5
Whoa... I didn't expect the features. I'm 3 songs in and this is already feeling like a 5
Slick without losing its grit. Really great. Good features too.
I really want to like John Lee Hooker as I've enjoyed small bits of his sound and music but I've always felt his albums dragged or stayed on one vibe too long. This was finally the one, I thought it was awesome, super glad
Very strong and accessible Blues album, with Standouts in every track.
Many late period Duets albums are not essential. This one is different. Like Santana’s “Supernatural” or Ray Charles’ “Genius Loves Company” the guests serve primarily to highlight the main artist’s talent. This was a great group of songs. My favorites were the Bonnie Raitt and Santana duets. At the end though all the guest and instrumentation disappears so that all we have left are a blues man and his guitar. And it still sounds great.
Great Album. Hit the spot
Great blues from a legend
The first several tracks feature some incredible guests that meld perfectly with Hooker's style. It's a testament to his legend that when he goes it alone for the trio of songs at the end, it isn't a let-off. Best track: The Healer
Wonderful
A bunch of great musicians, great album
My favorite JLH album of all time.
Nice blues
Wasn’t sure when the first song came on. It gave me 1980s masculine island vacation vibes. Luckily, the rest was timeless and awesome.
I wasn't a fan of blues music, but I need to say that this record is really good. Song,,My Dream” is my favorite.
Traditional blues w Carlos Santana, Los Lobos and Bonnie Raitt.
Loved it
A nicely modern old blues album.
I've never really went in on blues music specifically, but I absolutely loved this album, almost every song from it in fact. The collaborations are quite nice as well. I think I'll do a bit of a deep dive into other albums by John Lee Hooker now Saved tracks: The Healer, I'm In The Mood, Baby Lee
AMAZING! 10/10
Blues
Absolutely fantastic, I have listened to John Lee Hooker many times but not this album, loved it.
Beautiful blues by the master himself. A must hear album
I really enjoyed it, an older, slightly mellower John Lee Hooker.
I was never into blues, but hard to argue with The Godfather of blues!
loved it, thanks!
nice guitar player
Doesn’t get more real than this. Hooker is himself on each song. Collaborations add colour, but his soul is in each song. Heartfelt, personal, beautiful.
Enjoyed this very much
This is gold. Not a bad one in the bunch. I listened through twice.
Hard not to like this but the whole enterprise raises questions. Certainly it mostly avoids seeming a gimmick (of which there was a high likelihood). The sui generis voice with good cameos (Los Lobos and B. Raitt the best; Santana axe work just this side of obnoxious and just short of overwhelming the track). The whole thing works because JLH is front and center on every track. And last few tracks (JLH alone) may be the strongest overall. I want to give it a 5, but feel compromised. Is this really just JLH-lite? Why/how is this the only Hooker in the book? Would a 5 rating seem to degrade the earlier work? One feels certain there are superior records in the archives though blues scholars would be best positioned to say. Does it raise the issue of cultural appropriation (see also Graceland)? It feels pretty authentic (save for Santana opener). Is this an homage/honoring or could it be read as more established artists (including both white and people of color) feeling like he needed a rescuing or drafting off his lead (see also the entire history of rock/pop music)? Overall, I get an honoring vibe, but these are complex questions hovering around what really is an excellent listen. Plus, it’s inspiring me to go deeper into the back catalog … more of which should be “known” … let’s go 5.
Very cool bluesy album, I loved Carlos Santana's guitars.
Like many other people my age, I first heard of John Lee Hooker by seeing him in the Blues Brothers. So I was surprised when he released this back in 1989. Admittedly I didn't fully appreciate this album until I saw Henry Rollins talked about John Lee Hooker in an interview a few years that I really gave this a proper listen. Blues isn't my go to genre and I find the production a bit slick for my tastes in places. This is a great album, for one to have a performer in their 70s turning out such grooves is amazing and there is a real craft on display here.
One of my all time favourite albums
This is a must come back to album. Absolutely fantastic.
This album goes hard man is goated at the guitar
Bisschen poppig produziert aber großartig
I learned of this when it was new and bought it then. Great collaborations!
Vielschichtig und tolles Blues Werk, mal sexy, mal spröde, mal nachdenklich und es tönt manchmal gar bluesfern, und ist dann doch seiner am nahesten, wo Kangkleid sanft changierend verläuft. 4.5
Surprised to hear Santana in such an album. Good vibes
Amazing blues
The master with a cavalcade of extra guests, great stuff.
J’adore cet album blues. 5* a reecouter calme et blues rock en maintenant wow et la fin parfaite
I own this one and had not listened to it in a while.
Honestly quite enjoyed it. Sure some of It blends together but southern blues/rock stuff does it for me
I appreciate that while a lot of 82 year olds are settling into nursing homes, Mr Hooker was out here experimenting with the blues genre by playing with guys like Santana, and even trying it on with Bonnie Raitt. Liked the song with Canned Heat a lot. I also liked Rockin Chair, the liveness of feeling like you're sitting there with this guy as he jams. My Dream and Substitute at the end really won me over to four stars, simple yet super beautiful songs
This is quintessential, solid blues I enjoyed the featured artists on this album
Good stuff
A nostalgic one for me; I think I owned it on cassette. And I really like this as the album that finally got one of the great blues artists making some money, after the usual story of decades of scraping by in a system rigged against him. The first few songs are the strongest, especially the title track.
I had no idea that there was a late-80s John Lee Hooker album; that was a surprise. His voice and guitar were amazing, even this late in his life. I liked the collaborations with Santana and Los Lobos and such well enough, but I think what I liked best on here were the songs where it was just him, or him and a harmonica, at the end of the album. Those felt very intimate, like sitting on the porch of an evening and listening to him play. Makes me want to listen to one of his albums from the 50s or early 60s.
I've wrestled with this record for some time, and I think it comes down to one word - legacy. By 1989, John Lee Hooker was an established blues legend, having been in the game for four decades. At some point, Hooker's manager at the time, Mike Kappus, came up with the idea of Hooker working with a variety of guest musicians to further cement his legacy. That idea blossomed into The Healer, an album which saw John Lee work with collaborators old and new to bring his electric-guitar blues to a new generation. It should be made apparent that at least half of this album consists of John Lee reworking some of his older material alongside these guest artists. It's nothing new for John Lee to re-record his earlier material and repackage them; he's done it since at least the 1950s. With that in mind, it's nice to hear him play alongside these other musicians, akin to sitting down for a jam session in the recording booth. Similarly, these guests were happy to oblige in said playing along, whether it's the low-key chemistry with Bonnie Raitt and her slide-guitar licks on "In the Mood", Canned Heat's busy shuffle and harmonica vibing on "Cuttin' Out", or Los Lobos' Tex-Mex flair alongside David Hidalgo's accordion embellishments on "Think Twice Before You Go". I especially dug the more intimate collaborations in the middle with long-time admirer George Thorogood on "Sally Mae" and long-time friend Charlie Musselwhite on "That's Alright". Probably the only guest collaboration I wasn't as into was with Carlos Santana and his backing band for the opening title track, between the dated keyboards and the Latin arrangement sounding far removed from John Lee Hooker's wheelhouse. But then, we have the final three songs. "Rockin' Chair" saw John Lee back to basics, with just him and his guitar as he stomped his foot. It's idiosyncratic, with him adjusting tempo to fit what each song needed, and it is raw and earnest to a fault. I definitely got a sense of that old magic creeping back in for him. That slow-burning energy continued into "My Dream" and "No Substitute" as the subtle backing band kept the boat steady, all while John Lee sang with such a soft delivery that drew me in. I don't consider The Healer to be a perfect record, and that's okay because I don't think John Lee Hooker had that in mind. He was 73 years old when this album came out; for him, it was a fun session with friends old and new that just happened to become a late-career success. From all accounts, he seemed grateful for the recognition. John Lee would continue to put out collaboration albums until his passing in 2001. His legacy was set, and I can respect that.
Not a bad blues album. Kinda 3-4 scale.
I really like this one! Super bluesy and soulful. Great way to start my work day.
Classic blues sounds with added guests to change the focus. Saw him live opening for Los Lobos
Enjoyed this a lot, didnt care for the track with Bonnie Raitt.
Old-school blues. Anything bluesy I usually like, and this is no exception. At times it is a bit slow and ponderous, but some great guitar solos and smooth vocals. I’m going low 4.
Solid Blues album, enjoyed it, short and sweet
Great example of a 4-star album here. I respect the hell out of John Lee Hooker and really like blues as a genre, but this isn't my favorite era of American blues. I'm more partial to the simpler, toned down aspects and less so the very electronic, heavily produced stuff. Still enjoyed this album a lot though, just probably not one I'm putting on again.
Really enjoyed this. Don't know much else to say but it made for a great morning commute
This was fun. Enjoy the raspiness and feel of the music. Will be back.
Boom, boom, boom, boom. John Lee Hooker was one of the last great bluesmen to walk the earth. I think maybe only Buddy Guy is left who has that connection to the old-time bluesmen from the south. Even though Hooker was more known for living in Detroit. This album was released in 1989, and Hooker was 77. He would go on to live another 12 years. As was the case around this time, the old legends were releasing albums with help from the youngsters of the day. You know, youngsters like Bonnie Raitt, Robot Cray, and Canned Heat, to name a few. Younger by about 15 years. Hooker, like a lot of poor southern folks, both black and white, moved to Detroit to work in the steel mills and auto industry. Hooker was working as a janitor in a steel mill when his recording career began, and he ended up being one of the greatest bluesmen to ever live. I’ve heard a ton of Hooker songs, but I’ve not heard any from this album. It’s got 10 tracks and runs 41 minutes. I like it. Let’s get into it. Track 1 is The Healer featuring Carlos Santana and the Santana band. The song starts out with some cool, dark-sounding guitar doodlings, but then it falls quickly into a Santana-type beat with a flute and some bongos. I think I’d rather hear the blues. Carlos Santana is now doing his thing, playing his usual style of guitar. I must say, I got an ass full of Santana when he did those albums with different singers. They were all over the radio and MTV. I got burned out. Oooh, Hooker comes in, starts singing, and it totally changes the vibe. Wow, this music sounds great with Hooker’s voice. He’s singing the blues, but the music isn’t really sad. I mean, it makes you think of lying on a beach in the tropics, drinking a mai-tai with a tiny umbrella in it. The song is as bluesy as it can be on a tropical beach getaway with your soul mate. Track 2 is I’m in the Mood with Raitt. I recently listened to Raitt’s Nick of Time and loved it. Though she’s about as bluesy as Eric Clapton was in 1989. Actually, she might have been bluesier. The song starts out with what I assume is Hooker playing guitar. Riatt is playing her slide guitar, which she does very well. This is a slowed-down blues stomp. It has that familiar groove, but Riatt’s slide guitar makes it unique. Riatt is singing on this track with Hooker. Thinking back, I’m not sure Hooker was playing guitar on track 1. He might have been. Damn, Riatt played a great solo with the slide. “I’m in the mood for love. Have mercy on me, on me, on me.” Track 3 is Baby Lee with Robert Cray, and this kind of reminds me of a Stevie Ray Vaughn type song. The groove is another familiar blues groove, this one more of a dancing tune, though it seems a bit slower than normal. When I say a familiar blues groove, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, considering Hooker is a legend and one of those guys who could reach back into the 1800s. He was born to a sharecropper, Baptist minister father in the early 1910s in the South. He was literally born in the home of the Delta Blues. So, if Hooker wants to play familiar blues grooves, by God, he can because he might have been around for their creation. But, I digress. I never really got into Cray. He seemed a bit boring to me, though I know he can play the guitar and is a blues legend himself. Cray plays a simple, but brilliant solo on this song. Just perfect. I’m really starting to get into this album. It could be the Monster Energy, though. Track 4 is Cuttin’ Out with Canned Heat. Who knew Canned Heat was still around in 1989? The band’s two founders, including the frontman, Bob Hite, died before 1981. Okay, we have our first harmonica so far on this album. Again, the main groove is one you’ve heard before, but mixed with Hooker’s voice and singing style, it’s a banger. It just makes you want to jump up and boogie. In my mind’s eye, I’m picturing a packed juke joint in the 1940s with sweat dripping from every pore. Great harmonica solo in the middle, and the lead guitarist is just cutting up the background. I assume it’s a Canned Heat guy, though I think Hooker is also playing on this song, just not the lead. I’m not sure Hooker was exactly a lead guitarist, so to speak. I think most bluesmen in those days just played guitar because they needed something to accompany them, and it was a hell of a lot easier to pack around an acoustic guitar than a piano. Track 5 is Think Twice Before You Go with Los Lobos. This ought to be good. Yes, we have our first accordion on the album. That’s the only thing adding a Latin flair to the otherwise straight blues song. It has the same groove as Hooker’s classic Boom Boom. Los Lobos is really keeping things tight. Hooker sounds really good on this track. He seems fired up. The guitar solos are fire on this track. I think this is my favorite song thus far. Track 6 is Sally Mae with George Thorogood. Throgood has always said Hooker was one of, if not the biggest, influences for him. I’ve always loved Thorogood. He’s like AC/DC, you always know what you’re going to get, just balls-to-the-wall blues rock. I also think he’s a very underrated guitarist. Though much like AC/DC, once you get past his prime, it's hit or miss on new material. Now this is, again, a familiar blues groove, but it’s the first time on the album. It’s a perfect one for Thorogood. It reminds me of the beginning rap for One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer. I love that song. I know it’s long, but Thorogood strangles his guitar into submission on that cut. Hooker is singing, and he sounds like he’s got more bass than usual in his voice. Thorogood is, like Raitt, playing a slide guitar, but he’s playing it in his style. I think Hooker is playing guitar as well. I’d imagine Thorogood would’ve killed his firstborn to trade solos with Hooker. This is a foot-stomper. Damn, it’s over. Just over three minutes long? I could have listened to that for another 10 minutes. Track 7 is That’s All Right with Charles Musselwhite, who I’m shocked to find out is white. Hmmm, he’s a harmonica player and band leader. My good friend Wikipedia says he helped revive the blues in Chicago in the 60s. Hooker is playing guitar on this song, and it's a slow burner with Musselwhite blowing on the blues harp. Again, it’s a recognizable blues groove. Hooker’s singing is so strong and clear on this track. Musselwhite is playing his arse off. Track 8 is Rockin’ Chair and I assume this is just Hooker and his guitar. This is the uncut, raw blues. You can hear Hooker tapping his foot as they record him. As I said, Hooker isn’t a guitar hero, but he plays with passion and soul. His singing is the same way, but he also has an unmistakable voice. Track 9 is My Dream and it’s Hooker and his guitar, with bass and drums. The first thing that hits you is his voice. He’s singing, well, he’s singing. It’s beautiful. It’s not the confident bluesman that's singing on most of the songs on this album. It’s a vulnerable man missing his woman singing. The solo too is perfect in its simplicity. This is my favorite song on the album for sure. I think this could have been a hit. Just a lovely little love song. Track 10 is No Substitute and this is another one that sounds like it’s just Hooker and his guitar singing about love. I think it’s him in a room, and he’s just playing. He started the track out by saying, I assume, to the producer, “We gonna try this one, okay?” Again, you can hear him tapping his foot. And out of the blue, almost shockingly so, it ends. What great way to close a fine album of blues. Hooker won his only Grammy with In the Mood for Best Traditional Blues Performance. The album peaked at number 62 on the Billboard chart, which was the highest of any of his records. The album did so well, it brought him the recognition he deserved, and the royalty checks allowed him to live the last 12 years of his life in comfort. Have I heard better blues albums? Probably. But I think this is as close as you can get to being in the same room with a legend among men in the blues world. I really liked this album, and I’d recommend you listen to it.
Helped me put a lot of stuff in context. I'm interested in listening to more of his heavy-hitting stuff.
Really solid album, lot of cool artists featured, and the rest is classic John Lee hooker blues. Super easy to listen to, great walking music.
bueno
Classic blues vibe
great album.
Really nice blues album
music your dad listened to while he worked in the garage in the summer when you were a little kid
The opening (and title) track having Carlos Santana on guitar is a great way to kick things off. Sadly I think aside from the coolness of the blues the album doesn't do much for me. I'll still give it a 4 for being a cool blues album from the last 40 years, but it's not got that greatness to it.
In some ways, this seems like a bit of a cash-in - a past his prime artist is paired with more famous youngsters, with some good, but not outstanding tracks. On the other hand, it's John Lee Frikkin' Hooker. Who better? And if the album finally gave him some cash to ease his later life, then ... Good!
Tof album, mooie samenwerkingen. Mis wat grote hits, maar verder heel solide.
I guess im sucker for blues
7/10 Great blues album. Like many of the others, it’s really really good music when I’m in the mood for blues. But that’s not very often.
Very fun bluesy and jazzy vibes
I very much like the blues, but there's definitely some blues I prefer to this.
Very bluesy and country, good slow music probably 4.
Masterful blues by a master of the craft. 4/5
This album, while showing how JLH bridges the gap between different genres, is not completely representative of the blues delivery of JLH. The music isn't bad, but the collaborations morph into "This band covering JLH with JLH performing with them". I would have never known this album existed without the list, and I would have been fine with that. JLH works better in **House of the Blues**. My Rating: 4/5
I have a soft spot in my heart for the Blues. My dad was a huge blues guy, so I've listened to a lot of blues in my life, and now that my dad is gone I find some peace in listening to it. Reminds me of him. Did I almost ugly cry during the first song? Yes, yes I did. Any music that can make me emotional is great music to me.
Wonderful.
Very good. I'm no blues expert at all, but I really enjoyed this one. It's actually interesting that the songs I enjoyed the most are, by far, the three last songs (with no special collaborators). I was not expecting to like this one as much as I did.
the blues 🎶💙
Actually a vibe. Love how each guitar player brings their own blues vibe.
The blues are fantastic in person in an intimate venue. On record it’s fine.
De titeltrack springt er met kop en schouders bovenuit. Vooral door de gitaar. De rest van het album is zeer toegankelijke vrij standaard blues. Niets mis mee. Het vertegenwoordigt het genre prima. Al is het wat raar om blues te laten vertegenwoordigen door een album uit 89. 3,5 ster
John Lee Hooker, uit 1989. Dat zegt me even niks. Blijkbaar een verzameling samenwerkingen met andere bekende artiesten uit die tijd. En als ik verder lees, blijkt de beste man hier al een jaar of 70 te zijn. Oh verrek, the Healer is toch verrekte bekend haha. Zure broeder Eric haalt aan dat hij het gek vindt, dat voor een 'recent' bluesalbum gekozen is. Maar ik vind dat eigenlijk helemaal niet zo gek. Blues past toch juist bij oude gasten van een jaar of 70, zoals John Lee Hooker hier was, en niet bij gastjes van 21, die nog weinig van het leven weten? Bovendien was het einde van de 80s bij uitstek een periode waar de blues een revival doormaakte. Kijk maar naar witte artiesten als Gary Moore, die met I still got the blues een wereldhit scoorde; kijk naar U2, die samen met BB King een hit scoorde met When Love comes to Town op hun album Rattle & Hum. En in die periode past dit album dus perfect. De oude blues wordt van een (voor die tijd) modern jasje voorzien, wat je vooral hoort in het bekende titelnummer "the Healer", wat overduidelijk 80s vibes heeft. Ik kan dit prima waarderen moet ik zeggen. 4 sterretjes!
7/10
Of all the John Lee Hooker albums to choose from, picking this one for the 1001 list is diabolical. It’s still some good blues but it’s like saying your favorite cut of beef is tongue.
This was a great blues album! Likes the collabs!
Very simple but really good vibe. I love the last 2 songs
Blues = easy listening.
Good stuff...need to listen to more blues.
Sometimes I forget how long Hooker's career was. I'm a big fan, but I'm more familiar with his '60s and '70s output. Obviously I love the traditional Delta style blues on here, but the tracks where he branches out beyond that are also great; different instrumentation, some jazzier compositions, and collaborations with other artists. This suffers some from that sterile '80s production, but I can overlook it and appreciate this to be a solid late era album for Hooker.
cold blues album. great instruments and vocals
8/10 Canción destacada: The healer (con Carlos Santana)
This album appears to be an exercise in making JLH’s music accessible to a mainstream audience. The collaborations are possibly quite telling in as much as they probably all were influenced by his work. He’s probably done better more pure blues work but this is a very listenable album
John Lee Hooker is an American treasure.
Wow amazing blues album! Really chill and amazing guitars!
Starting off with a Blues album which honestly is such a fucking vibe. I am excited to start this project because I just want to explore and experience more. It will add more joy to my life. I really enjoyed the album. Though it was so calming, I fell asleep
Simply just some good ol' blues. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
I’m at a 3.5 that I’ll just barely bump up to a 4 due to the last 3 tracks clicking nicely. This did have some issues though. For most of the first 7 tracks, I do feel like John Lee Hooker is just adding some color & taking a backseat to a lot of his collaborators. Part of that is in his delivery; he takes more of a spoken word approach, never lifting up his voice too much to add some additional power to sell some of the emotions of the track. Part of that is in his rhythm; this isn’t a Muddy Waters sort of thing where he’s consistently hitting on the beat, but he’s just sort of playing around it. It’s an approach that has some merit, but it does make it hard to get a real feel for the vibe of the track. The biggest part of it, at least to my ears, is in the repetition of the instrumentation – the 1989 production standards that plagued part of Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time” are here, mainly in that a lot of these first 7 tracks suffer from the “first minute” syndrome that stalls progression deeply. Between some unconventional delivery, a looser rhythm that doesn’t fully jive with the instrumentals, & some solid if stale instrumentals, it was hard for this album to really pull me. Out of the first 7 tracks, I only really enjoyed “The Healer”, “Think Twice Before You Go” & “That’s Alright”. There’s not really an outright bad track, but the other 4 just didn’t click for me. Those final 3, though… they clicked really, really nicely. John’s spoken word delivery puts him up close, & it feels a lot more forceful due to the more intimate tones of each track, allowing his age & sense of wisdom to carry more of a mood that helps the tracks out a lot. The rhythm is a lot easier to follow as well, since the instrumentals don’t hit the same ‘stale’ point – maybe the percussion on “My Dream” is a little sterile, but besides that, John’s approach to just kinda whacking all over his guitar feels more raw & authentic, and more distinctly like the blues he’s more famous for. The lyricism is strong, the vibes are really nice, and since they’re just easier to follow along & vibe to in a way that doesn’t feel as incessant as the looping instrumentals did earlier, they’re more fulfilling. Those final 3 tracks take this album from a competent, if flawed 3, to a competent, flawed, yet earnest 3.5 that I’ll bump up to a 4. I do think it’s worth a listen, and if those first 7 tracks click more consistently for others, I could understand a 5 here. If they hit even worse than they did for me, I could understand going as low as even a 2. For me, just a 4 – while I do wish one of his earlier albums were here, just for a comparison point, I am glad both he & this album are on the list.
I really liked it, I love blues and it reminded me of if muddy had made all of his song 8 years later, I mean why not I’ll save it it’s a great album
#293/1001. Blues stripped to ita core, kicks out the jams compared to all the white mans blues wankings so far. Even the 80s sounds don't spoil it too much.
I love this record. It was one of my favorite of that time. A bunch of calibrations but it still has that old school blues & boogie woogie swing. But it also has a haunting John Lee Hooker. Older, wise & dropping knowledge. A must!
This was amazing, but seeing the reviews i have to listen to his other stuff. Low 4
Nice and chill blues almbum
Easy listening.
I enjoyed this.
Very relaxed blues from a master
Blues, 1989 -> 4
Great blues album. Don't think it's my favorite of all time but still incredibly good. 4 stars.
I love the influence that blues has had on rock and modern, americana country. However, I've never really been down the blues rabbit hole. Was distracted during the first half and they kind of blended together (other than maybe the first song with Santana). Last half, I was more intentional with my listen and really enjoyed it. Took me to a rocking chair on the front porch of the McCaughan home in Crossett, Arkansas with my great grandfather and Mr. Hooker. Though my grandfather would probably have rallied the town to torches and pitchforks seeing a black man act so familiar... I wonder what Eric will give this album 🤔 3.7/5
We’re on a mission from god I thought I recognized this guy from the Blue Brothers. I feel like i will never not enjoy blues, even if it’s very amateur sounding. There’s just something about the instrumentation where you don’t even need lyrics as long as you take it in. I wouldn’t say every song on this album is my jam, but man the album as a whole sounds good. Those are some great vocals and I love that electric guitar in songs like Cuttin Out. I feel like something would have to go horribly wrong for me to rate a blues album lower than 3, which definitely isn’t the case this time.
i fuck with the blues heavy
This was fun. Every album should feature a funky flute and every album should feature Bonnie Raitt.
Would give it 5 stars if it had "Blues Before Sunrise"
Good old Blues. Love it!
solid blue rock album
Album 1037 of 1089 The Healer - John Lee Hooker (1989) Rating : 4 / 5 This is just a really solid blues album from start to finish. Nothing flashy, nothing forced - just a master doing what he does best. The performances are tight, the production is clean without being overpolished, and that guitar work carries the whole thing exactly the way you’d hope it would. What stands out most is how effortless it all feels. Hooker doesn’t sound like he’s trying to prove anything here - he already knows who he is. The grooves settle in quickly, the vocals are confident and relaxed, and the whole album just rolls along in a way that makes it easy to sit back and enjoy. It’s not an album that demands deep analysis or constant attention, and that’s actually part of its strength. You put it on, let it play, and you’re rewarded with a consistently strong, enjoyable listen from one of the greats. Blues done right.
Absolutely amazing.
Oh yeah, this music has real soul.
Really liked this one. Think all the collaborations are really fun. Just a good time. A good mix across the album which is helped by all the different people on it. His voice is really nice. Fav song: I’m In The Mood Least fav: My Dream
Liked the guitar and his voice but some songs were unstimulating at best. Specific rating - 3.8 Fav song - the healer Least fav - my dream
I wasn't sure what to expect. But after the 80s sheen that's applied to the first track it settles into a lovely, rambling Blues record. And I'm totally in the mood for a lovely, rambling Blues record.
Listen to this album, not the immature garbage reviews. Collaborating to share music with a wider audience isn’t selling out. John Lee Hooker is exceptional and so is The Healer.
A really good blues album. Some great performances on here.
decent blues
Not bad. Reminded me of Sinners.
Well I feel MUCH better now, thanks
Very listenable.
Quintessential Blues
Hooker is the kind of artist I'd figure would be on this list but would've thought it would be a 50s album rather than 80s. Pretty cool at any rate
Liked the Boogie Blues However, I'm guessing a different Hooker album then a late-career 80s one would have been a better choice for the book Nonetheless, I enjoyed this. 4/5
Really enjoyed this blues album. Listened to it twice.
No el mejor disco de John Lee Hooker, pero siendo él, aún así es tremendo. Gran ejecución de blues, la voz incomparable de Hooker y una que otra canción extraña por ahí, pero un álbum que se disfruta sin problema. Eso sí, creo que tiene muchos considerablemente mejores.
Very interesting sound, although is not fully my thing, but I really enjoyed something actually new because I’ve NEEEVER heard of this album
Good collaborations and great guitars
2 blues albums back to back is crazy. Shoutout santana
Funky. I wouldn't necessarily listen to it in my free-time, but I liked it nonetheless. Strong start of the album, but after a while, they lost me a bit.
Gorgeous and chilled acoustic guitar & vocals blues
Some great blues music from a legend of the genre. I enjoyed this album and look forward to listening to more JLH if the project sends it my way.
Saved three songs that I like a lot! Maybe a three overall, but four because things got hot and It’s Alright is hot and you are hot
Esto sí
Very good bluesy funk oldies album
Great album! Some good blues!! Haven’t heard good blues since. I like the scruffy voice, the guitar work, the nice rhythm. All around great album.
Outside of my general listening but a great blues feel and quality collaborations.
The songs were polished enough to really grab your attention. I had no idea this guy made a music video. He definitely rocks.
There’s something about classic blues that feels nostalgic. Even though it’s not a genre I typically rock with or even grew up on, just hearing it in this Robert Johnson, deal with the devil at the crossroads way brings me back. To where I cannot say. But it feels like a necessary return for anyone on a musical journey to be reminded of where so much rooted from.
old school blues albums rock. i actually really dig listening to the blues, and it was one of the genres i listened to a ton when i was playing guitar. i think its so easy to sit back and listen to this type of music. its such a good form of story telling, that can get as simple or complicated as you would like. overall, i definitely appreciate the exposure to this album and really enjoyed it. definitely see myself throwing this on when the mood strikes
Tiene un sonido tremendamente actual. Muy buena producción y un trabajo de guitarra muy meritorio.
Отличная музыка, именно тот блюзец, который я искал, душевный, нервный, настоящий. Есть и более попсовые вещи, а есть и шизофреническо-экспериментальные
pretty good yeah true blues 4/5
Smooth and easy listening. Can imagine jacky boy liking this album. 🍋
Great blues album with jazzy influences. Varied musical styles between songs keep the album from becoming stale. Especially strong from its middle on.
Pure straight raw blues/ Americana. Most songs slow with classic bluesy beat/rhythm/lead guitar. I like how this album incorporates the featured artists known style with the blues Americana of JLH
Solid from beginning to end--I think it's throwback nature in the last tracks gets me to a 4.
Sounded ok, wouldn’t relisten.
Excellent
I am in fact in the mood. Great voice
This album is a great example of how a veteran can step into a new era without losing the soul of their sound. It’s got that unmistakable Hooker groove — earthy, steady, and full of character — but wrapped up in a slicker, more collaborative package. There’s a warmth that runs through the whole record, the kind that makes every shuffle and slide feel lived in. Even with the cleaner production, it never drifts too far from the raw power that defines his style. What makes it so enjoyable is how well Hooker’s voice and guitar playing blend with the guests. The title track, with its slow burn and easy rhythm, sets the tone perfectly. His chemistry with Carlos Santana brings a nice spark, and tracks like “I’m in the Mood” and “Baby Lee” show just how effortlessly Hooker can command a song with the smallest gestures. The whole album moves at its own pace, never rushed, letting that blues pulse do all the talking. It’s not the most adventurous or challenging record, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s confident, warm, and easy to slip into, like old denim that still fits perfectly. The Healer is proof that Hooker’s music didn’t just survive into a new decade — it thrived.
Pure Magic! Pleasantly surprised by this one! Added to the rotation.
John Lee Hooker is the man! Very enjoyable album.
I bought this cd when it came out and listened to it a lot in the car when the wife wasn't with me (she didn't like it). Delighted to see it come up today. Thanks!
It's blues legend John Lee Hooker with other great artists. They make each other better. Great classic blues made a little more digestible for the masses. Good stuff.
4/5
It's like hanging out with Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi. Good stuff.
John Lee Hooker was a blues icon before he recorded this record but its success enabled him to reap the rewards of his long career and hard work. The format was repeated a couple of times in the '90's without as much success. It is a good record, but does not match the quality of his earlier work which is vital listening for even casual fans of the blues.
what a treat!! i don’t really like the blues overall but all the collaboration songs really helped this album for me. and even the straight blues ones at the end i enjoyed because i was into that world at that point. and he played with such an honesty as these guys tend to do. one of those albums from this list that i never would’ve heard of otherwise
As soon as I saw the featured artists on this album, with the opener being with Carlos Santana, I knew it would be good. And I wasn’t wrong. Definitely a classic album everyone should have! Listen again: yes! Purchase for my collection: yes! Favourite Song: hard to say but probably the first one.
Own this, not listened to for years. Enjoyed would listen to again. 3 stars for sure, maybe 4
It's a testament to Lee Hooker's status and uniquely poised vocal style that he can be backed by tacky production and yet sound as raw as he does on this blues-pop crossover. Anyway, this one really gets going w/ the Bonnie Raitt duet: the opening track features a particularly thin Santana, even for his very svelte standards. The rest is more than serviceable tho, boasting blues that's...well...bluesy. B/c ultimately, the only way to judge this record is to say that it's somehow both a blues album and an album in possession of a bluesy feel: the real thing and not quite there. It essentially grows into the former tho, concluding w/ a trio of solo tracks that are as good as any in the canon of blues music, even if the final twain border on something else.
good ass blues
Un buen disco de blues. Sonaba en todas las emisoras en los.90. Tiene canciones muy míticas, aunque tambien es verdad que, en comparación con otros discos de hooker, este está algo sobreproducido
Listening to John Lee Hooker is always a pleasure. The hard part I have with this album is he has amazing collaborations. However, the collaborations are with artists who are also amazing which makes this precarious because you can’t appreciate how good the collaboration are without understanding the artist doing them. That said there are some great songs on here with my favorite being the ones that JLH does on his own. My Dream feels authentic and beautiful Rocking Chair is a classic ode to old school Mississippi Delta blues, and you can feel his soul on No Substitute. In so far as the collaborations, I’m in the Mood with Bonnie Raitt And Sally Mae with George Thorogood are my two favorites of those. I’ve owned this album on CD for a long time and I never regretted it. This is definitely a classic and its own right
> the Beatles
I didn't think at first that this would be something I liked, but it was absolutely perfect.
wraio instrumental
often seen as one of the final swan songs for mr. hooker, this album, which has a wide array of special guests is earnest when it comes to blues music... apparently so much that it's earned a grammy. definitely a positive listen for me, after hearing blues albums with the same energy and progressions, this one stands out for its creativity. it's a really nice window when it comes to blues... TRUE blues, from someone who's lived enough to experience it. i see this album as an elder sharing his stories with the young folk, with the intent of keeping these fables circulating for generations.
cant go wrong
I wouldn't say I loved it, but I enjoyed it more than most stuff on this list. Really solid blues. 3.9
ladies and gentleman its CARLOS SANTANA!!! the bluuuuuuEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS
Never listened much to Hooker but this was really solid. I do know his top hit “Boom Boom” but nothing from this album.
Super easy listening to. Maybe look for this in vinyl for Saturday morning coffee on the deck.
When in the mood.
Kind of liked this. Nothing stand out but nothing to hate, just a vibe. It really suited my Wednesday mood.
I think i liked
Very familiar. Great 1st choice.
Amazing voice, some nice guest appearances. Songs were just okay
Kinda fun kinda good
Bluesy but I don't think a 5. I could stand to listen to more of this guy, especially his collaboration with van Morrison as I like his music a lot too
If I were to choose a JLH album, it wouldn't be this one. Still flashes of brilliance.
I love The Blues Brothers, it took me a couple of tracks for the penny to drop that that’s where I recognised JLH from. As for the album itself, I really enjoyed it, some really good Blues guitar on here.
Cool collab album, enjoyed listening. No bad songs.
John Lee Hooker is the man. The collabs on this one are top notch. Great album.
If you ever wanted to say that all blues sounds the same, listen to this album where the true masters came together and made a masterpiece, as far as blues can go. A great album! 4/5
I've been healed
This could easily have all the elements that would turn me off - blues, wheeling out random duets, and some 80s MoR stylings. But somehow it avoids overly-dated production to remain surprisingly tasteful; and it mainly avoids dull blues tropes and it doesn't fall into the chasm of bland blues-rock. Aside from the cracking opener, my highest praise is saved for when everyone else leaves the studio and let's Hooker do his thing. 'Rockin' Chair' feels like a one-take recording of a master at work. As powerful as any other track here, and just down to the elemental bare bones of one man and his beat up acoustic. A great sound. 'No Substitute' sounds like a 12-string. Incredible the way he draws variations out from essentially his one chord. 'My Dream' is superb. A defining later-career album.
Good classic blues. Doesn’t light you on fire, but smooth and easy to listen to.
Bastante bien todo. Buenas colabos, aunque bno conozco a nadie. La voz del cantante me recuerda a la de Mark Knopfler. Bien chill las canciones, me gustan.
A good one
3,5/5 (8 mais pas 6)
Great blues album.
Smoky cool blues
Начало бодренькое и концовка интересная, а середина немного скучновата. Особенно понравилась песня с Бонни Райт. 7 из 10.
Great duets
Very good. Solid riffs
I can't believe I'd never heard of John Lee Hooker. This is a damn good album.
Wonderful heartfelt album, really feels like experiencing a piece of a man’s soul, a journey into his hurt and psychic trauma. Great playing on every track, and a deep rich voice
John Lee Hooker is a Blues ledged. This album is him at his best. Personally, I can't really enjoy Blues for an extended listening period. It always kinda drags after a while. This album was no exception. But that's more of a me problem. I think his duet with Bonnie Raitt was the best thing on the album. Sultry and smooth with that classic blues chord progression that defines the genre. So "I'm in the Mood" will be making it to the 1001 playlist. ~ 4 Stars
Well, this is a pleasant album. It kicks off really well with beautiful guitar work by Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt, as well as Robert Cray. The guest appearance by Canned Heat is typical, but Los Lobos really steals the show. Unfortunately the rets of the album is not so good. The guest appearances by George Thorogood and Charlie Musselwhite are less interesting, and the three songs without guest are a bit of a candle burning out. And the production is really eighties. The singing sounds like it's been recorded in the cathedral of Amiens. Boy, that's bad. Still, overall a good one.
Good listen with excellent artists playing with a legend.
This had some great blues guitar duets.
Many shades of blues, thouroughly enjoyed
This album hit when I listened to it. I haven't listened to much true Blues, but this was definitely enjoyable. The rawness and looseness of the album was refreshing and comforting. I can imagine each instrument only having 1 take to get the track down before settling on it. This includes the vocals. For a genre of music that is much better to listen to live, I felt like this album was able to mimic that experience well. Decent 4
I’m way behind on albums and I wasn’t excited for this one. Blues isn’t really my thing but this record kinda ruled. I really liked the simulated live atmosphere of this record and it wasn’t super long. Top tracks were the one with Bonnie Ratt and also the Los Lobos track. 4/5
Know the artist but didn’t expect Santana and pan flute! Night drive to get moving boxes
good
Wow. Does the blues get any better than this? For me this is awesome.
New album to me and I love it!
It's a really good album. The guest stars were superb as well. Hooker was in his early 70s when he made this album, making it an incredible feat. I hadn't even heard of him before. (Like with many artists here) The song with Canned Heat was the best one. 4 stars for "The Healer".
Enjoyment: 3/5, he can do better. Objectively: 4/5, what a guitarist, and lots of variety.
This project has taught me I like Blues This was a good one and I appreciate how well he created a good, soulful album. He has emotion and quality guitar work.
Several of the songs on this record got a lot of airplay on KSUT, my local public radio station growing up. I especially recall the title track, a bold move for a seasoned bluesman. If I remember correctly, this album helped revitalize John Lee Hooker's career. All of the features on this record are fantastic. "I'm In The Mood" featuring Bonnie Rait and "Think Twice Before You Go" featuring Los Lobos are standouts for me.
The album totally shifted gears after the first song, which was a classic Santana banger. Afterwards the whole record was blues, but it sounded great throughout. Favorites: The Healer
V enjoyable
I’m not usually a fan of collab albums but this one is amazing. John Lee Hooker makes feeling bad feel good. I could listen to his voice all day.
Very into this vibe and the cameos (yes to anything Bonnie Raitt). Listened to it a few times and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Classic Blues by a legend. Lots of collaborations with other great Blues artists. What's not to like?
Fantastic. Great collaborations. Loved it.
Loved this!
An interesting mix of blues which includes his traditional blues style, though some have a much more modern blues sound to them. The title track includes the unmistakable guitar sound of Carlos Santana 4/5
John Lee Hooker was highly influential, but I reckon his earlier albums are better than the ones he made with the blues revivalists. Earlier in this list I had the Hooker'n'Heat double album he made with Canned Heat, which I preferred. Still, it's a strong album. Just not as strong as his records from the 1950s and 1960s.
Spanning generations of the Blues. Terrific collaborations.
I'm excited for this one! Love a good blues record and I haven't spent enough time listening to John Hooker. Even though he's one of the best. So far I love it, two songs in. Love a Bonnie Raitt feature. I think it's cool that he started out the album with a few duets before going in on just playing solo. Hooker has a great voice and he's exactly the one you want to listen to when you're wanting the blues.
banger, great blues album
Had me thumping my foot on the ground and pissing off my wife. A great listen from start to finish, hypnotic one-chord blues album. 8/10.
Good Blues guitar. It’s been done better. Can’t say it is outstanding.
Incredible blues. I just don't care for the blues.
I thought this was rather good. Not something I would listen to all the time. But this had enough depth and complexity to keep me interested throughout the album. Good background music when I’m in the kitchen
Sounds like a legend having a great time with some new friends. I like how understated the production is, it allows John Lee’s organic interactions with his guests shine through. The songs are standard blues fare, with the standouts being the title track and the closer.
Super cool. Could listen all day.
Good music, lots of cool guest artists.
Rambly bluesy stuff, good background
Great way to learn styles of blues, and Hooker smoothly works with each artist’s style. A few songs are too simple/slow for me to give this a perfect score, but it’s more than a four.
Solid blues album.
Good stuff.
Dang this is some really amazing blues. The first half has the energy that I certainly love and the back half settles into the softer side of blues. Lots of great features here as well, especially Santana. Very nearly a 5 here, but the back half lulled just a bit more than I would like. Obligatory David Burt shoutout.
Super bluesy which means it was very good in my book. The first song with Santana was a heater.
Нормальная музыка, с чувством, интересная, не примитивная.
He is a legend, the music is good but not outstanding. A little too smooth on the edges I guess.
I've got to admit, I used to be a certified blues hater. But John Lee Hooker's got exactly what I miss in most blues rock: some incredible, undeniable soul. The features are admittedly a bit all over the place, but that soul just keeps shining through. Mr. Hooker, you have managed to convert a certified blues hater into a certified blues agnostic.
Bluesy!
4.25
The Healer is a soulful, bluesy masterpiece that showcases his iconic sound. It blends Hooker’s raw vocals and smooth guitar with guest artists like Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt. The album pulses with emotion and groove, proving why Hooker remains one of the greatest blues legends. Simple, powerful, and timeless.
A great album of a great musician! It's perfect Hooker and a good step into his work even if it's one of the later albums. I personally missed some highlights but liked it nonetheless.
4/5. Good.
This is a sort of precursor to those albums, like the Johnny Cash ones, where Rick Rubin would remind old artists what they used to sound like by stripping them back to their essentials. Before that, there were a rash of "duets" type albums where older artists proved that they were important, actually, in the hope that younger people engage with their old classic catalogue. I have a very specific memory associated with this album. I remember being on a school trip, on a coach, and I had a Walkman but with these giant professional headphones I had borrowed off my Dad. They were like two round mini speakers you strapped to your head - they would have been very cool if I was a teenager, but as a kid the other children near me on the bus thought they were funny. And then, I guess I hadn't taken into account the extra power drain of these speaker-like headphones, because the Walkman ran out of battery almost immediately. The album I was trying to listen to was this one - or a tape copy on a cassette tape with a box I had covered in muted mustard floral paper which sort of reflected the border on the cover of this album. I haven't listened to this album for years, decades, if that was the last time of listening. And it's quite nice. It's old man John Lee Hooker, being joined by some famous friends in a sort of Jools-Holland-style memorial celebration. The duets are nice enough but I prefer the last few tracks when it is JLH on his own or with minimal accompaniment. So I learnt, listening to this in my pre-teens, was that I should delve back into his earlier catalogue, and so I guess this album did it's job.
👌
When it comes to listening to blues music, even when it's by legends like John Lee Hooker, I've got to be in a state where I'm prepared to just sit down and breathe. Luckily, I was in that exact mood this time around. The blues style is one that excites me and I can usually get some decent mileage out of these records, despite their often repetitive nature. This album, however, does a great job of not being repetitive while still sticking to a fundamental blues style. Say for maybe the opening song with Santana, nothing here feels particularly '80s either, which is cool...the grit, soul, and finesse of classic electric delta blues and country is still very much present. I really liked the big-band-backed 'Think Twice Before You Go' which was one of the more immediate songs here. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a song like 'Rockin' Chair' sounds like an old man sitting on a chair, outside in nature, with his acoustic guitar riffing through his sadness. In fact, the intimate turn on the final few songs may be the best part of this entire album, with my favorite song being 'My Dream' where John sings about that dreadful feeling of dreaming about someone from your past only to then wake up. He does have a way with words, painting the feelings of love and intimacy in a very fundamental and grounded manner. Kick-ass blues music.
Great blues music
I used to go to a blues dive bar because I was poor and the beer was cheap, plus it was right by my parking ramp. There was live music later at night after many beers were had, and it still sucked, and that really sullied my entire blues experience. Plot twist: This is good! It’s smooth and not too baudy, a very nice surprise for a blues naysayer.
Fire Cowboy
An amazing set of collabs as the swan song for one of the fathers of the Chicago blues.
I’ll be honest I only listened to the first few but I had a lovely time
Some decent blues. 3.5 rounded up
-this is pretty good I think. Seems to be an unpopular opinion but I do like the Santana guitar on the first track. This album has some legendary artist features that keep it interesting -i actually prefer the first half or so, after that the songs sorta blended together -Favorites are The Healer, I’m In The Mood, and Baby Lee
Never heard of him but I like his music. Good Blues to listen too.
This is a decent blues album with some nice collaborations. I’m not familiar with Hooker’s other work so can’t say how this compares but I enjoyed this. 4
Sounds a bit like he's doing his Best Of. I mean, the best of John Lee Hooker, it's pretty great, mind. It's where Eric Clapton got a lot of he's tunes from!
I liked this quite a bit. Melancholy but kinda comforting on a pretty bleak day.
This fizzles a little over the course of the album after a strong start, but it's all really grooving and chill so who cares, could have listened to 2-4 more tracks.
Silky smooth blues
I'm always suspicious of careers that are ressurected because of tv commercials but, to be fair, Hooker has paid his dues. He has a unique take on the blues and this unique style is apparent throughout this well recorded, modern take on things. A consistent stab and inoffensive enough for anyone exploring the blues as an overall genre without getting too deep into the intricate historical and geographic differences of different elements of the genre.
I've go the blues, baby.
honestly this was not bad at all. i was skeptical of it but i really came around on it by the end, pretty decent blues. i think this is probably like a 3.75 but i’ll give it a 4
Man I love JLK. He was my first exposure to real Blues music. This album did not disappoint.
Good stuff
Amazed he’s still putting out work. Very good blues album but also just… your standard blues album. Don’t get me wrong - he’s killer. But the redundant melodies in 12-bar blues does leave you lacking at points.
Heard of him but I don't know his music.
The Healer - aaaahhh this is fucken awesome. Immaculate guitar and keyboard work. Love the percussion. Santana is NOT fucken around on this one. Maybe one of the greatest collabs of all time. I'm in the Mood - another great song, nice duet. Blues guitar and bass on point, with a nice guitar solo in the middle Cuttin' out - love the tempo in this one. This'd be good walkin' around music My Dream - really pleasant song in the slower side, very well put together, sometimes less is more Rest of the album is pretty good, but it kinda blends together a bit. Good blues guitar all round. Consistently powerful vocals.
An overall solid blues album. Favorite track: "The Healer."
Quality! Love the inclusion of Carlos Santana!!
I'm not a big blues fan in general, but really enjoyed this. Don't recall ever listening to John Lee Hooker before, but I know his legend status. The first two songs here are very good, but I found those in the middle a bit dull. However, he then comes back with a trio of great solo songs to close the record. This gets bonus points for its production value as well, really sets it apart. Sounds fantastic on headphones.
Brilliant. It's not often that you come across a record that is so pure in its genre. This is 100% authentic Delta Blues. It's 100% American music at its finest. I love that this is not trying to be anything other than what it is. And what it is, is beauty, love, pain, trial, agony, joy all wrapped up into a few songs. Simple instruments and vocals, but it bends and howls and moans like the blues should. Its perfect. I love the bluesy guitar licks. His voice is so sincere. The collaborating artists just make it even more fun and adds to that tradition of folk and blues music being communal and familial. I think my favorite song on the record is No Substitute. The open tuning on his guitar is so raw and powerful. Then he uses his strings as percussion near the end, which is really really fun and raw. I loved this record.
Great blues album. Guy was in his 70s when he made this! Favorite track: the healer other picks: in the mood, baby lee, think twice before you go