The Healer

I was a little bit excited for this, but it turned out to be a clunker. Horrible production and too many guests.

Incredible groove. Sometimes albums that pair underappreciated musicians from a prior generation with a cast of contemporaries fails to hold together, but this is an exceptional album. I’m in the Mood with Bonnie Raitt is the standout but many other great songs.

3/5

I was getting ready to not like this because of all the collabs and didn’t seem genuine to me for some reason. Up on my high horse saying true jazz needs suffering and the commercialization isn’t the real deal. I listened to it… it’s friggin John Lee Hooker!!! Of course it’s good

got a good vibe

I mean, as names go, that's certainly one of them... Good guitar work. Pleasant blues music. 3,5/5

Wouldn't listen again but very good. The Santana song is a clasic tho

artwork is just ash baby grown up 1st track is great, rest is whatever

This guy kinda sounds like Jimi Hendrix Cool blues album. Nothing I’d revisit in full probably, but it’s well made

I was disappointed at how slow and drugs out this was. Bummer. 2.5

Fantastic. Great collaborations. Loved it.

I dont mind the odd Blues track Boom Boom Boom Boom but they all sound a bit samey and got tedious on this album.

The first track was not a good opener but settled into what I had hoped for with In the Mood.

Loved this!

Kind of boring, frankly. Trying to reach a mass audience in the 80s was a losing game.

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.

It was fine

Great vibes later in the album but awful 80s production dude...

Spanning generations of the Blues. Terrific collaborations.

It’s just blues but pretty pleasant blues

Pretty cool

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

Kiedy słucham bluesa to mam wrażenie że nie mam z tymi ludźmi nic wspólnego. O czym mielibyśmy rozmawiać, gdybyśmy się spotkali? Ta płyta ma sporo występów gościnnych i jest nieco rozmyta, ale nadal jest bluesem, czyli czymś co ani mnie ziębi ani grzeje. 5/10

I think there's a certain class of straight person and/or guitar fan that likes his work. For everyone else, this album is a slog.

Going into this album I was not familiar with John Lee Hooker at all. I had never heard his music before so I had no idea what I was in for. And I really enjoyed the music. The instruments are all so sharp and clean. You can hear everything it’s so clean. And the production and number of musical celebrity guests is crazy! Bonnie Raitt, Santana, George Thorogood, just to name a small few. My only problem with this album (and it’s a big one) I don’t really like John’s voice. He doesn’t have a voice with a great presence and there’s not a lot of diversity to his vocals. Honestly this album is worth your time and if you are a blues fan, this is an essential album. But honestly the guests and instrumentation wasn’t enough to make up for the lack of vocal charisma.

I do not begrudge John Lee Hooker for selling out like this, he is a blues legend and I'm fine with him securing his retirement funds. However, I do not see the point of adding this album to the list in favour of some of his classic stuff. 2⭐️

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.

If you're really into blues, this is probably a classic. It gets a bit too repetitive for my tastes, though.

A bit bland and generic 80s sounding for me. Not really proper JKH to be fair. OK so his retirement was sorted with this one and it was probably a big lovefest collaborating with all the other musos but it’s still BORING!!

I like the blues. I really like the blues. This is not really the blues, and it’s clearly demonstrated on the opener, a collaboration with Carlos Santana, which basically becomes a Santana song. Also, the 80s production really does everything dirty. When this finished Spotify served me some Muddy Waters, and that really showed up how un-blues like this album actually is. It’s not bad, but I’m sure it has to be towards the bottom of John Lee Hooker’s quality.

John Lee Hooker and guests make me happy to sing the blues. This album is a true work of art.

Not my style, but not a bad little blues album. There's some clear signs of this being produced in the late 80's that are a little distracting, but overall it's not something I'd be against listening to again.

This was fine .I think I just don't care for the blues. It all sounds the same, which it a pretty dumb thing for me to say. I'm just not interested. 2.25/5

Like this is good blues but... eh I don't get blues, maybe aside from Robert Johnson...

Pretty good

pretty good but not rlly big on this genre

4/10 - It was not very fun to listen to. I was kind of bored the whole time. His voice was so deep but not interesting.

I kinda liked it. I think learning about blues and how important it was in class has helped me appreciate the genre more

Good Blues guitar. It’s been done better. Can’t say it is outstanding.

Nice and relaxing, time just flew by

non è malvagio, molto caldo e graffiante, ma nemmeno memorabile

Smooth

Helt solid elektroniskt blues album, underhållande men inget speciellt

I like the blues, but this album is a snoozefest. Not terrible but I’ll never listen again.

I’m sure he has much better stuff, and his once in a lifetime talent shines through. liked this a lot more than I thought I would bc of my history with listening to a LOT of mediocre blues

Fine, not much going on

Oof

Blues but didn't give it enough attention myself

Incredible blues. I just don't care for the blues.

Add another corpse to the pile of recent disappointments...

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

Ja, ja - Blues. Nix für mich.

Ça commence très fort avec l’association du blues et des solos interminables et énervants de Santana. Cheesy et passionnant comme une musique d’attente d’un club de musique un peu ringard... Formidable -_- Sinon c’est du blues où il passe son temps à chanter qu’il a le blues. Il finit même par y avoir un peu de souffrances sur certains solos et certaines notes criardes. Cette histoire des 1001 albums m’aura amené à découvrir de nouvelles choses et à l’inverse confirmé quelques certitudes, la principale étant que je hais le blues de toutes mes forces.

Average at best, boring in general. I think I usually like blues albums, but something here just didn't click for me. Not even Santana can fix it.

Good sound. Like the blues

no es para mi

That first song with Santana...whew, that was nice. Also liked the George Thorogood feature. I'm not really the biggest blues guy, so I found the rest of the album just ok. Solidly a 3 in my book though.

I really don't understand why this album made the list. It's not horrible but it's certainly not a must-listen when there are thousands of other albums out there. The Healer sounds like "on hold" music. It's not something I'd rush to turn of, and it was pleasant enough, but I don't care if I hear it again

A solid wistful blues album with exceptional guest artists. I'm In The Mood and Substitute are 2 really good songs.

Couple good jams and hooks. Nothing mind-blowing.

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.

Here's my problem with this album: the songs are good, the mood is right, and the instrumental part serves the album's purpose (whatever that may be) well. Although everything works in favor of the album, in the end, it becomes forgettable. It's as if I forgot about the album even minutes after listening to it. Again, the songs aren't bad, but I think what's missing here is that something that keeps me hooked on the album.

Super cool. Could listen all day.

This album feels very safe and calculated for most of the time. It's very well produced and polished, which kinda ruins blues for me. Ideally it should be driven by emotions and lacking in polish, coming together naturally. And reading about the album, it was very much the plan to drag in as many guests as possible to help him reach a wider audience. I'm not mad that it apparently worked in his favor, but no matter how well arranged the songs are or how much talent there is making the music, there's nothing here that pulls me in and makes me want to listen to it over and over. I'll have to dig into his earlier stuff at some point, I suspect it'll be more rewarding to listen to.

Good music, lots of cool guest artists.

I guess the purists will hate it for the collaborations and for the lack of authentic Hooker. The casual listener in me enjoyed it. I guess I know enough of early Hooker to see where it is coming from and probably I'd prefer the authentic to this.

3.5

Rambly bluesy stuff, good background

Rating: 6/10 The first two songs are amazing, the rest of this was just decent blues.

Yes!!!

John Lee Hooker with aseptic 80s production and collaborators, kicking off with Santana rhythms and smoothness. The album you didn't know you needed. Because you didn't need it. It's the blues album your parents may have, who have zero time for blues music otherwise.

Legendary blues. This album captures all the emotions of the genre: love, regret, hope, mourning, and strength.

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.

A couple fine songs. Mostly boring.

Boring except for the first song

The namesake sounds very 80s with the keywork and the flute sound that was copped directly from Gabriel's Sledgehammer. Even so, its hard to argue with Santana's always satisfying guitar work -- really saves the show IMO. Baby Lee plays sort of like an interlude -- never really goes anywhere, but also is a nice space filler. My Dream is really nice on the back half of the album. Laid back and pretty with the guitar work. Fine, but ultimately forgettable for me. Blues *can* do it for me, but this was mostly on the sleepy end of the spectrum. Most likely won't be back for another listen. I'm somewhere between a high 2 and low 3. Erring low, because I really feel nothing after a single listen.

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.

Not my favorite from the blues genre. It had that 80s production on some of the early songs I noticed. Did enjoy a lot of the collabs and there were a bunch. High 3 as nothing really stood out too much but was still enjoyable.

Solid blues 3.5

Нормальная музыка, с чувством, интересная, не примитивная.

INTERESTING

John Lee Hooker was one of the all time great blues musicians, without a doubt. However, this album featuring contributions from Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt and Los Lobos didn’t really grab me. It felt a little bit too polished and well produced, and left me yearning for the rough and ready sound of Hooker’s early recordings. However, he was in his 70s when this was released, so you can’t really begrudge the old fella his pension plan.

He is a legend, the music is good but not outstanding. A little too smooth on the edges I guess.

First track sort of comically misleading. Overall the collaborators do a pretty good job of not ruining John Lee Hooker's blues, but it does pick up a lot when the guests go away. Worth a listen just for these last three tracks. 2 stars for the first track, 3 stars for the middle, 4 stars for the last three.

I’m sure there’s a lot of John Lee Hooker that I’d like more. Does he have a whole album with Santana, for example? (Just kidding, I would like that less)

Trop blues à mon goût, trop de wahwah dans la voix. 3/10

Like a lot of blues, sometimes less is more. I like the genre but due to its nature it can get repetitive quick. Love some good blues riffs and this album has it in spades, and Santana, so points for that. It just gets to be too much by the end of it, great guest spots though.

Look… I’m just not going to become a fan of the Blues. It’s just boring and uninteresting to me. But this album had Santana and Los Lobos so that bumps it up a star from my usual 2 for Blues

Surprisingly boring blues music with lots of decorative guest stars

This is a hell of a good album. I understand the criticisms - That its a collaboration or that its over-produced - and they're valid. Thing is, even with any negative stuff taken into account, its still a hell of a good album. 5/5

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.

Really nice after the 80s pop

Classic JLH with some great collaborations

John Lee Hooker and a bunch of all-star bands. Right artist ... wrong album.

This is exactly the kind of blues music I don't like from the 70's and 80's. It lacks the grit of early blues music with too much shine, and it reduces it to something that feels like the blues' version of elevator jazz. There are some impressive guests on this album, but if I ever want to listen to blues music, I'm going to listen to much older stuff, stuff made to sound more like older blues, or listen to more avant garde/experimental blues stuff.

Not much memorable here. Lots of good features but nothing that particularly stands out. Just bang average blues. 5.25/10 (2.625/5)

Most of this is exactly the kind of blues that I find super boring.

Sorry, the blues just ain't my thing. The title track with Santana was pretty interesting and some of the grooves in other songs were good, but I am just not into the blues.

Album has more collaborations than the average Gorillaz album. And with tracks like the title track it works really well as it encompasses what you want in a Santana song, you seriously cannot deny this one is good. You also get ones like baby lee which just sound really cool with it’s drumming. I’m in the mood is also a very interesting collaboration. But the problem with blues is that there is honestly only so much you can do. The genre started in the 1800’s and this is 1989, that combined with the fact that blues by nature is generally a restrictive genre, it makes it very difficult to remain interesting. Also this is a super late career album for John lee hooker. It’s an album I believe in theory should have the odds against it so having something kinda good here warrants it’s inclusion. Thing is though I just prefer my blues rockier and not a full album. I respect the fuck out of this one 3/5

I wonder if the guest musicians were as bored as me. Basic blues, too basic. 2.75

Bluesy!

4.25

Blues

not really my style

Noice...

old blues hero & friends

Very cool from start to finish. JLH slays at 73 years old and each featured artist adds a little something but without taking the stage away from him.

I like this very much, but the thing about the blues to me is that it really sounds like the same track, over and over.

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.

I've never been a fan of collaboration albums. The Healer features several well known musicians who side themselves and pay tribute to a true Blues legend. I don't have a problem with this concept, it does give extra exposure for the fans of the musicians to Hooker and it adds to the cred and acknowledgement of his influence in their music. With the collaborations, the music of John Lee Hooker gets watered down and it's more a Bonnie Raitt or Carlo Santana performance, with Hooker putting in an appearance than a true duet. The songs are okay, but an old 73 year old Hooker is not "prime Hooker" and fans should seek out his influential and essential works from decades past.

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.

Is Mr Hooker a preacher in his day job? Not offensive but not for me!

Did not grab me

What a refreshing take on blues. I find I can only listen to blues in short bursts because it starts to get naturally repetitive, but the guest appearances on each song keep things varied and interesting. The guitar work from both John Lee Hooker and others is particularly excellent. The solo tracks strike a different tone, but it's a nice change of pace from the rest if the album. Overall very entertaining

Good album. Felt there was probably better from JLH tho.

Fantastic blues album! From the first listen it's approachable and the music is enjoyable. Safe for family car ride.

Old timer doing his thing but with modern recording, production and collaborators - great! Easy 5

I didn’t even know they made blues albums in the 1980’s, let alone near the 90’s. I am not familiar with John Lee Hooker or his music. From what I could gather this is pretty late into his career, and was successful enough to provide him with money for his late years. To be real, I agree that the most common problem is that there are too many songs that contains a special guest that doesn’t really amount to anything. I don’t really hear Los Lobos on Think Twice Before You Go and there is no sign of George Thorogood on Sally Mae. (Though for me personally, that’s a good thing) The only guests that work are The Healer with Carlos Santana and I’m in the Mood with Bonnie Raitt. These actually feel like they add to their respective songs. As for the rest of the album… I don’t know, dude. It’s a typical blues album where most of the songs have a similar vibe for its duration. The 80’s production is hit-or-miss and I found myself drifting into boredom too often. This was honestly only ok. Two stars feels harsh, so I give it three. Favorite track: The Healer Other hits: I’m in the Mood, Think Twice Before You Go, Cuttin’ Out, The last 3 songs where John plays alone (Rockin’ Chair, My Dream, No Substitute)

Sounds bland, I am sorry, felt bored half way in. I liked the first 2, 1.5 stars. I'll round up to 2 stars tho cause I don't think it deserves a 1 star.

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.

Limited variety across the tracks, though still a good listen

I feel like this is not the most representative work from Hooker to have on the list. That does not mean I'm surprised it's on here.

Good stuff. Solid blues from an expert.

Top tier string pluckin’. Sick voice.

Realizing the more I get blues albums back to back that they’re just not for me. Another solid blues album. Standouts: The Healer, Think Twice Before You Go, and My Dream.

Blues with good guests santana bonnie raitt george thorogood and more

Hooker, Raitt, Santana, Thorogood, all on one album? Yes please! A work of genius, by a legend of the game

Solid blues but nothing spectacular

If you've ever wondered what a blues album would sound like with the reverb-drenched '80s production style, this album is your chance to experience that. In a word, the glossy production feels antithetical to the blues. The "perfect" production makes the music lose grit, and feel pre-packaged. However, the production does lend the album a unique sound. As for the music, the performances, both from JLH and his guests, are excellent, and only a few of the songs overstay their welcome. That said, it's diffcult to give this album more than three stars given the plethora of much better blues albums out there.

🎧Solid, somewhat boring at times blues record

5/10

I thought I just hated British white boys playing blues, but I guess I just don't fundamentally understand what I'm supposed to like? I understand there's an emotional aspect but man the music is just so basic. First few songs were ok. I guess. Clearly he has an influence on rock. Especially British rock of the 70s but man. Kinda don't understand.

The best song was The Healer. I really liked Cuttin' Out as well.

👌

1/5

Not my cup of tea really. Bit 70s folky stuff. 4/10

Blues done right. Great collaborations.

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.

I didn't know original Bluesman John Lee Hooker produced this late in his career, but the stories surrounding it are heartwarming. A man that changed music finally getting the recognition he deserves with a stellar lineup of guests and styles.

Great blues music

I like John Lee Hooker, but I didn't really like this album. I prefer him without other artists that dilute his power.

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.

Not for me

Some of it worked, some of it didn't. An interesting experiment that was novel at the time but kind of out of style by today's standards. Still decent enough to earn a passing grade.

Nichts sagendes Blues-Album, dass durch einige Gastauftritte (z.B. Santana) aufgewertet wurde. Insgesamt überzeugt keiner der Albumtitel. Schade um die Zeit.

Elevator blues and jazz for the first song, but everything else on the 1st side was pretty good. 2nd side falls off, but the last two songs are a nice subtle goodbye. Overall solid.

It's basically the template of Santana's Supernatural from a decade later (Hooker + another artist/band). Well-produced but it's not really my type of music. Highlights: "The Healer" (interesting juxtaposition between the Latin grooves of Santana and Hooker's deep bluesy voice), "Cuttin' Out" (Canned Heat plays a cool chugging boogie)

not my vibe, opening track was good though

Tof blues album op zich. Zijn oudere albums zijn beter, maar deze is ook wel oké. Toffe collaborations en heerlijk vettige solo's. 3.1

enjoyable

Fire Cowboy

Just straight up blues. One of the best at it.

An amazing set of collabs as the swan song for one of the fathers of the Chicago blues.

Wel chille blues

Decent blues sound, not the biggest fan of his voice.

I love the collaborations on this album. Great guitar skills. 10/10

Talkin’ old man sellout blues

I’m skeptical that this record, which is, at times, over-produced and brimming with 80’s sheen, is the John Lee Hooker record you need to hear before you die, but it was still pretty alright.

I’ll be honest I only listened to the first few but I had a lovely time

I don’t know JLH at all but I imagine this album isnt representative of the man. Most of the album is collaborations and I can’t really hear any bluesy musings which defeats the point a bit. That said it was an enjoyable album, just seems a strange choice for this list 3/5

Laid back, easy going listen however doubt I’d rush back to it

This made me really sleepy, not necessarily in a bad way, it's all very soothing. I think Hooker's voice was created at the beginning of time with the universe, it's one of those things that has always been among the fabric of the world. So soothing, I need naps.

There is only so much Blues music I can handle on one album, and this is too much. The Healer is probably the best track, but the remaining began to wash into one another. 2.5/5

Somehow this album is a Grammy Award winner!? Don’t waste your time, seek out his earlier work instead.

We played at a blues festival on the Isle of Wight and after the gig there was a late night Jam session and it basically sounded exactly like this for about four hours. I went to bed after 10 minutes because it sounded exactly like this but I could hear it downstairs for a long time after and it was just as dull as this is

Some decent blues. 3.5 rounded up

Pretty standard blues for the era. Only song that really stands out from the rest of the album is the title track and that's entirely because of the Santana feature, he just comes out and punches you in the face as if to say "Hey! Santana is here!". The rest of the features do bring that artists' signature touch, but none of them as prominent as Santana's signature guitar tone and band. All in all, this album is just okay, nothing spectacular, just middle of the road blues.

So beautiful melodically yummy

-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

Not a huge fan of blues but good tunes

Nice and bluesy, I enjoyed this

Some nice tracks like Sally Mae and I’m In The Mood. Rest is ok 3/5

Never heard of him but I like his music. Good Blues to listen too.

Ok

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

I'd listened to a different album of his before and it was much more interesting than this one. This feels extremely washed out, boringly so. The opening track with Santana was the only interesting one. I'm not a big fan of blues, but I've heard better blues than this. 2.5 stars

not too much of a fan.

I'm not a big fan of blues so maybe I couldn't appreciate this album. To me it was just background music, nothing special. Nothing wrong with it but I wouldn't listen again

I like the blues, this didn’t especially grab me.

John Lee is a lot better solo than with the dorky collabs.

i dont believe that i am about it.

So good love John Lee Hooker great music

Yikes. I did not like this. What the fudge is this album doing on this list? John Lee Hooker is a legend, and there are many great artists on this album, but this album sounded so freakin’ ‘80s in the worst possible way.

Fine, not great. I think when he’s able to do his own thing it’s better than when other artists collaborate.

Boy, did I not like the opening track. The rest of the album was run of the mill electric blues. Nothing remarkable. I know Hooker can get up to 4 and 5 stars, but he didn’t in this album. The rest of it was at a 3, though.

You can call me a purist or a music snob or whatever, but I'm really not a fan of albums where practically every track is feat. another artist, especially when they "feature" 80s production values and especially (X2) when other original (brilliant) recordings by the artist are overlooked. To be fair, as a sort of tribute album, it's ok and John Lee Hooker sounds great, but there's a nagging feeling he's just going through the motions and taking the pay check (after filming the rather lame video "featuring" Bonnie Rait). Maybe it's just me, but I always thought the blues was supposed to be about authenticity and complaining about how shit everything is. Ps this won a Grammy, which perfectly summed up the future of the music industry, then and now.

Love John Lee, but this felt overproduced and by virtue lost it's edge. Weird with music but smoothing out all the bumps and cleaning doesnt make it better. Not up to the raw screaming and screetching we normally get.

On balance the collaborations seemed to detract from rather than enhance this album - the first track was terrible. Seemed to be milking the name a bit too much, there's better blues and better JLH albums to choose from

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!

Grandiose, and boringly so! Why this is the only JLH album on the 1001 list? Something like Urban Blues is a much better showcase.

I liked this quite a bit. Melancholy but kinda comforting on a pretty bleak day.

this was mostly pretty boring

This was satisfying to listen to, but a lot of it sounded the same. It was really well put together though.

this was: fine

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.

Hmm honestly I think this album seemed like random to me again for some reason I couldn’t understand its significance and it more or less just passed by.

These collab albums always irk me, even (especially?) for a legend like Hooker. For a modern comparison we had that Beyonce album that had nearly 100 people who worked on / co-wrote the album. So...truly, whose album is it anyways? Obviously this one seems different but is it really? An attempt to modernize or 80s-gloss-up what was one of the ~3 most influential true blues artists of the 20th century... this should have been right in my righteous teenaged wheelhouse at the time but wasn't. Feels a bit wrong to slam this one but I mostly hate it, although full disclosure: it does get a ton better after the first half - I love his voice and while/as he's singing I enjoy it but the sterilized and impersonal juxtaposition of the rest of the recording/band/mix makes it a bit ridiculous. Also I don't want to hear fking Carlos Santana - dude you have your own band - the first track is clearly a Santana song with JLH vocals. Should that matter? Probably not. But I don't like it. On the real-life positive side, I know this finally made JLH financially comfortable after a long live in the business so I begrudge him nothing. Best songs: "Sally Mae" / "That's Alright" - feels like this is the way he should be presented (even though admittedly it could get boring with 40 minutes of this). Actually I should interrupt and check my rant - the entire 2nd half is legit. In general I don't really love much raw music but actual/pure blues kinda has to be that way. Despite the better 2nd half of the album, the first half turned me right off - give me his early recordings. 5/10 2 stars.

A collaboration on which a past his prime blues legend is supported by a cast of radio friendly, easily recognizable names whose purpose seems to be mostly restricted to helping move units. Of course Santana would go on to replicate the formula years later on Supernatural. Though the music ain't bad, this ain't the one.

This is about as blues as blues gets. I don’t know if it’s a controversial take or not, but I often like blues when it’s combined with something else. To listen to a full album of it in its most pure form isn’t really my cup of tea. Everything is pretty solid here, regardless. And I can at least respect it on an artistic level. The collaborations are strong, particularly ‘I’m In The Mood’ with Bonnie Raitt, ‘Cuttin’ Out’ and Canned Heat. The three solo tracks that end the LP are also worth checking out. The problem for me is that things just sort of blend together as the album goes on. I seem to have had very little reaction to ‘The Healer’. It just kind of zipped by and I was left underwhelmed. Totally get why people would like it, but it’s not really my vibe at all. As I said above, I like blues when it’s fused to something else. But I find it hard to get through when it’s the only flavour on offer. An appreciative 3/5.

Silky smooth blues

I do not begrudge John Lee Hooker for selling out like this, he is a blues legend and I'm fine with him securing his retirement funds. However, I do not see the point of adding this album to the list in favour of some of his classic stuff.

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).

Irrespective of collaboration life’s still too short for 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

Pre-listening thoughts: looking at this album on Spotify + browsing some reviews of it I can see there are a ton of collaborations. I worry that the collaborations will ruin any potential for cohesiveness throughout the album. Like they could be really great but it could sound very disjointed Post/during listening thoughts: help Santana is sooo clear on the first track. The melody on this first track is very freeform and the production is VERY 80s. Without a set structure, the first track sort of just meanders on for a long time it feels. Here is my issue with Blues music - as good as it can be, it can be SO repetitive because most songs follow a 12 bar blues form with little variation. I wish the melodies were a little more solid and I wish there was a little more variation in sound here 4/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nope Fav tracks: I’m in the Mood Least fav tracks: none in particular but I wish most of these were more concise and shorter

Can’t go wrong with a bit of classic blues

It’s reminding me of Glen Iris, Camberwell and the club 571 days

Man I love JLK. He was my first exposure to real Blues music. This album did not disappoint.

Maybe worth a second chance

This sounded like Bonnie Raitt, Santana, and friends were in the middle of doing a JLH tribute album when the man wandered in on the sessions. Most of the side 1 tracks feature the guests way more prominently than Hooker (hell, on the title track we have Santana off on his second guitar solo before Hooker even starts singing). Odd choice. Gets way better on the non-"featuring" tracks on side 2.

This ain’t it. Gonna give it a 2 out of respect

I just don’t love blues. Nothing against John!

Liked the idea of this, was excited for the collaborators (Canned Heat!), but this was just so-so.

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.

Albumi #25, 21.08.2024 Blues-artisti John Lee Hooker on myöskin tuttu vain nimestään joten ensikuuntelu herran tuotantoon on tämä. "The Healer" sisältää 7/10 yhteistyökappaletta muiden artistien kanssa ja vain 3 täysin omaa esitystä. Canned Heat fiittaus "Cuttin' Out" oli mielestäni albumin parhaimmistoa. Muutoin levy oli pääosin melko vetelää bluesfiilistelyä eikä siten ollut mun juttu.

Heard of him but I don't know his music.

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.

The Healer (of my insomnia lol) Wow this one was a letdown for me, I was excited to finally see some blues on this list but good lord nothing here stood out... ...With the exception of that first song with Carlos Santana holy shit the title song is a legitimate 5/5 track, it's pretty cheesy but I love the atmosphere it sets, the way it just introduces different elements of sound throughout its opening really set this apart and left me hoping this album would have more tracks like this that really sought to stretch what they could do with the genre. Though you could even argue this was a Santana song that Hooker was featured on, given this is the guest track that felt the most heavily influenced from its guest attraction. As it turns out, everything else in this album is just adequate, perfectly listenable but nothing standout and nothing I really think I would go out of my way to listen to again. The last 2 tracks are probably the only other ones I would say I really enjoyed. I was surprised with myself for having such a harsh reaction to this album, and wanted to give myself a bit more of a perspective on it. So I took a bit of a look at the history of this album and listened to some of Hookers other songs. While I couldn't name him off the top of my head I had heard plenty of his songs and he is certaintly a terrific musician. From what I read the accolades this album receives feel more like legacy praise than an apprection of this album in particular. A way to acknowledge someone who was overlooked in the past and compensate for their lack of recognition. A recent example of this would be Jamie Lee Curtis' win as a supporting actress in the 2023 Oscar season. Regrettably it seems that Hookers other albums (like so many others) were cut from this list because the editors were on an Elvis Costello/David Bowie/Morrissey binge, so I will not be able to give praise to the work that I actually enjoyed (I hope I'm mistaken). Standouts The Healer: ***** My Dream: **** No Substitute: **** 1/2

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.

i don't have much to say on this album, i feel like it's just here because the carlos santos feature is in and that was a big single. otherwise, there's a lot better blues albums out there and this isn't even one of hooker's top three. idk. it's alright blues, just nothing mind-blowing with how amazing some of the releases out there are.

I wonder why this was chosen from all of John Lee Hookers fairly prolific discography. I can’t really identify any of the tracks on this one as being big hits. Some really big names featuring here. Very surprised to see Carlos Santana on the opening track. This album doesn’t have any bad songs per say, just none that really stand out for me. I would have enjoyed this album more if I was drunk as fuck in a dark, dirty dive bar where you can smoke inside.

First off, not a massive blues listener, but this immediately to me sounded like fuck jams. While I probably won't listen to this album again by myself, Mr Hooker obviously is very talented and I certainly was able to appreciate it was quite good. I will definitely put this album on next time I take a strange woman home from Honky Tonks.

A serviceable, and good Blues album that tends to ebb towards generic. On my first listen I thought it was super middle heavy, on a second listen I realised it's a lot more spread out and there's some songs especially towards the start that I didn't give enough credit. A good album that could use a touch more eccentricity 7/10 Fav tracks - All -2 Least Fav - My Dream

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.

A really solid blues album. All of the collaborations here have enough of John Lee Hooker to make them distinct solo songs and enough from the guest artists to make them unique. Enjoyed the whole album apart from Rocking Chair, which I felt dragged on a little. The standouts here are definitely the title track, Cuttin' Out, My Dream and No Substitute. Listened to this three times in a row when I put it on after work and this will definitely be getting more spins. Before this I had never heard of John Lee Hooker but noticing the featuring artists I knew this would be something good. Listening to his other works after a few listens of this made me realise that his earlier work certainly has more energy and sounds less like it was made to be the ambient music in a piece of southern gothic media. I very reluctantly give this a 3, it would be a 4 if it had a bit more energy and didn't drag heavily on certain songs. I really enjoyed this album but I can't give it a higher rating out of good faith. Having said that, this album is making me realise that I need to broaden my horizon with blues music beyond artists with the last name King.

Harmittaa antaa John Lee Hookerille "vain" kolmonen, mutta repertuaarista löytyisi paljon parempaakin. Tämä on liian sliipattu kokonaisuus ja tungettu ihan liian täyteen collab-vetoja.

I definitely like good Blues music - just no too much and not too slow. This is good.

not the first time i was left disappointed by a hooker

An overall solid blues album. Favorite track: "The Healer."

So decent blues is better than no blues but The Healer is only average really, it's a perfectly ordinary listen that struggles to come together well because it's so collaborative. Every guest on a track gets the style slanted towards them and it doesn't work as an album, especially when JLH's own work isn't special by any means. The track with George Thorogood was my favourite as I've long been a fan of his, but there's better blues out there and it's still annoying there's no Gary Moore on this list. A low 3.

This was decent, relatively easy listening, but not a lot more than that. Doesn't feel like an album of disconnected collaborations by a blues legend well past his best should really make this list, to be honest, it's quite disjointed. Interesting in places, but really not out of the top drawer. 2/5, should do better. 

Chilled Blues

Quality! Love the inclusion of Carlos Santana!!

One cool dude

I was stoked when this came up. John Lee Hooker is a legend and a true OG of Delta Blues. I was super disappointed to find this album was from 1989 and not from the 60s, and even more disappointed to find that almost every other track featured a collaboration with a popular artist at the time. This is a poor representation of a great musician. This is overly produced and each song sounds way to heavily influenced by the sound of the featured artist. Just give me the straight stuff from the 60s.

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.

sounds like something my grandma would listen to. really slow... not my thing 2/5 maybe if i was really in the mood for it, or older.

pleasant

Allt í lagi lullarablús.

Started quite well, but the middle and end were pretty similar. Not bad, just not amazing. Standout songs: The Healer Im in the Mood

I really enjoy blues records and this one is pretty decent but I feel like blues really benefits from a more raw, and energetic production. It almost feels too clean. I think it would be better if it sounded a little more like a live album.

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.

A weird album.

I like his voice, and thought some of the guests he brought on were cool. I'm not mad on blues generally, but this was reasonably enjoyable

It just seems like this should be heard live in some honky tonk smoky bar.

Good album that starts off just right, “The Healer” just draws you in first with John’s voice followed by Santana’s unmistakable guitar. JLH has always struck me as the refined elder statesman of the Blues. If Muddy was all gritty swagger and Howlin’ Wolf was “scare the shit out of you” high energy, Hooker kinda sneaks up on you. He’s in between; the almost gentlemanly Blues Icon. And that works, especially when he’s paired with other all-star talent that he engages with and makes space for their contributions. It’s good, sometimes great music…but it ain’t at the extremes like you get with the other two. Turns out I like visiting the cozy suburbs, but it’s in the hood, in the ghetto with the outliers like Muddy and Wolf, that’s where I want to live.

Collaborations with many contemporaneous musicians. Some work, some don’t. The cheesy 80’s sound of the first track is difficult to listen to.

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

Good album, but I can't help but feel like it would have been better with fewer features.

Blues

I just didn’t vibe with this. I can definitely hear the talent, and there’s a great roster of guests, but it bored me. This is one of the albums where I understand why it’s on the list; I just don’t care for it.

Not really my thing

That was alright.

Who knew the blues had any kind of presence in the late 80’s? This was great. It definitely carried the feel of “boomer music,” reminding me of more commercial blues my parents probably ate up at the time and for years after. But in that way it was a little nostalgic and honestly kind of fun. There are some excellent guests on here, too, and they do add something to the production. They’re not just there for album sales. They felt like legit collaborations. Overall I had a fun time with this, but I don’t see it sticking in my head as anything other than that. Four stars. Standout Tracks: The Healer, I’m In the Mood, Think Twice Before You Go, That’s Alright, Rocking Chair, My Dream

The song with Santana to start the album sounded like more Santana, featuring John Lee Hooker instead of the other way around, which made me question what this album was going to be like. Luckily, the rest of the album was more in the style of John Lee Hooker I had listened to before. Overall a decent album. Not sure how much I'd listen to it again though.

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!

Pretty solid.

I like the blues. I like John Lee Hooker. I like all of the artists that collaborated on this album. I can see why this is a Grammy winning album for someone on the back end of their career. But it's missing the soul of a delta backwoods roadhouse Saturday night, with its spilled beer and smoke and sweat and life being lived. I'll' take vintage John Lee from his Boom Boom days over this every day of the week.

I'm not a fan of these post-career reaffirmation albums. You know, the ones that take a celebrated artist that was not afforded the acclaim they deserved at the height of their career, but was 'discovered' again and trotted out to collaborate with a bunch of acolytes that have been carrying his torch. This album does not belong on the list for John Lee Hooker's sake. There's plenty that he did that should be recognized. Heck, if it's a Blues album, they're better iterations that fit the category than this poor example of a once great bluesman playing ham-hocked chords and repeating the same line over and over. They would have been better off bringing the same great musicians and playing old John Lee Hooker songs. A begrudging 2.5 for the great John Lee Hooker.

good album not 80's at all. I'm reading Hooker has much better albums though! not in the list apparently.

Enjoyed this new-to-me artist!

Ok maybe I don’t get blues. I get sad enough but fuck this made me sadder. This album has some great musicians involved and it still managed to feel uninspired and flaccid. Yea, it was fine but it just felt lazy as fuck. Terrible effort 2 stars

this was pretty good, killer vibes.

This was a good first time listen. I'm a John Lee Hooker fan and appreciate some of the tracks in this album including The Healer, That's Alright, and the mellow heartfelt No Substitute.

lots of fine colla"blue"rations! Get them blues in ya.

I'd never heard of John Lee Hooker so nice to get something genuinely new. Not really my kind of music but the guitar playing is quite nice. My favourite tracks (The Healer, Think Twice Before You Go) are probably the ones which sound most out of place which is not a great review for an album, really

It’s fine. I actually like blues, but this gets repetitive at some point. The three last songs are the most interesting because he is on his own Props to Bonnie Raitt. Her voice is amazing

Blues with lots of features

Supreme guitar and singers!

there are so many great hooker recordings out there why in the name of God would anyone choose this overproduced overwrought dreck?

The first half of this album is a major, sanitized bummer. It’s so disappointing to hear a legend like Hooker enveloped by shitty 80’s production and forced guest stars. The second half, when the arrangements are dialed back a bit, is much better. Personally? I see no need to reach for this when his classic material is available. 3/5

And another sacrifing their soul to commercial success. Luckily a one timer more or less in his catalogue.

It's Blues that doesn't particularly stand out

Mumble and chill.

Correcto

I am not sure if this was the best album to pick to represent John Lee Hooker (based on my research and also my listen), but I understand why it's on the list. Blues is...an iffy genre for me. I respect and appreciate the music, but my enjoyment level can vary.

Great blues

bluezinho de cria

Great intro to blues for an inexperienced ear. I enjoyed it!

This album gets it completely backwards. Take the first track, The Healer. That's not Hooker featuring Santana. That's Carlos Santana and the Santana Band featuring John Lee Hooker. Same with all of these "featuring so-and-so" tracks. There are better John Lee Hooker albums to listen to if you dig the blues. This is... something. Like, if the Muzak™ executives were brainstorming how to get more of the blues genre into their offerings. The featured artists all do a great job making space for their guest performer, John Lee Hooker. What a weird choice. And not weird in a "pushing the boundaries" way. Just weird.

Good music, not my style

The title track did the heavy lifting on this, but a solid blues record is a solid blues record. Nothing I'd come back to again, but never a bad time.

Blues sure happened here.

Holy moly, that’s a lot of collabs. Wasn’t too familiar with Mr. Hooker prior to today, seems he had quite the career longevity. Perhaps this isn’t the greatest album to get a sense of what he brought to the blues table, given that the first seven tracks feature a collaborator. Although we do hear some solo mellow blues near the end of the album, in what I would assume is more akin to the sound of Hooker’s earlier work. Album as a whole didn’t really grab my interest, but I am more interested in the artist himself now. Closer to 3.

It's fine

Apart from the opening track, this just sounds like the same stuff he was doing in the 40s, just with better gear.

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.

Is this list turning me into a blues fan? WTF? I surprised myself by really enjoying this!! So many great songs here had me groovin' in my car this morning. More of a 4.5. Might have to listen to this again to decide which songs to keep on my phone.

3.5

Very listenable blues - with Carlos Santana's guitar and Bonnie Raitt's voice lending themselves to the project, it couldn't go wrong. Good stuff.

Well.. he had soul. However everything around his voice felt soulless. Almost every track felt like it had been leading nowhere. Constant edging and patience for no pay off sadly. This LP felt very off putting due to having sleepy songs right after kicking off with high energy. I swear I left the album a couple times before finally sitting down to get through. Listening to a record should not feel like a chore but this one did, I can't give it defense. So far my worst experience but I'm sure he has better albums to sort through. The instrumentals felt very minimalistic, along with John's vocals at most points.