The Healer

What to rate an album that is carried by the guest musicians? The songs where John Lee Hooker plays alone are much weaker. Overall not bad. 3/5

I love the blues, but because of the production choices of the 80’s, this sucks

Of all the John Lee Hooker albums, why this one? Many of his best material was in the '50s which can be found on his singles compilation album I'm John Lee Hooker, or any of his albums in the '60s. These are especially important decades because that's when electric blues came to prominence, which is Hooker's forte. Instead, we get a bunch of crossover attempts with acts such as Santana, Bonnie Raitt, and Canned Heat. Now Canned Heat makes sense since they worked together before (and successfully!) on Hooker n' Heat, but what of the other collaborations? Doesn't land. I think a lot of the album trying too hard to do anything but the blues, which makes me wish it was more bluesy. It's not until the last three tracks that Hooker drops the accompaniments and just does regular old-fashioned blues. And guess what? It's great! Fantastic, even! Real, honest-to-god blue at the end of a blues album, who would've thought?

Intime et senti

With all due respect to Mr.Hooker and the cast of talented musicians on The Healer but it does absolutely nothing for me. 3.9/10

Its cool, some good ole blues

John Lee Hooker - He had some talent. You really feel the music alongside him. A "who's who" on this album. Best tracks - The Healer; Sally Mae; Rockin Chair; No Substitute A really good 4/5

Definitely a cash grab from the mid 1980's blues rock and blues revival. This album is a pale comparison of what John Lee Hooker is capable of when it comes to blues music. That being said its got an all star list of features and the voices of expression on the tracks are definitely there. John Lee's sound acts as a vessel for other influence. And i love that about this album.

Really enjoyed this - lovely bit of blues rock from a legend, featuring cameos from many other legends.

Had a great time with this one. I quite enjoyed the collaborations, even if it felt a bit all over the place sometimes. I wonder if poor John is victim to the papers automatically changing his name to things like John Lee Sex Worker like they do in articles about rugby. Definitely going to do some more listening to our John Lee Sex Worker.

It is a good album, but the guests add nothing to John Lee Hooker's blues.

For every amazing album that makes my day better, there are 5 albums that just leave me with nothing. I’m not expecting every album to be perfect. I wouldn’t be doing this if I was. Part of the experience is learning what I do and don’t like. But it’s still a hard pill to swallow sometimes. I just don’t enjoy forcing myself to listen to music that leaves me feeling empty. And not empty in a good, emotional way. Empty in a lifeless way, where the only thing I can think of is what I would much rather be doing instead. Blues is not a genre I am opposed to at all. I’ve heard some pretty great blues albums in my life. But I think there is a certain point in history where it reached its conclusion and people were ready to move on. I’m not sure if the trends that existed in popular music in 1989 were really suited for blues music. All of the over the top production choices that I loathed for the longest time paired with the sounds of music based on traditional rock with harmonicas and slide guitars isn’t a match made in heaven. I’m not sure exactly who John Lee Hooker is. He might be a blues legend to many, but to me he is as famous as my neighbor. What stood out to me more was the number of other artists and bands featured on this album. I thought maybe the songs that had Carlos Santana or even Canned Heat would be worth something. The Santana one isn’t horrible, but everything else is pretty consistently boring. After hearing enough of this, it just eventually turns into wallpaper music for me. I’m just not engaged. There is someone out there in the world who absolutely loves this album. And that’s great for them. I am not one of those people. This doesn’t really resonate with me in any particular way. Rating: 4/10

I found this album a little disappointing: pleasant enough, but unremarkable, blues. Nothing about it really stood out or fully caught my attention. The most interesting track was probably “Rockin’ Chair.”

Pretty good traditional blues

Blues album that never really kicks out of second gear, some flashes of brilliance, before the… unpleasantness… Might be a bit unfair because he was 76 when it was recorded, but there we are.

Blues.

3.6– really liked!

I don't know if there's more John Lee Hooker on this list, but there better be. I find it it difficult to accept that a late 80's compilation of redone material featuring a bunch of white wannabe blues artists is considered an example of his greatest work. Sorry but this is not where you go to hear what the man contributed to the world.

4 - Some solid blues music. Don't think I could go higher honestly, but I really enjoyed it.

I thought the first track with Santana was great. Bonnie Raitt was interesting. From there on I thought it was all really one note and boring. I just can't get into Blues music apparently. Fave Track: The Healer 2.5/5

- I am definitely not a connesuir of blues, so I am honestly not sure how novel this album might be. It felt like standard fare. Good, standard fare, but standard nonetheless. - "My Dream" stood out -- negated some of the more cliche blues rhythms and chord changes. More of this and it might have made it to 4 stars for me.

This feels like it’s missing a lot of the passion that makes the blues what it is. I think this is a case of people praising something just because of the legacy of the artist, and not the quality of the work itself. It’s a legacy album.

Good blues tunes, but nothing earth shattering

I'm a big fan of the blues so might be being overly critical of this album, but it's not anywhere close to John Lee Hooker's best - though it was his most commercially successful. The collaborations had a lot to do with both of the above points I think. I can't fault him for wanting to record some songs with some friends and for likely selling a few more albums by having their names on it, but there's just nothing exceptional here like there is on some of his "solo" albums.

Favourite tracks: the healer; I'm in the mood; think twice before you go; no substitute

Love this album. Bought it as soon as it came out. A late career masterpiece.

This is way too overproduced to be anything more than a 3. All the collaborations and the production give a very sterile listening experience.

I really have to be in the mood for blues for it to really nail me to the floor. This is objectively good blues music though.

sjovt at det er et features-album for det føles ikke rigtigt sådan... jeg synes alle numrene lød ret bluesy. Det kunne i hvert fald sagtens have været mere gimmicky end det var. Når det så er sagt har jeg allerede glem de fleste af numrene igen

Return-to-form plade for John Lee Hooker hvor han samarbejder med en masse kendte musikere I guess? Det her gjorde virkelig ikke noget for mig.

Solid blues! Godt produceret og nogle cool gæster.

Hooker's blend of blues always is enjoyable.

Fuckin love the blues

A nice celebration of the blues. I enjoyed all of the collaborations, but JLH’s three solo tracks at the end are just as mesmerizing. I’m guessing he did not, but I do wonder if Hooker ever met Robert Johnson in his lifetime - they were about the same age from around the same area.

I like his more seminal blues work but this didn't do much for me. I'm not generally a fan of these mixed collaboration albums, they were all the rage for a while, and although I can imagine that certain people who are big fans of everyone on the collaboration might be super excited, the results usually aren't all that great.

I quite enjoyed today’s album. Not enough to blow my mind, but certainly enough to make a drive into the town centre a bit more interesting. I thought I’d heard John Lee Hooker before, but when looking through my reviews I don’t see his name there. Perhaps I made it up. Anyway, this is a decent blues album with plenty of interesting guest performers, but I’m not sure I’ll be rushing back for more.

Not something I would normally listen to, and probably won't again, but it's okay. 3/5

A true blues album… LOVE IT !!! It is somewhat homogenous but when it hits the right note (pun) you don’t need to stretch into other areas. So much goodness, every song, fabulous collabs with awesome artists, doesn’t get much better !!!

So I’m a blues fan, and I like John Lee Hooker, though I am not well-versed in his entire catalog… I thought this one was fine, fairly well-done, I liked the guest artists on the different tracks for sure, as well as John’s playing – that said, there really isn’t anything on this album that really jumps out at you, or is really exceptional… I was really looking forward to this one, so perhaps my expectations were a bit too high… Underwhelmed is how I would put it... Would probably give it a 2.50, but just can’t get to a 3.00 – so a 2.00 for me…

Decent album. Like lots of albums on this list that are soaked in genre (in this case blues) it becomes kind-of a challenge to get through near a full hour. Enjoyed the first few tracks then started getting terribly boring.

3.5

This set a nice ambiance for me to get ruthlessly ledge-camped by a marth named “TheNik” on slipping during my paid day off. TheNik, no amount of bluesy lamenting on this album can replicate the misery of your play style.

My dad used to play this in the car when i was younger all the time I didnt remotely like it then, and i don't like it that much better than i did back the now. I always hear about people saying liking their dads music later in life, but usually its for bands like u2 or Yacht Rock, not this kind of thing I will never listen to this again, i can guarantee. low 2

4.5 stars. Really dug this album. After the leadoff title track that felt too 80's synth-y, it just became a really solid blues record. Standout was "That's Alright".

I have to be honest, the first couple of tracks I would rather listen to the kids on their eukeleles ! It did get better after that but it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped for so a measly 2*

This whole album feels like someone stalling on stage waiting for a missing band member. It's repetitive to a fault and doesn't really go anywhere. Could be missing something but I didn't find this noteworthy. Great voice. I wonder if other albums by him I may prefer. This seems to be a later career one for him.

Some good stereo mixing. It's the Blues. Some of this comes off empty, but it has it's moments. I had fun making and drinking coffee while listening. I liked the subdued nature of My Dream This is like a 2.5 for me. I'll round up.

I respect Blues as a genre more than I ever have, but it’s so often not something I even consider listening to. If anyone was going to change my mind, Hooker did a good job. All the songs with featured artists are solid, extending beyond Blues’s general sound as to feel more than the sum of its parts. Still, I don’t know if I’d ever revisit.

Strange to go with a 1989 Hooker album when his best stuff is in the 60s and 70s. However, that being said, this is a pretty good album. Lots of guest stars like Santana, Bonnie Raitt, George Thorogood, and Canned Heat. Still really enjoyed it. Really more of a 3.5 album.

Made me want to hop in the car and drive to NOLA

I really enjoyed this today. Maybe a 3 on another day, but we going 4 on this chilly april Friday - cause that HEAT warmed me right up.

3 it was an okay album but too many collaborations detracted from the true feel of the blues. However rockin chair and no substitute brought the classic feel and were great

I struggled with myself for a long time but I give the album 4 stars because of the song "The Healer".

This might seem a bit harsh... but while this didn't necessarily sound _bad_, it felt pretty unremarkable. I almost forgot I was listening to music at one point.

3+

Sweet! This is always gunna be awesome

This is a 1989 album from blue legend John Lee Hooker, released when he was 73. Featuring collaborations with several well known younger folk, like Bonnie Raitt and Carlos Santana. I have his 1995 album (Chill Out) which is a similar undertaking (and which I prefer). Both are solid offerings, and a testament that these old blues guys had more soul in their later years than most of today's performers in their prime. Worth hearing, everybody needs to be exposed to the blues. The "modern' recordings sound a lot better than the output from the 40's, 5's and early 60's, and that's a prime appeal of this recording. Solid 4/5

- Das war doch ein bisschen anders als ich erwartet hatte - Ich war schon verwirrt, als ich gelesen habe, dass es sich um ein John Lee Hooker Album Ende der 80er handelt, wo ich ihn immer deeuutlich früher eingeordnet hatte - Die Verwunderung hat sich dann im Sound bestätigt: Wenn ich an JLH denke, dann an extrem Rootsorientierten, auf das Wesentliche (seine Stimme und seine halbakustische Gitarre) runtergebrochenen Blues. Kein Schnick Schnack. Blues in seiner verschwitzten Reinform. Und dann steigt dieses Album mit einer super polierten verhältnismäßig aufwendigen Produktion wie „The Healer“ ein. - Danach eine neue Version eines meiner Lieblingsstücke von ihm „I‘m in the Mood“. Dass es in dieser Version ein Duett ist, ist cool und passt auch zum Song, aber das verruchte Gefühl, das ich mit dem Song verbinde, geht gänzlich verloren. - Das ist ein Problem, was ich häufig mit „neueren“ Bluesproduktionen habe. Eine Musikrichtung, die so sehr vom Gefühl und ihrer „rawness“ lebt, verliert viel von ihrer Seele, wenn die Produktionen glattgebügelt werden und den Wenigsten gelingt, dass es trotzdem Soul hat (z.B. Joe Bonamassa) - Sally Mae klingt genau wie „Crawlin‘ King Snake“ (die geile Version von '64) nur dass CKS deutlich geiler ist, auch hier wieder Stichwort: Gefühl - Bei JLH handelt es sich schon immer um einen meiner lieblings Bluesmusiker, seitdem Vatti im England Urlaub mal sein Best-Of Album erworben hat. Da die Aufnahmen auf dem Album alle aus den 60ern stammen und so unheimlich viel Charakter mitgebracht haben, fällt das Album im Vergleich für mich einfach ab. - Hintenraus gefällt mir das Album besser als am Anfang - Immernoch solides Blues Album - vllt kommt ja nochmal ein altes Album :) Rating: 2,75-3/5

- Blues und Boogie leider einfach nicht meins. - Sehr coole Feature-Gäste dabei. - Die minimalistischen Stücke wie Sally Mae waren für mich dann am stärksten. Der Rest ist untergegangen. 2,5/5

- wieder mal ganz coole Hintergrundmusik, mehr aber auch nicht für mich

You gotta respect this guy for still rocking out and having a voice this good in his late 70s when he made this, but it's not that exciting of an album. It's a solid listen though.

Solid blues album from such an old man

This feels incredibly cynical. Let's wheel out some old and tired classic guitar player and team them up with other heavyweights and some "it" names right now. The result is paint-by-numbers blues/soul guitar songs from 70 years ago, produced in the style of a 35 years ago, being piped into my eardrums today. I kept turning the volume down so it didn't keep interrupting my thoughts. Really not the sign of a gripping listening experience.

Solid effort from John Lee Hooker and friends. Lot’s of trademark John Lee Hooker mumbling and crunchy blues rifts. Standout track for me is the Healer with Carlos Santana

Decent blues album with a great opener featuring Carlos Santana, but the rest of the album fails to meet the bar set by the opening track.

Released in 1989 at the ripe age of 72, John Lee Hooker's "The Healer" wasn't just an album; it was a revitalization. This in-depth review explores the record's lyrical depth, musical textures, production choices, thematic undercurrents, and lasting influence, while acknowledging its strengths and weaknesses. Lyrics: Raw Tales and Timeless Truths Hooker's signature growl isn't just a vocal style; it's a storytelling device. Lyrics on "The Healer" are often blunt and evocative. Tracks like "Boom Boom" and "Sally Mae" (featuring George Thorogood) detail gritty realities of love, loss, and the road. "That's Alright" (with Charlie Musselwhite) delves into heartache with a simple line like, "Woke up this mornin', the blues all around my bed." These aren't flowery metaphors; they're raw pronouncements that resonate across generations. However, the album isn't all hardship. "I'm in the Mood" (with Bonnie Raitt) showcases a playful side, while the title track, featuring Carlos Santana, speaks of music's healing power: "The music's like a doctor, it can ease your pain." These contrasting themes paint a well-rounded picture of the blues experience. Music: From Boogie Roots to Genre-Bending Collaborations Hooker's music is the foundation. His hypnotic, repetitive guitar riffs, often referred to as "boogie," form the backbone of most tracks. Tracks like "No Shoes" and "Chick Boogie" exemplify this stripped-down, hypnotic style. However, "The Healer" is where the magic happens. Producer Roy Rogers masterfully weaves in guest appearances that breathe new life into Hooker's sound. Los Lobos injects a Tex-Mex groove on "Ninety Nine," while Robert Cray adds soulful flourishes on "Baby Lee." The most daring experiment is the title track, with Santana's band infusing the blues with Latin rhythms, showcasing the genre's adaptability. Production: Modern Polish Meets Vintage Soul Rogers' production walks a tightrope. He utilizes modern recording techniques to ensure clarity, yet retains the raw, visceral feel of classic blues. Instruments are crisp and well-defined, but never overproduced. Hooker's vocals remain front and center, their roughness a testament to his authenticity. This approach isn't flawless. Some purists might feel the guest appearances dilute Hooker's signature sound. However, the production's strength lies in its ability to bridge the gap between traditional blues and a contemporary audience. Themes: Love, Loss, and the Power of Music Love and its tribulations are a constant theme. From the longing of "Baby Lee" to the infidelity of "Ninety Nine," these songs depict raw emotions with unflinching honesty. Loss and hardship surface in tracks like "That's Alright," while the celebratory nature of music is explored in "The Healer." Ultimately, the album is about resilience. Despite the struggles, the music itself offers solace and a sense of community. Influence: A Bridge Between Generations "The Healer" wasn't just a comeback for Hooker; it was a bridge between generations. The inclusion of popular blues and rock artists exposed Hooker's music to a new audience. This revitalized interest in the blues had lasting effects, inspiring countless musicians and fostering a renewed appreciation for the genre's roots. Pros and Cons: A Balanced Approach "The Healer" is a landmark album. However, it's not without its drawbacks. Pros: Hooker's powerful vocals and timeless lyrics Guest appearances that breathe new life into his music Production that balances clarity with a vintage feel Exploration of universal themes Lasting influence on the blues genre Cons: Guest appearances might dilute Hooker's sound for purists Production choices might feel too polished for some Conclusion: A Healing Touch "The Healer" is more than just a collection of songs; it's a testament to the enduring power of music. John Lee Hooker's raw talent, combined with innovative production and stellar collaborations, created a blues masterpiece that transcends generations. While some may find the modern touches jarring, it's undeniable that "The Healer" successfully revitalized Hooker's career and served as a gateway drug for a new generation of blues enthusiasts. Ultimately, it's an album that deserves a place in any serious music collection.

A good album, I enjoyed the music style.

enjoyed it

no shade to jlh, but this is just not gooood. muddy waters was making much more interesting classic blues at the same time this came out. this is just dull & boring

Bluesy, smoky, smooth. In The Mood with Bonnie Raitt is quite nice. The rest of the album is mostly just chill, old blues man grooves. Overall nice, but not really a style I'm super into without something special. Three stars.

Blues is blues

Good old Blues.

Pretty solid bluesy soul album

Personally, I believe the 80s and 90s was where the blues were at their lowest. A lot of the artists couldn’t compete with the rising popularity of R&B or hip hop. Those who tried did so fruitlessly. John Lee Hooker is one of my favorite blues musicians. He has such an incredibly powerful voice that I can’t help but get behind. The features are pretty fun as well. Blues albums have never been known for their wildly fabulous production, so I don’t expect that of this project either. John’s got a good range of both slow and fast tracks interspersed to give the album a good beat. Also, having the last three be without features and solely John was a great choice. Makes the album come to a beautiful and thoughtful end. It really is just a nice album, though not game changing. Simply a fun listen. 4/5

,John Lee Hooker is an American blues legend no doubt about it. But I think the tons of collaborations made the album weaker than his old pure blues albums. I have no doubt it helped making a good amount of money with this one but I think it maybe didn't help the music on this record. Hooker's overall performance is great don't get me wrong.

I have to admit, I would have liked an older album of John Lee Hooker better. It felt a little bit like trying to keep something alive, which just didn't fit into the times anymore. That said, it was not a bad album. Classic blues (except maybe for the first song which had a more latin-y feel) and the perfect length. I was just wondering, when it would be finished when the last song ended. It's an album for blues people. If you like blues, you're probably going to like this album. On the other hand, if you don't like blues, it won't convince you otherwise.

It's blues, but in the late 80s? Unrelated, but I had no idea. This was the one bourbon one scotch one beer guy. Pretty solid.

Blues

Bit boring. Presumably good if you like basic blues.

I had one idea of what this would sound like, and then the very sexy, smooth jazz of The Healer's first (title) track kicked in and my opinion changed. At least for a few minutes before the more expected jazz came back in. Santana definitely saw just how well a semi-forgotten musician (no offense to John Lee Hooker) can make a comeback with album sales when they have a bunch of star power featured throughout a record...as this is the strategy he took to heart with great success on his own star-packed "Supernatural" album in the 90s. The Healer is a completely inoffensive blues/light jazz album that I enjoyed and appreciate the JLH blues riffs on, but wouldn't go out of my way to re-listen to. A good album to have on while I got some work done, though. Interesting factoids from Wikipedia: *John Lee Hooker was 73 years old when the album was released. It was his first Grammy win and was the album that had placed highest on the Billboard charts in his forty-year career. The album had such success that it "permitted John Lee Hooker to live out the end of his life in comfort". (Writer's note from John Lee Hooker's Wiki page - his death age is "either 83 or 88." That's quite the range...which led to this unknown-to-me-fact:) *Hooker's date of birth is a subject of debate; the years 1912, 1915, 1917, 1920, and 1923 have all been suggested. Most official sources list 1917, though at times Hooker stated he was born in 1920. Information found in the 1920 and 1930 censuses indicates that he was actually born in 1912. Standouts: The Healer (feat. Carlos Santana and the Santana Band), In the Mood (feat. Bonnie Raitt), Think Twice Before You Go (feat. Los Lobos)

"In the Mood" is a scorcher, and the title track is a real solid groove, but I'm not entirely sure why this album is on this list, beyond being a notable late-in-life success for a legendary artist.

I've been laughing at Teddy's review for like 3 days now but on the other hand........there's so few pure blues albums on this list and ****this**** is one of the ones they go with? I really wasn't sold on this album in general but knowing that this is one of, if not the token blues albums on this list, out of a genre that consciously or not influenced, idk, a solid 90% of the rock albums on this list, feels totally ridiculous. Like I just checked and not even The Fucking London Howlin' Wolf London Sessions is on this list! What are we doing here!

I mean, track 1 sounds like a Muzak santana song. A Bonnie Raitt/Hooker duet is a pairing of some of blues' most distinctive voices. Los Lobos add some texican flair to a typical Hooker boogie and was a standout for me. Curious why this Hooker album is on here; it seems geared toward a completist or an established fan and doesn't feel essential, but still has some gems for casuals.

god I hate blues

Pretty good blues album with some slick guitar riffs. The second half was a bit more sleepy but its tough to compete when you have Santana on the opening track. I generally enjoyed this album and it help me discover a few extra blues songs when it wrapped up.

I did not listen to all, but i like the album song, The Healer quite a lot. However, some of the other songs in the album did not win my heart.

Nice, reminded me of Howlin’ Wolf

This isn’t really my cup of tea I’m afraid

A fine album with some stellar cameos from the likes of Los Lobos, Santana and Bonnie Raitt complementing a varied repertoire of blues numbers from John Lee Hooker

I hear elements of sledgehammer and Layla along with Santana.

Not sure why I avoided this album like the plague, it’s not bad Best song: The one with Santana in it Worst song: N/A

I finally did it.

So smooth

This album is No Substitute. I’m In the Mood now

Done at the time of the blues revival and hooker was one of the original 50s blues men and one of the most important. Apart from the slick production and guest stars, it’s a decent example of what Hooker did so well - the boogie - though I’d recommend his 50s output.

Well its good fun. The opening is very Santana. JLH sure has a voice. They popularised the delta blues a bit here and its slick and smooth and easy to listen to, and yeah its a bit commercial, a bit slick, a bit soundtracky mainstreamed, thats clear. Oh welll, we all need a Special. And it gives people a taster.

Sometime in the late 60’s, on one of my weekly visits to Ashwoods Records in Pitt St, Sydney, for $1.00, I picked up a blues compilation on the cheapo L.A. label, Custom Records. When I got home & threw it on, this was the first time I ever heard John Lee Hooker. His 2 tracks were gripping - acoustic, rather than electric - Boogie Chillen & I’m In The Mood, which appears on The Healer in a very different form. Lots of foot-stompin, as was regularly his want. I’d known the name, courtesy of the British bands that covered his classics - both The Yardbirds & The Animals covered Boom Boom in the early 60’s - but I’d never heard his voice before. I made up for that in the next 20 years & I was glad to see him finally get some big success with The Healer. However it’s not one of my favourite Hooker releases. I liked the title track, but it feels more like a Santana tune than a Hooker. Although, make no mistake, Santana’s guitar work on this is wonderful (& he also co-produced the track). The duet with Bonnie Raitt on the aforementioned I’m In The Mood won a grammy. Her slide playing was so good. They are the outstanding trax on this album. The rest are a good listen. It was just good to see John finally pull a good pay-cheque.

(sigh) This is a great example about what gives me the screaming shits about this 1001 albums project. This was John Lee Hooker's biggest selling album by far, won him a Grammy, and paid for him to live the rest of his life in comfort. It is really well recorded versions of some of classic material (even if a little heavy on the 80s digital synths, recorded to a click track, soooo much reverb, and somewhat over-polished by Roy Rogers) and with very impressive guest stars (Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Roy Rogers, Robert Cray, Canned Heat, George Thorogood, Charlie Musselwhite, Los Lobos). But is this REALLY a John Lee Hooker album? Have you really heard and understood John Lee Hooker if this is the only album of his you have heard? Most tracks sound more like the guest stars than John Lee Hooker. Most of the guests do a pretty good version of the blues, but it is a little strange to me that nearly all of the collaborators on this album are white. And I'm not convinced that Hooker is playing guitar on all tracks. It feels a little bit like wheeling Hooker out to provide a veneer of authenticity to a major label album of 'blues' for a mainstream (read as 'white') audience, and Hooker himself really is just window dressing --'Essence of Real Authentic Blues (trademark)'. I don't begrudge Hooker his belated recognition or long-delayed pay-day, but this is not the album you should hear from one of the titans of electric blues. This is blues for people who don't really know anything about blues. This is the blues for middle-aged financial advisers. This is blues for dentists with a barely-ridden Harley Davidson in their garage. It's blues for soccer moms to dance to. This what white people think the blues is. Listening to this again reminds me of why I sold my copy of this album. I know John Lee Hooker had a patchy history with record labels, but surely there is a better choice to represent this musical giant.

ooh.. starting out with some really 80s, synthy bongos. Then some synthy flutes. IDK about this one... Yeah, it wasn't the best. I'd rather listen to an album that made him a legend, not a late career record that feels a bit dated. But it was decent. Not total 80s synth blues

After first song I was willing to cut this album some slack, but I just can't. It feels like someone keeps pressing the left arrow button. I just heard this line sir do not repeat please can this song go somewhere AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

meh not for me but I reaaaaallly liked the instrumental to the first song

Great blues album. All time great.

An incredible blues album. Only reason it’s not higher is because I know he has better albums, but there are some real gems in here

Blues.

Decent.

Really good blues album. Enjoyed the guests. 3.5/5 Might listen again

Визжащие гитары в начале звучали круто. А потом стало жутко скучно.

Wow talk about racist. wtaf

A great blues album

A collection of songs rather than an album with a backbone keeping things together as a whole. Somes songs a good though

The solo songs are by far the best and breathtaking on their own terms – just massive power comes through the near whisper. The duets have the feel of (best case) victory tour/charitable testimonial and (worst case) an outright gimmick. Still, the vocals are haunting and powerful, quite obviously, JLH is the voice of god (James Earl Jones being the understudy). One's certain there are far better records to include here.

I thought this was decent. I liked the message behind it and some of the songs. But there seemed a lot of repetition and some songs seemed not fully formed.

Alright blues album but kinda slow. Prefer the first half.

Heerlijk album. Dat heb je toch met de echte Blues legendes: zelfs na decennia actief zijn weten ze nog steeds lekkere muziek te maken. Enig puntje is dat er niks echt bovenuit steekt. Dus voor mij een hele goede 4 sterren.

Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Same commentary as Talking Timbuktu...pleasant enough. Like it, don't love it after a few listens.

This was a really cool album. Was not familiar with JLH or blues music really, but the large number of cross-genre features was interesting.

not my vibe

I enjoyed this album.

Would listen again.

Yeah, this was much more enjoyable than I'd feared. It suffers in a way from having a very diverse set of collaborators, because the sound changes quite rapidly from song to song, but on the other hand, you get some Santana, which is always a treat. When it works, it absolutely slaps - I'm in the Mood is joyous - but when it doesn't, it feels a bit derivative of a very overdone genre.

Best Song: Cuttin' Out. Nice cacophony of talented musicians. Worst Song: Rockin' Chair. This song feels far too sparse to have been recorded and listened to on a pair of headphones as you go about your day. This song feels like it is meant to be heard live in an intimate setting. Overall: Blues feels like deeply personal music to me, that often does translate as well to recording as do other genres. Also, as such an intrinsically moody and emotional genre, how good it sounds really depends on if you're feeling the blues at that time. I'm sure in times in which I am, this'll be great, but it's kind of relegated to a very particular vibe.

Superb!

Super fun album.

Blues with a sort of lounge/soft jazz element. Think Sade and Fats Domino. Title track features Carlos Santana.

I'm not much into blues, or this kind of music, but I did enjoy the first song a lot.

Having a hard time getting interested in this genre haha It’s just scarily close to elevator / queue music for me, which might be my least favorite genre. I’m unsure if it’s the elevator music that has ruined the genre for me, or whether I just dislike it to begin with. But wow, I just can’t get myself to like it. I need some spice.

Apart from the title track, this isn't very good. I don't understand why it's on the list. It was already old when it was new. Favorite song: the healer.

Start studded list of collaborators. Just a fantastic blues album that I’m upset with myself for just discovering

Nice classic blues. I love his style.

Good traditional blues from good blues musician. I like it.

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

Hooker's "comeback" album; though the two beginning tracks that helped make it a grammy winning album are actually the weaker ones on here. When guesting with others, the production becomes almost a parody of 80's production with Santana and Bonnie Raitt. Give me the rest of tunes with the straight blues everytime. Best Tracks: Cuttin Out; Think Twice Before You Go; Sally Mae

Hooker gets a second life here using as many collaborators as humanly possible, semi-ironically one of them was Carlos Santana who would run this play back 10 years later... Still, it's the blues by the preeminent bluesman, and the song with Bonnie Raitt "I'm In The Mood" is just pure filth, and I mean that in the best way possible.

A famous name in the blues scene. Unfortunately, his voice and style are a bit drowned out by the very dated sounding production and mediocre collaborations. I feel like there must be better examples of Hooker's music out there. Personal opinion, there are better blues albums in this challenge.

Seemed to be blues without the passion that I'd usually expect from blues. I understand that Hooker was a bit older when this released so perhaps did not have the same youthful energy of Otis in the 60's, but it does make the whole thing feel pretty mundane. 4/10

a wide variety of blues

At first I thought they had ruined the blues. But as it went on I thought maybe not quite. Not the best of the genre by far, but still a decent listen.

I know the name of John Lee Hooker and his status as a classic blues man. I don't know any of these songs - but I know the famous collaborators like Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt. The first half is slicker and pop-collab focused, the second half is pared back blues grooves.

7/10. Nothing truly caught my ear, but it was pleasant and bluesy

There was one or two good songs but mostly it was just the blues. 6/10

Great guitar riffs on this album, some active listening demanded

Some niceee blues

daytime music

I enjoyed the album and would listen again. Nothing stood out for me though.

Bluesy, I like it!

Whoa... I didn't expect the features. I'm 3 songs in and this is already feeling like a 5

could i write poetry to this? n

This was the prototype for T-Bone Burnett's entire career as a producer. Take an aged music icon and have them record with popular musicians of the time. Then just wait for the critical praise and Emmys to fall from the sky. John Lee Hooker was much more than this, but it wan an effective way to introduce him to a younger generation.

Not my favorite of his but I do love that this album brought him back into popular culture

Not my thing at all

Decent blues/rockabilly album that really isn't my thing. 2

Meh

Slick without losing its grit. Really great. Good features too.

heres what we'll do. thats blues legend john lee hooker. how do we represent him on this album list? lets do it with a random excuse for a piss up with carlos santana in the late 80's. that'll do it. terrible.

Die ersten beiden Titel des Albums mit Santana und Bonnie Raitt sind Kracher. Und wenn der Rest des Albums genauso wäre... Der ist aber nur mit traditionellem Delta-Blues gefüllt, der für mich auf die Dauer ermüdend ist.

There's a lot of overlap here with many other blues groups and artists, including Carlos Santana, surprisingly(?). Hooker almost seems like a larger-than-life figure in that respect. He has a large discography that I need to work through, no doubt that it's worth listening to.

I generally like the blues but this was way too commercial

I thought ‘The Healer’ was a solid blues album. The collabs and all-star guest cast didn’t detract or overpower Hooker too much, and the music still largely sounded authentic to me. I thought this was better than a lot of the blues/blues rock I’ve come across whilst doing this 1001 albums challenge which has tended to be mostly white-washed, repetitive, guitar solo wank sessions from the 60s.

I think I'm more compelled by the blues when hearing them live. Highlights: I'm In The Mood, Sally Mae, No Substitute

Didn’t know about this album but it’s really great. 4/5

This was a real fun Blues listen. John Lee has an incredible voice and this music is just so soulful.

It's good, really enjoyable. No song really stuck, but does that really matter?

John can play and some of the songs with carlos’ band are good. Nice easy album to listen to but nothing overly exciting.

No es mi estilo de música

Its ok.

Great collaborations

Heerlijke jazz om bij weg te swoelen

Hou wel van een beetje rock and roll, maar kon er niet mega lekker inkomen, een beetje onsamenhangend ofzo

The first half of this album is over produced, but once it reaches the second half and it’s just John Lee Hooker crooning away against sparse instrumentation, I was sold.

Still not a huge blues fan, but The Healer has a vulnerable quality to it which I really dig. Some great collaborations and a more playful approach to the blues format than I expected from a 70+ year old Hooker.

The Healer not only boasts an impressive array of guests - John Lee Hooker himself also sounds incredibly vigorous considering he recorded this after turning 70. I’m still not a blues man to be honest. But Hooker is far from the worst choice, should I put on a blues record one late evening.

Should be removed from the list

Each album I listen to while I'm high tend to get more favorable reviews since I tend to enjoy music more in general that way; but this one definitely deserves praise sober or not. It's one of my favorite types of blues rock and has a surprising amount of high profile features from santana to bonnie raitt to George Thorogood. It might not hit the same spot on relisten but it's definitely well produced and well written.

Enjoyable enough

Blues ain't ma thing. Okay I guess if you like blues

Ehh, not my favorite.

Just what I was feeling today! Really enjoyed this album.

He's good but a lot of this is boring. Santana feature is cool.

Pretty sweet but doesn't really stand out to me

Lord, Lord, Lord Blues a healer, all over the world, all over the world Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord Healed me, healed, healed, healed It healed me It healed me, to heal me Can heal you, can heal you, heal you, if you let it He can play guitar, he cant write decent lyrics. Pass.

The Babadook-esque cover caught my attention, but the music let it go again. JLH may well have been a pioneering bluesman but this 1989 collection sounds a bit stale, despite all the guest appearances (or maybe because of them? I liked the last 3 tracks where it was just him, stripped-back, the most). There are some agreeable grooves, but they're all stretched too thin to serve as more than background music. 2.5

2.6 per track

I like Blues music, but not sure if this is classic JLH

Op eerste nummer na erg lekker

pretty good

Didn't do too much for me. Blues legend but this seemed a little too watered down and overproduced. I thought it said it came out in 1969 when I glanced at the year at first, but when I realized it was 1989 it made more sense. Probably just a money grab.

Not my style, but a good album

Pretty great.

Easy listen

Little slow for my liking but there’s no denying he shreds on the guitar in these

Pretty cool bluesy album. I like the guitar and the lead vocalist's voice. A little bit repetitive on the back end, but overall really good album imo. 4/5

i just love the blues. what else can i say?

Take out the eighties cheesefest with Santana that that the title track is, and then that rather hackeneyed version of "I'm In The Mood For Love" sung with Bonnie Raitt (never was a fan of the by-the-number nature of the song anyway), and what you have is a nice later album by a legendray blues artists, which sounds increasingly authentic the more you dig further. Can't personally select it as an "essential" album given the two misfires that open it, though. An essential album can't be introduced by stinkers, I'm afraid. 🤷‍♂️ 3/5 for the purposes of this list, translating to a 8/10 grade for more general purpose. (10 minus 2--the first two tracks always weigh heavier when you take into account a tracklising). Number of albums left to review: 386 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 280 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 146 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 194 (including this one)

Blues. Några starka spår, men lite spretig, mycket pga upplägget med gäster. Starkast när han är ensam och är avskalat. Skulle skippat gästerna.

Bastante guay

Una joya del slow blues.

Ok 2

This is tough to rate. I love John Lee Hooker, he’s an absolute legend. That said, most of this album suffers from the same thing a lot of ‘80s blues albums suffer from: it’s massively overproduced and has too much going on. All the extra guitars and horns etc just don’t need to be there. The last couple of tracks, though, are much more stripped down and sound far better for it.

Klingt cool, reduziert, melancholisch.

Quite liked it, but for background realistically. Can't see myself reaching for it very often.

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

Best song: The Healer Worst song: That's Alright Has some good songs and it's cool how it has a bunch of features. A little generic of a blues album nothing too innovative.

Decent album. Will never listen again

It was meh, opener had cool guitar riffs but thats about it, couldnt keep my interest.

Get's really samey really quickly

solid blues album.

Apologies to John Lee but this was boring for me

Starting out, this is smooth af. Oh, the vocals started. They kinda ruin it. Let's see how this goes. Would be a better album without the vocalist.

Straight up blues but not the really great heartache blues of old. Some great features. Very polished sound.

New Orleans vibes, was ok

blues is kinda hit or miss for me. this one was right down the middle. Top Tracks: 1) The Healer 2) My Dream 3) No Substitute

Blues always has this wood-like charm that I've always loved. And this album is the bluesiest that I've heard in a while.

Very strong and accessible Blues album, with Standouts in every track.

Enjoyed this.

This is quite good. Big Black Snake Moan impression (which was invariably influenced by this)

The song with Santana is cool.

An album that gets the foot tapping. Works for me :)

This one really faded into the background. Couldn't tell you what I've listened to after "The Healer".

Had never heard! JLH has taste to bring in Santana, Bonnie Raitt, and George Thorogood. I think the problem for me is that so many blues albums feel SO down the middle of the road, and while that's kind of the point of good blues it doesn't change the fact that it doesn't elicit much of a reaction from me.

Good blues but nothing spectacular. I liked his voice.

I enjoyed this album, especially the duet with Bonnie Raitt. The last three "solo" songs are quintessential "bluesman with a guitar". I wish they had included Boom Boom Boom. Maybe that would have pushed it to a 5 for me.

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.

It is a collab album and some of them are much better than others, the opener had me worried with the Carlos Santana wankery but it picked up. Really liked Sally Mae with George Thorogood

Not a bad blues album. His voice is haunting and leaves no doubt why he is considered one of the greats.

At times wonderfully musical, at others incredibly dull. I don’t know the right space and time for this to make sense.

Dommage pour The Healer mais ça fait déjà deux jours que j'ai guéri de ma sinusite.

Un enième chanteur à la voix de gros baiseur, rien à signaler.

Great Album. Hit the spot

some good shit

Sounded like jimmy hendricks, and I’m not a huge fan of his, but this was pretty good.

Pretty decent. This is my first John Lee Hooker album which is probably not the best introduction to his music considering this is a collaboration album, but I don't hate the idea of having an album with different collaborations and especially since he was about 79, I think this project makes sense for someone like him at that point in his career. Thematically it still had some artistic beauty to it wit that last three songs being just him and it his way of showing his own style in an album full of other people's styles

Except for the marble frame, love this album cover. The album didn't break through very much but it also was not a waste of time. Solid background that is probably solid foreground if I could just sit and listen to it.

I own this album. I have no memory as to how I came by it. I love John Lee Hooker. I never listen to The Healer. I think these are consistent statements. Pressaging the likes of Santana's (who appear here) 'Supernatural' album, this was a guest-laden comeback...that works best when Hooker is left to his own devices. In terms of the cameos, I actually don't mind the gentle Latin roll of the title track; and Bonnie Raitt's duet on 'I'm in the Mood' is suitably steamy. However, the rest of the album tends to sink into a whorl of perfunctory blues workouts. It only comes alive near the end where Hooker gets a couple of solo spots. They demonstrate that Hooker was a master of spare, hypnotic blues music that doesn't need too many bells and whistles. Still, that voice, eh? Special. I just wish we were listening to 'Boogie Chillin'' or 'One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer'.

Yeah, it’s missing some snarl, isn’t it? I actually quite liked the final track (“No Substitute”), which is quiet and unlike anything else I’ve ever heard from JLH. An entire album that’s that stripped down and hushed like that would maybe have been interesting, but that’s not what we got. I’d rather hear a live version and I don't think that’s the reaction you want coming out of the studio.

Spicy in concept, kinda bland in execution. Like the hot sauce recipe I tried to make the other day.

Star Studded blues album. Enjoyable, but not particularly striking beyond the artists on display.

The Healer is explicitly collaborative, wisely frontloading the guests to leave the afterimage all John Lee Hooker. Satisfying record qua record, easy ramp into a genre highly-particular and much-stolen.

Ok but fairly uninspiring blues

нууу

Good change of pace from what’ve I’ve listened to so far

Boring. A sad addition to the list if this is all we’re getting from this legend.

John Lee Hooker is of course a legendary figure in music history. Most notable for his contribution to blues music. I'm not sure this would be the album I'd pick by him to include on this list, though. I would probably go for one of his earlier works. I feel as though the slick 80s production doesn't compliment Hooker as much. I also feel like the long list of collaborators takes away from Hooker's work on here. The track "Rocking Chair" is a good example of what I wish the full album sounded like.

This is a very late-80s inspired blues album. Some of the guest artists on this record stand out like a sore thumb if I'm being honest (Carlos Santana), others blend in perfectly (Bonnie Raitt, George Thorogood).

Not a bad album. Blues is a mood

Some great collaborations here. 3.5 stars.

There's the saying that something isn't perfect when there's nothing left to add, it's perfect when there's nothing left to remove. I think when applied to music, that might be especially true with the blues. The fact that this isn't an absolute dumpster fire is just tribute to John Lee Hooker himself and how incredible of a songwriter the dude is. But would it not be better with rawer production and with fewer extraneous elements? Qualities easily found on his older material? Some of the collabs aren't TOO bad though. Once I got past the 3rd song or so, I did find I was enjoying myself. And look, I actually LIKE both Santana and Bonnie Raitt. But did they actually improve this album, or the songs they're on even? I press X to doubt. Anyway... This is pretty tepid from what I expect from the man. 3.5 seems about right (rounded down per protocol). P.S.: I love John Lee Hooker! But this ain't the one IMHO.

Not my thing found it kinda boring sadly. I usually think of older albums like this pretty boring and this album is a perfect example of this, maybe it'll grow on me though. Favorite Track: The Healer

Nice, definitely worth a revisit. Soulful easy blues. The opening track with Santana is great

I’m glad an artist like John Lee Hooker is on this list. I’m sure this could be considered a safe choice based on the more popular artists who appear on it but if that’s what it takes to get the blues recognized than I’m fine with it. Hooker is the classic blues man who never got the respect that he deserved at his peak and I’m happy he achieved that recognition with this album.

Wiki info was promising. I like classic blues, say Chicago Blues, add that everyone wanted to join in with this legend, Bonnie Raitt, George Thorogood Robert Cray and unfortunately Santana (1st song is really terrible, spoiling the album). Rest was beautiful, with as highlight Rockin' Chair .

Its chill, relaxing, peaceful.

I was skeptical going in, but this album is the real deal. Although I would have preferred some classic John Lee Hooker, this album is a great listen. Hooker's in excellent voice and the collaborations with other artists work really well. The guest performers could have been just icing on the cake, but every performance on here is top notch. I love how you can very specifically hear the idiosyncrasies of the individual artists, all of whom are masters in their own right. I mean, the Los Lobos song is totally a Los Lobos song and the Canned Heat song is unmistakably Canned Heat. George Thorogood, yep that's him for sure. But every song is also completely a John Lee Hooker song; he commands every inch of the album. This is collaboration done right. Finishing off the whole thing with the three Hooker solo tracks was absolutely a perfect touch. Fave Songs: I'm in the Mood, Cuttin' Out, Sally Mae, My Dream, No Substitute, Baby Lee

Great album to get. Enjoyed

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As a straight ahead blues album, this is pretty much as concrete of an example as you can get. And I really did enjoy the treatment of it for the vast majority of the album. However, this book has exposed me to so many other treatments of the blues that are so much more interesting and unique than this. Still, it is a very good album with badass instrumentation and good collaborations. Favorite track: Cuttin' Out

This album is good,, but somehow doesn't feel like the real thing. I'm pretty sure any number of albums would have been more appropriate for this list.

Classic blues + late 80's collaborations and productions. Honestly some pretty nice music, but nothing blowing me away. I’m liking the last few stripped down songs more. Might check some other Hooker stuff in that vein. 3/5

It's a blues album. It was good. I didn't skip any songs but probably wouldn't choose to listen to it again.

i Love!

Pretty nice sounding blues

I like the blues but this album feels a bit lazy. Bring popular people of the time onto an album to make the bluesy man relevant again in pop culture. I'm sure his other stuff is way better, since this is kinda his swan song. Some groovy, but a lot of meh.

C- The Healer - 3 I’m In The Mood - 2 Baby Lee - 3 Cuttin’ Out - 2 Think Twice Before You Go - 2 Sally Mae - 2 That’s Alright - 2 Rockin’ Chair - 2 My Dream - 3 No Substitute - 2 Not a Blues guy.

A decent blues record when you're in the mood.

Just didn't really do anything for me. It wasn't bad, just not my favorite.

Not as good as others.

I think the guitar work so far in this album is the definition of "blistering". Kinda SRV-esque, fun guitar driven blues

Great slow blues. Not my favorite John Lee Hooker songs. Something about it just didn’t take it to that next level for me.

Good blues but with all this artist on the album I hade expert more...

Good blues album.

Such a disappointing album; too many guests, too much white blues rock, not enough raw Hooker.

He ain't the healer!! Man casted a slow yet deadly Poison spell on me that costs 30 mana points, be wary!!

Inject swampy blues straight into my veins. I love it and the music it inspires. Cool to hear more of the inception albums in this list

Perfectly good blues album. The Santana duet is the high point (well of course it is) and it passes by perfectly simply from there. Blues just isn't exciting enough a lot of the time.

first blues album in this challenge (and also in my life). it's very good, i enjoyed it. tracks added: 4 fav track: cuttin out 8/10

I enjoyed the first two tracks on this album a lot. I also enjoyed "Sally Mae". The rest of the album was just okay, the rest of the tracks weren’t bad but were nothing special.

It’s fine, but he’s done better stuff

It’s fine

eka biisi kuullosti santanalta.. heh katsomaan menin...santana siellä listattuna biisin tekijöissä.. blues on objektiivinen vitonen joten ei voi mitään. valitse hyvä genre niin saat hyvän arvostelun heh ei kannata new wave post punk indie yrittää vähän vaikeempi silloinen heh... toivottavasti tältä ukolta tulee aikaisempaa työtä vastaan... liikaa huonoja lenkkejä.. atrian punainen lenkki...eikä HK BLUUESSI!!!!!!! the healer

I thought the guitar playing/other instrumentation on this album was really good. I wasn't a big fan of the singing but that's just because this isn't a genre I typically love.

Blues. 1/5

Decent bluesy stuff

Classic old school blues with some younger guests

Ah ça j’aime!

A bit boring and love focused. I bet he would be cool live.

Pretty good, but a weird choice over the work he did in his prime. The features are pretty good and add flavor to the songs (except for the last 3, which don’t have any). Overall, it’s fine, but not something I’d listen to again.

Enjoyed

Great blues from a legend

What a slog. I just don't get the appeal.

Album dat John Lee Hooker vereeuwigde als blues legende. De tracklist bestaat voor het grootste deel uit collaboraties met andere artiesten zoals Santana, Robert Cray en Los Lobos. Lekkere nummer met goed gitaarspel Blues wordt niet beter dan dit. leukste nummer: Think Twice Before You Go Hooker ging richting 73 bij uitkomst van het album. Het succes van The Healer zorgde ervoor dat hij de rest van zijn leven comfortabel kon doorbrengen.

Slow blues, oldish

John Lee Hooker is obviously a Blues icon, but found myself not loving the collaborative nature of this record. Wanted more solo songs. 3/5

I don't normally go for these 80's fundraisers and find them too safe but this is pretty good despite all the 'friends' involvement. Not as good as the early stuff but there's enough of the raw edge - he really was a titan of the Blues.

These collabathons can be pretty dull affairs, and so it proves here. Santana IMHO the kiss of dullness to anyone he works with. Concert at Newport the place to start with JLH not here.

Monday morning blues... Seemed to fir the day.

Strong 5/10

Great album with some really good collabs

"The Healer" is an album by American blues singer, songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker. Executive producer Mike Kappus conceived the idea of putting Hooker with guest musicians and on this album Hooker's collaborations are with Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, Canned Heat, Los Lobos, George Thorogood and Charlie Musselwhite. This album received critical and commercial success allowing the 73-year old Hooker to live the rest of life in financial comfort. And, it also won the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Performance. The album starts off with the Santana collaboration "The Healer." A carribbean beat. The classic Carlos Santana guitar sound. Muddled Hooker vocals. It's smooth and sounds like something off of Santana similar album "Supernatural" a decade later. Get it? Sorry. Bonnie Raitt and John Lee redo his 1951 "I'm in the Mood." This is more classic blues. Great blues guitar. My favorite collaboration might be with Canned Heat, believe it or not, on "Cuttin.'" I love the Canned Heat harmonica mixed with the Hooker guitar. And great guitar that is. Another big highlight is with Los Lobos in "Think Twice Before You Go." The Los Lobos beat. You got the David Hidalgo accordion. More great searing guitars. Charlie Musselwhite's harmonica has "That's Alright" sounding like a slower version of "When the Levee Breaks." Always a good thing. The last three songs on the album are solo Hooker and more straight-forward blues. My favorite of these is the last song "No Substitute." A stomping beat. Acoustic blues guitar. Hooker reaching back for some soulful vocals...maybe his best on the album. All of these collaborations work really well creating a fusion of both artists involved yet fully in the blues genre. The thunderous Hooker vocals. His guitar is perfectly placed always there never completely dominating. Great production by Roy Rogers and a recommended album for all music fans.

Great opening track. Overall nice easy to listen blues. 3,5/5

lo ame