• 180 gram VIRGIN VINYL

• The Complete album + 6 BONUS TRACKS

• 4 1/2 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Widely recognized as one of the true giants of the blues, John Lee Hooker’s driving, rhythmic approach to guitar playing has become an integral part of the blues sound and style.

John Lee Hooker Sings The Blues, released in 1961, puts together a selection of singles the bluesman recorded between 1948 and 1954. It combines electric numbers such as “Hug and Squeeze” with acoustic tunes, and solo performances like the spine-chilling “Don’t You Remember Me”.

PERSONNEL:

• JOHN LEE HOOKER - (vocals, lead guitar and foot stomping) plus:

• ON TRACKS A1-A3:
• Eddie Kirkland (second guitar, bass on A1), Bob Thurman (piano),
• Tom Whitehead (drums), Otis Finch (tenor saxophone). Detroit, 1954.
• In spite of its different title, A2 is in fact an alternative take of A1.

• ON TRACK A4:
• Louisiana Red (vc, g), John Lee Hooker plays guitar only.
• Detroit, 1954.

• ON TRACK A5: Bernie Besman (organ). Detroit, 1952.

• ON TRACKS B1 & B5: James Watkins (p). Detroit, February 27, 1950.

• B2: Eddie Kirkland (g). Detroit, August 7, 1951.

• ON TRACKS B3-B4:
• Solo recordings by John Lee Hooker.
• Detroit, November 16, 1950 (B3) & September 3, 1948 (B4).

• (*) BONUS TRACKS:
• A6-A8, B8: John Lee Hooker (vc, g), Eddie Taylor (g), Earl Phillips (d).
• Chicago, January 22, 1959.
• B6: John Lee Hooker (vc, g), Sam Jones (b), Louis Hayes (d).
• New York, February 9, 1960.
• B7: Solo recording by John Lee Hooker (vc, g). Detroit, 1959.

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1 HUG AND SQUEEZE (YOU)
• A2 I LOVE YOU BABY
• A3 THE SYNDICATE
• A4 BOOGIE WOOGIE ALL NIGHT LONG
• A5 GOOD ROCKIN’ MAMA [aka ROCK ME MAMA]
• A6 CRAWLIN’ KINGSNAKE (*)
• A7 HOBO BLUES (*)
• A8 MAUDIE (*)

• SIDE B
• B1 LET YOUR DADDY RIDE
• B2 TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
• B3 DON’T YOU REMEMBER ME
• B4 DRIFTIN’ FROM DOOR TO DOOR
• B5 SHE LEFT ME ON MY BENDED KNEE [aka WEDNESDAY EVENING]
• B6 I NEED SOME MONEY (*)
• B7 BURNIN’ HELL (*)
• B8 I’M IN THE MOOD (*)