John Lee Hooker

2 LPs ON 1 CD + 4 BONUS TRACKS

John Lee Hooker developed a “talking blues” style that became his trademark. Though similar to the early Delta tradition, his metrically free approach and unique sound would make him a staple of Detroit blues. Often called the “King of the Boogie”, Hooker’s driving, rhythmic approach to guitar playing has become an integral part of the blues.

This quintessential release includes two of Hooker’s finest albums: The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker (Vee Jay 1961) and Folk Blues (Crown 1962). The former LP combines acoustic tunes like the spine-chilling “Tupelo” and “The Hobo” (both recorded at the Newport Folk Festival in 1960), plus electric numbers such as “I’m Mad Again”, “I’m Going Upstairs”, and “Hard-Headed Woman”, among other highlights. The second LP featured Hooker’s 1952-1955 electric recordings for the Modern label. Both albums have
been remastered and packaged together in this very special collector’s edition, which also includes 4 bonus tracks from the same period.

PERSONNEL:

JOHN LEE HOOKER, vocals, lead guitar and foot stomping, plus:

Jimmy Reed (harmonica and guitar), William “Lefty” Bates, Eddie Kirkland (guitar),
Quinn Wilson (bass), Earl Phillips (drums), Otis Finch (tenor saxophone), among others.

Recorded in Detroit, Chicago, and Rhode Island, 1952-1961.

TRACKS:

THE FOLK LORE OF JOHN LEE HOOKER
01. TUPELO
02. I’M MAD AGAIN
03. I’M GOING UPSTAIRS
04. WANT AD BLUES
05. FIVE LONG YEARS
06. I LIKE TO SEE YOU WALK
07. THE HOBO
08. HARD-HEADED WOMAN
09. WEDNESDAY EVENING BLUES
10. TAKE ME AS I AM
11. MY FIRST WIFE LEFT ME
12. YOU’RE LOOKING GOOD TONIGHT

FOLK BLUES
13. BABY I’M GONNA MISS YOU
14. HALF A STRANGER
15. SHAKE HOLLER AND RUN
16. DOWN CHILD
17. GONNA BOOGIE
18. BAD BOY
19. ROCK HOUSE BOOGIE
20. LET’S TALK IT OVER
21. BABY YOU AIN’T NO GOOD
22. LOOKIN’ FOR A WOMAN

BONUS TRACKS
23. DEVIL’S JUMP
24. RUN ON
25. YOU’VE TAKEN MY WOMAN
26. ROSIE MAE

TOTAL TIME: 77:40