Review, buy Texas Blues: Stax: Superblues, Vol. 1: All-Time Classic Blues Hits [VINYL], Freddie King (1934-1976) [CASSETTE], Blues Train, Legendary Poet of the Blues, Shinin' Moon, Texas Twister [CASSETTE], Don't Lose Your Cool [CASSETTE], Still Alive and Well [CASSETTE], Stompin' at the Savoy, Read My Lips [CASSETTE], Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings [CASSETTE], Festival of Carols [CASSETTE], Showdown [VINYL], The Very Best of T-Bone Walker, Blues Train, Live in Japan [CASSETTE], Houston Gold, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Goin' Away [VINYL], Live at Liberty Hall, Houston 1972

This album was released by the Antone's label in 1989, just after the election in which George Bush made "Read my lips" a catch phrase. Lou Ann Barton explained that she was happy to share the expression with the President because "I thought the American people should have a choice. " That's an easy one. The word "sultry" could have been coined for this Lone Star thrush. Backed by a crack crew of Austinites, Barton plunges into a savvy selection of roots and blues classics from the oeuvres of Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Irma Thomas, and Wanda Jackson. That's a tough crowd, but Barton keeps company with the best of 'em. -Steven Stolder.

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Review Big Mama Thornton / Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings [CASSETTE]

Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings [CASSETTE] (Big Mama Thornton)

Tracks Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings [CASSETTE]

I Smell a Rat
Nightmare [#]
Walking Blues
Laugh, Laugh, Laugh [#]
Hound Dog
Rock-A-Bye Baby [#]
You Don't Move Me No More [#]
Stop A-Hoppin' on Me [#]
Let Your Tears Fall Baby [#]
Fish [#]
They Call Me Big Mama
My Man Called Me
Hard Times [#]
How Come [#]
Just Like a Dog (Barking up the Wrong Tree) [#]
Big Chance
I've Searched The Whole World Over
Yes, Baby [#]

Publisher: Mca
Release date: 1992-12-22
RRP: ~~£7.99~~
Price: £34.14

Review Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings [CASSETTE] / Big Mama Thornton:

The classic "Hound Dog" is usually associated with Elvis Presley, but blues fans know: Presley's recording wasn't the first. That honor belongs to singer Big Mama Thornton, whose own recording of "Hound Dog" was eclipsed by Presley's. Her version is on this collection in all its glory, opening a CD of 18 killer tracks. Thornton's voice, by turns growling and richly melodic, was indeed unusual, and the spare accompaniment on Hound Dog makes it stand out all the more on songs such as "They Call Me Big Mama," "How Come," "The Big Change," "Hard Times," and "The Fish. " Thornton had talent and attitude to spare, and both come through loud and clear on this essential collection. -Genevieve Williams.

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Review Robert Shaw / Festival of Carols [CASSETTE]

Festival of Carols [CASSETTE] (Robert Shaw)

Tracks Festival of Carols [CASSETTE]

Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Medley: O Sanctissima/Joy to the World/Away in a Manger/Fum, Fum, Fum
Coventry Carol
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
We Three Kings
Carol of the Bells
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
I Wonder as I Wander
My Dancing Day
Shepherd's Carol
Medley: What Child Is This?/Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Bring a ...
Medley: Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light/The First Nowell/O ...
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Medley: Good Christian Men, Rejoice/Silent Night/Patapan/O Come, ...
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Publisher: RCA
Release date: 1991-08-10
Run time: 71 min.
Price: £5.99

Review Festival of Carols [CASSETTE] / Robert Shaw:

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Showdown [VINYL] (Robert Cray)

Publisher: Mobile Fidelity
Release date: 1995-04-16
Price: £19.99

Review Showdown [VINYL] / Robert Cray:

Call it three for the price of one. Far from engaging in a guitar-playing shootout, Albert Collins, Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland work together incredibly well, achieving a kind of musical synergy that is rarely heard. Copeland and Cray handle most of the vocal duties, and Cray's smooth, soul-tinged voice (positively shiver-eliciting on "The Dream", as is Collins's lead guitar work) complements Copeland's growl perfectly. Collins doesn't get to sing as much, but he more than makes up for it with his harmonica on the slow blues "Bring Your Fine Self Home". And of course, all three turn in stellar guitar work, trading solos and rhythm parts with the greatest of ease; Cray was a relative newcomer at the time of this recording, but he more than holds his own. One would be hard pressed to find a better blues collaboration anywhere. -Genevieve Williams.

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