Search - Jimmy Reed :: Big Boss Man-Best of

A Significant Man of the Blues--How Did He Manage?

Eclectic Revisited | Arizona | 11/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When white folks used to say that they couldn't understand the words of a blues song, they might well have been talking about Mathis James Reed born in the 1920s in Mississippi. Also Jimmy Reed did not have nearly the musical ability on the tools of the trade, guitar and harmonica, that his contemporaries had. And he suffered from epilepsy but was such an unabashed drunk that his malady was not diagnosed for years as he seemed just to have the predictable "DTs"(delirium tremens) from his excessive use of alcohol. It's said that his friend and collaborator Eddie "Playboy" Taylor used to nudge him when it was time for him to sing or to play his blues harp. Reed's own wife ("Mama Reed") can be heard singing along with him on some recordings as he would often forget the words. So how did he put a dozen or more songs on the Top 100 (more than any of the other arguably more talented bluesmen of the time?) Simple beats, easy-to-remember words and it was clearly the heartfelt blues. His "Big Boss Man" is a classic and was appropriated successfully by Charlie Rich to the point it was almost Rich's theme song. "Bright Lights, Big City" was another heartfelt tune. Elvis Presley recorded Jimmy's "Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby" as well as others. More good ones by JR include "Baby, What You Want Me to Do?" and "Take Out Some Insurance". They are all included in this package. Pay the fair price for those named tunes and the rest is gravy, a kind of "easy listening" blues. You won't think it's anybody but Jimmy Reed. "Mama Reed" was still with him when he died in 1976 in his early 50s. This is his legacy."

Boss Man: Best of Jimmy Reed

Roland D. Sneed | Blue Springss, MO USA | 07/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had tried for years to find a Jimmy Reed CD. He was one of my favorite blues artists in the 50's. My favorite was "Ain't That Lovin You Baby" which is on this album along with many other great songs.



I have just about worn it out already."