Search - John Lee Hooker :: Detroit 1948-1949

More from the early Hooker treasure trove

Tim Weber | Iowa | 08/02/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For the first time these 1948-49 Savoy Records sides, a few of which were never released, are issued in their entirety. Hooker recorded many of these under pseudonyms to circumvent an exclusive recording contract, but it had to have been obvious to everyone who this was. Nobody sounds like John Lee Hooker. His late '40s output is astonishing, and these recordings add to that legacy. Still, among the great CDs of that early period, this would have to rank as a lesser entry. For one thing, sound quality is shaky or even downright noisy at times. The songs are very good but not quite up to some of his other efforts from this period. Interestingly, four of the songs feature drums and piano accompaniment, a rarity that early in Hooker's career. Those are interesting, if hissy-sounding. Also, his "Boogie Chillen" riffing is repeated a few too many times. Still, all early Hooker is quite nice, and there are strong songs here, such as the great "Goin' Mad Blues." Quite worthwhile, but if you don't need to have ALL of the earliest Hooker, stick with the magnificent "Legendary Modern Recordings," "Graveyard Blues" or "Alternative Boogie," in that order."