Search - Various Artists :: Blues Masters 6

"The original and best"

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 08/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most of the numerous entries in Rhino's "Blues Masters" series are very good, and this one is no exception.



This 1993 volume brings together 18 classic blues songs, all of which have been covered in one form or another by other blues, blues-rock or rock n' roll artists. Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man" is the basis for Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy", Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right" was covered by Elvis Presley (as you may know!), Led Zeppelin have covered (or just stolen) several of these songs (the Muddy Waters-single "You Need Love" became "Whole Lotta Love"), and the Allman Brothers Band did a great rendition of G.L. Crockett's excellent, underexposed "It's a Man Down There".



There are some top-notch classics here, as well as a number of more obscure but equally enjoyable recordings which will look at home on any blues fan's shelf. Most Yardbirds fans are probably unaware that the prototype for their song "Lost Woman" was an obscure Snooky Pryor single, "Someone To Love Me". And the original version of "Got My Mojo Working" is here...not by Muddy Waters, though, but by little-known jump blues singer Ann Cole.



A fine collection, mixing together famous standards and obscure gems with thorough liner notes. Longtime blues fans will have most of this music, of course, but more casual fans will find a lot of great stuff here.

4 1/2 stars. Excellent."

Hear the Classics!

Docendo Discimus | 10/17/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Hear the songs before they were covered by the stadium rockers. Led Zeppelin covered "Bring it on home", "You Need Love" and " I Can't Quit You Baby" Countless bands have done of a cover of Elmore James' "Madison Blues." And of course, the Rolling Stones did a cover of "Love in Vain" So, if you want hear what influenced famous rock rollers, this is the album for you."