Search - Various Artists :: Chess Blues Classics 1947-56

Essential recording for both Blues purists and casual fans

MilesAndTrane | Chicago, Il USA | 11/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, how can a true blues fan not purchase this album? If you're clinging to the Delta sounds of Robert Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson, this compilation is worth hearing. When Muddy Waters moved to Chicago in 1943, he single-handedly gave birth to electric blues. This is the blues here that has directly or indirectly influenced ALL blues music today, as well as helping create the birth of Rock N' Roll. There is no shortage of great talent on this album. Sure, all the usual suspects are present on this album; Waters, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Willie Dixon, but the album also gives wonderful introductions to Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, and Sonny Boy Williamson, among others. Here is the first hand experience of the earliest of electric blues - Chicago Blues.Sadly, the stellar efforts of these bluesmen would come to prominence by way of versions performed by The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Clapton and Hendrix. Now, true Chicago Blues can be heard in all its aching glory. And lastly, would it really seem like old school blues if it wasn't in mono? I think not."

4½ stars - a great starting point for the curious

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 06/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Opening with blues legend Muddy Waters' first hit, "I Can't Be Satisfied", "Chess Blues Classics: 1947 To 1956" collects 16 blues numbers from the late forties and early-to-mid fifties.It doesn't offer anything of interest to the seasoned blues fan (who probably has all of this material already), but if you're a newcomer and would like to explore the world of classic Chicago blues, this CD is a really good place to do it.The compilers have picked some great songs, particularly Sonny Boy Williamson II's superbly swaggering "Don't Start Me To Talkin'", Little Walter Jacobs version of "Blues With A Feeling", Muddy Waters' "I Just Want To Make Love To You", pianist Eddie Boyd's classic slow blues "Twenty-Four Hours", the thumping proto-rock of Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man", and the awesome Howlin' Wolf's eerie 1956 single "Smokestack Lightnin'".This is prime rib; it's only a little slice of what Chess Records have to offer, but it gives you a very good idea of what you're in for if you decide to go down the blues road. In time you will probably want to go looking for albums by the individual artists, but until you do, "Chess Blues Classics" and its companion volume "Chess Blues Classics 1957-67" is as good a starting place as any, and better than most.
(If you're looking for your first blues purchase, you may also want to check out the excellent double-disc "Chess Blues Guitar".)"

Traces the blues from the Delta to Chicago's South Side

Frank Camm | Northern Virginia | 03/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Traces blues from the delta into the heart of Chicago. In the process, moves from something close to Alan Lomax folk archive to proto-rock and roll. First Muddy Waters (1948) is just him with a acoustic guitar (!). Recognizable urban blues does not appear until 1952 (Eddie Boyd). Settings at the beginning are spare to empty. They fill out progressively, presumably as Chess gains production skills. Stand-out: tr 14: Howlin' Wolf (passionate abandon; full spectrum of color in his voice). Excellent recording detail on cuts. [46:57]"