Various Artists - Blues Masters, Vol. 6: Blues Originals

It's unfortunate, but it's true: the original versions of many blues classics aren't nearly as well known as their hit covers by (usually white) rock groups. That's not to say that some of these covers aren't great as well, but it's both educational and enjoyable to hear them from the source's mouth. Blues Originals contains 18 original versions of classics that went on to reach a wide audience via covers by The Stones, Yardbirds, Elvis, Led Zeppelin, the Doors, and others. The Chess stable of Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy Williamson is represented here, of course, along with standards by Elmore James, Otis Rush, Robert Johnson, Slim Harpo, and Jimmy Reed. Mixed in with great and fairly available performances like Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man" and Howlin' Wolf's "Back Door Man" are some quite obscure and collectable delights. Arthur Crudup's original version of "That's All Right," covered by Elvis Presley for his first single, has been surprisingly hard to find over the years; ditto for Muddy Waters' "You Need Love," which formed the blueprint for Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." Even most Yardbirds fanatics are unaware that the prototype for "Lost Woman" was taken from (and retitled from) an obscure Snooky Pryor single, "Someone To Love Me." And even many Chicago blues fanatics will be surprised to find the original version of "Got My Mojo Working," which was not recorded by Muddy Waters, but little-known jump blues singer Ann Cole. A fine collection, mixing together famous standards and obscure gems with thorough liner notes. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide

Name Credits A.C. Reed Sax (Tenor) Al Duncan Drums Ann Cole Performer, Vocals Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup Guitar, Vocals, Performer Big Walter Performer, Vocals Big Walter Horton Harmonica Bill Greensmith Research Bo Diddley Vocals, Performer, Guitar Bob Fisher Remastering Carl Lott Bass Clifford Burks Sax (Tenor) Cub Koda Compilation Producer, Liner Notes, Research Dave Booth Research David Dean Sax (Tenor) Dr. Demento Research Earl Hooker Guitar Earl Phillips Drums Elmore James Vocals, Performer, Guitar Ernest Cotton Sax (Tenor) Fats Perrodin Bass Fenton Robinson Guitar Floyd Arceneaux Trumpet Frank Green Maracas Frank Kirkland Drums Fred Below Drums Freddie King Guitar G.L. Crockett Performer, Vocals Geoff Gans Art Direction Glenn Parsons Design Grady Gaines Sax (Tenor) Guitar Gable Guitar Harold Ashby Sax (Tenor) Henry Gray Piano Henry Thomas Guitar, ?, Vocals, Reed Pipes, Performer Homesick James Williamson Guitar Howlin' Wolf Guitar, Vocals, Performer Hubert Sumlin Guitar J.T. Brown Sax (Tenor) James Austin Producer James Booker Piano Jim O'Neal Research Jimmy Reed Performer, Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica Jimmy Reed Jr. Vocals, Guitar Jimmy Rogers Guitar Jockey Ettiene Drums John Hammond, Jr. Performer Johnny Big Moose Walker Organ Johnny Jones Piano Johnny Perry Drums Judge Riley Drums Lafayette Leake Guitar, Organ, Piano Larry Davis Performer, Vocals, Bass Larry Davis & His Band Performer Lee Cooper Guitar Lester Davenport Harmonica Little Walter Performer, Vocals, Harmonica Louis Myers Guitar Lucius Washington Sax (Baritone) Luther Tucker Guitar Matt "Guitar" Murphy Guitar Mickey Baker Guitar Milton Rector Bass Muddy Waters Performer, Vocals Odie Payne Drums Odie Turner Piano Otis Rush Performer, Vocals, Guitar Otis Spann Piano Patrick Milligan Research Rachel Gutek Design Ransom Knowling Bass Reggie Boyd Guitar Robert Johnson Performer, Vocals, Guitar Robert Lockwood, Jr. Guitar Sam Lay Drums Sammy Lay Drums Slim Harpo Performer, Harmonica, Vocals Snooky Pryor Vocals, Performer, Harmonica Sonny Boy Williamson Performer, Harmonica, Performer, Harmonica, Vocals Ted Myers Research The Suburbans Vocals W.C. Dalton Guitar Wayne Bennett Guitar William Schurk Research Willie Dixon Bass