The Cream [live]

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共15首歌曲

艺人: John Lee Hooker
语种: 英语
厂牌: Varèse Sarabande
发行时间: 2001年08月21日
专辑类别: 录音室专辑

专辑介绍

by Alex Henderson

Joined by a full band that includes two other guitarists (John Garcia, Jr. on lead and Ron Thompson on rhythm), John Lee Hooker is passionately rockin' on this live date (recorded at the Keystone in Palo Alto, CA in 1997). Hooker has always been known for taking quite a few liberties with his material, something that could easily throw some musicians off. Without a doubt, Hooker keeps a sideman on his toes -- and he presents even more of a challenge on stage because there are no second and third takes. But this is a band that, although not in a class with Canned Heat, obviously understands (and even thrives on) his sense of spontaneity, and rises to the occasion on such familiar gems as "One Room Country Shack," "When My First Wife Left Me" and "Tupelo," as well as the invigorating "Boogie On" (one of the many variations of "Boogie Chillen" Hooker has provided over the years). Hooker doesn't do as much improvising as he did when playing unaccompanied at New York's Hunter College the previous year, but he never ceases to be confidently soulful. Although not quite essential, The Cream is an engaging CD that definitely has a lot going for it.

Death, as they say, can be a good career move. That's a cynical attitude to take toward the passing of one of the greatest legends in blues--in fact, one of the greatest legends of American music--but it's hard not to get cynical in the wake of all the reissues and dusted-off old recordings that have hit the shelves in the wake of John Lee Hooker's death in June 2001. That said, the aptly named

The Cream

is worth a listen. Recorded in Palo Alto in 1977, this live concert recording captures Hooker in a relaxed mood, taking things easy and jamming with the band. It's a good, solid set, especially in its closing number, "Boogie On," a jamming version of Hooker's classic "Boogie Chillen" that features some nice harp work from

Charlie Musselwhite

. While

The Cream

doesn't threaten the pride of place of Hooker's

live Newport recording

(itself recently reissued), it's plenty satisfying on its own terms.

--Genevieve Williams