Hooker & The Hogs by John Lee Hooker with The Groundhogs

12 Jan

Written by Morrice Blackwell
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When John Lee Hooker met with The Groundhogs it was blues magic. When he traveled to England, he enjoyed playing live with the Hogs as his back up band. Originally, the father of the British blues John Mayall had the job sewn up, until Eric Clapton quit his band and then plans changed. Much to the delight of guitarist Tony McPhee, the Hogs were in.

Hooker was so pleased with the Hogs and their efforts that he decided to go into the studio in 1965 to cut an album with them. This is a paring comparable to the Hooker and Canned Heat sessions that took place many years later. This CD is part of the Sanctuary Blues Masters and it brings to light those original sessions. I stress the word "original" as other unauthorized versions have surfaced with horns added that were not part of the original mix. It was the intention of Hooker and the Hogs to have only these genuine versions found on this CD released. Four bonus tracks from the John Lee vaults are part of this collection as well to make this an even more enticing purchase for blues enthusiasts. The tracks cover the gamut of the hurtin’ kind of blues one can have, from "Wandering Blues" to "Goin’ Mad Blues."

This is archetypal John Lee with one of the great white boy blues-rock bands from England. Nobody makes blues music like this anymore and I guarantee it is just as good as you would expect from a great band backing a blues legend. You know it had to the best if Mr.Hooker was running the show.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: John Lee Hooker with The Groundhogs
CD Title: Hooker & The Hogs
Genre: Blues
Year Released: 2003
Reissue Original Release: 1965
Record Label: Sanctuary Records
Tracks: Mai Lee Im Losing You Little Girl Go Back to School Little Dreamer Don't Be Messin' With My Bread Bad Luck and Trouble Waterfront No One Pleases Me But You It's Rainin' Here It's a Crazy Mixed Up World Seven Days and Seven Nights John Lee Hooker Bonus Tracks: Wandering Blues Goin' Mad Blues Black Man Blues Helpless Blues *Tracks 1-11 In Mono with The Groundhogs *Tracks 12-15 Hooker with guests'
Musicians: John Lee Hooker(Guitar, Vocals), Dave Boorman(Drums),Tony McPhee(Guitar, Liner Notes), Pete Cruikshank(Bass), Tom Parker(Organ);
Label Website: http://www.sanctuaryrecordsgroup.com
Rating: Five Stars