Face To Face by John Lee Hooker

04 Aug

Written by Morrice Blackwell
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The man may be gone but his music certainly is not. John Lee Hooker was working on a new album before he died and this is it, you get to meet him Face To Face one last time.... or is it the last? The title has a twist of irony attached to it as Hooker’s daughter Zakiya completed the recording. It is nice that she got involved to make this all happen and I know blues fans all over the world are grateful.

Hooker was still right on the money until the day he died and he remains one of the true masters of the blues. I really cannot see how that will ever change. The man sure had many folks help him on these tracks; a virtual who’s who in music accompanies him, George Thorogood, Johnny Winter, Elvin Bishop, Van Morrison, Warren Haynes.... the list goes on. He commanded a lot of respect. I think it became a distinct honor to be part of his projects, beginning with Canned Heat back in the ‘70s.

This is a solid release with top-quality musicianship, sound, and production values. There is surely to be more after this, after all, when a great star’s light dims it continues to regenerate and shine brightly with rediscovered and previously unreleased material. John Lee is on the "Big Road" now but he ain’t finished yet so stand by.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: John Lee Hooker
CD Title: Face To Face
Genre: Blues
Year Released: 2003
Record Label: Eagle Records
Tracks: Big Road Dimples Loving People Face to Face Funky Mabel It Serves Me Right to Suffer Up and Down Mad Man Blues Six Page Letter Stop Jivin Me Mean Mean World Turn Over a New Leaf Wednesday Evening Blues Boogie Chillen Rock These Blues Away'
Musicians: John Lee Hooker (Guitar, Vocals), Dickey Betts (Guitar), Elvin Bishop (Guitar), George Thorogood (Guitar), Johnny Winter (Slide Guitar), Gary Benson (Background Vocals), Warren Haynes (Slide Guitar), Bowen Brown (Drums), Jack Casady (Bass), Ruth Davies (Upright Bass), Billy Friday Johnson (Guitar), Terrance Kelly (Background Vocals), Scott Mathews (Drums), Van Morrison (Duet), Jim Pugh (Organ), Tony Saunders (Organ, Bass), Zakiya Hooker (Liner Notes, Executive Producer, Duet), Dean McKinney Moore (Saxophone), Mike Kappus (Producer), Anthony Cook (Guitar, Assistant Producer), Kevin Williams (Drums), Robert "Red Top" Young (Guitar), Joe Thomas (Upright Bass, Bass), Tina Bryant (Background Vocals), Dan Zemelman (Piano), Marlon Green (Drums);
Label Website: http://www.eaglerockent.com
Rating: Five Stars