John Lee Hooker Mr. Lucky CD

Primarily recorded at Russian Hill Recording Studios, San Francisco, California.

Whenever an old pop, rock or blues artist is joined by an all-star cast of guest musicians, it's usually to safe assume that the artist in question is pretty much a spent force. Fortunately, that is not the case with this wonderful 1991 album by blues legend John Lee Hooker. Even though the guest list includes Albert Collins, Robert Cray, Van Morrison, Nick Lowe, Keith Richards and Carlos Santana, Hooker is the driving force on this album from start to finish.

With his voice stronger and more assured than ever and his guitar playing right on the money, MR. LUCKY is arguably the best of Hooker's latter-day recordings. Even though Nick Lowe and Jim Keltner provide a serious groove on "This Is Hip" and Van Morrison and Hooker ooze bluesy soul on "I Cover The Waterfront," Hooker shows that he can deliver the goods without his all-star supporting cast on the down-and-dirty boogie of the opening track "I Want To Hug You" and the stark acoustic blues of "Highway 13."

MR. LUCKY is dedicated to the memory of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Personnel: John Lee Hooker (vocals, guitar); Robert Cray, Van Morrison (vocals, guitar); William "Bill" Greene, Terry Evans, Bobby King (vocals); Johnny Winter, Keith Richards, Albert Collins, Michael Osborn, Ry Cooder, Tim Kaihatsu, Carlos Santana (guitar); John Hammond, Jr. (slide guitar, harmonica); Kenny Baker (saxophone); Johnnie Johnson (piano); Jimmy Pugh, Booker T. Jones, Deacon Jones (organ); Chester Thompson (keyboards); Jim Keltner, Kevin Hayes , Scott Mathews, Tom Compton, Gaylord Birch, Bowen Brown (drums); Raul Rekow (congas); Karl Perazzo (timbales).

Audio Mixers: Samuel Lehmer; Arne Frager.

Recording information: Ocean Way Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, CA; Plant Recording Studios, Sausalito, CA; Russian Hill Recording, San Francisco, CA; The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA.

Unknown Contributor Roles: John Hammond, Jr.; Johnnie Johnson; Johnny Winter; Keith Richards; Albert Collins; Robert Cray; Ry Cooder; Van Morrison; Booker T. Jones.

Personnel includes: John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison (vocals, guitar); Willie Green, Bobby King, Terry Evans (vocals); Keith Richards, Carlos Santana, Ry Cooder, Johnny Winter, Albert Collins (guitar); John Hammond (slide guitar, harmonica); Ken Baker (saxophone); Booker T. Jones, Deacon Jones (organ); Johnnie Johnson (piano); Chester Thompson (keyboards); Nick Lowe, Maurice Cirdlin, Jeffrey Ganz, Larry Taylor (bass); Jim Keltner, Bowen Brown, Tom Compton, Gaylord Birch (drums); Karl Perazzo (timbales); Raul Rekow (congas).

The Robert Cray Band: Robert Cray (vocals, guitar); Tim Kaihatsu (guitar); Jimmy Pugh (keyboards); Richard Cousins (bass); Kevin Hayes (drums).

Rolling Stone (10/3/91) - 3.5 Stars - Very Good "...really rips on the ripe, low-down blues..."
Q (10/91) - 4 Stars - Excellent "...a sapphire of an album...as fine and funky as anything he's cut in the last 40-odd years..."
Mojo (Publisher) (10/01, p.169) - "...For sheer good-humored whomp, the best of Hooker's 4 '90s 'comeback' albums..."