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Product Reviews By User
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Swallows
Very Best of the Swallows (2005) 
Top Flight Early Doo WopUnfortunately this group is often overlooked, even by so-called doo wop fans. Ballads with close harmony was their trademark and the classics all are here. Listen to Eternally, Dearest, Since You've Been Away, I'll Be Waiting and numerous others and decide for yourself if any other doo wop group sang ballads any better - even the Flamingos. Too bad they are mostly known today only for their novely tune, risque for its time; It Ain't The Meat, and yet Eddie Rich was one of the top 5 lead singers of them all!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver) 3/27/2007
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Five Crowns
Rainbow and Old Town Recordings (2002)
The Quinessential NYC Street Corner GroupThis is early street corner harmonizing, most of the tunes being recorded/released originally in 1952. These guys influenced the Vocaleers, Harptones and many other NYC groups who came later. These guys didn't sound polished and professional but they sure did sound like street corner singers, and they sounded great. Don't buy this expecting it to sound like the ultra-plush recordings on the End label by the Flamingos, but if you want to know what street corners sounded like in NYC in the very early 50s, this is the finest representation of that sound!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver) 3/27/2007
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Art Garfunkel
Some Enchanted Evening (2007) Top Seller
Amazing!Buy this; if only for Art's rendition of the Harptone's classic Life Is But A Dream, you might find yourself listening to it over and over and over. Later you can enjoy the others. Art ignores the critics and sings beautifully as always! As he sings after the first verse of 'Life Is...,' "This one's for you!"
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver) 3/3/2007
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Chi-Lites
Lonely Man (1972)
Remastered
Masterpiece!If you enjoy "Oh Girl" you'll love this entire recording. This and the "A Letter To Myself" LP/CD is the Chi-Lites at their pinnacle. A previously unreleased version of their anthem, "Oh Girl" is included. "A Lonely Man" and others are symphonic doo wop. "(She) Ain't Too Much Of Nothin' (But Just Enough Of Everything)" is the very epitome of the Chi-Lites sound - one of the most catchy tunes ever recorded. "Love Is" is another outstanding track. Superlative throughout.
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO, USA) 11/18/2006
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Chi-Lites
Letter to Myself (1973)
Remastered
Most overlooked sweet soul LP/CD of them all!This, along with the "A Lonely Man" LP/CD, is the Chi-Lites at their pinnacle. In addition to the great title track, "Just Two Teenage Kids (Still In Love)" and "You Smiled The Same Old Way" are as good as anything the fellows ever recorded, including "Oh Girl" and "Have You Seen Her." Incredible extended symphonic style arrangements. Doo-wop harmonies set to full orchestral backing is the way I think of it. One of the very best soul LPs from the 70s!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO, USA) 11/18/2006
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Kenny Vance
Lovers Island (2005) 
 Incredible!This is one of the finest LPs/CDs of any genre ever. Every track is superbly done, retaining the sound of the past but in very thoughtful new arrangements. Lover's Island and Angel Baby blow me away! Most times covers of these old doo wops are done at quicker tempos than the orginals and with little feeling. Not here - these are relaxed, sensitive arrangements, true to the orginal magic of these songs! If you aren't ready to fall in love, I'd suggest listening to this alone...
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver) 10/14/2006  |
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Fleetwood Mac
Shrine '69 (1999)
Stunning!
Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac at their live best! This CD is uncommonly good! Great Peter Green vocals and stinging guitar solos injected with feeling as only Green could. There is no doubt they came to play the blues beginning with the first note Green strikes. If you like early Fleetwood Mac and/or Peter Green you'll love this!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, COolorado) 3/14/2006
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Otis Rush
Lost in the Blues (1977)
A classic!
Had this album been billed as by somebody named Clapton, Beck, Page, Lee, Vaughn or Taylor it may very well be considered one of the classics or a landmark LP. Instead, it's Otis Rush, who was an influence for all of the aforementioned, and it is overlooked! This CD sparkles with crystal clear, straight ahead blues lines and Rush's fine vocals. Not quite as electric as his very best live stuff and not as influential as his Cobra stuff from the 50's, but one of the very best blues LP/CDs from the 70's; when we were deluged with disco, acid-jazz and many blues artists were experimenting, freaking out or still really playing rock (and calling it blues) Rush went to Sweden and cut this classic Chicago electric blues beauty!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/19/2006
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Otis Rush
Mourning in the Morning (1969) 
Good, but not for those with an aversion to a horn section.
Otis Rush has always seemed more harshly judged, it seems to me, than other blues artists in that any of his recordings that didn't make one's hair stand on end were dismissed as unworthy of listen. Well, this album - his first, in 1969 - is different than many other of his recordings. Some blues guitar lovers may dismiss it because it has a horn section (couple saxes and a trumpet), but many of B. B. King's recordings had a horn section also. This album does have a sort of southern soul feel to it but not on every track. It isn't Rush's very best but their are some great tracks. Gambler's Blues is a great cover of a classic. My favorite is Butterfield/Bloomfield's Reap What You Sow. It is reminiscent of some of Rush's Cobra tracks and has a "Peter Green" feel to it.
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/19/2006
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Bluesbreakers / John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers / John Mayall
Hard Road (1967) 
Remastered
The extras are great!
On the 1st CD is added the ethereal Evil Woman Blues from the old Raw Blues LP, which is followed by the four great tracks with Butterfield, gems all! The 2nd CD is out of this world, not a loser in the bunch. Green's vocals and guitar on Out Of Reach are masterful. In fact all of the Green sounds on the 2nd CD are great - Greeny, a nice cover of Otis Rush's Double Trouble and more. Green's sparse and haunting guitar on First Time Alone hints at what was to come with Albatross, Apostle, etc. Very highly recommended for fans of Peter Green.
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/15/2006
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Otis Rush
All Your Love I Miss Loving: Live at the Wise Fools Pub Chicago (2005)
Best yet in 21st century!
Great stuff! Kudos to Delmark for getting these 70's live recordings out. Every track is a winner. This competes with the Cobra stuff for Rush's best work - crystal clear guitar lines, all played with deep feeling. If you enjoy Bloomfield, Green et al, you'll love this one!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/15/2006
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Otis Rush
Essential Collection: The Classic Cobra Recordings 1956-1958 (2000) 
Seminal
If you've never heard this early stuff - '56-'58 - before, give it a listen and see if you hear Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green, Paul Butterfield and many other blues artists that emerged in the 60's! Listen to Fleetwood Mac's (Peter Green) Love That Burns and then listen to Rush's Double Trouble! This is seminal stuff that influenced hundreds of blues guitarists and other blues artists as well. I hear Bloomfield licks in My Baby Is A Good 'Un and Groaning The Blues is the classic Butterfield style. Absolutely necessary for a complete blues collection!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/15/2006
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Paul Butterfield
Live (2005)
Reissued
A great live recording!
This recording is infectious from Paul's intro to Everything Going To Be Alright, right on through his unheard of solo in Driftin' And Driftin', to Born Under A Bad Sign and So Far, So Good! One of the better "live" recordings. This is more of a "big band" blues sound than what Butter started with, but his harp still comes through prominently. Recommended!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/13/2006
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Gary Moore
Blues for Greeny (1995)
I waited too long for this one.I hesitated on this one for much too long, as I'm not a fan of tribute LPs/CDs. This exception is great. It's almost eeerie how much Gary sounds like Peter Green, playing Green's 1959 Les Paul! Most tunes are great with "Need Your Love So Bad" from another world, with Gary's extended solos! If you like Peter Green's haunting blues sound, you won't be disappointed!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/13/2006
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Magic Sam
Rockin' Wild in Chicago (2002)
Incredible blues guitar in lo-fi.
From 3 live recordings in Chicago clubs. For some reason the 1963 session has better sound quality than the 1966 session; the 1968 session sounds better also. Magic Sam had a great voice and was a peer of Michael Bloomfield technically and playing with feeling. What an overlooked blues guitarist! The fantastic live performances here overcome the lesser quality of the recording methods used for them. This entire CD is a blues guitar lovers treat!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/13/2006
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John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers / John Mayall
Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (1966) Top Seller
Bonus Tracks; Remastered
Good but overrated.This one sounded more to me like folk and rock when it was released and sounds the same to me now. With all due respect to the "Clapton is god" group, what Clapton attempts here was not new, but rather greatly influenced by other guitarists who came before. I would much more highly recommend Magic Sam's Westside Soul, either of the first 2 Butterfield Blues releases (Michael Bloomfield), many of Albert King's recordings and, for that matter, recordings by the next Mayall guitarist, the best British player - Peter Green! Want to hear real blues? Pick up Fathers And Sons with Muddy Waters, Michael Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, Otis Spann et. al.
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, Colorado) 2/9/2006
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Peter Green
End of the Game (1970) Top Seller
A curveball from Peter Green.
This isn't the typical Peter Green or early Fleetwood Mac sound, in fact, it's nearly Avante-Garde in nature - Peter on his creative edge if you will. Bottoms Up is a perfect track to open up. Timeless Time is as close as it gets to the Peter Green most are familiar with. The End Of The Game is a brilliant close to the album. This isn't the one to pick up if you are looking for Green's classic blues vocals and guitar. On the other hand, if you're up for a creative and different blues guitar ride, get on board. I've enjoyed this since the original vinyl and I hear different sounds with each listen. This one is nearly impossible to categorize or describe.
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 1/23/2006
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Peter Green
In the Skies (1979) Top Seller
Remastered
Those haunting and lonesome Peter Green Blues!
Peter Green may be the most underrated blues guitarist of any ethnic background and this may be the most stunning unknown blues album of all! This CD is simply incredible. Peter's voice and haunting blues guitar are as good as if not better than ever! Apostle and Slabo Day rank as two of his great instrumental blues and Peter's voice and guitar on A Fool No More grab the ears and don't let go. If you're an early Fleetwood Mac fan and wonder where that haunting sound went - here it is! If you love sweet guitar blues ala Bloomfield and B.B. King yet have never heard Peter, you are in for a delight!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 1/23/2006
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Muddy Waters
Fathers and Sons (1969) Top Seller
Remastered
Are you ready for this experience?If restricted to one blues recording this would be the one to have! The finest assembly ever of authentic urban Chicago blues musicians! Muddy's fine vocals are prominent throughout as Otis Spann, Butterfield and Bloomfield stand out instrumentally. The studio recordings that begin the LP/CD are tastefully done and yet only serve as a warm-up for the live tracks that follow. "Long Distance Call" and "Sail On (Honey Bee)" are sublime. The first take of "Mojo" will raise your hair and the second take will knock you out of your chair, as Bloomfield and Butterfield take solos nearly beyond belief, especially Butter's second take harp solo. I can't imagine any other 60's white players steeped in blues and experienced and talented enough to play at this level with Muddy Waters and Otis Spann. No cross-over distorted rock here. Simply the electric urban blues - incredibly done!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/23/2005
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Paul Butterfield Blues Band
East-West (1966)
Incredible follow-up to Butterfield's first effort!Many reviews of this recording focus on the Indian influences and extended solos of East West and Work Song. Personally I think Work Song is fabulous but can take or leave East West. The real gem on this recording is "I've Got A Mind To Give Up Living (And Go Shopping Instead)" - possibly the greatest blues guitar solo ever recorded! Bloomfield was the maestro! Elvin Bishop's solo vocal on this recording is also special. Even the cover art on the first two Butterfield LPs/CDs was classic!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/23/2005
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Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1965) Top Seller
This is the blues!This is one of the top three Chicago blues recordings! While other sixties players were recording rock or folk and calling it blues, this is the real deal. From the opener "Born In Chicago" through "Blues With A Feeling" and "Last Night" it stays true to the great urban blues sound of Chicago. Butterfield, Bloomfield and Bishop with the former Howlin' Wolf rhythm section. Simply outstanding to this day!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/23/2005
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Electric Flag
Long Time Comin' (1968)
Outstanding - Before It's Time!Bloomfield's solo in Wine absolutley SMOKES and is reminiscent of the great Lester Young's (sax) solo in "When You're Smiling" for ad lib brilliance! His sensitive playing on Easy Rider (though short) is masterful and played with a sensibility that perhaps only B.B. King and Peter Green understood and were able to get recorded. In comparison to other white blues guitarists, Bloomfield stands as a virtuoso who never relied on distortion, trick sounds or catchy hooks. He was the real deal!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/23/2005
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Mike Bloomfield
It's Not Killing Me (1969)
Vintage Bloomfield!I was beginning to think this LP would never make it to CD. This is a jewel for hard-core Bloomfield fans who prefer his crisp, genuine, clear-toned blues playing to many other 60's white guitarists - many of whom mostly played distorted rock yet had their output portrayed as blues... "Far Too Many Nights" is a classic blues with a great solo midway. "Goofers" is a very listenable instrumental which shows just how far Bloomfield bent notes without distortion. His vocals on this outing are often rapped, but then blues vocals aren't a thing of classic beauty to begin with are they? Other fine tunes include "Next Time You See Me" but I'm sure Bloomfield fans are well familiar with the track lineup! A master guitarist who nearly single-handedly began the white blues guitarist explosion in the 60's with his work on the first two Butterfield Blues Band LPs! Superb sound throughout!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/17/2005
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Johnny Ace
Chronological Johnny Ace: 1951-1954 (2005)
Includes pre-Duke label material!Finally, a Johnny Ace CD issue without the Ace of Hearts playing card! To the best of my knowledge this is his only comprehensive CD, including two pre-Duke label recordings, one of which was issued on 78. Anymore is the later altered version with added vocals, which is OK given that the original appears on all other CD issues. Clear sound throughout and decent liner notes.
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/17/2005
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Buck Ram's Doo Wop (1999)
Nice previously unreleased & obscure material!This CD is worth the purchase price for the Chesterfield's "A Dream Is But A Dream," alone! The track here includes the spoken intro that was left off the impossibly rare Philips 45 and later reproductions.
Some of the other tracks are hit and miss for vocal group lovers but there are some gems, such as the Pepper's "All I Ask Of You." Clean sound throughout.
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/17/2005
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Ravens
Their Complete National Recordings 1947-1950 (2003)
Wonderful Packaging - Crisp SoundI was at first disappointed because the advertising for this package listed an alternate version of "Count Every Star," which didn't exist on the set upon arrival. But, the unreleased beauties "Please Believe Me," and "Bless You (For Being An Angel)" more than made up for the absence of the Star alternate!
The packaging includes floating head photo-artwork when opened and CD surfaces made to look like the blue National, the maroon National (with map) and the Rendition labels. Very nicely done!
Clearly this is the finest of the Raven's CD issues I've seen and heard!
Submitted by a reviewer (Denver, CO) 12/17/2005
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