More Classic Blues Done Right....
J. Agin | Bayside, NY United States | 03/16/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Another fine record by John Hammond.. 12 songs.. 3 of them, well written songs by Hammond..With only a Bass and Drums playing with him the music is sparse and done with feeling. Maybe I take JH for granted but I have to admit after a few listens, it sounds like more of the same and lacking some spark. Unlike say Wicked Grin which was produced by Tom Waitts, I consider a Dessert Island Disc and would give 5 stars for creativity and a high energy performance.Also be warned it has copy protection on this CD, which is all fine and good but when it opens the Player you have to use to lisen to it on your PC, it Locks up your computer.I tried running this application by itself on my work PC(new) it takes up 100% CPU..so you can't open a copy program..fine, but you can't open anything else either..I will not be wasting my money on any lame protection scheme like this ever on any CD by anybody..Its useless if you can't play it, no matter how good it may be.I am a Computer Tech."
Gritty Acoustic Blues
Mark R. Smith | Grand Rapids, MI USA | 02/01/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"After a more than two dozen discs and a distinguished career as one of the foremost interpreters of classic acoustic blues, the turn of the century found John Hammond in danger of becoming a blues museum piece. His discs were all well done but it was difficult to distinguish any one from the others. That all changed in 2001 with the release of Tom Wait covers, Wicked Grin, which scored him significant cross-over success with its compelling interpretations of numbers that grew up outside the Mississippi delta. He followed that release in 2003 with Ready For Love which featured not only his first ever self-penned number but a new found energy that pushed the tracks beyond mere interpretation. This effort continues the hot streak. With covers by Percy Mayfield, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Ray Charles and others as well as two brand new numbers this disc bristles with energy. Hammond's well honed acoustic guitar chops and well traveled voice propel number after number into a new listening experience. Even numbers like Charles' classic, I Got a Woman, which has received lots of play this year as a result of the terrific movie Ray and its accompanying soundtrack, seem to have a vibrant edge. While too many acoustic guitar blues discs sound much the same from beginning to end, Hammond is by turns a jug band style national steel master, a soul cat, a folk balladeer and a gruff, ready to rumble bluesman. A great way to start out your blues year."
Back to the blues for Hammond
tgfabthunderbird | York, PA United States | 11/11/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Had to really dig the country blues trio here on John Hammond's release, "In Your Arms Again." After a departure into country, blues and roots rock on "Ready for Love," Hammond gets into some backporch juking, and it's great to hear.
"Jitterburg Swing" and the cover of Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman" are well done and great to listen to. A cover of "Evil (Is Going On)" is pretty good, and John dips into various catalogs for tunes that he can uniquely interpret.
I'll admit "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" is kind of a clunker; I haven't really heard anyone do that song well, except maybe Robert Palmer and UB40 some years back. In any case, this is finely executed recording, and one I'll return to quite often.
"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
