Search - John Lee Hooker :: That's My Story

Country Blues Classic

DirkL | Sydney, NSW Australia | 11/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is fantastic. Not many reviews here so I can only assume this recording may have been forgotten. I've not been a massive John Lee Hooker fan, or even a massive blues fan but due to my appreciation of what I call "rural" music, I've been listening to guys like Blind Willie Johnson, Fred McDowell and [Missippi] John Hurt, as well as the wonderful Pops [Roebuck] Staples of that great family ensemble, the Staple Singers. TIMS fits right in there, sweetly among them. This is all-acoustic and a natural progression from his previous Country Blues solo recording. Here, he plays and sings along with a nice rythmic double base and drum arrangement, handled by a couple of jazz musicians (also ex-blues players), so no beefy rock manouvers here. This is spare and soulful, and probably one of John Lee's most personal recordings. It's not in the least bit heavy-handed, but lets the soul of the man speak, producing a most compelling listen."

... a real master of that blues scale

Don Alegre | Baiern | 07/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What to tell you about this legendary man Hooker what has not been told.

... a genius, who was incredibly chary with the blue note, always placed it at the right moment, similarly to a recitative however slightly modified.

... since 1948 the good father for many rock bands and movements with in the R'n'B scene

... the or one of the most successful blues musicians so far or for ever



This DVD, well done as such, certainly can never really cover JLHs tremendous opus nor does it allow you to gain even an insight. But it turned out to be an exciting flash of or a wonderful first step carrying you along into the fascinating world of this straight and rough but lovable, amiable and most sensitive Hooker, a man full of rhythm all his life long.



... a wonderful disc for all fans and those who yet missed

"