Search - Little Joe Blue :: Little Joe Blue's Greatest Hits

Two Classics On One CD

Sam Mosley | Toronto, Ontario | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shortly before his death, Little Joe Blue recorded a pair of solid LP's for Evejim Records that are now available on CD. Both the albums show Blue at his best, playing slick, urban yet still lowdown blues with terrific production by producer Leon Haywood. The songs are a mix of new originals, mostly written by Haywood, a few cover's as well as a few re-cuts of songs Blue recorded many years before for other labels. These include a new version of his most famous song, the classic "Dirty Work Going On" and "Encourage Me Baby", which he originally did for Jewel. The cover's include Sony Boy #2's "Don't Start Me to Talking" and Little Milton's "How Could You Do It to Me". Throughout the CD Blue's lead guitar playing is focused and concise, without any silly tricks that plague many blues records. The horn arrangements are terrific throughout as well, especially on the funky "Who".

Little Joe Blue is pretty much forgotten these days, but with a few of his CD's still available we can still remember his terrific music. If you like slick, urban West Coast blues like BB King or Lowell Fulson than you will definitely want to check out the great Little Joe Blue."