Blues Masters: The Very Best Of Jimmy Reed (CD)

• Category:  Music  »  Blues  »  Chicago Blues
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Label: Rhino Records (USA)
• UPC: 081227980221
• WAPI (Tower ID): 106396311
• Average Customer Review: There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
• Tower.com Sales Rank: #11897 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #232 in Blues (See Top 100 Blues Bestsellers)
• #20 in Chicago Blues (See Top 100 Chicago Blues Bestsellers)

Personnel includes: Jimmy Reed (vocal, guitar, harmonica); Mama Reed (vocals); John Brim, Eddie Taylor, John Littlejohn, W.C. Dalton, Remo Biondi, Lefty Bates, Phil Upchurch, Lonnie "Lee Baker" Brooks (guitar); Henry Gray (piano); Milton Rector, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed Jr. (bass); Albert King, Morris Wilkerson, Vernell Fournier, Earl Phillips, Al Duncan (drums).

Producers include: Calvin Carter.

Compilation producers: James Austin, Jimmie Vaughan.

Recorded between 1953 & 1963. Includes liner notes by Cub Koda, Steve Woolard.

Digitally remastered by Bob Fisher.

Though Jimmy Reed's name will always be eclipsed by more innovative and charismatic artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, his simple, straightforward music is--in a way--what the blues is all about. As Rhino's definitive VERY BEST OF proves, Reed knew the music was primarily about soul and groove, with flash and musical expertise taking a backseat to a basic feel for the songs. Though Reed's harmonica playing, hypnotic rhythms, stinging lead guitar, and cool, behind-the-beat vocals do not dazzle technically, they always support the deep vibe of the song, effectively getting out of the way to let the blues do its business.

Lovingly selected, sequenced, and remastered, BLUES MASTERS: THE VERY BEST OF JIMMY REED trumps existing compilations as the essential Reed album to get. All of the artist's biggest singles are here, including the swamp blues blueprint "High and Lonesome," the bouncy "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby," and the smoothly grooving "Baby What You Want Me to Do" (with Reed's wife, "Mama," lending sweet backing vocals). Rhino wisely avoids Reed's inferior 1970s material, concentrating solely on his seminal Vee Jay output. This is the perfect sampler of Reed's unique and influential accomplishments.

There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!

• Great Deals on CDs under $9.99
  
  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Albums all for under $10! Great Music for Everyone's Tastes!
• Great Deals on DVDs under $12.99
  
  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic DVDs all for under $13! Great Movies, TV and DVD Specials for Everyone's Tastes!
• Great Deals on Books under $14.99
  
  New Releases, Bestsellers and Classic Books all for under $15! Great Reads for Everyone's Tastes!