Aww. I've got tears in my eyes, Brett. That is the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said. I came home from 12 hours at the hospital, cleaned up, poured a sour and grabbed some chips and hummus and threw your video on the TV through my laptop. Now I have my OG "Hard Again" on the spinner. No doubt about what you said. This album tore me up when I first it years ago and it cannot be topped. I have all but the Koko Taylor and Hooker and Heat, but I'm very familiar with both artists (how could anyone not like Canned Heat?) and it's just a matter of not finding them that they are not in my collection. I can't quibble with your selection or ranking at all. When I tried to come up with my own list in my head, I kept thinking of live albums (Live and Burning, So Many Roads, the two BB and Bland albums), but these were all ones I thought of too. "Ice Pickin'" was one of the first cds I acquired upon discovering the Blues vis a vis The Allman Brothers. It blew my mind. 'Conversation with Collins' may only warrant the occasional listen, but it must be listened to. One of the most unique and jaw dropping displays of guitar ever made. And "Nothin' But the Blues" is like going 15 rounds with Marvin Hagler or something. Non stop power coming at you without reprieve. There are a few other albums I'd dd to your list (Luther Allison, Freddie King, Otis Spann), but none of yours can be replaced. It was such a rich time for the Blues and the '80s just carried the momentum along. Keep your vids going, they are very much enjoyed and appreciated. Man, this Muddy is really boiling...
The effect we've had on each others' collecting is a treasure to me, and I'm not surprised we're in agreement about Hard Again! It's the ultimate Blues album for its time, maybe of all time. And Nothin' But The Blues comes in right behind it. Choosing even a Ten Plus One was difficult. I decided to make it that way on myself by omitting live albums. More of a challenge, let me tell you! Alligator and Delmark really gave the world a much needed kick in the pants, reminding us that the Blues remained an essential force in music. And, seriously, thank God / The Universe / The Deity of Choice for Johnny Winter and his championing of Mud :)
Nice to see you back again, Brett. I know very little about original blues recordings so I enjoyed getting some education from your video. Ian Stewart was the piano player on loads of Rolling Stones albums. "Boogie for Stu" by Led Zeppelin was about him. All the best, Russell Campbell.
Thank you for the kind words, and the info! I knew I should have known, but while recording, I blanked! And I don't have editing software, everything is one take, so if there's an error, I'm happy for the right information :) I hope you check these albums out - if you're into the Stones and Zeppelin, you'll enjoy them!
Aww. I've got tears in my eyes, Brett. That is the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said. I came home from 12 hours at the hospital, cleaned up, poured a sour and grabbed some chips and hummus and threw your video on the TV through my laptop. Now I have my OG "Hard Again" on the spinner. No doubt about what you said. This album tore me up when I first it years ago and it cannot be topped. I have all but the Koko Taylor and Hooker and Heat, but I'm very familiar with both artists (how could anyone not like Canned Heat?) and it's just a matter of not finding them that they are not in my collection. I can't quibble with your selection or ranking at all. When I tried to come up with my own list in my head, I kept thinking of live albums (Live and Burning, So Many Roads, the two BB and Bland albums), but these were all ones I thought of too. "Ice Pickin'" was one of the first cds I acquired upon discovering the Blues vis a vis The Allman Brothers. It blew my mind. 'Conversation with Collins' may only warrant the occasional listen, but it must be listened to. One of the most unique and jaw dropping displays of guitar ever made. And "Nothin' But the Blues" is like going 15 rounds with Marvin Hagler or something. Non stop power coming at you without reprieve. There are a few other albums I'd dd to your list (Luther Allison, Freddie King, Otis Spann), but none of yours can be replaced. It was such a rich time for the Blues and the '80s just carried the momentum along. Keep your vids going, they are very much enjoyed and appreciated. Man, this Muddy is really boiling...
The effect we've had on each others' collecting is a treasure to me, and I'm not surprised we're in agreement about Hard Again! It's the ultimate Blues album for its time, maybe of all time. And Nothin' But The Blues comes in right behind it.
Choosing even a Ten Plus One was difficult. I decided to make it that way on myself by omitting live albums. More of a challenge, let me tell you! Alligator and Delmark really gave the world a much needed kick in the pants, reminding us that the Blues remained an essential force in music. And, seriously, thank God / The Universe / The Deity of Choice for Johnny Winter and his championing of Mud :)
Nice to see you back again, Brett. I know very little about original blues recordings so I enjoyed getting some education from your video. Ian Stewart was the piano player on loads of Rolling Stones albums. "Boogie for Stu" by Led Zeppelin was about him. All the best, Russell Campbell.
Thank you for the kind words, and the info! I knew I should have known, but while recording, I blanked! And I don't have editing software, everything is one take, so if there's an error, I'm happy for the right information :) I hope you check these albums out - if you're into the Stones and Zeppelin, you'll enjoy them!
That should be "Boogie WITH Stu."