•
Rating:
Texas Slim, Delta John, The Boogie Man, Johnny Williams, Little Pork Chops, John Lee Booker, John Lee Cooker and others, behind these early career pseudonyms used to circumvent contractual rules, was in reality one of the greatest and most important bluesmen of all time, namely the gigantic John Lee Hooker, who had already indelibly marked post-war blues since his first single in 1948 recorded for Modern Records, which contained, just for good measure, two gems that would become classics, namely "Sally Mae" and "Boogie Chillen'" as sides A and B respectively.
Given the premise, what other title could his first record have but "I'm John Lee Hooker" and in my opinion also to assert his unique and unmistakable style. Released in 1959 for Vee Jay Records, the LP contains 5 tracks recorded in January of the same year and the remaining 7 were recorded in various sessions between 1955 and '58.
The album opens immediately with a gem like "Dimples" (from '56), Hooker is supported here by Eddie Taylor on second guitar, George Washington on bass, and Tom Whitehead on drums, with riffs and melodies that became very famous. Already from this first track, one can find John Lee's typical boogie guitar style and the almost primitive immediacy of his Detroit and Chicago blues. With the same lineup, I also point out the seductive and suggestive "Baby Lee" which closes the album.
But the tracks that indelibly mark this record are those recorded in the '59 session, in particular "Hobo Blues", "Boogie Chillun" (a vowel change for a re-reading of the already mentioned "Boogie Chillen'"), "Crawlin' King Snake" and "I'm In The Mood" (a personal variation of "I'm In The Mood For Love" pop hit from '35), in these pieces "Hook" is solo: the voice is as always robust, warm and harsh, while the guitar plays the unmistakable and typical obsessive and magnetic style that has become a true trademark of Lee, all rhythmically driven by the backbeat of his foot. All these tracks had already been previously recorded by John, also for Modern Records (between '48 and '51), but these are top-notch versions, and in my opinion, "Boogie Chillun" remains the best version among the many he has recorded. Of "I'm In The Mood" (with the addition of Taylor's guitar), I personally continue to prefer the first version, the one from August 1951 with Eddie Kirkland on second guitar, anyway this is also a splendid variant.
The record certainly does not end here, other tracks are of high quality, and this is a milestone on the long and dusty road of blues, and when the listening is over one can only say: "Yes! This is truly the great John Lee Hooker!"
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Dimples (02:16)
I love the way you walk
I love the way you walk
I'm crazy 'bout your walk
I love the way you walk
You my babe, I got my eyes on you
I like the way you switch
I like the way you switch
I like the way you switch
I like the way you switch
You my babe, I got my eyes on you
You got dimples in your jaw
You got dimples in your jaw
You got dimples in your jaw
You got dimples in your jaw
You my babe, I got my eyes on you
Well I see you every day
Well I see you every day
If you need to look
Well I see you every day
Well I see you every day
You my babe, I got my eyes on you
03 I'm So Excited (02:54)
I get so excited baby, see you walkin' down the street
I get so excited darlin', see you walkin' down the street
Babe I get so excited darlin', just can't help myself
My mama oh she told me, to leave you alone
My mama oh she told me, to leave you alone
But my mama didn't know what you were puttin' down, oh no!
Night time is the right time
To be with the one you love
You know when night come baby I know
You so far away
So excited darlin', when you're not around
I get so excited baby, don't know what to do, alright!
If I can't be with you baby, I don't want nobody else
If I can't be with you baby, I don't want nobody else
I get so excited baby, walkin' down the street
07 I'm in the Mood (02:44)
I'm In The Mood (Version 1)
by John Lee Hooker Bernard Bessman
recording of 1959
from The Vee Jay Years 1955-1964 (Charly 82333-1754-2) & Vee Jay No. 1069,
I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love
I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood, baby, I'm in the mood for love
I said night time is the right time, to be with the one you love
You know when night come baby, God know, you're so far away
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, I'm in the mood for love
I'm in the mood, in the mood, baby, in the mood for love
I said yes, my mama told me, to leave that girl alone
But my mama didn't know, God know, girl was puttin' down
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood baby, in the mood for love
I'm in the mood, I'm in the mood, baby, in the mood for love
08 Maudie (02:20)
Now Maudie, baby, I love you
Aoh Maudie, baby, I love you
You been gone so long, 'cause I miss you so
Now Maudie, why did you hurt me
Ooh Maudie, why did you hurt me
I love you baby, you been gone so long
Now Maudie, baby, I love you
Aoh Maudie, baby, I love you
You been gone so long
12 Baby Lee (02:52)
Baby Lee, don't do me like you do
Baby Lee, don't do me like you do
I love you baby, you never treat me right
Takin' you downtown, you carried me through the mill
Takin' you downtown baby, you carried me through the mill
Now you wanna treat me, and treat me like a child
Baby Lee, please don't do me wrong
Baby Lee, please don't do me wrong
I love you gal, I just can't stand your way
Baby Lee, you know you ain't treat me right
Baby Lee, you know you ain't treat me right
You take all my money, wanna treat me like a child
Baby Lee, please don't do me wrong
Baby Lee, you know I love you
Please don't do me wrong honey
I love you Baby Lee
You won't treat me right
Loading comments slowly
