Quintessential Swamp Boogie
349232
Lightning Slim's sound is somewhat derivative of Howling Wolf although he is his own man. It is real Louisiana Swamp music with a rawness that is refreshing. Slim had some regional jukebox hits in the early and mid-60s in the lowland South all the way above Memphis, which is where and when I first heard him, dancing to such gems as "Long Leany Mama". This album is a great example of Slim's work with engaging harmonica riffs (Lazy Lester?) backing up his vocals. If you like electric blues, you will enjoy this distinctive style and Slim's unique voice. It was real kick-and-stab-juke-joint music in its day. You can feel its power.
2674761
A true party favorite and dance floor filler!!
2477794
This the kind of down & dirty, hard-core, unadulterated, "slap-ya-momma-upside-the-head" type of blues that I love.  Muddy is definitely in his element, and it seems that only the bionic harp skills of James Cotton would do to back him up.  Johnny Winters and Pinetop Perkins are also featured, but this bad boy is all Muddy Waters. The remake of "Mannish Boy" is out of this world.
Each song feels as if Muddy had been wanting to make an album like this for a long time.  This album not only enabled him to finally cut loose and "do his thang," but it shows why Muddy Waters is, was and will forever be the King of Delta Blues.  Nothin' fancy, nothing prissy - this albums just plain ROCKS!
1225326
Oneof my.favorites of all time. This replaces my.vinyl copy. If I.remember right this album contains Swamp People - a real classic.
781893
Osiris is the premier Funk/Groove band to come out of Washington DC. You can't beat their hard-driving sound and "gritty" vocals (pun intended). The best of club sound from the late 70's/ early 80's.
I saw this band at the Capital Center back in the day and have Gritt On It on a 45 (complete with skips). I've longed for a digital version of this song and am so excited that it's now available.
I can't download it fast enough. It'll be on my MP3 player before you can blink your eye and will be the cornerstone of my very best party dance mix.
If you can't dance to this, then you must already be six feet under. On second thought, Gritt On It could even make a dead man move.
885083
The music of Tony Joe White is a lot like a hot meal at Cracker Barrel.....simple, down home, and it hits the spot everytime! One of the most unique and overlooked legends of American music, Tony Joe remains the ultimate stand out from the crowd, "do it your way" musician who sounds like nobody else you've ever heard on rock, pop, or country radio.  Truth be told, this man's distinctive, ultra-cool sound is simply too damn good for modern radio programmers who feed cookie-cutter crap to the masses while ignoring real deal artists like this guy! John Fogerty is the only artist who comes close to capturing the deep swampy flavor of White's music. What a treat it would be to see these two pioneers of swamp rock share the stage together in the near future!  THAT would be a concert I'd love to see and thankfully both men are still in fine form after all these years. White's appearance with the Foo Fighters on David Letterman's show a few months ago has hopefully woke up a lot of rock fans to the rockin swamp music of this fine stud from Louisiana.

Like Fogerty, Jerry Lee Lewis, and AC/DC, Tony Joe is a true original who has never strayed from HIS trademark sound over the years, regardless of whatever is popular on the charts.  The man is literally a modern day Lightning Hopkins who needs little more than a guitar and harmonica to bring out his sound and captivate his audience. HOO DOO is the latest Tony Joe album, and like the rest of his work it simply defies category.  Is it blues, rock n' roll, or country??? It is pure Tony Joe White....swampy rhythm and beat music that is undeniably infectious no matter what label you choose to give it. One of the greatest thrills in music is a killer beat and groove, and a musician who specializes in creating it.  Tony Joe has simply mastered the art of creating a simple, foot-stomping groove that gets you moving every time. The opening track of the CD, "The Gift", is a perfect example.  From the first note to the last, the song is propelled by a simple, rock steady beat that never lets up. The same can be said for my favorite track on the album "Alligator Mississippi" that moves and rocks with a rhythm and groove that gets under your skin and rocks your fanny off.

"The Flood" and "9 Foot Sack" are two down home blues tunes that would make John Lee Hooker proud.  "Who you gonna hoo doo now" and "Sweet Tooth" are more tasty slices of bluesy swamp rock.  The only flaw in this album is the poor mixing of the vocals.  Tony Joe sings so low and soft on every song that you can barely make out the lyrics, and having his voice a little louder in the sound mix would have improved this album a lot. The recording engineer must have been asleep or something. Thankfully the lyrics are included in the CD. This may not be the best work White has ever done, but it is another fine effort by a man whose sound is so tasty and rock solid he would have a hard time making a bad record even if he tried.  This is the kind of sound today's mainstream superstars wish they could achieve if it weren't for narrow-minded music executives who dictate what the public gets to hear.  If you own a set of powerhouse speakers in your home or car, crank this CD to the max and blow the roof off.  Your neighbors need to hear some of this!  Keep on keepin on with the REAL DEAL Tony Joe and thanks for a legacy of distinctive infectious music that everyone could use a lot more of.

COOKIE-CUTTER NEVER---TONY JOE FOREVER!
3266344
Who can listen to Stelios Katzantidis' 'Efuge Efuge' and not think of Frank Sobotka under that overpass, walking toward the Greek?

As far as I'm concerned, this album is worth the price just for the Neville Bros. version of "Way Down in the Hole." But there are plenty of great songs, and a lot of them trigger goosebumps when you think about where/when they were used throughout the series.

Plus a lot of my favorite dialogue snippets, from McNulty's series-opening "Snot Boogie" speech to Stringer flaunting Robert's Rules of Order ("This n*^&! too IGNORANT to have the f&*^in' floor!"), are here.

Well worth the price tag.
1448076
Maybe the best Wheel record of the many published.  If you like Boogie with a western flavor, this is the album for you.  Ray Benson has a great voice that really fits the music.  His crew consists of excellent musicians who really want to and can swing.  Even if you are not a country western fan, you will find this album enjoyable.
4214258
Not the George Clinton and P-funk kind of funk music but in a funky groove all of its own.  Cleary (originally a Brit now adopted by New Orleans) gives this album a distinct New Orleanian flavor and passion with a cruising kind a funk---meaning that you can listen to it in your car to jam, at cocktail hour, at a club or even jazzfest.  The best part of this CD is that I didn't feel the need to say---he was better live.  It's just that good!
3792337
The Bar-Kays were part of the next generation of Stax-Volt artists,  entering a vibrant soul scene populated by the likes of Booker T. & the  MG's, The Mar-Keys, Sam & Dave, William Bell, and Otis Redding.  MG  drummer Al Jackson, Jr. had taken the young group under his wing, gearing  them up for this fantastic 1967 debut.  The blistering title track is an  unquestionable Memphis soul classic, kicking off a strong set of 11  instrumental cuts.  House-wrecking numbers like "Knucklehead,"  "You Can't Sit Down" and "House Shoes" are sure to get  your party started.  Sadly, this would be the first and last record from  the original Bar-Kays lineup.  While on tour with Otis Redding, a tragic  airplane crash took the lives of Otis and four members of the group, just  six months after the release of this album.  The remaining members  (trumpeter Ben Cauley and bassist James Alexander) later reformed the  group, playing back-up on several Isaac Hayes records and releasing a  string of albums that moved their sound towards heavier funk with vocals.  The CD reissue includes Booker T.'s original liner notes, testifying the  promise of their contagious grooves.  This disc is a very enjoyable and  often overlooked gem.  Definitely recommended for fans of '60s soul.
1643003
Who would believe that the soundtrack to "The God Who Wasn't There" would cause the involuntary tapping of toes?  Perhaps even a couple of dance steps!

This is music that not only blends beautifully with the documentary it accompanies, but is also something to pop into the CD player for your listening pleasure.  The very first track, "I Don't Wanna Wait" starts your toes tapping.  You are definitely swaying to the music with "Every Single Day."  Even "The God Who Wasn't There" (which has a fun parody of Footprints in the Sand) has you being pulled in by the beat.  By the time you get to "Ten Turntables and a Slide Trombone," you're hooked.

Who knew that electronica/re-mix could appeal to such a broad age range?  DJ Madson apparently did.  It seamlessly spans many musical genres to please everyone.

This is not just great music, it's also something to which you should give thought while you're listening.  If you've seen the movie, you almost "see" video clips and smile.  If you haven't seen the movie (and you should!), this CD is still  upbeat and, well, toe tapping goodness!
4925622
This has been one of my favorite CD's since I got it, about five years ago. There's not a bad song on here. It's one you'll leave in the CD player for weeks on end and never get sick of. It's got a funky feel that leaves  you wishing it would never end. Killer percussion and funky guitar work  combine for an indescribably good groove. A must have for any music fan.
2512673
If you've had the pleasure of hearing the Scissormen live, you'll know how two musicians can conjure up the haunted sounds of electric hill country blues. Personal faves are "Tupelo" and "Whiskey and Mary Jane," which builds to a rave-up of mammoth proportions. Great fun!
1704549
If you have been told about the Legendary Shack Shakers, and are wondering which album to start with, this would be it.

th'Legendary Shack Shakers are a southern gothic band out of Paducah, KY, whose lead singer/harpist is completely fascinating in his explorative style, and search for American roots music.

Some of the strongest tracks on the album are "Pinetree Boogie", which starts off the album with a high energy burst. Following is "CB Song", smooth cruising to feel dangerous, primitve and sexy. "Hunkerdown" seems to be an invitation to the fire, sit on your haunches and let the night weave into darkened tales. "Blood on the Bluegrass" is, like most LSS songs, contains the evocative imagery of denied spirits, hungering hearts and wild vengance.

"Shake Your Hips", a cover of a Slim Harpo tune, is a fantastic throw in that almost keeps up with the original's power.

"Bullfrog Blues", "Devil's Night Auction", "Hoptown Jailbreak" are also three fairly good tunes, though not as much as the five previously mentioned.

"Clodhopper" is a strong country/folk tune, and for those anticipating the southern gothic or psychobilly leanings will be thrown off by this purer throwback.  "Wild Wild Lover" was simply an average song, and overall not to judge the album by.

A fantastic album, and the first "new" band I've fallen in love with for over a decade, their music is just that exciting and brimming with originality and energy.  Get in to them today!
1179433
Though Alive has recently reissued several of Swamp Dogg's classic albums (including&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Total-Destruction-to-Your-Mind/dp/B00B2TUEJU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Total Destruction to Your Mind</a>,<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Rat-On/dp/B00B2TUQUW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Rat On</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Gag-a-Maggot/dp/B00IXRBL2I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Gag a Maggot</a>), as well as his work with&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Irma-Thomas/dp/B00C44PEL0/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Irma Thomas</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Sandra-Phillips/dp/B00ELE8DIC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Sandra Phillips</a>, this is their first opportunity to release new material. And forty years after the landmark Total Destruction, Swamp Dogg's brand of humorous social commentary remains as potently entertaining and educational as ever. That's because the social, racial and gender issues of the 1970s haven't gone away, and Swamp Dogg's eyes and tongue are still sharp.

The title track lays down James Brown styled funk, but Soul Brother No. 1 never laid down a philosophical position as direct, quirkily self-reflective and far-reaching as "The White Man Made Me Do It." Swamp Dogg manages to simultaneously curse slavery and celebrate the heroes that emerged in its wake, all to a catchy chorus chant and deep dance groove. The groove turns to Family Stone-styled soul (complete with a brief "listen to the voices" breakdown) for "Where is Sly" and low-down for a strutting cover of Leiber and Stoller's "Smokey Joe's Cafe."

At 72, Swamp Dogg still has an ambivalent relationship with women, serenading on "Hey Renae" and a cover of Sam Cooke's "You Send Me," castigating on "Lying, Lying, Lying Woman," and humorously apologizing to his stepdaughters in the liner notes. But contradictions, or perhaps more accurately, colorful positions on complex subjects, have always been part of Swamp Dogg's charm. Swamp Dogg sings side by side of a satisfied life ("I'm So Happy") and ruminates on "What Lonesome Is," showing that every coin in his pocket has at least two sides.

On balance, Swamp Dogg seems happy with the life he's led. He may joke about his lack of popular acclaim, but where there might be bitterness you'll find belief. Belief in his music, belief in his principles, and despite the social ills he's cataloged over the years, belief that things have, can and will improve. "America's sick, and it needs a doctor quick," he sings in "Light a Candle... Ring a Bell," but his roll call of the housing crisis' bad actors is both an outpouring of frustration and a call to more responsible behavior. Swamp Dogg's been calling it like he sees it since his 1970 debut, and in 2014 he still finds plenty to call.

Release note: The U.S. edition of this title is a 14-track single disc on Swamp Dogg's S.D.E.G. label. Outside the U.S. this title includes a bonus disc of Swamp Dogg performances (including the landmark "Synthetic World") and productions, featuring cuts by Sandra Phillips ("Rescue Me"), Lightning Slim ("Good Morning Heartaches"), Irma Thomas ("In Between Tears"), Charlie "Raw Spitt" Whitehead ("Read Between the Lines"), Z.Z. Hill ("It Ain't No Use"), Doris Duke ("To the Other Woman (I'm the Other Woman)") and Wolfmoon ("What is Heaven For"). The two CD edition (in a tri-fold digipack) can be obtained domestically directly from Alive Records. [2015 Hyperbolium]
388350
I was amazed when I listened to this cd which is a compilation of Boogie Woogie numbers performed by this artist over the past 20 years according to the notes on the cd cover. Rob Rio, which is the first time I have heard his work, is just a great boogie woogie pianist. His playing and his speed at the keyboard is remarkable- listen to his rendition of " BUMBLE BOOGIE" and you will hear for yourself this amazing artist. Other favorites of mine are " DIVE BOMBER" and "CUTTIN' THE BOOGIE". A fine cd of truly divine Boogie Woogie numbers played to perfection by this wonderful artist.

John Walsh
3745201
I can't say enough about this record! This has been a favorite for years! Charlie Wood renders his original music with soulful singing and a mean B3 organ. "River of Jive" is probably my favorite track, largely for Scott Thompson's trumpet solo! It's almost like Tom Harrell in an R&B band. Awesome! Also a badass alto solo from Fred Ford on "It All and Everything." Great songs. Great grooves. Great feeling.