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HOUND DOG TAYLOR AND THE HOUSEROCKERS
Deluxe Edition (Alligator)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner
Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers were the spark that ignited Bruce Iglauer to launch one of the most important labors of love for blues fans, Alligator Records and Artist Management. Based in Chicago, Alligator has an outstanding roster of great blues artists, including Lonnie Brooks, Carey Bell, Koko Taylor, James Cotton and Shemekia Copeland. Iglauer brought Hound Dog's rough and ragged slide guitar to the world on four discs released in the 1970's and last year's tribute disc featuring fellow Chicago blues masters Luther Allison and Son Seals (and guests whose playing honors Hound Dog's style like George Thorogood). On Deluxe Edition, the live versions of "The Sun is Shining," "Phillips' Theme," and "Rock Me" are classic, electric Chicago blues. Hound Dog shouts his blues over Ted Harvey's drums and Brewer Phillips' Telecaster and for a three-piece, these guys rock; loud and proud. Maybe that's why Iglauer has always called it Genuine Houserockin' Music, which just happens to be the title of Hound Dog's first posthumous LP as well as a series of outstanding Alligator samplers. Some might call the HouseRockers sloppy 'cause they play a little out of tune, but it's part of their charm. As the band revs up "Give Me Back My Wig" or "Roll Your Moneymaker," imagine Hound Dog and his band in a blues club on the South Side of Chicago. They're playing loud, raucous and confident that they'll bring the house down. If you haven't heard Hound Dog Taylor, Deluxe Edition is the perfect introduction. Deluxe Edition's poster insert shows Hound Dog with Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Lefty Dizz, proof positive that he was part of blues history in the making. Hound Dog's infectious smile lights up the Deluxe Edition's artwork just like his explosive slide fuels "Wild About You Baby," from his first Alligator LP. While Hound Dog's been gone nearly 25 years, Deluxe Edition is perched high on my top ten list as one of this year's best blues CDs because it brings back some of the best slide guitar around. Hey Bruce – how 'bout a boxed set featuring more life stuff? Check it out online at http://www.alligator.com.
Track List:
Wild About You Baby * The Sun is Shining * Roll Your Moneymaker * Give Me Back My Wig * Walkin the Ceiling * See Me in the Evening * Phillips Gone Bananas * It Hurts Me Too * What'd I Say * Rock Me * Phillips' Theme * Take Five * She's Gone * Ain't It Lonesome * Ain't Got Nobody
© 1999 - Eric Steiner