MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide

by Al Kooper, Music Hound, Tim Schuller

Book Overview

Revised and updated, this album guide covers the gamut of regional and historical blues styles - from the deep country blues of the Mississippi Delta to the classic blues of Chicago, the big-band jump... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0825672678
• ISBN13: 9780825672675
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Schirmer Trade Books
• Length: 551 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive, opinionated, goes beyond the basics

The reader who says they left out Howlin' Wolf is wrong. He's there under H, though why that is the case when Muddy Waters is under W is beyond me. That reader is correct that Beck is listed and the explanation of why is a bit of a stretch. So, I think someone just likes Beck alot. Maybe that's sacrilege, but if you want religion, go to the gospel section. Led Zeppelin also gets an entry, as do the Yardbirds.I'm impressed by the number of minor artists covered here (e.g. the Cheathams, Frankie Lee) and by the way that reviews are organized. The reviews start with a summary and then list "what to buy", "what to buy next", and "what not to buy". It sounds hokey as I write about it, but it means that they don't have to have a sentence about every album --- just the ones that count. Plus there are star ratings for everything in print by that artist. I buy lots of album guides and throw some out. This one is a keeper.

Great book! This author really knows his blues!

This book is a comprehensive look at all blues musicians

A MUST HAVE FOR ANY BLUES FAN!

This book is simply great. It helps you avoid spending money on low-quality albums and provides an excellent rating system. I've bought over 30 albums rated "five bones" and have not yet been disappointed! I might disagree with certain ratings, expecially in the "3-4 bones" category, but the writers who rated the albums clearly know and love the blues. Don't ever buy a blues CD without first consulting this book!

A "MUST HAVE" for Blues fans!

This book is great! I just got it the other day and I've been finding artists and bands that I haven't listened to in a long time (and then dragging out the albums to see if I agree with the reviews). Everything is in here, from Magic Sam to Stevie Ray Vaughn (even write ups on Chicken Shack and Canned Heat). The index's are great the bio's are short but informative and from what I've read so far the ratings are accurate. The CD sampler sounds great and is a nice little bonus. So go out and buy it, put some speakers in the bathroom, make a drink and read.

Beautiful

The whole book is very informative and entertaining. Beautiful pictures too. I highly recommend you pick this book up if you like the blues. Or if you want to learn more about the blues.