Customer Rating: 
Summary: Quite Honestly The Best Country Blues CD In Decades
Comment: This is, quite honestly, the best Country Blues cd to be released in decades. We have to remember that Alvin wasn't born in Mississippi or Texas around the turn of the century. He's a young guy who was raised on Classic Rock, and here he is, writing original material that sounds like it could have come from "Hambone" Willie Newbern, King Solomon Hill, or Son House. This is truly a fantastic disc, and there's not a single song that one should avoid. Alvin Youngblood Hart is the greatest living Bluesman; even better than Corey Harris, Samuel James, Rory Block, and John Hammond, Jr. I only hope that he has a long and productive recording career. "Them Fair Weather Friends" and "Big Mama's Door" are originals, but one would never know that on first, second or even fifteenth listen. Alvin is the greatest living Bluesman out there, period. I was lucky enough to see him perform live with his band, opening for an aged and senile Bo Diddley, about two years ago. I was hoping he'd perform some solo, acoustic, Country Blues material, but he didn't. I still went home happy. Most importantly, Alvin's diction when he sings is beautiful. He doesn't sounds like a product of the modern age, and I don't mean that in a degrading way. He has an intangible tang to his pronunciation when he sings.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Thunder in them thar' hands.
Comment: No small wonder that Taj Mahal was recruited to pen a few introductory remarks to acolyte, Alvin's,'Big Mamma'. And more than this, he sits in on three tunes to further endorse the man who, for all intents and purposes on this gem, would appear to be his heir apparent. The mix of re-arranged Delta Blues and self-penned material, the multi-instrumental accomplishmnet and that inimitable afro-American vocalising, is everything that Taj has reverently worked over down the decades. Hart's songs sit seamlessly with the archival stuff. as,'Rest You Saddle' and,'If the Blues was Money' demonstarte.'Gallows pole' and McTell's,'Hillbilly Willie's Blues' are exemplary. An especial thrill for me is my favourite Ledbelly,'When I was a Cowboy Out on the Western Plain', as complete a snapshot of cinematic breadth as you'll hear condensed into a few minutes. This is a thrilling album. Blessed with such 'grasp of the idioms, tone, humour, irony, joy, and breadth' of tradition, to quote Taj, it will serve as a powerful foundation for a wide-eyed approach to re-invigorating music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Saw Him Live
Comment: I gotta say, we saw him live in New York City recently along with Doc Watson, and he stole the show! This cat had us glued into our seats. Wow!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Yes, the Real Deal is right
Comment: First of all, this is one of the most beautiful and outstanding collections of blues ever assembled. What AYH has is something that years of music lessons and years of practice cannot produce. His delivery and style has an almost supernatural quality, translating some mysterious and primal element of life that we blues fans seem to be fascinated with. His authenticity is in this regard is unmistakable. As far as the childish comments regarding white people playing blues music - give us all a break. I am personally good friends with a fella who played on this album, as well as on a couple of others. He also toured with AYH for four years, and, surprise, he's as white as Margaret Thatcher. Grow up kids.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Must Have - Simply Excellent Music
Comment: I love Alvin Hart's music. This album is an introduction to his blues music, but he is really much more than a blues musician; he is a musician's musician. His 'Territory' album is a great example of his dynamic scope. It has Texas Swing, Calypso, Ska, Hard Rock, Blues and more. Yes, he caters to all these styles of music and he does it with great skill and conviction. Big Mama's Door shows a wide scope of Blues: delta blues, droning dobro, rag and more. I like his twelve string guitar work along with his cowboy inspired lyrics - reminescent of Lead Belly. Taj Mahal lends a hand with couple of the most inspiring songs from the album,'France Blues' and 'Things About Comin' My Way'. I can listen to this album over and over. A great collection of originals and a couple classic covers, 'Gallows Pole' and 'John Hardy'. Alvin is clearly the new bearer of the torch - from old timey delta blues to advant-garde progressive rock, he is player to keep an eye on,
|
