John Lee Hooker - House Rent Boogie
There were already quite a few CDs' worth of early Hooker sides from
the late '40s and early '50s on the market -- such as The Legendary
Modern Recordings 1948-1954, the three-CD Alternate Boogie: Early
Studio Recordings, 1948-1952, and Graveyard Blues -- prior to the 2001
appearance of this collection. So, is there a point to unearthing yet
more tracks from his first years as a recording artist? Yes, actually,
although this grab bag of early cuts, together with half a dozen
previously unissued alternate versions, is not as solid or essential a
pickup as The Legendary Modern Recordings 1948-1954. There may be no
one alive who could ascertain exactly which of these tracks were never
reissued prior to this release, or never reissued on CD prior to this
release. Basically, however, it's known that several of these cuts
(previously released or not) make their first appearance on compact
disc here, and on the whole it's devoted to his lesser-known early
Modern sides. Hooker was a very consistent artist even at the outset,
and the trademarks that make his early recordings so appealing -- the
stomping foot, haunted vocals, and spidery guitar work -- are all in
force here. Particularly fine is the stomping title cut (an alternate
take). Particularly unusual are the previously unissued take of "I'm in
the Mood," which has a harmonica overdub, and the presence of sax,
piano, and drums on a few numbers; the 1955 singles "Hug and Squeeze"
and "I'm Ready" are very good full-band R&B arrangements. Eddie
Kirkland (billed as "Little" Eddie Kirkland) appears on second guitar
and vocals on a couple of tracks.
John Lee Hooker - House Rent Boogie (ACE)
1. House Rent Boogie [#][Take] (2:50)
2. Sally Mae (3:07)
3. Nobody to Talk to Me (AKA Mean Old Train) (3:04)
4. Numbers [#][Take] (2:56)
5. Build Myself a Cave [#][Take] (2:55)
6. Roll N' Roll (2:41)
7. Anybody Seen My Baby (3:16)
8. How Can You Do It (2:44)
9. Key to the Highway [Alt Version With Less Overdub][#] (2:44)
10. I Got My Eyes on You (2:31)
11. Bluebird (2:44)
12. I Got Eyes for You [Alt Take 2][#] (2:50)
13. I'm in the Mood [With Harmonica Overdub][#] (3:07)
14. Love Money Can't Buy (2:39)
15. It's Stormin' and Rainin' (3:05)
16. Let's Talk It Over (2:59)
17. It's Been a Long Time Baby (3:11)
18. I Tried Hard (2:53)
19. You Receive Me (3:13)
20. Taxi Driver (3:06)
21. Baby You Ain't No Good (3:13)
22. Half a Stranger (3:01)
23. Hug and Squeeze (2:40)
24. I'm Ready (2:39)