Hooker, John Lee - Jack O'Diamonds: The Lost 1949 recordings (special)
SKU
15-Eagle 20024
A great collection of previously unreleased recordings from very early in his career that are presented here in excellent sound for lost, casually made recordings that are over 60 years old! This is what John Lee did best: A man, a guitar, his voice, and the sound of his foot stomping the floor.
"The material on Jack o' Diamonds was recorded in 1949 but never released at the time due to John Lee Hooker's vast contractual problems. Even at this earliest point in his career, Hooker was tied up in contracts that would see him recording under several aliases in order to make some quick cash. These 20 cuts were recorded at a private gathering in the Detroit dining room of Gene Deitchat, who set up a primitive recording device and let Hooker play. During the course of the evening those present began requesting that he play a few spirituals and folk tunes. It's interesting to hear Hooker bite into such traditional fare as "Two White Horses," "Trouble in Mind," "John Henry," and "Jack o' Diamonds." Since these recordings have been cleaned and remastered, this disc is well worth picking up for Hooker fanatics." – Al Campbell/All Music Guide