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In fact it's worse than that because it's not the theme tune. Very good collection of songs that accompany the series. What were they thinking.In case you're wondering the theme song is 'I'm going upstairs' by John Lee Hooker It's a million times worse than that. The most infuriating thing is the title track/theme of the DVD isn't on the CD. It's like buying the Pulp Fiction soundtrack and finding (Girl, you'll be a woman soon) isn't on there.
The mists of the past are parting. While its like admitting you have fleas on your first date, I have to confess that some of these recordings are so poor that any listening enjoyment is erased. Since purchasing this disc I have been trawling in the 1920's listening to music that is humorous, enlightening, and, "dadgumit" just darn great sure.
While his two books regarding his time as a Rolling Stone offer a sanitized glimpse behind the curtain, Wyman's book, `Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey' and the companion two CD set is nothing short of an excellent narrative of that great American art form, `the blues.' For a brief time a companion television piece also aired on satellite networks. Through the use of video, the printed word, and digitally enhanced audio recordings, Wyman has created a veritable time machine that allows the serious music fan to truly experience this music as it sounded when it was originally recorded. January 30, 2003When Bill Wyman left the Rolling Stones in the early `90's he claimed there were more important projects he wanted to work on including photography, art, and writing. Wyman was the first Stone to release solo albums that were released on Rolling Stones Records label. Sure, all those 78 rpm's being transferred onto CD make it easier and the liner notes are fascinating, but even the Yazoo label often releases titles that are so marred with `snaps, crackles, and pops' that I can't bear repeated listening. Now I know someone, somewhere is going to tag me with the old lie, "I love the warmth of those old records." O.K.
What Wyman has truly accomplished is to lend his name and credibility within the industry to create well deserved interest in the artists that are unquestionably the pioneers and bedrock of the music industry and rock music in particular. But I like clarity. To put a point on it, the two CD set is a compilation, 46 cuts in all, is of early period blues artists including Bessie Smith, Frank Stokes, Blind Willie McTell and Robert Johnson contemporary Charly Patton. The Linear notes are a good indication of how excellent the Wyman's book was written. Which brings me to the point of this column. Within the compact disc is a 22 page booklet with excellent liner notes regarding each artist represented on this collection. Wyman has excelled in at least one post-Stones arena: writing.
Wyman's companion two CD set release for `Blues Odyssey' is the finest example I have ever heard representing this era of the recording industry. Anyway, with the dawn of digital recordings, Columbia made the brief and untenable, yet true, boast that the box set recordings, since they had been remixed and remastered, were, "better than the original recordings." Listeners could distinctly hear Johnson rocking in a wooden chair while he recorded. As an avid, albeit older, music fan, there is nothing I enjoy more than delving back into time and finding a rare gem recorded 50, 60, or 70 years ago. Do you remember when Columbia released the 2 disc Robert Johnson box set back in the very early `90's.
A few instrumentals thrown in for good measure. This compilation of Bill Wyman's favorite blues songs gives a decent history of blues music. Nonetheless, big time fans of blues music might want to at least preview this collection. Unfortuantely after a while it all sounds pretty similar in spite of some good performances.Truthfully, I would prefer a smaller compilation of blues standards as opposed to this extensive batch. While listening to this music, it is quite interesting to note the influence it had on many rock n roll bands.However, the versions presented here are a stark in arrangement. Although they are performed well, usually its just a guitar and a vocal or a piano and a vocal.
King. Just like rock and roll didn't begin with Elvis.
It's very informative and easy to get a grasp on what for many is an arcane musical genre. Get this collection and check out Wyman's commentary on each of the artists.
For all of you who enjoyed Ken Burns' epic Jazz series, former Stones bassist Bill Wyman follows it up here with his own study and insight on the musical genre that he obviously loves, the Blues. Of course.
And yes, as Wyman states, "the Blues are perfect however you feel." Besides the handsome coffee table book, this 2 CD set contains most of the legends of the American blues spread over 46 tracks, from Papa Charlie Jackson's 1925 recording of "All I Want is a Spoonful" to 1951 blues tracks from Elmore James and B.B.
No, "The Thrill is Gone" isn't covered here nor are the newer blues artists like Robert Cray or Stevie Ray Vaughan, just the old masters.One thing I was reminded of was that the blues did not begin with Robert Johnson who emerged in the mid-'30s.
Blues Odyssey is a noteworthy compilation, very well remastered, that is worth every penny of its price. Rock fans who have never listened to traditional blues will recognize a number of these songs which have been covered by artists ranging from Van Morrison to John Mayall.The 2-CD set includes an informative booklet containing short biographical sketches of each featured artist. It also contains many rare photos obtained from various sources.Hats off to Bill Wyman. I'm rarely in someone's Amen Corner, but I can't disagree with anything the previous reviewer wrote. If you love the blues, buy this one today. The Rolling Stones, particularly in their salad days, were heavily influenced by black American blues as were many of their British contemporaries. Rather, let me expand on it. Here the listener has the chance to hear 46 of the songs which influenced that generation of musicians and which touched Wyman in particular.Bill Wyman has put together a fine group of old blues that feature a wide range of musicians, both famous and obscure, playing a wide range of blues styles.
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