Blues Heritage I: Earl Hooker - Calling All Blues

In the late 1950s, Earl Hooker emerged as Chicago's premier guitarist, using his expressive playing to summon the blues more eloquently at times than many vocalists. From 1960 to 1963, he led the way for Chicago blues on independent labels such as Chief, Age, Mel-Lon Records. This compilation carefully selects works from that period, including the blues guitar instrumental masterpiece "Blue Guitar," which later became a classic covered by artists like Otis Rush. The album also features the rocking blues instrumental "Universal Rock," where the harmonica of Junior Wells, a frequent collaborator, joins in. Additionally, showcasing the prowess of A.C. Reed, who was not only a master accompanist but also a vocal talent, the collection includes "This Little Voice." This is undeniably the sound of a guitar singing the blues.

A1. Blues In D Natural A2. Universal Rock [with Junior Wells] A3. Blue Guitar B1. Calling All Blues [with Junior Wells] B2. This Little Voice [vocal by A.C. Reed] B3. The Leading Brand