The Blues, Vol. 1 [Chess/MCA] (1990)

About this title: Even though Chess should be releasing collections with more than just over 30 minutes of music on them, this thin blues roundup from the legendary Chicago label's vaults still works well enough as a sampler of vintage electric blues. Recorded between 1952 and 1960, the 12 tracks spotlight such legends as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, and Sonny Boy Williamson. Most of the numbers are classics, including Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man," Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning," and Walter's "Juke." The inclusion of Lowell Fullson's perennial "Reconsider Baby," Chuck ... read more

Tracks:

1. Don't Start Me to Talkin' [Williamson]
2. First Time I Met the Blues [Montgomery]
3. Worried Life Blues [Merriweather]
4. My Babe [Dixon/Little Walter]
5. Walkin' the Boogie [Hooker]
6. (I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man [Dixon]
7. Reconsider Baby [Fulson]
8. Smokestack Lightning [Howlin' Wolf]
9. Juke [Little Walter]
10. When the Lights Go Out [Dixon]
11. Just Make Love to Me [Dixon/Waters]
12. Spoonful [Dixon/Howlin' Wolf]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.