John Lee Hooker – Never Get Out of These Blues Alive (LP, Music On Vinyl)

The unparalleled John Lee Hooker recorded ‘Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive’ within two days in 1971, working together with young blues stars Van Morrison and Steve Miller, among others. John takes centre stage delivering the hard edged blues he’s known for, whilst giving his fellow musicians enough space to jam along. Stellar performances by Charlie Musselwhite on blues harp and Miller & Elvin Bishop on guitar top off the album. The title track is simply what blues is all about: mournful, depressed and loose. Noteworthy is Hooker’s laidback rendition of Van Morrison’s ‘T.B. Sheets’, of which the original is found on Morrison’s debut album ‘Blowin’ Your Mind’, which is also available on Music On Vinyl.