Before Super Groups Became a Total Cliche and Joke

99   8.3  

Vocals/Bass - Jack Bruce
Guitar - Eric Clapton
Drums - Ginger Baker

Cream was the best super group ever formed at one period or another. It was hard to believe, and it still is to this day. With only 3 real albums, they rocked and were very addicted once you got a hold of Disraeli Gears.

The first 2 albums (Fresh Cream & Disraeli Gears) are must have albums for anyone that is a Blues/Rock fan.

I honestly believe without Cream, Eric Clapton would not be such a well known guitar player in the world. Yeah, everyone loves to scream "Clapton is God" and some of his solo records are pretty good, but fact remains he has yet to make a solo album that is even close to a Cream record.

This was always my favorite Cream track.

Frank's rating:

57   8.1  

Eric Clapton - Vocals/Guitar
Duane Allman - Guitar/Slide, Acoustic Guitar
Jim Gordon - Drums/Percussion/Piano
Carl Radle - Bass
Bobby Whitlock - Organ, Piano, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

This album has always held a piece for most people, and is acclaimed as one of Eric Clapton's finest work. For my opinion, Clapton gets way way too much credit for Layla. You have to ask yourself: "Hmmm would this album sound so beautiful without Duane Allman?"

If you ever listened to the first few Allman Brothers records with Duane, you would know his drastic range of talent, specifically his amazing use of the slide. Just listen to 'Every Hungry Woman' to get what I am talking about. With that said, Clapton is great too but without Duane, I don't think this record would be half as good as it is. Yeah sure, Clapton did write Layla, but listen to the cover of Little Wing where Duane is doing all the solo work.

I love the Derek and the Dominos record, but the question that lingers about it being Eric Clapton's best work, is no answer to it. Do I believe it's a great study of 2 great guitarists working together (Allman and Clapton) yes, I really do.

Frank's rating:

5   10  

Albert Collins - Guitar/Vocals
Robert Cray - Guitar/Vocals
Johnny Copeland - Guitar Vocals

This is your ultimate super group guitar album. Blues Heaven from start to finish, you have Albert Collins; a legend in Blues, and then Johnny Copeland, an underrated, more lesser known guy, and the young up coming Robert Cray. I am very fond of Collins and Cray and hold them on high pedestals, but this is the album that really made me a fan, and I'll even go to say it's the best album for all 3 of them.

The tones that all 3 of these guys carried on their guitars mixed together in this is what always caught my attention. Collins is remembered for his high pitch in tone, Robert Cray a heavier yet clean side, and then Copeland's nice smooth one. Everything mixed together here is heaven.

And this is what a mega guitar album is supposed to sound like, not everyone trying to drown each other out in a competition of who's better.

And here you have possibly the best version of the T-Bone Shuffle.

Frank's rating:

5   10  

Albert King - Vocals/Guitar
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Guitar/Vocals (Pride and Joy)

This record was released sometime after both deaths of SRV and Albert King. From my understanding this was a public broadcast for PBS, and it's one of my few holy grail albums I have in my collection of Blues.

Everyone knows, Albert King and Stevie Ray are 2 of the greatest of all time, so it's a dream come true hearing them rip it up together. I put this on the list for a reason; it's an excellent study of 2 buddies playing guitar and having fun. Even though Albert is driving the session with the songs, he gives Stevie his space to do solos and bounce back and forth the two of them among rhythm, and being the walking Blues encyclopedia that SRV was; he knows all the songs.

For anyone seriously trying to get in the vibe of playing Stevie Ray's style Blues, this is a must have. With this, you can easily see just how big Albert King's influence was on the man.

The best version of Born Under A Bad Sign

Frank's rating:

3   8  

Muddy Waters - Vocals/Guitar
Howlin' Wolf - Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica
Bo Diddley - Vocals/Guitar

I had to buy this record when I saw it for just 3 dollars online recently. I was thrilled seeing 3 legends on one album, and among them was the track list that had many Howlin' Wolf songs that I loved.

It really bothers me that in the film Cadillac Records they decided to remember Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf as "rivals" as they were about to fight somewhere in that movie, they rather focus on negativity when they made this awesome album together, which goes by very unnoticed in today's age. I doubt most people even know this album exists anymore.

All 3 of them give their fair share of space on this album with vocals and the guitar, they constantly alternate between the 3 of them, but the best part is the driving of the songs. Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley make their mark with the vocals, and of course Howlin' Wolf was great with the harmonica.

Great version of Spoonful

Frank's rating:

3   8.5  

Kenny Burrell - Guitar
John Coltrane - Saxaphone
Tommy Flanagan - Piano
Paul Chambers - Bass
Jimmy Cobb - Drums

I first heard of Kenny Burrell from Stevie Ray Vaughan. He covered the song Chitlins Con Corne, and I had to find out who this guy was. One of the first albums I heard of Burrell was this collaboration with the great John Coltrane. Like always; Coltrane had top line lineups on his albums, and this is an all star Jazz lineup with Chammbers, Cobb, and Flanagan behind the two main men.

It's really cool to hear guitar going along with Coltrane's beautiful saxaphone notes. My two favorite instruments, and this record became a classic in my collection for rainy days, and when I need instruments to speak words for me.

Pure brilliance in this track right here

Frank's rating:

3   9.7  

Junior Wells - Vocals/Harmonica
Buddy Guy - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Jack Myers - Bass
Bill Warren - Drums

From what I know, this was Junior Wells and Buddy Guy's debut. Long before the great Man and the Blues album, Buddy Guy was in this band and you can tell with his riffs.

This record is a Blues masterpiece. Tracks like 'Early in the Morning' and 'Good Morning School Girl'. Junior Wells and Buddy Guy make their stamp with this album and I'd put it in a collection of Buddy Guy records as one of the best.

Frank's rating:

3   8  

Wes Montgomery - Guitar
Wynton Kelly - Piano
Paul Chambers - Bass
Jimmy Cobb - Drums

I could list way more Jazz records with golden line ups like this. Wes Montgomery was always top of the line as a performer, and his work on the guitar I have admired for years. But Wynton Kelly on the other hand was another favorite of mine, and Chambers and Cobb, I don't think I really have to say it when it comes to their talent and work with John Coltrane and Miles Davis prior to this record.

I am sure I've said somewhere before this was one of my favorite live records. Wes didn't need horns, the guitar is the band leader and pushing instrument that is leading the way in all his music, but on this live record it's something you have to hear for yourself.

Just listen to this wonderful version of Four On Six

1   0  

Chuck Berry - Vocals/Lead Guitar
Johnnie Johnson - Piano
Kieth Richards - Guitar
Robert Cray - Guitar (Brown Eyed Handsome Man)
Eric Clapton - Guitar (Wee Wee Hours)
Chuck Levall - Organ
Bobby Keys - Saxaphone
Steve Jordan - Drums
Joey Spampinato - Bass
Etta James - Vocals (Rock and Roll Music)
Julian Lennon - Vocals (Johnny B. Goode)
Linda Ronstadt - Vocals (Back in the U.S.A.)

Kieth Richards invited an all star line up to celebrate Chuck Berry's 60th birthday. On this album, it is indeed a once in a life time line up. Bobby Keys who was famous for sax solos on the Stones albums Sticky Fingers and Exile, makes his appearance but the best ones to me was seeing Robert Cray and Etta James in the line up.

Check out this awesome version of Johnny B. Goode where Chuck lets Julian Lennon carry the song vocally, Robert Cray and Kieth Richards as rhythm guitar also in the lineup.

1   10  

Howlin' Wolf - Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica
Eric Clapton - Guitar
Steve Winwood - Piano/Organ
Charlie Watts - Drums
Bill Wyman - Bass/Cow bell

This is a great study in Blues history. Here is Howlin Wolf, and the new era British Blues men. 2 Rolling Stones, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton. Can't go wrong with buying this, but it's not the best from Howlin' Wolf. I think mostly due to his failing health going into the 70's had slowed him down, yet it's still got it's kicks in the songs Killin' Floor, Sittin' On Top of the World, and an amazing version of The Little Red Rooster.

My favorite track; Sitting On Top of the World, love the harmonica and Clapton's solo