Search - Elmore James :: Best Of: Rollin & Tumblin

Magnificent overview of James' 60s sides

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 01/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The "King Of The Slide Guitar" box set, which has recently been reissued, collects at least one take of everything Elmore James recorded for Bobby Robinson Fire and Enjoy labels.
But if you aren't up for a three-disc compilation, you should seek this one out. It is a crime that "The Rollin' & Tumblin'" isn't readily available, since it is even better than Buddha's "Shake Your Money Maker: The Best Of The Fire Sessions", featuring an additional six (superbly remastered) tracks.Virtually all of Elmore James' best 60s singles are here, tough, had-rocking, muscular electric blues like "Standing At The Crossroads", "Shake Your Moneymaker", "Mean Mistreatin' Mama", "Look On Yonder Wall", and the definitive reading of "Dust My Broom". And the slow blues are here as well, "Anna Lee", "It Hurts Me Too", and James' lasting contribution to the idiom, "The Sky Is Crying", along with some excellent lesser-known tracks like "Find My Kind Of Woman" and "Sunnyland".Seek this one out, as well as a collection of James' 50s sides, and you'll be set. It doesn't get any better."

Great stuff from the master.

rob nickel | surrey bc canada | 12/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is some of Elmore's greatest recorded music and a must have for any true blues fan. Here Mr.James shows us what the blues are all about with not a weak track on the list. From Shake Your Money Maker to Fine Little MaMa all of Elmore James's best tunes on one double cd package. A perfect way for newbi's to get aguainted with the greatest most copied slide guitar player of all time and also for the experianced Elmore fan you won't be dissappointed in this one."