You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover - Bo Diddley, Dixon, Willie [1]
I Just Want to Make Love to You - Bo Diddley, Dixon, Willie [1]
My Babe - Bo Diddley, Dixon, Willie [1]
You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care) - Bo Diddley, McDaniel, Elias
Studio Chatter [#][*] - Bo Diddley, McDaniel, Elias
Sad Hours [#][*] - Bo Diddley, Little Walter
Juke [#][*] - Bo Diddley, Little Walter
Complete with psychedelic cover art and hilarious Vietnam-era liner notes, this relic from the Summer of Love is an enduring delight. The bold notion to team blues masters Muddy Waters and "Little Walter" Jacobs with rocki... more »ng rhythm-and-blues king Bo Diddley works wonders throughout, achieving a creative chemistry and energy rarely seen in jam bands of this sort. The vocal and instrumental interplay on every track is intensely competitive in the tradition of jook house "headcutting" contests, with each performer spurring the next on to evermore impressive heights, while soaring through a repertoire of favorites like Muddy's "Long Distance Call," Bo's "I'm a Man" and "Who Do You Love," Little Walter's "Sad Hours," and Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover." With the powerhouse headliners backed by the likes of Otis Spann on piano and Buddy Guy on guitar, this period piece remains a fun and refreshing gem. --Alan Greenberg« less
Complete with psychedelic cover art and hilarious Vietnam-era liner notes, this relic from the Summer of Love is an enduring delight. The bold notion to team blues masters Muddy Waters and "Little Walter" Jacobs with rocking rhythm-and-blues king Bo Diddley works wonders throughout, achieving a creative chemistry and energy rarely seen in jam bands of this sort. The vocal and instrumental interplay on every track is intensely competitive in the tradition of jook house "headcutting" contests, with each performer spurring the next on to evermore impressive heights, while soaring through a repertoire of favorites like Muddy's "Long Distance Call," Bo's "I'm a Man" and "Who Do You Love," Little Walter's "Sad Hours," and Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge a Book By Its Cover." With the powerhouse headliners backed by the likes of Otis Spann on piano and Buddy Guy on guitar, this period piece remains a fun and refreshing gem. --Alan Greenberg
CD Reviews
I enjoyed it myself
Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 02/22/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've never understood why some blues fans hate this album so much. I enjoy it myself. The banter between Bo, Muddy and Walter is priceless. The versions of "I'm A Man," "You Don't Love Me," "Bo Diddley," "Who Do You Love," and the ending of "Long Distance Call" make it a worthwhile purchase. This captures what is in essence an informal jam session and to my ears at least, it does a good job."
A must have in any blues collection
PATRICK HAZELL | Washington, Iowa | 11/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Super Blues has been one of my long-time favorite blues albums. I used to dance around the house in flying circles to this album with my baby children in my arms as they laughed and laughed in fun. I think to this day--some 35 years later, it is still one of their favorites--and they are in the "Biz". I've been a professional myself-- blues piano player since 1961, and harp player since 1964--started playing blues in the mid-50s. Yes, Little Walter is near his end on this album--it shows--but yet, his harp playing stands in there in spite of the lack of his powerful tone of previous years. The album is worth having even from this perspective. Bo Diddley is happening--energy is the main thing here--whether or not his guitar is in tune is besides the point. The live recording aspect of this album gives it an energy that most studio recordings lack.
My review comes with the full knowledge that this album and the Super, Super Blues album which followed later are probably two of the most panned blues albums ever released. Well, I'm one person who definitely bucks the crowd with my high opinion of both."
Like the man said, fun
Peter Whitney | VT | 06/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This record is fun, I was a longtime chicago blues junkie & this record is close to the top of my favorites. These guys do sound like they are playing in your livingroom, or just doing a jam session. The band behind them, Otis Spann on piano & Fred Bellows on drums were part of the chess sound, and as such they all knew each other very well. This record is a party. you even get to hear Little Walter singing "my Babe" and blowing the harp the way only he could. The record swings and slides through some classic material and makes a great addition to any blues collection."
Pure Fun.... A recording for the ages..
Peter Whitney | 03/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A true gem. The raw sound of the recording sounds like Bo, Muddy and little Walter are having a party in your living room. These guys had fun when they played... It should be on Amazon's recommended list."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1