Live at Newport

Description

« Live at Newport », unlike many of the unreleased reissues from John Lee Hooker's catalog, particularly focuses on the acoustic virtuosity of the master in concert. The recordings of this live performance were captured on the stage of the Newport folk festival, with the first half of the record focusing on John Lee's solo performance in 1960 and the second half on that of 1963, where the bluesman is this time accompanied by bassist Bill Lee. For purists, the 1960 concert will undoubtedly be more interesting, as it contains more emotion: the sound of the songs is in every way admirable (Hobo Blues, I Can’t Quit You Baby, Stop Now Baby) where one can hear the clash of the pick against the strings, John Lee's deep voice, and his foot tapping against the floor, creating a sort of hypnotic and unsuspected trance for the blues enthusiast, knowing that John is here alone in front of the audience.
The second half of the record is also of very high quality (Let’s Make It, Boom Boom), even if the intensity of the old bluesman's performance is somewhat diminished by the accompaniment of bassist Bill Lee at his side.