A lot of times these single disc collections try so hard to offer as much as possible the best of a certain artist. Too many times so much essential material is left off, and the same predictable fare is churned out, that it seemed effortless and pointless for the most part. That isn't necessarily the case with someone like John Lee Hooker, whose career spanned some 40-50 years on a variety of more than 20 some labels like Modern, Chess, Impulse, Vee-Jay, ABC-BluesWay and so many others. That's where it becomes very problematic and debatable as to what counts and what doesn't. Every label in every tiny aspect of his career couldn't be represented, of course, so balance becomes an issue, too. Another thing is that a handful of these approach or are over 5 minutes in length. It may sound like this is very picky, but for a single CD, this is a rather noteworthy representation. Early classics like "Boogie Chillen" and "I'm in the Mood" are represented as well as timeless upbeat tunes like "Boom Boom" and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" which is blues at its very best. The latter part fo his career is represented with his collaborations with Canned Heat in 1970, and Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt in 1988. Other than those mentoned, "Dimples", "I'm Bad Like Jesse James", and "Think Twice Before You Go" are also definitely worth checking out as well as the three final tracks featuring the collaborations. "The Healer" is the most different of the three, and has a slicked, synthesized Latin-tinged groove. Overall, a fair enough representation is made proving how John Lee Hooker was successful with each generation he played for and encountered during his mammoth career, and is still appreciated with many new fans and bands today.

There is a reason that artists like Santana, Bonnie Raitt and Canned Heat team up with John Lee. There is a reason he shows up in the movie "The Blues Brothers." It is because John Lee Hooker is delta blues to full tilt boogie. The man is a legend and just knocks your socks off if you are really into blues. When you see him in person, his attire also sets off the mood. John Lee you are up there with Muddy and The Wolf. Maybe the best endorsement for any John Lee Hooker compilation comes from none other than George Thoroughgood and The Delaware Destroyers. In one of George's versions of "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer," just before George gets the boot from his land lady for not paying his rent he says "I gathered up my John Lee Hooker collection..." Now that is PAYING HOMAGE TO ONE OF THE THREE GREATEST BLUES ARTISTS OF THE MODERN ERA...i.e. Chicago Style Blues.

I assume you know of John Lee Hooker. The man, the legend and his music. So no need to go into detail of what should or should not constitute his best work. There must be 30 or 40 albums that have tried to accomplish that. But here, truly, is a definitive short-list, but broad spectrum of his work as can be put on one CD. From his early delta style blues to his raw and gritty Detroit Motor City and Chicago style blues, and finally to his later years reflecting influences from Canned Heat, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Pete Townsend, Van Morrison and a host of artistic styles he would experiment with. Yet, he remained true to his blues roots. To say he influenced the British wave of young white blues artist of the mid to late 1960's is an understatement. His songs have been covered by Eric Clapton, The Yardbirds, The Animals, Cream, Spencer Davis Blues Explosion, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, George Thorogood, The J. Geils Band, Buddy Guy, The Doors, and a host of others. So here, we have his music condensed down to the more traditional blues, soulful blues, boogie woogie blues, and folk blues styles like "Boom, Boom", "Boogie Chillen" and "Dimples" along side more surprising later tunes like "The Waterfront", "The Healer", and "Motor City is Burning". This is as good a place to start if you are interested in learning about John Lee Hooker's repertoire.

I just finished another review and this CD popped up as a product I recently purchased for me now to review.

I don't even have anything to say.

I took a look at the reviews below and can't add a single thing except just to express my heartfelt agreement with them and to recommend this CD to anybody that comes along. So read the reviews below and buy this amazing collection of legendary John Lee Hooker's music.

If your a blues fan like myself this is a great CD tho add to your collection. John Lee Hooker was a legend.