Various Artists – Rollin’ And Tumblin’: American Electric Blues 1965-1971 (3CD Boxset)

Blues may appear to be an out of place genre to be reviewed on a progressive music site, but here is the thing, Blues and in particular electric Blues is one of the building blocks for modern music as we know it. It’s influence can be seen in the early formations of progressive rock and numerous other genres, indeed these American Electric Blues selections contained on here, may also have helped in the development of the successful British Electric Blues scene.

This collection has been compiled by Cherry Red Records and once again they have done an excellent job, the selections are varied and interesting, throwing up some names that some might not expect. A three CD collection housed in a clamshell box with a 40 pages booklet which includes photos and artist information, certainly enough to keep the listener occupied while enjoying this wonderful collection.

Throughout the collection there are many big names that will be instantly recognisable, for example Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Buddy Guy just to name a few. But as I stated before there are a number of unexpected artists which have been selected, and when you listen to them you can understand why, they include Captain Beefheart, Steppenwolf, The Allman Brothers, Dr John and ZZ Top.

As you have probably noted by now that they are quite a diverse selection of artists, but I think all have a connection, in that their music has Blues at its roots, some obvious, some not so. Across the three CD’s there are a total of sixty three tracks, with each CD having a generous running time.

The Blues in the mid Sixties started to go through some changes, the main being the use of amplification, this in turn gives rise to the upfront guitar sound so often associated with early electric Blues. This lead to some guitar greats who are well know and thought of, the likes of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Duane Allman and Ry Cooder.

There are many songs here which will be familiar in one way or another to many listeners, indeed the opening track on disc one from Howlin’ Wolf – Killing Floor will be easily spotted by Led Zeppelin fans, this song is also covered by The Electric Flag on disc two. These versions are notably different from one another, Howlin’ Wolf’s original is pure Blues where The Electric Flag add some funky swagger but maintaining a great Blues feel extending the song running time. To the Led Zep fans or followers here, it is interesting to note King Curtis and The Kingpins cover of Whole Lotta Love which itself was influenced by Muddy Waters You Need Love, in this version the lead saxophone adds some great funky swagger.

There are some surprising additions to the line up of artists chosen, we get to hear Ike & Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Blood Sweat & Tears and The Everly Brothers who all fit in well with the flow of the set. There are a number of artists who provide an couple of selected tracks, for example Canned Heat who provided the tracks Going Up The Country and Rollin’ And Tumblin’ from which this collection takes its name. When looking at the track listings there will be a number of names unfamiliar to many listeners, myself included, but don’t let this put you off as all are worthy additions in charting the influence of electric Blues. One other name that stood out for me was the inclusion of Johnny Winter, who I have always felt was an underrated Blues guitarist. The track chosen is Mean Town Blues and Winter is on fire here with some great guitar sounds and the energy provided by his band propel the song forward. Also listen out for Wilson Pickett’s version of Born To Be Wild with guitar provided by Duane Allman.

A nice collection making it a very pleasurable listen as it charts the history and influences of the rise of American Electric Blues. As usual Cherry Red Records have created another nice package with very good sound quality throughout. If you like the early electric Blues this could be the collection for you.

TRACK LISTING
Disc One
01. Howling Wolf – Killing Floor (2:51)
02. Bo Diddley – 500% More Man (2:55)
03. Slim Harpo – Baby Scratch My Back (2:53)
04. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band – Born In Chicago (folksong 65 version) (3:18)
05. Junior Wells’ Chicago Blues Band – Snatch It Back And Hold It (2:50)
06. Otis Reading – Rock Me Baby (3:23)
07. Buddy Guy – Leave My Girl Alone (3:24)
08. The Loving Spoonful – Night Owl Blues (3:01)
09. Dion – Spoonful (2:31)
10. The Everly Brothers – My Babe (2:38)
11. Booker T & The MG’S – Plum Nellie (2:05)
12. John Lee Hooker – One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (2:58)
13. The Shadows of Night – Light Bulb Blues (2:34)
14. Albert Collins – Sno Cone (Part II) (2:35)
15. Johnnie Taylor – I Had A Dream (3:15)
16. The Charlatans – 32-20 (2:30)
17. John Hammond – I Wish You Would (2:59)
18. Slim Harpo – Shake Your Hips (2:29)
19. Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band – Sure ‘Nuff ’N Yes, I Do (2:10)
20. Canned Heat – Rollin’ And Tumblin’ (3:09)
21. The Blues Project – I Can’t Keep From Crying Sometimes (4:27)
22. B.B. King – Think It Over (2:50)
23. Etta James – I’d Rather Go Blind (2:35)
24. Kaleidoscope – You Don’t Love Me (4:00)
25. The Butterfield Blues Band – Work Song (7:54)

Time: 78:24

Disc Two
01. Magic Sam Blues Band – I Feel So Good (I Wanna Boogie) (4:44)
02. Canned Heat – Going Up Country (2:53)
03. Taj Mahal – Statesboro Blues (2:59)
04. John Kay & The Sparrow – Twisted (3:16)
05. Big Brother & The Holding Company – Piece Of My Heart (4:15)
06. The Electric Flag – Killing Floor (4:11)
07. Muddy Waters – Tom Cat (3:38)
08. Johnny Winter – Mean Town Blues (4:28)
09. Otis Rush – Gambler’s Blues (2:45)
10. Wilson Pickett – Born To Be Wild (2:45)
11. James Gang – Funk #48 (2:48)
12. Steppenwolf – Hoochie Coochie Man (5:14)
13. Mike Bloomfield, Al Cooper & Stephen Stills – Stop (4:23)
14. Lonnie Mack – Roberta (2:20)
15. The J. Geils Band – Park Fair And Square (2:01)
16. J.B. Hutto & His Hawks with Sunnyland Slim – Speak My Mind (2:14)
17. Quicksilver Messenger Service – Who Do You Love Part 1 (3:33)
18. Blood Sweat& Tears – I’ll Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know (5:57)
19. Blue Cheer – Parchment Farm (5:49)
20. MC5 – Motor City is Burning (6:05)

Time: 79:12

Disc Three

01. Ike & Tina Turner – The Hunter (6:37)
02. The Allman Brothers Band – Whipping Post (5:19)
03. Aretha Franklin – Why I Sing The Blues (3:05)
04. Freddie King – Yonder Wall (3:20)
05. Howlin’ Wolf – Evil (4:07)
06. B.B. King – The Thrill Is Gone (5:25)
07. J.J. Cale – Call Me The Breeze (2:37)
08. Muddy Waters – Blue And Trouble (4:22)
09. Bo Diddley – Elephant Man (4:30)
10. Tony Joe White – Boom Boom (7:50)
11. Johnny Jenkins – I Walk On Guilded Splinters (5:50)
12. Ry Cooder – Alimony (2:54)
13. Buddy Miles Express – Train (4:51)
14. King Curtis & The Kingpins – Whole Lotta Love (2:43)
15. Chairmen Of The Board – Chairman of the Board (3:34)
16. Dr John – Where Ya At Mule (4:48)
17. ZZ Top – (Somebody Else Been) Shaking Your Tree (2:32)
18. Freddie King – Going Down (3:22)