If you are not already familiar with The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker, can I strongly recommend it? This is one very cool record from start to finish!
Recorded in New York and Chicago, with two live tracks from the Newport Festival in 1960 (these being the spine-tingling Tupelo and The Hobo), this LP was released in August/September 1961 courtesy of Vee-Jay records. Often called the “King of the Boogie” for his driving, rhythmic approach to guitar playing, John Lee Hooker was also known for his trademark ‘talking blues’ style – this record demonstrates both of these fine qualities wonderfully!
According to The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings, “Vee-Jay were reaching for Hooker’s perceived new audience among folkniks,” yet on the album it was only Tupelo and The Hobo that represent the ‘folk blues’ angle Hooker had begun to develop a year earlier. All other tracks were recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois on January 4th, 1961.
I’m Going Upstairs is one of my favourite songs from this record; I love the chug of its locomotive rhythm and I dare say it goes without saying, but Hooker’s vocals are the perfect catalyst for this driving delight! Check it out above.
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