Top Five Records



Eric 'Redmouth' Gebhardt - Our Man in Alabama

Hmmm... My top five blues albums of all time. When Rick asked me to do this I was a bit hesatant because I have a knack of getting under purists skin. Then I thought "Hell, why stop now. I'll get a kick outta this." To warn all purists, blues to me is a feeling, I throw all technicalities of the twelve bar out the window, it means nothing to me. Now, here we go...

1. Muddy Waters - Electric Mud

First off, I love the vocals on this album. I don't think I've ever heard a Muddy album with vocals as deep and mesmerizing as this record. And of course the wah-wahs and fuzz pedals are right up my alley. This record stands up in the face of every Cream or Zeppelin album and says "You may be filthy rich but i still own this music. Meet me after school, I'll kick yer ass." Muddy 'tough as nails' Waters.

2. Son House - Complete 1965 Recordings

You can argue with me until you're blue in the face that Son's earlier recordings are the best but I still won't agree. The songs, oh the songs. The subjects that Son broaches will continue to astound songwriters until the sun burns out.

I like the old man Mr. House more so than his younger counterpart. He sounds exactly like what he is, an aging, hardliving preacher with more soul than Sam and Dave could ever pretend to sing about. And these recordings made me fall in love with the accapella gospel.

3. Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica

Hands down the greatest psych/blues/jazz/rock record of all time. Makes everyone else sound like little girls singing about my little pony. "Too fast, too bulbous."

4. Blind Willie Johnson - Complete Recordings

There is something about gospel songs that just hits you like a ton of bricks, wether you really believe or not. When it's sung with this kind of conviction you'll believe anything. And that playing, Jesus, just listen.

5. Hony Babe Let the Deal Go Down: The Best of the Mississippi Sheiks

The great blues string band. Responsible for standards such as 'Sitting On Top of the World' and 'Stop and Listen Blues No. 2' that are still astounding all these years later. Master of the double entaundre with 'Ramrod Blues'. But they wrote great bone-chilling songs as well like 'World Gone Wrong' (which, unfortunately, is not on this album) and 'Blood in My Eyes for You', both which were excellently recorded by Bob Dylan on his World Gone Wrong album.

One of my personal favorites is 'Your Good Man Caught the Train and Gone'. It's a shame that this is about all that's available anymore. If anyone knows how to get more please let me know.

Anyway, it's been fun. Red

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