John Lee Hooker - The Vee-Jay Years 1955-1964 (6-CD-Boxset; 1992) [FLAC]

John Lee Hooker: The Vee Jay Years, 1955-1964
Label: Charly Records CD RED BOX 6 (1992, U.K.)

6 discs, 127 tracks, duration approx. 376 minutes
Mono/Stereo, AAD

Recorded: Chicago (except where noted), 1955-1964

Tracklist:

Disc One
01. Unfriendly Woman [02:53]
(Hooker, Bracken)
Recorded October 19th, 1955 - Vee-Jay 265, Vee-Jay CD 713
02. Wheel and Deal [02:33]
Recorded October 19th, 1955
Top Rank EP 136, DJM LP 28026, Charly LP 1029
03. Mambo Chillun [02:47]
Recorded October 19th, 1955 - Vee-Jay 164, Vee-Jay CD 713
04. Time is Marching [03:02]
Recorded October 19th, 1955 - Vee-Jay 164, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay LP 8502, Vee-Jay CD 713
05. I'm So Worried Baby [03:12]
(Hooker, Bracken)
Recorded March 27th, 1956 - Vee-Jay 233, Charly CD 176, Vee-Jay CD 713
06. Baby Lee [03:00]
(Hooker, Bracken)
Recorded March 27th, 1956 - Vee-Jay 205, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay CD 713
07. Dimples [02:12]
Recorded March 27th, 1956 - Vee-Jay 205, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay LP 1049, Vee-Jay CD 713
08. Every Night [03:00]
Recorded March 27th, 1956 - Vee-Jay 188, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay CD 713
09. The Road is So Rough [03:03]
Recorded March 27th, 1956 - Vee-Jay 233, Vee-Jay CD 713
10. Trouble Blues [02:46]
Recorded March 27th, 1956 - Vee-Jay 188, Vee-Jay CD 713
11. Stop Talking [02:12]
Recorded June 7th, 1956 - DJM LP 28026, Charly LP 1029
12. Everybody Rockin' [02:41]
Recorded March 1st, 1957 - Top Rank EP 136, DJM LP 28026, Charly LP 1014
13. I'm So Excited [02:54]
Recorded March 1st, 1957 - Vee-Jay 245, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay CD 713
14. I Can See You When You're Weak [02:54] (a.k.a. I See You When You're Weak)
(Hooker, Bracken)
Recorded March 1st, 1957 - Vee-Jay 245, Charly CD 176, Vee-Jay CD 713
15. Crawlin' Black Spider [02:45]
Recorded March 1st, 1957 - Top Rank EP 136, DJM LP 28026, Charly LP 1014
16. Little Wheel [02:39]
Recorded June 23rd, 1957 - Vee-Jay 255, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay LP 1049, Vee-Jay CD 713
17. Little Fine Woman [02:26]
(Hooker, Bracken)
Recorded June 23rd, 1957 - DJM LP 28026, Charly LP 1029
18. Rosie Mae [02:46]
Recorded June 23rd, 1957 - Vee-Jay 255, Vee-Jay CD 713
19. You Can Lead Me Baby [02:42]
Recorded June 23rd, 1957 - Vee-Jay 265, Vee-Jay CD 713

Disc Two
20. I Love You Honey [02:35]
(Williams)
Recorded June 10th, 1958 - Vee-Jay 293, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay CD 713
21. You've Taken My Woman [02:29]
Recorded June 10th, 1958 - Vee-Jay 293, Vee-Jay CD 713
22. Mama, You Got a Daughter [03:42]
(J.B. Lenoir)
Recorded 1959/60 - DJM LP 28026, Charly LP 1029, Chameleon CD 74794
23. Nightmare [04:27]
Recorded 1959/60 - Charly LP 1029, Chameleon CD 74794
24. House Rent Boogie [04:03]
Recorded 1959/60 - Charly LP 1004, Instant LP 5009
25. Trying to Find a Woman [03:39]
Recorded 1959/60 - Charly CD Red Box 6
26. Drive Me Away [02:56]
Recorded 1959/60 - Charly LP 1029
27. I'm Goin' Home [03:58]
Recorded 1959/60 - Instant LP 5009
28. Love Me All the Time [03:13]
Recorded 1959/60 - Charly LP 1029
29. Lou Della [04:03]
Recorded 1959/60 - Instant LP 5009
30. Bundle Up and Go [02:32]
Recorded 1959/60
31. Wrong Doin' Woman [03:41]
Recorded 1959/60 - Charly LP 1029
32. Maudie [02:25]
Recorded January 22nd, 1959 - Vee-Jay 308, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay LP 8502
33. Tennessee Blues [02:26]
Recorded January 22nd, 1959 - Vee-Jay 319
34. I'm In the Mood [02:45]
Recorded January 22nd, 1959 - Vee-Jay 308, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay LP 1049
35. Boogie Chillun [02:37]
Recorded January 22nd, 1959 - Vee-Jay 319, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay LP 1049
36. Hobo Blues [02:49]
Recorded January 22nd, 1959 - Vee-Jay 331, Vee-Jay LP 1007
37. Crawlin' Kingsnake [02:44]
Recorded January 22nd, 1959
Vee-Jay 331, Vee-Jay LP 1007, Vee-Jay LP 1049, Vee-Jay LP 8502

Disc Three
38. I Wanna Walk [02:14]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
39. Canal Street Blues [02:56]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
40. I'll Know Tonight [02:40]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
41. I Can't Believe [02:52]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
42. Goin' to California [02:25]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
43. Whiskey and Wimmen [02:59]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023, Vee-Jay LP 1049, Vee-Jay LP 8502
44. Run On [02:12]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
45. Solid Sender [02:36]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay 349, Vee-Jay LP 1023
46. Sunny Land [02:31]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
47. Dusty Road [02:21]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay 366, Vee-Jay LP 1023, Vee-Jay LP 1049
48. I'm a Stranger [02:42]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1023
49. No Shoes [02:25]
Recorded March 1st, 1960 - Vee-Jay 349, Vee-Jay LP 1023, Vee-Jay LP 1049
50. Five Long Years [03:38]
(Boyd)
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1033
51. I Like to See You Walk [02:55]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1033
52. Wednesday Evening Blues [03:59]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1033, Vee-Jay LP 8502
53. Take Me As I Am [03:02]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Vee-Jay 397, Vee-Jay LP 1033
54. My First Wife Left Me [03:34]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1033, Vee-Jay LP 8502
55. You're Looking Good Tonight [02:57]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Vee-Jay LP 1033
56. You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone [03:03]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Charly LP 1029
57. Dirty Ground Hog [03:32]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Instant LP 5009
58. She Loves My Best Friend [04:34]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Charly CD Red Box 6
59. Sally Mae [04:02]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Charly LP 1029, Charly LP 1081 (note: mistitled as 'Sadie Mae')
60. Moanin' Blues [03:14]
Recorded New York City, April 29th, 1960 - Charly LP 1029

Disc Four
61. The Hobo [03:06] (a.k.a. Hobo Blues/Dusty Road)
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, June 25th, 1960
Vee-Jay LP 1033, Vee-Jay LP 1049, Vanguard LP 2087, Vanguard LP 9083, Vanguard CD 115
62. Maudie [02:45]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, June 25th, 1960
Vanguard LP 2087, Vanguard LP 9083
63. Tupelo [03:23] (a.k.a. Backwater Blues)
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, June 25th, 1960
Vee-Jay 366, Vee-Jay LP 1033, Vee-Jay LP 1049, Vanguard LP 2087, Vanguard LP 9083, Vanguard CD 115
64. Want Ad Blues [02:17]
(Boyd)
Recorded January 4th, 1961 - Vee-Jay 397, Vee-Jay LP 1033, Vee-Jay LP 8502
65. Will the Circle be Unbroken [02:35]
(trad. arr. John Lee Hooker)
Recorded January 4th, 1961 - Dynasty LP 7301
66. I'm Goin' Upstairs [02:57]
Recorded January 4th, 1961 - Vee-Jay 397, Vee-Jay LP 1033
67. I Left My Baby [04:27]
Recorded January 4th, 1961 - Charly LP 1081
68. Hard Headed Woman [02:32]
Recorded January 4th, 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1033
69. I'm Mad Again [02:42]
Recorded January 4th, 1961 - Vee-Jay 397, Vee-Jay LP 1033
70. Process [03:39]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1043
71. Thelma [03:33]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1043
72. What Do You Say [02:31]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1043
73. Boom Boom [02:31]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay 438, Vee-Jay LP 1043, Vee-Jay LP 1049, Vee-Jay LP 1100 (w. audience noise overdubbed), Vee-Jay LP 8502
74. Blues Before Sunrise [03:51]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1043, Vee-Jay LP 8502
75. I Lost a Good Girl [02:52]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1043
76. She's Mine [02:24] (a.k.a. Keep Your Hands to Yourself)
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay 453, Vee-Jay LP 1043
77. I Got a Letter This Morning [02:44]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1043
78. A New Leaf [02:31]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay 453, Vee-Jay LP 1043
79. Let's Make It [02:24]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay 438, Vee-Jay LP 1043, Vee-Jay LP 1049
80. Drug Store Woman [02:44]
Recorded 1961 - Vee-Jay LP 1043

Disc Five
81. Old Time Shimmy [02:22]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
82. Onions [02:11]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
83. You Know I Love You [01:57]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
84. Send Me Your Pillow [02:25]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay 575, Vee-Jay LP 1058
85. Big Soul [02:10]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
86. Frisco Blues [02:46] (a.k.a. San Francisco)
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay 493, Vee-Jay LP 1058
87. She Shot Me Down [02:52]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
88. Take a Look at Yourself [02:49]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay 493, Vee-Jay LP 1058
89. Good Rocking Mama [02:29]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
90. I Love Her [02:14]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
91. No One Told Me [02:12]
Recorded 1962 - Vee-Jay LP 1058
92. Don't Look Back [02:41] (mono version of track 106)
Recorded 1963 - Charly CD Red Box 6
93. One Way Ticket [03:29]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
94. Half a Stranger [04:24]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
95. Bottle Up and Go [02:26]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
96. My Grinding Mill [03:13]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
97. I Want to Ramble [02:29]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
98. Sadie Mae [02:54]
Recorded 1963 - Charly CD Red Box 6 (note: this track is listed as being on Charly LP 1081, but it's actually track 59 mistitled)
99. This is Hip [02:30]
Recorded 1963 - Charly LP 1004
100. Poor Me [03:12]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
101. I Want to Shout [02:26]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
102. Love is a Burning Thing [02:42]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
103. I Want to Hug You [02:42]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay LP 1066
104. I'm Leaving Baby [02:13] (a.k.a. I'm Leaving)
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay 538, Vee-Jay LP 1066
105. Birmingham Blues [02:55]
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay 538, Vee-Jay LP 1066
106. Don't Look Back [02:54] (stereo version of 92)
Recorded 1963 - Vee-Jay 575, Vee-Jay LP 1066

Disc Six
107. I Can't Quit You Now Blues [02:51]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078, Vanguard CD 77005
108. Stop Baby, Don't Hold Me [01:44] (a.k.a. Stop Baby Don't Hold Me That Way)
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078
109. Tupelo [05:16]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078
110. Bus Station Blues [03:38]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078, Vanguard LP (7)9145, Vanguard LP/CD 77
111. Freight Train to My Friend [03:25] (a.k.a. Freight Train Be My Friend)
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078
112. Boom, Boom, Boom [02:30]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078
113. Talk That Talk Baby [01:25]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078, Vee-Jay LP 8502
114. Sometime Baby You Make Me Feel So Bad [03:26]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078, Vanguard LP (7)9145, Vanguard LP/CD 115
115. You've Got to Walk Yourself [04:51] (a.k.a. You're Gonna Need Another Favor)
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078, Dynasty LP 7301
116. Let's Make It [02:23]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078
117. The Mighty Fire [04:45]
Recorded live at Newport Folk Festival, Rhode Island, July 26/8th, 1963
Vee-Jay LP 1078, Vee-Jay LP 8502
118. Big Legs, Tight Skirt [02:18]
Recorded 1964 - Vee-Jay 670, Chameleon CD 74794
119. Flowers on the Hour [02:40]
Recorded 1964 - Vee-Jay 708, Dynasty LP 7301
120. It Serves Me Right to Suffer [03:32] (a.k.a. It Serves Me Right)
Recorded 1964 - Vee-Jay 708, Dynasty LP 7301
121. It Ain't No Big Thing Baby [04:13] (a.k.a. Ain't No Big Thing Baby)
Recorded 1964 - Dynasty LP 7301
122. She Left Me One Wednesday [03:42]
Recorded 1964 - Charly LP 1029
123. You Can Run [03:04] (a.k.a. You Can Run Baby)
Recorded 1964 - Dynasty LP 7301
124. New Sally Mae [03:37]
Recorded 1964 - Dynasty LP 7301
125. Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine [02:39]
Recorded 1964 - Vee-Jay 670, Dynasty LP 7301
126. She's Long, She's Tall [02:29]
Recorded 1964 - Dynasty LP 7301
127. You're Mellow [04:08]
Recorded 1964 - Dynasty LP 7301

References: Vee-Jay CD 713
Top Rank EP 136 (France)
DJM LP 28026 Dimples (DJM DJD 28026, 1977, U.K.)
Charly LP 1029 Moanin' The Blues (Charly CRB 1029, 1981, U.K.)
Vee-Jay LP 1007 I'm John Lee Hooker (Vee-Jay 1007, 1959)
Vee-Jay LP 8502
Charly CD 176 (Germany)
Vee-Jay LP 1049 Best of John Lee Hooker
Charly LP 1014 Everybody Rockin' (Charly CRB 1014, 1981, U.K.)
Chameleon CD 74794 The Hook (Chameleon 74794)
Instant LP 5009 The Boogie Man (Instant INS 5009, 1989, U.K.)
Vee-Jay LP 1023 Travelin' (Vee-Jay 1023, 1960)
Vee-Jay LP 1033 The Folk Lore of John Lee Hooker (Vee-Jay SR 1033, 1961)
Charly LP 1081 Solid Sender (Charly CRB 1081, 1984, U.K.)
Vanguard LP 2087 The Newport Folk Festival 1960 Vol. 1 (Vanguard 2087, Stereo)
Vanguard LP 9083 The Newport Folk Festival 1960 Vol. 1 (Vanguard 9083)
Vanguard LP/CD 115
Dynasty LP 7301 John Lee Hooker In Person (Dynasty DY 7301, 1974)
Vee-Jay LP 1043 Burnin' (Vee-Jay SR 1043, 1962)
Vee-Jay LP 1100
Vee-Jay LP 1058 The Big Soul of John Lee Hooker (Vee-Jay SR 1058, 1963)
Vee-Jay LP 1066 John Lee Hooker On Campus (Vee-Jay 1066)
Charly LP 1004 This is Hip (Charly CRB 1004, 1980, U.K.)
Vee-Jay LP 1078 Concert at Newport (Vee-Jay 1078, 1964)
Vanguard CD 77005
Vanguard LP (7)9145 Blues at Newport: Recorded Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963
Vanguard LP 77 Great Bluesman Newport (VSD 77/78, 1976)
Vanguard CD 77 Great Bluesman Newport


Personnel: John Lee Hooker vocals except 85; guitar except 49 which may be vocal only, with an unidentified guitarist
The Vandellas backing vocals on 85-88, 90, 92, 100-103, 106

Jimmy Reed harmonica on 01-04, probably also 67-68 (or it's Lefty Bates)
Otis Finch tenor sax on 11
Hank Cosby tenor sax on 70-80
Unknown sax on 70-87, 89, 92, 100-103, 105-106
Unknown trumpet on 85-87, 89

Unknown piano on 11, 70-92, 100-106
Frankie Bradford piano on 16-19
Joe Hunter piano on 20-21
Unknown organ on 85, 88, 91

Eddie Taylor guitar on 01-21, 32-34
Lefty Bates guitar on 38-40, 42-44, 46-49, 64-69
Unknown guitar on 70-92, 100-106, 118-127

George Washington bass on 01-11
Quinn Wilson bass on 12-15, 64-69
Everett McCrary bass on 16-21
Unknown bass on 22-31, 70-92, 100-106, 115-127
Sylvester Hickman bass on 38-40, 42-44, 46-49
Bill Lee bass on 61-63

Tom Whitehead drums on 01-15
Richard Johnson drums on 16-21
Unknown drums on 22-31, 70-106, 118-127
Earl Phillips drums on 32-33, 64-69
Jimmy Turner drums on 38-40, 42-49
Unknown clapping on 91

Tracks 61-63 recorded by Paul Oliver

Compilation and liner notes by Les Fancourt
Produced by Les Fancourt and Joop Visser
Remastered at Charly Studios by Andy Pearce

Photographs courtesy Barrie Kendrick
Design by The Raven Design Group