The Healer (CD - 1989)

Personnel: John Lee Hooker (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar, National Steel guitar); Bonnie Raitt (vocals, slide guitar); Roy Rogers (guitar, slide guitar); David Hidaldo (guitar, accordion); George Thorogood, Robert Cray, Carlos Santana, Cesar Rosas, Henry Vestine (guitar); Charlie Musselwhite (harmonica); Steve Berlin (saxophone); Chester Thompson (keyboards, synthesizer); Larry Taylor, Conrad Lozano, Richard Cousins (bass); Louie Perez, Scott Matthews, Fito de la Parra, Ndugu Chancler (drums); Armando Peraza (congas); Chepito Areas (timbales).

Producers: Roy Rogers, Carlos Santana, Jim Gaines.

Engineers: Sam Lehmer, Jim Gaines, Mark Lynette.

Recorded at Russian Hill Recording Studios, San Francisco, California; The Plant, Sausalito, California; Leon Haywood Studios, Los Angeles, California.

Includes liner notes by John Bitzer.

Personnel: John Lee Hooker (vocals, guitar); David Hildago (guitar, accordion); Roy Rogers, Henry Vestine, Cesar Rosas (guitar); Steve Berlin (saxophone), Chester Thompson (keyboards, synthesizer); Richard Cousins, Larry Taylor, Conrad Lozano, Steve Ehrmann (bass); Scott Matthews, Fito De La Parra, Louie Perez, Ndugu Chancler (drums); Chepito Areas, Armando Peraza (percussion).

Producers: Roy Rogers, Carlos Santana, Jim Gaines.

Engineers: Sam Lehmer, Jim Gaines, Mark Lynette.

Recorded at Russian Hill Recording Studios, San Francisco; the Plant, Sausalito, California; Leon Heywood Studios, Los Angeles, California. Includes liner notes by John Bitzer.

The Healer was a major comeback for John Lee Hooker. Featuring a wide array of guest stars, including Bonnie Raitt, Johnnie Johnson, and Los Lobos, The Healer captured widespread media attention because of all the superstar musicians involved in its production. Unfortunately, that long guest list is what makes the album a fairly unengaging listen. Certainly there are moments were it clicks, but that's usually when the music doesn't greatly expand on his stripped-down boogie. The other moments are professional, but not exciting. It's a pleasant listen, but never quite an engaging one. ~ Thom Owens

When popular culture embraced John Lee, purists turned up their noses. They should have been pleased that the world's greatest living Delta bluesman was going to make some money before he turned up his toes. Teaming up with Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos, Canned Heat (not for the first time) and others, lent Hooker's blues a contemporary gloss. It took the album to the upper reaches of the album charts around the world, brought him a number of Grammy awards and a new career in advertising. The blues is not only a healer, it drinks brandy and wears jeans. The Santana guitar solo on the title track is breathtaking and Hooker is the coolest senior citizen in the world. minimize