Personnel includes: Jimmy Reed (vocal, guitar, harmonica); Mama Reed (vocals); John Brim, Eddie Taylor, John Littlejohn, W.C. Dalton, Remo Biondi, Lefty Bates, Phil Upchurch, Lonnie "Lee Baker" Brooks (guitar); Henry Gray (piano); Milton Rector, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Reed Jr. (bass); Albert King, Morris Wilkerson, Vernell Fournier, Earl Phillips, Al Duncan (drums).
Producers include: Calvin Carter.
Compilation producers: James Austin, Jimmie Vaughan.
Recorded between 1953 & 1963. Includes liner notes by Cub Koda, Steve Woolard.
Digitally remastered by Bob Fisher.
Personnel: Mama Reed (vocals); Eddie Taylor, W.C. Dalton, John Brim, John Littlejohn, Lee Baker, Phil Upchurch, Lefty Bates (guitar); Henry Gray (piano); Earl Phillips, Morris Wilkerson, Al Duncan , Albert King, Vernell Fournier (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Bob Fisher .
Liner Note Author: Cub Koda.
Over the years, many, many Jimmy Reed compilations have been released, including many repackagings of his classic Vee-Jay material. Sometimes, the compilations have been excellent -- the 1993 disc Speak the Lyrics to Me, Mama Reed is a prime example -- other times they've been shabby, and since many of them have featured the same basic songs, it's hard for novices to discern which are worthwhile and which aren't. Fortunately, Rhino's 2000 release The Very Best of Jimmy Reed provides first-timers with an ideal introductory package, while satisfying longtime fans by serving 17 of his very best sides for Vee-Jay. All of the classic songs are here -- "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby," "You've Got Me Dizzy," "Honest I Do," "Take Out Some Insurance," "Going to New York," "Baby What You Want Me to Do," "Big Boss Man," and "Bright Lights Big City" -- along with such stellar, lesser-known items as his first Vee-Jay single "High and Lonesome," "Oh John," the eerie violin-laced "Odds and Ends," and its boogie-minded flip-side "Ends and Odds." It's a well-rounded, compelling collection that proves Reed's music is always satisfying, even if it's all variations on a basic, three-chord boogie. Or, as Reed expert Cub Koda states in the liner notes, it's "nothin' fancy, but it sure hits the spot every single time." The Very Best of Jimmy Reed proves his statement true with 17 timeless tracks. This is an essential cornerstone of any blues collection. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Though Jimmy Reed's name will always be eclipsed by more innovative and charismatic artists like Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, his simple, straightforward music is--in a way--what the blues is all about. As Rhino's definitive VERY BEST OF proves, Reed knew the music was primarily about soul and groove, with flash and musical expertise taking a backseat to a basic feel for the songs. Though Reed's harmonica playing, hypnotic rhythms, stinging lead guitar, and cool, behind-the-beat vocals do not dazzle technically, they always support the deep vibe of the song, effectively getting out of the way to let the blues do its business.
Lovingly selected, sequenced, and remastered, BLUES MASTERS: THE VERY BEST OF JIMMY REED trumps existing compilations as the essential Reed album to get. All of the artist's biggest singles are here, including the swamp blues blueprint "High and Lonesome," the bouncy "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby," and the smoothly grooving "Baby What You Want Me to Do" (with Reed's wife, "Mama," lending sweet backing vocals). Rhino wisely avoids Reed's inferior 1970s material, concentrating solely on his seminal Vee Jay output. This is the perfect sampler of Reed's unique and influential accomplishments. minimize