Robert's Review of John Hammond, Lightnin' Wells at Berkeley Cafe, 11/14/97

Order CD * NCBlue - Carolina Blues Newsletter * Robert's Reviews Home Page * COMMENTS*

John Hammond has been performing the blues for over 30 years and his audience welcomed him to Raleigh after a 20 year absence. He played to an very enthusiastic crowd at the Berkeley Cafe - Raleigh favorite place for the blues, with many people not having seen him for 10 20 years (27 years for me).

He is one of the major white blues performers from the 60's that is still playing and his music has aged like the proverbial fine wine getting that keeps getting better with age. He looks and sounds generally the same but weathered by the years of living on the road. John played his guitar with thumb pick, fingers, and slide with wild abandon while adding a harmonica style that is full of notes and emotion - not an easy task as some travelers of the blues will attest. John's voice usually howls and wails but he can also have it tease and laugh. Neither John's playing or voice has mellowed over the years.

After 30 years Hammond has an extensive catalog of blues tunes to choose from all variety of the blues. Tonight's set included Tom Waits "No One Can Forgive Me But My Baby", a very sweet slide on "Standing on Top of the World", "Malted Milk", "Frogs to Lizards", Robert Johnson's "Rambling on my Mind", and a show stopping version of "Love in Vain".

Opening for Hammond was Carolina's own Lightnin' Wells who played a very strong set including classic blues "Bullfrog Blues", a Furry Lewis number, Robert Johnson's "Walking Blues", and "Preaching Blues" and ended with a nice gospel harmonica solo. The only weak moment was a Louisiana boogie tune that didn't take off, but this was a truly inspired set as Lightnin' keeps getting better each time I see him.

John Hammond played his heart out for over an hour, ending up drenched in sweat but with a very satisfied crowd. Local blues performers framed the stage trying to learn from a master and one of the major performers who has brought classic acoustic blues to a wider audience during the last 30 years. The crowd cheered every song while sitting on the floor in rapt attention and ended with a standing ovation. 

For other related sites visit Links

Click here to order John Hammond, Lightnin' Wells CDs & Cassettes at discount prices. Book Mark this page for future orders

A review of ordering CDs at Robert's Review of CDNow

Profits from advertisers now to go to blues societies and foundations. If you like the reviews and CDNow, please bookmark this page for all future cd orders. If you have any have comments about the service let me know. - thanks Robert.