Vee Jay's 1964 album John Lee Hooker on Campus is titled to sound like a
live recording but it isn't. As part of the Collectables Vee Jay
reissue campaign, these 12 tracks originally tried to capitalize on Hooker's
emergence on the coffeehouse/college tours he was involved in at the
time.
This is an electric album that contains excellent material from Hooker,
even though the occasional background singers get in the way,
attempting to modernize his gritty blues with a smoother soul sound. (by Al Campbell)
Electric blues from John Lee Hooker released in the mid 60s on Vee Jay –
all Hooker originals that are riveting and soul shaking as you could
hope for.
Although it's titled John Lee Hooker On Campus, it's more a
reflecting of the time than a literal description of what you'll hear
here – the folk and blues revival was in full swing and holding college
audiences rapt, but it's not a concert recording, but Hooker in
excellent 60s form.(by dusty groove)
Personnel: John Lee Hooker (guitar, vocals) + a bunch of unknown studio musicians Tracklist: 01. I´m Leaving (Hooker) 2.12 02. Love Is A Burning Thing (Hooker) 2.39 03. Birmingham Blues (Hooker) 2.54 04. I Want To Shout (Hooker) 2.25 05. Don´t Look Back (Hooker/Robinson/White) 2.56 06. I Want To Hug You (Hooker/Ling) 2.29 07. Poor Me (Hooker) 2.41 08. I Want To Ramble (Hooker) 3.11 09. Half A Stranger (Sykes) 4.24 10. My Grinding Mill (Hooker) 3.11 11. Bottle Up And Go (Hooker) 2.25 12. One Way Tichet (Hooker) 3.27
