Personnel: John Lee Hooker (vocals, guitar); Eddie "Guitar" Burns (harmonica); John Hooks (tenor saxophone); John Griffith (piano); Thomas Whitehead (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Joe Tarantino.
Liner Note Author: Colin Escott.
Recording information: Esquire Recording Studios, Detroit, MI (12/??/1949-10/18/1954).
Photographer: Lawrence Shustak.
John Lee Hooker recorded for many record labels during his long career. But this sampling of some of his Specialty sides finds him at his best, on tracks like his much-recorded "Boogie Chillen No. 2," the simmering "I'm Mad," the brooding "Nothin' But Trouble," and the risqu? "Grinder Man." Featuring many solo cuts (the artist's idiosyncratic timing defeated most accompanists), these quality sides display Hooker in his prime.
