John Lee Hooker turned a lot of heads when he came out with one of his number one hit songs, “Boom! Boom!” But there are a lot of other recordings he made, primarily solo recordings, that helped define his style of “Talkin’ Blues.” If you listen to enough of Hooker’s recordings, you start to realize that there isn’t a defined beat or tempo to his music. Hooker became famous for this style of blues playing. One of the videos I found to share with you features a performance from Hooker with Bonnie Raitt, and it’s fun to hear him play with a band because you can even hear that the band isn’t exactly sure of where Hooker is going in the song. It’s just one of the unique characteristics that made John Lee Hooker unique and captivating. I hope you enjoy these few performances from John Lee Hooker as much as I did!
I’ll start out with one of Hooker’s biggest hit songs, “Boom! Boom!” One of the things I found most interesting about the video is all the characters dancing along to the music in the audience. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSnQ0bdHW0s.
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The next video performance is that one that I mentioned above with guest star Bonnie Raitt. Hear John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, and the band play some killer blues at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT-FoZt95D4.
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Lastly, another one of Hooker’s hit songs is “Hobo Blues.” Can you tell that the structure of the song is pretty loose? Another great example of Hooker’s unique style. Hear his solo performance of the song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYrVwGxlcFA.
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John Lee Hooker was one of the great blues men that helped spread the blues to generations to come. He and his music is greatly respected and will be missed. Hopefully we can all take a few minutes and listen to one of the greats.
Thanks,
Griff
6 replies to "Talkin’ Blues With John Lee Hooker"
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Brings back memeories! I reacall his last performance was in the Blues Brothers Movie. He did Boom Boom Boom. Hobo Blues was tuned to the key of G. I know alot of his playing was in G. Maybe thats what inspierd Kieth Richards! Honkey tonk Women and alot other songs the stone did. I like playing in G tuning.
Well Griff, I got your Blues Unleased DVD course. strugling with those 9th and 7th chords. Also the jazz chords. I have a TV with DVD in it. Darn thing won’t pause, or move backwards. Just stop and play. It does’nt play cd’s either. So I’ve had my nose in the book alot for the tabs. I’m 60 years old and have been playing since I was 13. Grew up in the music industry. Put my guitar away for about 4 years. I was a Flight Engineer and always gone. Got back into my music after 911. With artritist and a Brain Virus it’s a challenge for me to play what I love the most. Guitar and the blues. I have been practicing those hard chords. The hard part is my memory. It’s not great because of the virus,but your a God send. Hey! I landed an md11 with a unlocked nose landing gear back in the 90’s. on touch down it locked in and we safely made it home. Thats how I look at playing with my disability. Relax and practice and everything will lock in place. Thanks Griff. Paul Dragotto, Redondo Beach CA.
Great taste in Blues music Griff. Having a super time with the course. Great videos, really got a kick out of the chef in the hat out on the dance floor, priceless! What a wonderful man he was, Mr. Hooker.
Excellent videos – the one w/ Bonnie was at the legendary old Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA.
Just curious about the whole issue of keeping time and rigorous structure – as taught in the BGU course. Certainly, one would not want to teach -” Loose” but it seems like a few of the legends kept their own time and in this case – structure as well.
As I work through the BGU lessons – keeping time is my biggest challenge. As for hearing changes in the backing tracks – my raging tinnitus in D or is it E a couple of octaves above middle C keeps me guessing. The counting out loud suggestion is reaping a golden harvest.
It’s always a good idea to nail the principles then swerve later or not – who knows? The over-riding question becomes one of danceability vs expression. Ray Charles was famous for keeping his own wavering time to mind-boggling effect….and the frustration of many drummers. If they couldn’t keep “Ray time” they were replaced.
you betcha good blues nothin like it. a stile of his own. it all came from there.
I read his autobiography…seems that JLH made the changes when he wanted to and the rest of the band had to just “feel it”…some good videos..thanks…later.
cowboy