Blues Masters: The Very Best of Jimmy Reed

• Artist: Jimmy Reed
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 14, 2000
• Total Time: 44:37
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Blues

Review

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, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
High and Lonesome	Jimmy Reed, James C. Bracken	Jimmy Reed	(2:48)
You Don't Have to Go	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(3:05)
Ain't That Lovin' You Baby	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:14)
I Ain't Got You	Clarence Carter	Jimmy Reed	(2:22)
You Got Me Dizzy	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:54)
Little Rain	Jimmy Reed, Ewart Abner	Jimmy Reed	(3:14)
Honest I Do	Jimmy Reed, Ewart Abner	Jimmy Reed	(2:40)
Odds and Ends	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:28)
Ends and Odds	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:12)
Going to New York	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:19)
Take Out Some Insurance	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:21)
Baby, What You Want Me to Do	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:49)
Hush Hush	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:32)
Big Boss Man (Lyrics)	Al Smith, Luther Dixon	Jimmy Reed	(2:48)
Bright Lights, Big City	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:40)
Oh John	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:24)
Shame, Shame, Shame	Jimmy Reed	Jimmy Reed	(2:47)

Credits

Henry Gray (Piano), Jimmy Reed (Main Performer), Eddie Taylor (Guitar), Cub Koda (Liner Notes), Cub Koda (Sequencing), Cub Koda (Project Assistant), Phil Upchurch (Guitar), John Littlejohn (Guitar), James Austin (Producer), Lee Baker (Guitar), Lefty Bates (Guitar), John Brim (Guitar), Hugh Brown (Art Direction), W.C. Dalton (Guitar), Al Duncan (Drums), Vernell Fournier (Drums), Marcus "Benjy" Johnson (Bass), Albert King (Drums), Mama Reed (Vocals), Ted Myers (Project Supervisor), Earl Phillips (Drums), Milton Rector (Bass), Jimmie Vaughan (Producer), Morris Wilkerson (Drums), Norma Edwards (Editorial Research), Jim Hughes (Project Assistant), Steve Woolard (Discographical Annotation), Bob Fisher (Remastering)