Fronted by the ubiquitous Stan Webb, the mighty Chicken Shack were second in popularity only to Fleetwood Mac in the late '60s Blues Boom. This set re-releases Shack’s three early 70s Deram albums, Imagination Lady, Unlucky Boy and the ultra-rare Goodbye Chicken Shack. Includes their European hit single 'Poor Boy' & the bonus track 'He Knows The Rules'.
Alligator continues its Trumpet reissue series with an excellent 15-cut anthology covering early Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II) material, some of it also including guitarist Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup and guitarist Bobo "Slim" Thomas. Miller was honing the uncanny technique that made him a harmonica legend, playing long overtones, spitting lines, droning and angular phrases that are now part of blues lore. His voice was gaining strength and stature, and he repeatedly demonstrated the kind of vocal character and instrumental acumen later immortalized on his Chess sessions. Alligator has found a genuine treasure chest with this series.
…His vicious wit, often overlooked in favor of his poetic narratives, surfaces on the title track, while "It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career" summarizes his effortless gift for elegant melancholia. Such small, precious gems are what Belle & Sebastian are all about, and The Boy With the Arab Strap offers another round of timeless, endlessly fascinating folk-pop treasures.