Lowell Fgeor

Before emerging as a cult star in the 1970s, Lowell George was a presence on the L.A. folk-rock/psychedelic scene in the 1960s. With his group the Factory, he only managed to release one single during this time. Lightning-Rod Man rescues 15 tunes cut by this unit, including the single and over a dozen outtakes and demos. Almost exclusively original material, most of these tracks were recorded in 1966 and 1967. They show the group pursuing a slightly eccentric folk-rock vision that neither bears much similarity to George's more famous work nor matches the best work done in this genre by their L.A. peers. At times they echo Kaleidoscope in their vaguely spacy, good-natured folkish rock; just as often, they take cues from Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa in their skewed blues-rock and obtuse songwriting. In fact, Zappa himself produced and played on a couple of the demos, and one-time Mothers of Invention members Elliot Ingber and Roy Estrada show up on a few others. A few songs cut toward the end of the decade feature a heavier, bluesier sound that show George edging in a different direction. An enjoyable vault find, but not a major revelation.

Twenty-six tracks that Fulson cut between 1946 and 1951 for the Swing Time, Big Town, and Down Town labels. This is far more sparsely produced, and less urbane in feel, than the material Lowell would record for Chess throughout the 1950s. Indeed, on ten of the cuts, he's supported only by his brother Martin on rhythm guitar; there's a small combo on the remainder of the cuts, but a fairly subdued one. Those who prefer their blues down-home might like this better than the more polished sound that Fulson moved into for the rest of his career. It's city blues just out of the country, with Fulson's high, pleading vocals and sharp, countrified electric licks to the fore. The most famous song, by far, is the original version of "Three O'Clock Blues," which was covered for a huge R&B hit by B.B. King in the early '50s.

A half century after he made his debut waxings, Fulson is still going strong - and not as some museum piece, either. Still a vital blues artist who refuses to rest on his massive laurels, Fulson's latest is a fine addition to his vast discography, comprised mostly of fresh originals and featuring his customary biting guitar and insinuating vocals.

The most indispensable collection in Fulson's vast discography. He was hitting on all burners during the mid-'50s when he was with Chess, waxing the immortal "Reconsider Baby," and swinging gems like "Check Yourself," "Do Me Right," and "Trouble, Trouble," and the supremely doomy "Tollin' Bells," here in many truncated false takes before he and the band finally jell.

Lowell George was the guitar virtuoso, vocalist and songwriter for Little Feat. In this collection of 25 songs, artists as Elvis Costello, Ben Harper and Dave Alvin interpret and perform his diverse catalog.George, born in Hollywood, California was a member of Frank Zappas Mothers of Inventions before leaving that band and forming Little Feat with Bill Payne. Lowells tenure in the band was for 7 years until his death and in that time, they released eight albums. While George died in 1979, his legacy lives on through this album.

Lowell George was the guitar virtuoso, vocalist and songwriter for Little Feat. In this collection of 25 songs, artists as Elvis Costello, Ben Harper and Dave Alvin interpret and perform his diverse catalog.George, born in Hollywood, California was a member of Frank Zappas Mothers of Inventions before leaving that band and forming Little Feat with Bill Payne. Lowells tenure in the band was for 7 years until his death and in that time, they released eight albums. While George died in 1979, his legacy lives on through this album.