Earl Hooker – Swear to tell the truth

101 | 8 September 2023

Earl Hooker | The Arhoolie Foundation

Chicago based blues slide guitarist Earl Zebedee Hooker was born in Quitman County, Mississippi on January 15, 1930 and moved with his family to Chicago that year. He was a cousin of John Lee Hooker. His childhood friends included blues innovators Bo Diddley and Robert Nighthawk. Hooker’s unique playing impressed many, and B. B. King regarded Hooker as the best modern blues guitarist.

Earl Hooker died young in Chicago, Illinois on April 21, 1970 after a long fight with tuberculosis.

“Swear to tell the truth” was issued in the UK on Sue ILP 921 “We sing the blues”. This recording was made in 1961. Chart position data not available.

Magic Sam – Every night about this time

102 | 15 October 2023

Magic Sam | Past Blues | 15012

Chicago based blues musician Samuel “Magic Sam” Gene Maghett was born in Grenada, Mississippi, on February 14, 1937. He learned to play blues music by listening to records by Muddy Waters and Little Walter. He moved to Chicago in 1956 and quickly found work in the West Side clubs. Then he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He deserted, spent six months in prison for desertion, and received a dishonourable discharge. Among others, he is associated with the record producer Willie Dixon, who highly regarded his unusual playing style. He toured Britain and Europe in the late 1960s. In 1969 he appeared at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, which led to fame.

Magic Sam suddenly died in Chicago, Illinois, on December 1, 1969 of a heart attack, aged only 32.

“Every night about this time”, Chief 7026, 1961, was issued in the UK on UK Sue LP ILP 921 “We sing the blues” by Various Artists.

Chart position: data not available.

Elmore James, Knocking at your door/Earl Hooker and Junior Wells, Calling all blues

107 | 24 December 2023

“Knocking at your door” by Elmore James is included in Sue UK LP ILP 927 “The Elmore James Memorial Album”. “Calling all blues” is credited to Elmore James on the label but is understood to actually be Junior Wells and Earl Hooker. Recording first issued in America in 1960.

“Knocking at your door”, Chief 7020, 1960. UK Sue WI 392, September 1965.

Chart Position: Did not chart.

Collection of Graham Shaw | 151027

Collection of Graham Shaw | knocking2