The Moon Is Rising

by Earl Hooker

Overview

The first eight tracks of this 79-minute compilation of late-'60s material originally appeared on Arhoolie's Hooker'n'Steve LP; a couple of others showed up on Arhoolie's His First & Last Recordings, while the four remaining cuts were previously unreleased. Hooker didn't have long to live when these were laid down in 1968 and (for the most part) 1969, but he's in real good form on guitar, although he only takes an occasional vocal (other band members help out on other tracks, and some are instrumental). Indications are from the liner notes that the sessions were run on a no-frills budget, but it's very respectable '60s Chicago electric blues with a shade of funky soul and a hot live feel, and Hooker's guitar has an upfront bite and presence. Actually, the instrumentals are highlights, particularly "Hooker N' Steve" with its smoking guitar-organ duets. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	08/18/1998
Label:	Arhoolie
UPC:	0096297046821
Rank:	57253

Tracks

1. The Moon Is Rising
2. Earl's Blues
3. Conversion Blues
4. Guitar Rag
5. Hooker N' Steve
6. I'm Your Main Man
7. New Riviera
8. Strung Out Woman Blues
9. Little Carey's Jump
10. Take Me Back to East St. Louis
11. Improvisations on Dust My Broom
12. Improvisations on Frosty
13. Can't Hold Out Much Longer
14. Swingin' at Theresa's

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Earl Hooker   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Eddie Taylor   Guest Artist,Guitar (Rhythm)
Carey Bell   Guest Artist,Harmonica
Stephen Miller   Guest Artist
Louis Myers   Guest Artist,Harmonica
Pinetop Perkins   Guest Artist,Piano
Gino Skaggs   Vocals,Bass
Levi Warren   Drums
Freddie Roulette   Guitar (Steel)
Steve Miller   Organ,Piano,Vocals
Dave Myers   Bass

Technical Credits

Gino Skaggs   Composer
Wayne Pope   Artwork
Morgan K. Dodge   Artwork
Carey Bell   Composer
Elmore James   Composer
Chris Strachwitz   Producer,Liner Notes,Photography
Steve Miller   Composer
Earl Hooker   Arranger,Composer
Dick Shurman   Producer,Engineer