This is one smokin' two-fer. Two of Hank Crawford's finest albums are packaged here on a single disc. Both issued in the mid-'60s, they showcase Crawford in fine company and wonderful contrast. Dig These Blues is a more down-home affair, in the pocket for the most part with midtempo blues tunes... [+] Expand

This is one smokin' two-fer. Two of Hank Crawford's finest albums are packaged here on a single disc. Both issued in the mid-'60s, they showcase Crawford in fine company and wonderful contrast. Dig These Blues is a more down-home affair, in the pocket for the most part with midtempo blues tunes as well as a touch of Memphis-style Ellingtonia in "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." The utterly elegant and beautiful version of Charlie Warfield's "Baby Won't You Please Come Home" is done septet style, with Marcus Belgrave on trumpet. This album's closer, "Bluff City Blues," foreshadows After Hours in that Crawford is featured on piano. Released in 1966, After Hours is the mirror image of Dig These Blues in that it features more slow than middle tempos and more blues tunes than jazz numbers, and also has Crawford playing two piano workouts, including an extended one on the title track. Wendell Harrison is in evidence on Dig These Blues, as is bassist Charles Green. These are deep soul groove titles for Crawford and illustrate perfectly the enormity of his reputation. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

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