The Chess Box
Artist: Bo Diddley

Not every single track you'll ever want or need by the legendary shave-and-a-haircut rhythm R&B/rock pioneer, but a great place to begin. Two discs (45 songs) in a great big box with a nice accompanying booklet contain the groundbreaking introduction "Bo Diddley" (never again would he be referred to as Ellas McDaniel), its swaggering flipside... Read More

His Best (Chess 50th Anniversary Collection)
Artist: Bo Diddley

With his various hits and anthology packages all out of print and the multi-disc deluxe box set out of pocketbook reach for most casual consumers, MCA finally comes up with a 20-track compilation that hits the bullseye and makes this rock pioneer's best and most influential work available to everyone. The song list reads like a primer for '60s... Read More

Stoop Down Baby...Let Your Daddy See
Artist: Chick Willis

Here's the signifyin' original "Stoop Down Baby" in its long, unexpurgated version as issued on the tiny La Val label in 1972. "Mother Fuyer" travels the same salacious route, but Chick Willis has a serious side too -- a pair of Guitar Slim covers spotlight Willis's stinging guitar and sturdy singing. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More

If Walls Could Talk
Artist: Little Milton

On If Walls Could Talk Little Milton continues to fuse blues with soul -- if anything, the album leans toward soul more than blues. Supported by a band with a thick, wailing horn section, Little Milton sings and plays with power. Though there a couple of wonderful solos, the focus of the record is on the songs, which all sound terrific, thanks... Read More

The Things I Used to Do
Artist: Pee Wee Crayton

Pee Wee Crayton, a popular L.A.-based blues singer and guitarist, recorded frequently between 1947-57 but this 1970 session was his first full album and ended an eight-year drought in the studios. At 55, Crayton performed some country-flavored tunes and soul ballads but is at his best on the simpler straightahead blues such as a spirited "Let... Read More

Live in Chicago
Artist: Luther Allison
Community Score: 8.50

Pulled from performances at the Chicago Blues Festival, Buddy Guy's Legends club with a couple of strays recorded in Lincoln, NE, that were too good not to include, this two-disc set captures Allison at the absolute peak of his powers. Disc one is the Chicago Blues Festival in its entirety with a bonus track of Luther jamming on the finale with... Read More