John Hammond: Best of the Vanguard Years

[Front cover] [Inside cover] [Back cover]

A rock-solid 23-track overview of Hammond's early recordings for the Vanguard label. You can hear him gain confidence and maturity as this compilation CD chronologically moves on, from the rough-edged enthusiasm of the opener, "32-20 Blues," to the closing "Guitar King." Six of the tracks are from the So Many Roads album that featured Mike Bloomfield, Charlie Musselwhite, and members of the Band in the lineup. If you're gonna add some John Hammond to the collection, this is a real good place to start.
-- Cub Koda, All-Music Guide

The Band/Hawks members present here are Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson.

Tracks

1. 32-20 Blues
2. Statesborough Blues
3. Seventh Son
4. Drop Down Mama
5. Going Back to Florida
6. Ask Me Nice
7. Hellhound Blues
8. I'm Ready
9. I'm a Man
10. Keys to the Highway
11. No Money Down
12. I Live the Life I Love
13. Big Boss Man
14. So Many Roads, So Many Trains
15. Who Do You Love
16. I Want You to Love Me
17. You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover
18. O Yea!
19. Who's Been Talkin'
20. Pretty Thing
21. Last Night
22. I Wish You Would
23. Guitar King

Sidemen

• John Hammond, vocal/ guitars
• Michael Bloomfield, piano
• Charlie Musselwhite, harmonica
• Robbie Robertson, guitar
• Bobby Donaldson, drums
• Jimmy Lewis, bass
• Mark Wenner, harmonica
• Jimmy Thackery, guitar
• Levon Helm, drums
• Garth Hudson, organ (Hammond)
• Pete Ragusa, drums
• Jan Zukowski, bass
• Tom Vickers compilation
• Georgette Cartwright, creative services coordinator
• Joel Brodsky, photography

John Hammond - The Vanguard Years - 2000 - Vanguard 79555