sjtm
06-26-2016, 03:43 PM
Found an unopened copy of this 3 LP box set reissue at a great price so took a flier. Originally produced as three seperate volumes by Vanguard in 1966, Pure Pleasure reissued as a box set in 2006. The albums were pressed at Pallas and, while the stereo effect is a bit primitive ( singer in one mic, band in the other), the music is, for the most part, astounding. In addition, it comes with a 25 page book full of liner notes and photos. The whole effort was put together by a producer named Sam Charters who was more musicologist than producer. His goal was to capture the feel of the blues music scene on Chicago's Southside. Between the liner notes and the recording, you come away with the sense that, at that moment in time, these were neither "stars" nor historical music figures, but a bunch of young guys trying to carve out a living making music. Included are Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Otis Spann and James Cotton among others. Even Charlie Musselwhite makes an appearance. Apparently Musselwhite and Paul Butterfield introduced Sam Charters to many of the clubs where these guys performed.
I only have a small selection of blues titles, but most of my favorite musicians of the 60's and 70's were heavily blues influenced. Apparently they were all listening to these albums.
I only have a small selection of blues titles, but most of my favorite musicians of the 60's and 70's were heavily blues influenced. Apparently they were all listening to these albums.