Hound Dog Taylor

Taylor recorded and released this, his second record, in 1973. It offers more of the blazing slide guitar work, juke joint boogie and raspy vocals that marked his first, Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers, which appeared in 1971. His label, Alligator Records, was launched by one Bruce Iglauer for the express purpose of putting out Taylor's music; the label Iglauer worked for, Delmark Records, initially rejected the decidedly unpolished, careening music. "Hawaiian Boogie," "Sadie" and "You Can't Sit Down" are all proof the world is a better place for Iglauer's actions.

This is perhaps the best Chicago jump band record since Elmore James passed on. Hound
Dog is 55, has maintained the HouseRockers for more than ten years on the South Side
tavern circuit, and plays a mean Japanese guitar -- tight and from the spleen. One listening
to the thoroughly evil original, "See Me in the Evening," puts away every billion-dollar
British blooze band in creation. The incantatory mojo of "Take Five" and Elmore'... More >