Jimmy Reed – At Carnegie Hall
Wonderful LP cover for this showcase captures the feel of this 1961 set, recorded live. Still, it also includes some studio recreations of the Carnegie Hall performance, along with additional recordings. Probably just some refreshing & tweaking to make a commercial blues album coalesce. No sin there.
“Bright Lights, Big City” opens & became one of Mississippi-born Jerry Reed’s most successful final recordings on the R&B charts. The performance featured tunes that Reed made popular between 1956 & 1961. Reed is raw, the musicians are tight & always in the groove, with Mary “Mama” Reed adding the colorfully strong backup vocals on “What’s Wrong Baby,” a delightful blues. There are 11 deep dives into Jimmy’s blues on Jimmy Reed – At Carnegie Hall (Drops August 21/Vee Jay Records/Craft Recordings). It’s a stereophonic undertaking early in the ‘60s. The set was part of a package show that also featured other blues giants.
The tune “Found Joy” doesn’t have a bluesy title, but when Reed’s harmonica rings out, it’s Blues at its best. “Kind of Lonesome” is captured quite well – Jimmy’s voice, his harmonica & guitar, the jaunty drums laid down by Earl Phillips are an impressive performance for a late-career bluesman. Several guitars punctuate & that varied input diversifies the tunes. They’re fresh & well developed. There isn’t a single tune that drags or is grating.
Taking a vocal break is “Blue Carnegie,” a terrific harmonica-driven Jimmy Reed workout. “I’m a Love You” is Jimmy still in a blues groove, showing younger listeners how R&R is the cousin to the blues. It’s a hot little rocker with a jive-rock guitar push & backup singing that predates the ‘60s later Philly soul inceptions.
The sultry musical approach continues with the juke-joint ignition of “Hold Me Close,” which has a heavyweight harmonica blast over the stride-like guitars make the tune sound like the musicians are surfing over the melody. So many ‘60s rock n’ roll records came on with this ride. The song possesses its bluesy feel, but it isn’t a downer. That takes skill. Jimmy’s voice isn’t raw on the finale “Blue Blue Water” but wonderfully warm & sensitive. Great stuff.
The tunes were polished at Bell Sound Studios, NY in ’61 & some originated between 1959-60 at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago. Acoustic Sounds made the sound pristine for this pressing on 180-gram vinyl. Blues audiophiles & aficionados should be thrilled.
Enthusiasts & amateurs will gain knowledge or experience from an album like this. Elvis & the Rolling Stones did.
Highlights – “Bright Lights, Big City,” “What’s Wrong Baby,” “Found Joy,” “Kind of Lonesome,” “Tell Me You Love Me,” “Blue Carnegie,” “I’m a Love You,” “Hold Me Close,” & “Blue Blue Water.”
Musicians – “Lefty” Bates, Eddie Taylor, Lee Baker (aka Lonnie Brooks), Phil Upchurch (guitars), & Willie Dixon (bass).
The original liner notes are included. B&W image public domain. CD @ Bandcamp + https://jimmyreed.bandcamp.com/album/jimmy-reed-at-carnegie-hall-remastered-2026