Jimmy Reed – Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall (Acoustic Sounds Series)

Jimmy Reed's Jimmy Reed At Carnegie Hall arrived in 1961 as a cleverly framed overview of one of electric blues' most distinctive hitmakers. Despite the title, this is not a live Carnegie Hall recording but a studio-made reconstruction tied to Reed's successful appearance there, and that unusual concept gives the album the feel of both a period showcase and a compact self-portrait. It also includes Bright Lights, Big City, later recognised in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

What makes the record last is Reed's economy. The songs move on relaxed vocals, clipped guitar figures, steady shuffles and those instantly recognisable harmonica lines, with Eddie Taylor's rhythm work central to the understated groove often described as the Jimmy Reed sound. Rather than chasing drama, Reed keeps everything direct and unforced, which makes tracks like Bright Lights, Big City, I'm Mr. Luck and Aw Shucks, Hush Your Mouth feel all the more durable.

This Bluesville Acoustic Sounds edition helps explain why the album is back in print on vinyl at all: Craft and Acoustic Sounds have revived it as part of a series devoted to major blues titles from legendary labels. Here that means an all-analog remaster from the original tapes by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab, alongside presentation details that suit an album with such a particular place in Reed's catalogue.

Features

• LP, 180g, Acoustic Sounds Series
• All-analog mastering from the original tapes by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab
• Pressed at QRP
• Replica tip-on jacket with obi strip and liner notes by Scott Billington, plus the original notes by Pete Welding

Reviews

• it would serve as a pretty good overview of his highly accessible brand of R&B/blues - AllMusic.com