Last year Montréal had Willie Dixon, this year its Albert King. ln the interim was the death of Muddy Waters. These three musicians, authors and composers encompass the history of blues for the last 15 years and its impact on the "blues-boom" Contrary to the others, he stayed "Down South" many years before coming to Chicago. He got his start in St. Louis where he remained for six years before going to Memphis to cut the album that made him famous: "Born under a Bad Sign". He has never looked back. Two more albums on the "Tomato" label prove that Albert King is definitely one of the best of the blues artists.
Had the guitarist-singer-harmonica player John Hammond just wanted
to be a superstar, he could easily have appealed to his father, the most famous producer of jazz and blues recordings. As a matter of record, John Hammond Sr. "discovered" three great artists: Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Bob Dylan. Whether the choice was happy or not, John Hammond Jr. decided to build his career outside his father's considerable influence.
After a period of close association with the Chicago jazz scene in the 60's, John Hammond took part in the "blues boom" from 1967 to 1969. From that period, there remain a few "Vanguard" waxings, very different from what was happening with Canned Heat, Fleetwood Mac, Paul Butterfield et al. John Hammond stands out from the crowd by a simplicity which is the one outstanding value of the production.
When, in 1970, cinematographer Arthur Penn gives him the entire responsibility for the soundtrack of the movies "Little Big Man", John Hammond Cakes the opportunity to reorient his career. He decides to go it alone and suggests the use of a Crack featuring him as solo artist playing the guitar and the harmonica as well as signing.
That is how he has chosen to be heard on July 2 at the Spectrum. John Hammond is a captivating per former who, contrary to others, still sings blues by Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson as well as his own compositions.