Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Gary Brooker, Arthur Brown, Ian Anderson, and a ton of other 60s-70s ex-rockers
This Is The Blues Vol 3 & 4
Eagle Records
www.eaglerockent.com
By George W. Harris

Back in the 1960’s the question among music fans was, “Can white boys play the blues?” These two discs, comprising volumes 3&4 of this fantastic anthology, re-writes the question with “Can white MEN play the blues?” with the celebratory answer in the affirmative. Just about every Brit that was in a hard rock group way back when is here, playing what they initially heard as kids in the 50s. It only took them about half a century to “get back to where you once belonged.”

Volume 3 has Peter Green (from the original and superlative Fleetwood Mac) leading a swirling “Crawlin’ King Snake,” while Rory Gallagher burns his strings on “Showbiz Blues.” Jack Bruce is in leathery form as he growls through a vicious “I Got News For You” and Jeff Beck and Luther Grosvenor snarl through “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and “Merry Go Round” respectively. Ex-Procol Harum leader Gary Brooker belts out “Little Wheel” while PH guitarist Mick Abrahams picks and grins through “The Same Way.” Electric and electrifying here!

Volume 4 includes some bona fide boogie with Mick Tayler and Max Middleton on John Lee Hooker’s “This Is Hip” as well as Arthur Brown (yes, THAT Arthur Brown) brought out of who knows where on “The Green Manalishi. Even better, Yardbird charter members Jim McCarty and Top Topham (the guy Clapton replaced-ultimate trivia question!) reunite on “Driftin.” Ian Anderson gets into the act, singing and playing the flute on a not quite out of character “Man Of The World.” I don’t know how anyone knew where Georgie Fame or The Pretty Things lived, but they deliver the goods on “If You Live” and “Judgment Day.” These discs could either be played at some late night party or your 35th high school reunion!