Sittin Here Thinkin
A collection of slow blues--with the notable exception of the title track, which is catchier, more uptempo, and closer to the sound that made elder statesman John Lee Hooker famous--Sittin' Here Thinkin'is long overdue for a reissue on CD. Originally released in the late '70s, recorded sometime in the late 1950s (and due to Hooker's plethora of dates under various names for various labels at the time, no one's sure exactly when these were made or who the backing musicians are), the aptly titled album is a reflective, quietly intense body of work by an already-mature artist. There's an easy-swinging feel to "How Long?" and a great guitar solo on "I Believe I'll Lose My Mind," as well as a toe-tapping take on the classic "C.C. Rider" and the rollicking title track. This is quintessential Hooker--relaxed and informal, but every note falls into place right where it should. --Genevieve Williams