Release the Hound
As the first artist on Chicago's esteemed Alligator imprint (and the reason owner Bruce Iglauer started the company), wild-man slide guitarist Hound Dog Taylor has attained legendary status. His crude, propulsive sound even inspired the label's "Genuine Houserockin' Music" motto. Taylor left behind only two studio releases and a live disc when he died in 1975, but Iglauer has now unearthed more previously unreleased material. Recorded between 1971 and 1975,Release the Houndcontains a mix of studio and live material that is every bit the equal of Taylor's existing catalog--and even more raw and primitive. The six-fingered six-stringer explodes through a volatile collection of boogie, blues, and good-time shuffles that makesElmore Jamessound likeKeb' Mo'in comparison. Hound Dog and his riotous bass-free backing duo of guitar and near-tribal drums were not technical perfectionists, but they could sure fire up a party thanks to Taylor's combustive mix of scorching slide playing and magnetic personality.--Hal Horowitz