ダイナミック･ブルース･ギター職人、アール･フッカーのベスト盤ということだが、MCAが権利を持つ音源のみで、最も評価の高いChief ＆ AgeやArhoolie録音は含まれていない。それでも本盤にはたっぷりとアールのスライド・ギターやバッキングの達人技が収録されている。上手い・器用なギタリストはいつの時代もたくさんいるが、大事なのはやはり歌心なのだと思い知らせてくれます。

Earl Hooker - Two Bugs and A Roach (Arhoolie Records US 1969) Earl Hooker’s Two Bugs and a Roach is a varied lot, with vocals from Hooker, Andrew Odom, and Carey Bell in between the instrumentals, all cut in 1968. All in all, it’s one of the must-haves in this artist’s very small discography -- a nice representative sample from Chicago’s unsung master of the electric guitar, including the title track, ”Anna Lee,” and the atmospheric instrumental, ”Off the Hook.” [For a compact disc reissue, Arhoolie added some tracks to the original lineup, including two tracks from stray sessions in late 1968 and July, 1969, along with four very early sides probably recorded in Memphis in the company of Pinetop Perkins, Willie Nix, and an unknown bass player. Of these, ”Guitar Rag” is the least together, hampered by a bass player who can’t find the changes, but ”I’m Going Down the Line” and ”Earl’s Boogie Woogie” are both top-notch uptempo boogies full of fleet fingered soloing. ”Sweet Black Angel” was the A-side of a stray single from the early ’50s and appears to be from another session, although it’s an excellent example of Hooker playing in the Robert Night Hawk style.] Original Album Tracks： 01. Anna Lee 02. Off The Hook 03. Love Ain’t A Plaything 04. You Don’t Want Me 05. Two Bugs And A Roach 06. Wah Wah Blues 07. You Don’t Love Me 08. Earl Hooker Blues

こいつはいいね。ナイトホークが好きだけど、これはもう少しモダンな雰囲気♪弾きまくるのもイイけど、バッキングに周った時のセンスもまた良し