Remembering Earl Hooker (1930–1970)

[Don D.]

Dedicated to the music of the great Earl Hooker (born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, January 15, 1930 [or 1929]; he died in Chicago, just over 40 years old, on April 21, 1970). This playlist also features related artists.

The first 2 videos represent the only confirmed** footage of Earl Hooker, “the greatest unheralded Chicago blues-maker,” that exists (see complete filmed performances*** in 2 parts), and are from the 1969 American Folk Blues Festival. The first song, called “Earl’s Boogie,” is a version of “Crosscut Saw” in A. The second one takes off from “Wipeout” in Ab (one song not currently uploaded, Earl Hooker’s solo take on Ernest Tubb’s “Walking the Floor Over You”). The drummer was Clifton Chenier’s drummer, Robert St. Julien, and the bass player was Mac Thompson.

**There’s silent footage of the King Biscuit Flour Hour where it’s been suggested that the guitarist bobbing his head might be Earl Hooker—he was there during those years.

***The 1969 American Folk Blues Festival (queued to Earl Hooker’s first appearance in the film)

***1969 AFBF (second appearance)

The 9th and 10th videos, the Johnny O’Neal 78, were Earl Hooker’s first recordings, closely followed by recordings in Florida, at Sun Studios, Chicago…

Until the playlist is completely chronological, here are some crucial sideman recordings

Stefan Wirz’s Illustrated American Music Discography:
https://www.wirz.de/music/hookearl.htm

An interview Chris Strachwitz did with him:

Earl Hooker Interview

Earl Zebedee Hooker at Find a Grave
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10653/earl-zebedee-hooker

Sun Records playlist.

Link to Earl Hooker: Blues Master by Sebastian Danchin on Google books.
https://books.google.com/books?id=-G76U3ikkFAC&pg=PA108#v=onepage&q&f=false

Link to Earl Hooker: Blues Master by Sebastian Danchin at University of Mississippi Press
https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/E/Earl-Hooker-Blues-Master

Duplicates of live videos near bottom of playlist.

The playlist concludes with several tributes and a cover of his “End of the Blues” by his compadre Freddie Roulette.

…B…l…u…e…s…W…a…y……r…e…c…o…r…d…i…n…g…s…

Complete Earl Hooker’s BluesWay recordings on Blues Unlimited (Steve Franz’s show)
https://beta.prx.org/stories/157957

Earl Hooker’s BluesWay recordings on Blues Unlimited (hour 1)
https://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/track/blues-unlimited-286-play-your-guitar-mr-hooker-the-1969-and-66-bluesway-recordings-hour-1

Earl Hooker’s BluesWay recordings on Blues Unlimited (hour 2)
https://bluesunlimited.bandcamp.com/track/blues-unlimited-286-play-your-guitar-mr-hooker-the-1969-and-66-bluesway-recordings-hour-2

:::A:::L:::B:::U:::M:::S:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Calling All Blues, The Chief Sessions, Earl Hooker and Junior Wells

The Legendary Henry Stone Presents: Blues from the 50s—includes 1953 recordings on Little Sammy Davis’ two records, and six of his earliest solo efforts.

The Essential Earl Hooker

The Leading Brand (with Jody Williams)

Wild Moments

Play Your Guitar Mr. Hooker! (recorded between 1964 and 1968; title from second song)

The Genius of Earl Hooker (same as There’s a Fungus Amungus, below)

There’s a Fungus Amungus (same as The Genius of Earl Hooker, above)

Two Bugs and a Roach

John Lee Hooker—The Hookers (If You Miss ‘Im…I Got ‘Im)

The Moon Is Rising (1968); this is Hooker ‘n’ Steve plus 4 songs from Pepper’s and Theresa’s (3 with Eddie Taylor from Pepper’s)

Don’t Have To Worry (1969)

Don D.

[JohnStrat]

lots to look at and listen too here Don Thanks. I am sure it will be informative and fun.
JohnStrat

[Don D.]

Hey John, after “Boogie, Don’t Blot,” the next 60 or 70 songs are as close to chronological as I could get them. Enjoy!

There’s a lot of repetition in the ones cut at Sun Studios. There’s one boogie instrumental with 3 different titles, and it’s also recorded with a (great) vocal by Earl Hooker called “Move On Down the Line.” It made me wonder if there were some songs recorded that got lost. It’s late or I’d check the titles and tell you.

Don D.

[Don D.]

“Razorback” and “Jivin’ Boogie” sound the same to me. “Move On Down the Line” is that song with Earl Hooker’s vocals. I thought there was an additional instrumental version, but it isn’t here now. I could have conflated something; it’s been years since I first noticed this.

Don D.

[Lights]

Thank you, Don!
Lights.

[Don D.]

Hey Lights, my pleasure! Fortunately, it was all ready to paste in.

Don D.

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