Blues Is the Healer
John Lee Hooker · 2005
455 min · 147 tracks · blues
A vibrant tapestry of traditional blues infused with heartfelt storytelling and rhythmic boogie elements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Leavin' Chicago Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its classic blues rhythm and compelling narrative about departure and longing.
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War Is Over (Goodbye California) — The song's poignant message about loss and reflection showcases Hooker's ability to convey deep emotion through simple yet powerful lyrics.
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Boogie Chillen — A reinterpretation of his own classic, this track encapsulates Hooker's signature boogie style while celebrating his roots in the genre.
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My First Wife Left Me — This track exemplifies Hooker’s storytelling prowess, capturing heartbreak with an authenticity that resonates widely.
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Mercy Blues — With its soulful delivery, this song reflects on themes of mercy and redemption, highlighting Hooker's lasting impact on blues music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases traditional blues elements but lacks significant innovation or depth for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of traditional blues structures, with many tracks following a standard 12-bar format.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response elements, typical of classic blues, enhancing the interactive feel.
- The album maintains a steady tempo throughout, with most tracks featuring rhythmic boogie elements that encourage movement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- soulful storytelling with warmth
- wave-like pacing for reflection
- vibrant energy for gatherings
- for late-night drives
- mix of upbeat and mellow
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Final studio album showcasing enduring influence and musicality.
- Themes
- Chicago blues legacy· soulful storytelling· poignant reflections on loss
- Career context
- Released in 2005, 'Blues Is the Healer' marked John Lee Hooker's final studio album, showcasing his enduring influence in the blues genre. At this point in his career, Hooker was celebrated as a legendary figure, having received numerous accolades including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. This album serves as a testament to his prolific output and mastery of the blues form even in his later years.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Muddy Waters· Howlin' Wolf· Albert King
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Leavin' Chicago Start here 3:54
- 2 Wednesday Evening Blues 4:01
- 3 My First Wife Left Me 3:37
- 4 Sally Mae 3:14
- 5 War Is Over (Goodbye California) 2:47
- 6 She Was In Chicago 3:00
- 7 Boogie Chillen 3:11
- 8 Henry's Swing Club 3:12
- 9 Stomp Boogie 3:10
- 10 Who's Been Jiving You 3:11
- 11 Black Man Blues 3:33
- 12 Shake Your Boogie 3:04
- 13 Poor Slim 3:28
- 14 Mercy Blues 3:18
- 15 Boogie Woogie 3:33
- 16 Helpless Blues 3:37
Disc 2
- 1 Good Business 3:33
- 2 Goin' Mad Blues 3:45
- 3 Morning Blues 3:02
- 4 Boogie Awhile 2:38
- 5 Tuesday Evening Blues 3:04
- 6 Weeping Willow Boogie 2:49
- 7 Hobo Blues 3:02
- 8 Miss Lorraine 3:02
- 9 Do The Boogie 3:13
- 10 Do the Boogie (Alt) 3:12
- 11 609 Boogie 3:15
- 12 Road Trouble 3:10
- 13 Christmas Time Blues 3:17
- 14 Drifting From Door To Door 3:00
- 15 Hobo Blues 3:02
Disc 3
- 1 Crawling Kingsnake 3:00
- 2 Alberta 3:06
- 3 Wayne County Ramblin' Blues 3:10
- 4 Talkin' Boogie 3:07
- 5 I Love To Boogie 3:07
- 6 Graveyard Blues 2:48
- 7 Must I Wait Till Your Man Has Gone 3:04
- 8 Cotton Pickin' Boogie 2:45
- 9 Hoogie Boogie 2:56
- 10 Huckle Up Baby 2:48
- 11 Whistlin' And Moanin' Blues 3:10
- 12 Momma Poppa Blues 2:56
- 13 Burning Hell 2:42
- 14 Sailing Blues 2:48
- 15 Black Cat Blues 3:00
Disc 4
- 1 Miss Rosie Mae 3:00
- 2 Highway Blues 3:06
- 3 Don't Go Baby 3:13
- 4 The Numbers 3:08
- 5 Weeping Willow Blues 2:49
- 6 Forgive Me 3:13
- 7 Howlin' Wolf 2:38
- 8 Playing the Races 3:15
- 9 Wednesday Evening 2:57
- 10 Let Your Daddy Ride 2:39
- 11 Queen Bee 2:35
- 12 I'm In The Mood 3:07
- 13 Tease Me Baby 3:02
- 14 Turn Over A New Leaf 3:08
Disc 5
- 1 House Rent Boogie 2:45
- 2 Wandering Blues 3:01
- 3 Questionnaire Blues 3:28
- 4 Real Gone Gal 3:15
- 5 Feed Her All Night 2:18
- 6 My Daddy Was A Jockey 3:19
- 7 Little Boy Blues 2:36
- 8 How Long Must I Be Your Slave 3:14
- 9 Ground Hog 2:41
- 10 Mean Old Train 3:11
- 11 Catfish 3:10
- 12 Do My Baby Think Of Me 2:54
- 13 Three Long Year's Ago 3:05
- 14 Strike Blues 2:39
- 15 Grinder Man 3:08
Disc 6
- 1 Walkin' This Highway 2:19
- 2 Four Women In My Life 3:13
- 3 I Need Lovin' 2:56
- 4 Find Me A Woman 2:41
- 5 Mad Man Blues 2:46
- 6 Hey Boogie 2:16
- 7 Louise 3:05
- 8 High Priced Woman 2:44
- 9 Union Station Blues 2:58
- 10 Ground Hog Blues 2:59
- 11 Leave My Wife Alone 2:48
- 12 Ramblin' By Myself 3:21
- 13 Dreamin' Blues 3:08
- 14 Just Me And My Telephone 3:22
- 15 Walkin' The Boogie 2:35
- 16 Sugar Mama 3:11
Disc 7
- 1 Please Don't Go 2:30
- 2 I Don't Want Your Money 3:05
- 3 Hey Baby 3:29
- 4 Bluebird 3:02
- 5 Walkin' The Boogie 2:55
- 6 Love Blues 3:00
- 7 Lonely Boy Boogie 3:53
- 8 Apologize 3:05
- 9 The Journey 4:21
- 10 Worried Life Blues 3:06
- 11 Down At The Landing 2:56
- 12 You Have Two Hearts 3:17
- 13 Blues For Big Town 3:12
- 14 Women And Money 2:57
- 15 Rock House Boogie 2:50
Disc 8
- 1 Too Much Boogie 3:00
- 2 Need Somebody 2:59
- 3 Please Take Me Back 2:59
- 4 Gotta Boogie 2:24
- 5 Stuttering Blues 2:18
- 6 Pouring Down Rain 2:36
- 7 Love My Baby 2:38
- 8 Misbelieving Baby 2:32
- 9 Wobbling Baby 2:39
- 10 Goin' South 3:09
- 11 My Baby Don't Love Me 3:02
- 12 I Ain't Got Nobody 2:30
- 13 Real Real Gone 2:26
- 14 Guitar Lovin' Man 2:41
- 15 Blue Monday 2:31
- 16 My Baby Put Me Down 2:34
Disc 9
- 1 Boom Boom 2:29
- 2 I Want To Hug You 2:55
- 3 House Rent Boogie 4:00
- 4 Wand Ad Blues 2:21
- 5 I'm So Excited 2:54
- 6 Hard Headed Woman 2:30
- 7 I Wanna Walk 2:14
- 8 Onions 2:09
- 9 What Do You Say 2:29
- 10 Keep Your Hands To Yourself 2:19
- 11 Send Me Your Pillow 2:25
- 12 She Shot Me Down 2:51
- 13 I Want To Shout 2:24
- 14 I'm Leaving Baby 2:09
Disc 10
- 1 Baby Baby 4:30
- 2 I Feel Good 4:10
- 3 Going Home 3:08
- 4 We Are Cooking 3:41
- 5 Looking Back Over My Day 4:35
- 6 Dazie Mae 4:27
- 7 Stand Back 5:02
- 8 Call It The Night 6:27
- 9 Roll and Rumble 5:10
- 10 Bottle Of Wine 3:57
- 11 Baby Don't Do Me Wrong 5:03
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Sweet Tea
Buddy Guy
Blends traditional blues with personal storytelling and a modern touch, echoing Hooker's soulful vibe.
Keb' Mo'
Keb' Mo'
Combines contemporary blues with heartfelt narratives, offering a similar emotional depth and vibrant sound.
Just Won't Burn
Susan Tedeschi
Marries blues with rich storytelling and soulful melodies, providing an intimate listening experience akin to Hooker's.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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