VA - The Alligator Records 25th Anniversary Collection [2 CD, 1996/FLAC]

 This is a specially priced, two-CDs-for-the-price-of-one photo-cube set, loaded with great stuff from Charlie Musselwhite, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Johnny Winter, Billy Boy Arnold, Lonnie Mack, and a host of others who have trotted their wares on the label over the years. Besides giving the novice one great introduction to the label (as the music runs from traditional to modern), the big bonus here is a treasure trove of previously unissued tracks from Roy Buchanan (a chaotic version of Link Wray's "Jack the Ripper"); Floyd Dixon (a recut of his Blues Brothers-approved hit "Hey Bartender"); Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland in a marvelous outtake from the Showdown! album ("Something to Remember You By"); and the band that started it all, Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers, with a crazed version of Elmore James' "Look on Yonder's Wall," as sloppy as it is cool. Very good stuff and at these prices, a bargain and then some. 

Disc 1

01 - Son Seals - Don't Pick Me For Your Fool 04:15
02 - James Cotton - Digging My Potatoes 03:39
03 - Albert Collins - Something To Remember You By 05:27
04 - William Clarke - The Complainer's Boogie Woogie 04:53
05 - Charlie Musselwhite - Stingaree 02:54
06 - The Blues Imperials - It's Alright 04:46
07 - C. J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band - Man Smart, Woman 03:02
08 - Maurice John Vaughn - I Want To Be Your Spy 05:35
09 - Floyd Dixon - Hey Bartender 03:25
10 - Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang - Sittin' On Top Of The World 03:41
11 - Cephas & Wiggins - Action Man 01:54
12 - Kenny Neal - Bayou Blood 03:15
13 - Long John Hunter - T-Bone Intentions 03:09
14 - Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women - T'ain't Nobody's Business 04:12
15 - Lonnie Mack & Stevie Ray Vaughan - If You Have To Know 04:31
16 - Billy Boy Arnold - Been Gone Too Long 02:54
17 - Tinsley Ellis - A Quitter Never Wins 06:11
18 - Sugar Blue - I Ain't Got You 02:37
19 - Professor Longhair - Crawfish Fiesta 03:16

Disc 2

01 - Taylor, Koko - Evil 05:00
02 - Brooks, Lonnie - Got Lucky Last Night 02:59
03 - Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin - Blues Lover 04:53
04 - Little Charlie & The Nightcats - I Could Deal With It 04:07
05 - Allison, Luther - Cherry Red Wine 04:23
06 - Webster, Kathe - Hard Lovin' Mama 04:12
07 - Bishop, Elvin - She Puts Me In The Mood 03:33
08 - Bell, Carey - Low Down Dirty Shame 04:30
09 - Peterson, Lucky - Six O'clock Blues 03:42
10 - Hole, Dave - Keep Your Motor Running 03:45
11 - Harris, Corey - Roots Woman 02:51
12 - Michael Hill's Blues Mob - Can't Recall A Time 03:46
13 - Buchanan, Roy & Mcclinton, Delbert - Baby, Baby, Baby 04:24
14 - Buchanan, Roy - Jack The Ripper 02:48
15 - Williamson, Sonny Boy - The Sky Is Crying 03:18
16 - Winter, Johnny - Love, Life And Money 05:21
17 - Taylor, Hound Dog - Look On Yonder's Wall 03:28
18 - Robinson, Fenton - Somebody Loan Me A Dime 02:56
19 - Brown, Clearence 'gatemouth' - We're Outta Here 03:51