• Track Listing

Ace acquired Hooker’s complete recordings for Bernard Besman’s Sensation label, and this set brings them all together for the first time. Meticulous tape research yielded the best sound sources ever for these precious early documents of a blues giant. There’s a jazz-like improvisatory spirit at play here, and the Hook is already a riveting master of guitar boogie. Alternate takes of "Sally Mae," "Hobo Blues," "Moon Is Rising," "Alberta," "House Rent Boogie," "Tease Me Over Baby," "It Hurts Me So," "Key to the Highway," "Build Myself a Cave," "Boogie Chillen’" and "The Story of a Married Woman" join "Burnin’ Hell," "Henry’s Swing Club," "Sail On Little Girl," "Bluebird Blues," the instrumental "Hoogie Boogie," extended takes of "Strike Blues," "War Is Over (Goodbye California)" and more! Ace.