The Vee-Jay Sessions

~ Release by John Lee Hooker (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Annotation

Copyright: © 2025 UMG Recordings, Inc.
℗ 2025 UMG Recordings, Inc. FP

Annotation last modified on 2025-03-06 18:08 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼Digital Media
#TitleRatingLength
1Unfriendly Woman (aka Stop Now)
recording of:
Unfriendly Woman
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:54
2Wheel and Deal
2:33
3Mambo Chillun
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1955-10-19)
bass guitar [bass]:
George Washington (1950s bassist) (on 1955-10-19)
drums (drum set):
Tom Whitehead (on 1955-10-19)
guitar:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (on 1955-10-19) and Eddie Taylor (electric blues guitarist and singer) (on 1955-10-19)
harmonica:
Jimmy Reed (blues musician) (on 1955-10-19)
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (on 1955-10-19)
recording of:
Mambo Chillun (on 1955-10-19)
writer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:49
4Time Is Marching
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1955-10-19)
bass guitar [bass]:
George Washington (1950s bassist) (on 1955-10-19)
drums (drum set):
Tom Whitehead (on 1955-10-19)
guitar:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (on 1955-10-19) and Eddie Taylor (electric blues guitarist and singer) (on 1955-10-19)
harmonica:
Jimmy Reed (blues musician) (on 1955-10-19)
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (on 1955-10-19)
recording of:
Time Is Marching (on 1955-10-19)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
33:00
5I’m So Worried Baby
3:13
6Dimples
bass:
George Washington (1950s bassist) (in 1956)
guitar:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (in 1956) and Eddie Taylor (electric blues guitarist and singer) (in 1956)
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (in 1956)
recording of:
Dimples (in 1956)
lyricist:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (in 1956)
composer:
James Bracken
publisher:
Conrad Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label), Costoma Publishing Company and Tristan Music Ltd.
32:12
7Every Night
recording of:
Every Night
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
3:00
8The Road Is So Rough (aka When I Started Hoboing)
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1956-03-27)
recording of:
The Road Is Rough (on 1956-03-27)
writer:
Bernard Besman (producer, label owner and songwriter) and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
3:04
9Trouble Blues
2:46
10Stop Talking
2:12
11Everybody’s Rockin’
2:41
12I’m So Excited
recording of:
I’m So Excited
writer:
James Bracken and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:54
13I See You When You’re Weak
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1957-03-01)
recording of:
I See You When You're Weak (on 1957-03-01)
writer:
James Bracken and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:54
14Crawlin’ Black Spider (aka Mean Old Snake)
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1957-03-01)
recording of:
Crawlin' Black Spider (on 1957-03-01)
writer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:45
15Little Wheel
recording of:
Little Wheel
writer:
James Bracken and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
publisher:
Conrad Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label) and Costoma Publishing Co.
2:37
16Little Fine Woman
2:27
17Rosie Mae (aka Nothing but Trouble)
recording of:
Rosie Mae
writer:
James Bracken and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:47
18You Can Lead Me Baby (aka Lead Me on)
2:47
19I Love You Honey
recording of:
I Love You Honey
lyricist and composer:
Freddie Williams
42:35
20You’ve Taken My Woman
2:31
21Mama, You Got a Daughter
2:37
22Maudie
2:21
23I’m in the Mood
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1966)
executive producer:
Marshall Chess
producer:
Ralph Bass
editor:
Ron Malo
guitar:
Eddie Burns (American Detroit blues guitarist) and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
instruments:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.)
lead vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
recorded at:
Chess Studios in Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1966)
recording of:
I’m in the Mood
writer:
Bernard Besman (producer, label owner and songwriter) and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
publisher:
La Cienega Music and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
32:44
24Hobo Blues
recording of:
Hobo Blues
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
writer:
Bernard Besman (producer, label owner and songwriter) and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:50
25Crawlin’ King Snake
2:41
26No Shoes
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1960-03-01)
bass:
Sylvester Hickman (on 1960-03-01)
drums (drum set):
Jimmy Turner (on 1960-03-01)
guitar:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) and William "Lefty" Bates (on 1960-03-01)
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (on 1960-03-01)
recording of:
No Shoes (on 1960-03-01)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
publisher:
Tristan Music Ltd.
12:26
27I Wanna Walk
2:14
28Canal Street Blues
2:54
29Run On
recording of:
Run On
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:11
30I’m a Stranger
2:41
31Whiskey and Wimmen
2:58
32Solid Sender
2:35
33Sunny Land
recording of:
Sunny Land
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:30
34Goin’ to California
2:24
35I Can’t Believe
2:51
36I’ll Know Tonight
2:41
37Dusty Road
2:18
38I’m Mad Again
recording of:
I’m Mad Again
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:40
39I’m Going Upstairs
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-01-04)
bass guitar [bass]:
Quinn Wilson (jazz bassist, tubist) (on 1961-01-04)
drums (drum set):
Earl Phillips (on 1961-01-04)
guitar:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (on 1961-01-04) and Pops Staples (unconfirmed) (on 1961-01-04)
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (on 1961-01-04)
recording of:
I’m Going Upstairs (on 1961-01-04)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
12:55
40Want Ad Blues
recording of:
Want Ad Blues
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:16
41Five Long Years
cover recording of:
Five Long Years
lyricist and composer:
Eddie Boyd (blues pianist)
publisher:
Embassy Music Corporation, Frederick Music Co., Lawn Music, Onward Music Ltd, Westminster Music and Westminster Music Ltd.
recording of:
Five Long Years
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
3:38
42I Like to See You Walk
2:54
43Hard-Headed Woman
recording of:
Hard Headed Woman
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
recording of:
Hard Hearted Woman
lyricist and composer:
Big Walter Horton (blues harmonica player)
2:30
44Wednesday Evening Blues
recording of:
Wednesday Evening Blues
writer:
Bernard Besman (producer, label owner and songwriter) and John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
3:58
45Take Me as I Am
recording of:
Take Me as I Am
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
3:01
46My First Wife Left Me
recording of:
My First Wife Left Me
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
3:34
47You’re Looking Good Tonight
recording of:
You’re Looking Good Tonight
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:55
48Boom Boom
producer:
Calvin Carter
bass:
James Jamerson
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (in 1961)
guitar:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
piano:
Joe Hunter (of the Motown "Funk Brothers" studio ensemble)
tenor saxophone:
Hank Crosby
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
MCA Records, Inc. (do not use as a release label! a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.) (in 1967)
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
part of:
Blues Hall of Fame: Classic of Blues Recording Single (number: 2009), Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (as at 2016-06-10) (number: 218) and Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 2021 edition (number: 463)
recording of:
Boom Boom (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
publisher:
Conrad Publishing Co. Inc. and Tristan Music Ltd.
3.252:34
49Process
3:49
50Lost a Good Girl
2:52
51A New Leaf
producer:
Calvin Carter
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
recording of:
A New Leaf (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
12:30
52Blues Before Sunrise
producer:
Calvin Carter
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
cover recording of:
Blues Before Sunrise (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
Leroy Carr
publisher:
MCA Music Publishing (renamed since c. 1996 as Universal Music Publishing Group)
13:49
53Let’s Make It
producer:
Calvin Carter
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
recording of:
Let’s Make It (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
publisher:
Conrad Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
12:27
54I Got a Letter (This Morning)
producer:
Calvin Carter
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
recording of:
I Got a Letter (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
12:44
55Thelma
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Calvin Carter
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
recording of:
Thelma (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
13:31
56Drug Store Woman
producer:
Calvin Carter
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
recording of:
Drug Store Woman (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
12:47
57Keep Your Hands to Yourself (She’s Mine)
2:10
58What Do You Say
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Calvin Carter
recorded at:
Universal Recording Corporation, Studio B in Chicago, Illinois, United States (on 1961-10-26)
recording of:
What Do You Say (on 1961-10-26)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:28
59San Francisco
2:46
60Take a Look at Yourself
2:48
61Send Me Your Pillow
recording of:
Send Me Your Pillow
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
publisher:
Conrad Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
2:25
62She Shot Me Down
2:51
63I Love Her
2:15
64Old Time Shimmy
recording of:
Old Time Shimmy
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:22
65You Know I Love You
1:56
66Big Soul
2:10
67Good Rockin’ Mama
recording of:
Good Rockin’ Mama
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:28
68Onions
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
recording of:
Onions
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:11
69No One Told Me (People Are Talking)
2:09
70I’m Leaving
2:14
71Love Is a Burning Thing
2:40
72Birmingham Blues
2:54
73I Want to Shout
2:25
74Don’t Look Back
recorded in:
Chicago, Illinois, United States (in 1963)
baritone saxophone:
Andrew “Mike” Terry (60s US soul arranger/conductor) (in 1963)
bass guitar [bass]:
James Jamerson (in 1963)
drums (drum set):
Benny Benjamin (US drummer) (in 1963)
guitar:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (in 1963) and Larry Veeder (in 1963)
piano:
Memphis Slim (unconfirmed) (in 1963)
tenor saxophone:
Hank Cosby (in 1963)
background vocals:
Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (unconfirmed) (in 1963)
vocals:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist) (in 1963)
recording of:
Don’t Look Back (John Lee Hooker song) (in 1963)
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:57
75I Want to Hug You
2:42
76Poor Me
3:12
77I Want to Ramble
2:29
78Half a Stranger
cover recording of:
Half a Stranger
lyricist and composer:
Roosevelt Sykes
4:24
79My Grinding Mill
3:12
80Bottle Up and Go
recording of:
Bottle Up and Go
writer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
arranger:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
2:27
81One Way Ticket
3:28
82New Sally Mae
3:37
83You Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine
2:37
84She’s Long She’s Tall
2:28
85You’re Mellow
4:09
86Will the Circle Be Unbroken
arranger:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
cover recording of:
Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By)
publisher:
Charles M. Alexander, Chicago, Illinois (gospel) (on 1907-04-30)
additional lyricist and additional composer:
A.P. Carter
lyricist:
Ada Ruth Habershon (in 1907)
composer:
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (in 1907)
publisher:
Southern Music Publishing Co., Inc. ((ASCAP) tradename Peermusic) (on 1935-06-22)
version of:
Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
32:33
87Flowers on the Hour
2:39
88It Serves Me Right
recording of:
It Serves Me Right to Suffer
lyricist and composer:
John Lee Hooker (US blues singer, songwriter & guitarist)
publisher:
Conrad Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
3:37
89You Ain’t No Big Thing Baby
4:10
90You Can Run Baby
3:00