A major influence on Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix and many more, Elmore James died in 1963, just as young British and American players were customising his scything fury for the mass market. But this intensive three-CD set shows his visceral but good-humoured style was still red hot on his final recordings for entrepreneur Bobby Robinson. With his vibrato guitar and anguished vocal at a peak, James’ magisterial reach is thrilling and indomitable, defying anyone to take his crown.
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