01. Intro: Conditional Discharge (Ian Armitt/Long John Baldry) - 3:16
02. Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On The King Of Rock & Roll (Jeff Thomas) - 3:23
03. Black Girl (Huddie Ledbetter) - 2:48
04. It Ain't Easy (Ron Davies) - 4:49
05. Morning Morning (Tuli Kupferberg) - 2:37
06. I'm Ready (Willie Dixon) - 4:07
07. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield (Randy Newman) - 4:11
08. Mr. Rubin (Lesley Duncan) - 4:00
09. Rock Me When He's Gone (Elton John/Bernie Taupin) - 4:02
10. Flying (Ronnie Lane, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood) - 6:48
11. Going Down Slow (James B. Oden) - 3:07
12. Blues (Cornbread, Meat And Molasses) (Sonny Terry/Brownie McGhee) - 2:56
13. Love In Vain (Robert Johnson) - 4:17
14. Midnight Hour Blues (Leroy Carr) - 4:07
15. Black Girl (alternate take) (Huddie Ledbetter) - 3:31
16. It Ain't Easy (alternate take) (Ron Davies) - 5:07
17. I'm Ready (alternate take) (Willie Dixon) - 4:11
18. Radio Spot - 0:29

- Long John Baldry (John William Baldry) – vocals, 12-string guitar
- Ian Armitt - piano (01-06)
- Ron Wood - guitar (02,06), electric guitar (04), 12-string guitar (05)
- Sam Mitchell - guitar (02,06), dobro steel guitar (03,04), 6-string guitar (05), slide guitar (06)
- Alan Skidmore - tenor saxophone (02)
- Rikki Brown - bass (02-06)
- Mickie Waller - drums (02-06)
- Ray Jackson - mandolin (03,05)
- Maggie Bell - vocals (03,04)
- Caleb Quaye - guitar (07,08,10), organ (09)
- Joshuah M'Bopo - guitar (07,08,10)
- Dave Glover - bass (07-10)
- Roger Pope - drums (07-10)
- Lesley Duncan, Madelene Bell, Doris Troy, Kay Garner, Liza Strike, Tony Burrows, Tony Hazzard, Roger Cook - chorus (02,09,10)
- Elton John - piano (07-10), organ (10), producer (07-10)
- Rod Stewart - producer (01-06)

It Ain't Easy features a British blues/rock lineup befitting the man behind the Long John Baldry moniker. This album returns Baldry to a decidedly edgier and hipper audience, with a literal cast of all-stars on some of the more adventurous material he had covered to date. This is no doubt due, at least in part, to the involvement of rock superstars Rod Stewart and Elton John. (In fact, John confesses to have taken the last name in his stage moniker from Baldry's first.) Among their contributions to the project, Stewart and Elton divided the production tasks -- each taking a side of the original album. Immediately, Baldry sheds the MOR blue-eyed pop soul image. The backing band on Stewart's side include fellow Face and future Rolling Stone, Ron Wood, on electric guitar and acoustic guitarist Sam Mitchell, who appeared on many of Stewart's early-'70s solo albums. His contributions to this side are numerous, including an especially potent solo on Leadbelly's "Black Girl." This authentic duet featuring Maggie Bell on co-lead vocals is a definite return to the Mississippi Delta for the song which is also known as the bluegrass standard "In the Pines." Other highlights from Stewart's sector include the humorous and self-biographical leadoff track "Conditional Discharge," which is paired with the full-tilt boogie of "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock & Roll." Arguably the oddest cover version on this album is also among the best; "Morning Morning" from head Fug Tuli Kupferberg is given new and surprisingly fresh life by Baldry. Highlights from Elton John's side include Randy Newman's "Let's Burn Down the Cornfield," which would have fit perfectly on John's Tumbleweed Connection album. Additionally, "Rock Me When He's Gone" was actually recorded by John, although his version remained unissued until the 1992 odds and sods compilation Rare Masters. --- Lindsay Planer, allmusic.com

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Looking at Long John (1966)

01. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Phil Spector/Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil) - 3:18
02. Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart (Shelly Coburn/Norman Bergen) - 2:39
03. Make It Easy On Yourself (Burt Bacharach/Hal David) - 2:54
04. Let Him Go (And Let Me Love You) (Lucky Edwards Jr./Maxwell) - 2:07
05. The Drifter (Richard Gottehrer/Bob Feldman/Jerry Goldstein) - 3:00
06. Cry Me A River (Arthur Hamilton) - 2:56
07. Stop Her On Sight (S.O.S.) (Albert Hamilton/Richard Morris/Charles Hatcher) - 1:53
08. Turn On Your Lovelight (Deadric Malone/Joseph Scott) - 2:03
09. I Love Paris (Cole Porter) - 2:08
10. Keep On Running (Jackie Edwards) - 2:13								play
11. Ain't Nothing You Can Do (Deadric Malone/Joseph Scott) - 2:28
12. Bad Luck Soul (Ann Martin/Ralph/David Gussin) - 2:15

Long John's Blues (1964):

13. Got My Mojo Working (McKinley Morganfield) - 3:07
14. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You (Don Redman/Andy Razaf) - 3:52
15. Roll 'em Pete (Pete Johnson) - 3:26
16. You're Breaking My Heart (Long John Baldry) - 4:31
17. Hoochie Coochie (Willie Dixon) - 3:45
18. Everyday (I Have The Blues) (Peter Chatman) - 3:00
19. Dimples (John Lee Hooker) - 2:17									play
20. Five Long Years (Eddie Boyd) - 5:04
21. My Babe (Willie Dixon/Stone) - 2:30
22. Times Are Getting Tougher Than Tough (Jimmy Whiterspoon) - 2:21
23. Goin' Down Slow (James Burke Oden) - 3:51
24. Rock The Joint (Long John Baldry) - 3:48

Long John Baldry (vocals); 
Jeff Bradford (guitar, harmonica); 
Rod Stewart (banjo); 
Ian Armitt (keyboards); 
Bill Law (drums).

Beat Goes On combined Long John Baldry's first two albums -- Long John's Blues and Looking at Long John -- on a single CD in 1995. Even if Baldry's music never quite lives up to his historical reputation, this remains the best place for the curious to become acquainted with his restrained British blues, since it has his bluesiest album (Long John's Blues). But British blues fans should be forwarned that his second record is more pop-soul than blues. ---Thom Owens, AllMusic Reviews

If you want some real British R&B/Blues, look no further. Even though Baldry was mostly famous for the novelty song "Don't Try to Lay No Boogie-Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll," he was way more substantial than that. From the "Looking at Long John" section, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and "Make it Easy on Yourself" are solid covers of American pop hits, then he gets down to the real nitty-gritty with classics from Bobby Bland, "Turn on Your Lovelight" and a version of "Ain't Nothing You Can Do" that would make Van Morrison smile. When he gets to "Long John's Blues," it's the real blues, with songs by Muddy Waters, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker and others, that I'm sure those artists would appreciate. His own tune, "Rock The Joint," closes the disc, and that's what this disc will do for you when you play it. --- Eric S. Forte, amazon.com

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1. Lining Track - 1:51
2. Gallows Pole - 2:44
3. Midnight Special - 3:30		play
4. Take This Hammer - 3:32
5. Rock Island Line - 2:52
6. Good Morning Blues - 3:47
7. Go Down Old Hannah - 0:55
8. Birmingham Jail - 2:54
9. Here Rattler - 2:15
10. Easy Rider Blues - 3:10
11. We're In The Same Boat Brother - 3:34
12. John Hardy - 2:31
13. Digging My Potatoes - 3:13	play
14. On a Christmas Day - 2:52
15. Oh Mary Don't You Weep - 2:36
16. We Shall Walk Through The Valley - 5:42
17. Alan Lomax Interview - 6:26
18. Long John Baldry Interview - 6:36

Long John Baldry - 12-String Guitar, Vocals
Kathi McDonald - Vocals
Hans Stamer - National Steel Guitar, Harmonica, Trumpet, Vocals
Chris Nordquist - Drums
John Lee Sanders - Keyboards, Vocals
Andreas Schuld - Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Slide, Ukelele, Vocals
Norm Fisher - Bass
Jesse Zubot - Fiddle, Mandolin, Violin
Butch Coulter - Harmonica
Tom Colclough - Clarinet
Sybel Thrasher - Vocals
and Tyee Montessori Elementary School Choir

"His songs touched me when I was a kid; they still talk to me, all these years later. His music is timeless; and there is an amazing variety in the topics and themes he sang about. Leadbelly was a Bluesman, storyteller, folk singer, activist, balladeer, and a man who wrote children's songs with the same conviction that he wrote about his travels through America 65 years ago. He was a unique artist, and I am honored, as well as humbled to perform his music." ---LJB - Long John Interview |

Huddie Ledbetter and Long John Baldry don't have a lot in common. One is tall, white, and willowy, while the other was short, black, and stout. One was an ex-con, accused of attempted murder, while the other has...well, murdered the odd cover tune. One is dead and one's still doing nicely, thank you. Leadbelly was the first black musician adopted by a white audience, while Baldry first emerged from Folk, Pop, and R&B circles.

Baldry has long been in awe of the work songs that helped the slaves endure hard labor. Who can forget his powerful treatment of Ledbetter's 'Black Girl' from 1971's It Ain't Easy, sung in duet with the like-voiced Maggie Bell? Sixteen tracks range from the simplistic prison song 'Lining Track' accompanied only by percussion, to the full-blown hymnal 'Oh Mary Don't You Weep,' with assistance from National Steel guitar, finger cymbals, and Sybel Thrasher's lush background vocals. Baldry's 12-string highlights the familiar 'Gallows Pole,' anchored by the aggressive fiddling of Jesse Zubot and given an almost Celtic feel by the slick ensemble. 'Take This Hammer,' one of the album's best tracks and some of the best Baldry in years. Another highlight is Baldry's take on 'John Hardy,' his voice nicely complemented by a 1865 pump organ and harmonium accompaniment - a peculiar treatment that makes for one of the disc's most poignant moments. 'Good Morning Blues' begins with a primitive tape Baldry made in '58 featuring a scratchy lead vocal and guitar; when it gives way to a modern recording, it nicely sums up this entire exercise. A worthy tribute. ---Eric Thom. Blues Revue

Long John Baldry came of age as a singer during the British blues boom, and it's obvious that his love of the music hasn't left him. As he explains in the interview track at the end, Leadbelly was his first musical inspiration, and here he has his chance to pay homage to the man. In his sixties at the time of this recording, Baldry's voice has improved with age, deepening a little and sounding more gravelly - just perfect for the grittiness of Leadbelly's songs, which ran the gamut from blues to folk, gospel, and beyond. It's an intelligent selection, ignoring the obvious 'Goodnight Irene' and 'In the Pines', while keeping defining moments like 'Rock Island Line' (the tune that launched skiffle in England), 'Birmingham Jail,' and 'We're in the Same Boat Brother'- it's remarkable just how familiar so much of the material is. The version of 'Gallows Pole' (much better known for its subsequent incarnation as a Led Zeppelin piece) roars with power and urgency, 'Lining Track' and 'John Hardy' (whose unusual arrangement centers around pump organ) are definitive railroad songs, while the hymns 'Mary Don't You Weep' and 'We Shall Walk Through the Valley,' though springing from an older well, were very much a part of the Huddie Leadbetter repertoire. There's even a children's song, 'On a Christmas Day,' showing yet another facet of the big man. Add in an interview with Alan Lomax, the folklorist who discovered Leadbelly and helped his career, and you have something that stands as more than a tribute, but a full portrait of a seminal American artist. ---Chris Nickson

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1. Good Morning Blues - 5:29
2. Who Back Buck - 2:40
3. Back Water Blues - 7:47
4. Morning Dew - 4:14
5. Black Girl - 3:22
6. It Ain't Easy - 4:17
7. Burn Down The Cornfield - 5:58
8. Moon Dance In Tajikistan - 4:15
9. Walk On - 5:54
10. Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes - 2:22
11. Maggie Bell - 3:34
12. Blue Valentine - 5:55
13. Midnight In New Orleans - 4:32
14. Flying - 6:09

Long John Baldry - Guitar (12 String), Vocals
Matt Taylor - Guitar (Acoustic & Electric)
Butch Coulter - Harmonica, Guitar (Acoustic)

The 14 tracks here were recorded in September 1999, in front of an appreciative audience in Hamburg - a place that Long John Baldry first visited in 1962. He was accompanied at the Downtown Blues Club by bluesharp player Butch Coulter (whose song 'Moon Dance In Tajikstan' is featured) and young English guitarist Matt Taylor. Baldry himself played 12-string guitar and his distinctive raw vocal shines throughout this set of largely acoustic blues.

The recording, Baldry's fourth for Hypertension, begins with 'Good Morning Blues', the first of five traditional songs arranged for this show. Another, 'Black Girl', features Christina Lux guesting on vocals. There are a number of cover versions including Randy Newman's 'Burn Down The Cornfield' and Tim Rose's 'Morning Dew'. Matt Taylor takes over with soulful lead vocals on a rendition of Terry/McGhee's 'Walk On' and Tom Waits' 'Blue Valentine'.

Two more covers and a Baldry original 'Maggie Bell' are followed by the closer 'Flying', a song co-penned by Rod Stewart from the Faces album "First Step". Stewart and Baldry were associates in the `60s in The Hoochie Coochie Men and Steampacket, and Baldry toured with The Faces in 1973. 'Flying' rounds off a memorable set and the package is completed with a booklet which contains a full career biography. ---Jimbo Starr, amazon.com

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1. Everyday I Have the Blues/Times Are Getting Tougher Then Tough 
2. Shake That Thing 
3. Insane Asylum 
4. I'm Ready 
5. I'd Rather Go Blind 
6. Baldry's Out 
7. Thrill's a Thrill 
8. Backwater Blues 
9. It Ain't Easy 
10. Stormy Monday Blues 
11. Don't Try to Lay No Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll 
12. Midnight in New Orleans

 
Long John Baldry (vocals, 12-string guitar, harmonica); 
Papa John King (vocals, guitar); 
Butch Coulter (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica); 
John Lee Sanders (vocals, saxophone, keyboards); 
Kathi McDonald (vocals); 
Eric Webster (piano); 
Al Webster (drums). 

Long John Baldry was one of the early leaders of the British blues-rock scene. His deep, parched voice was ideally suited for the blues, and his penchant for playing with musicians that would one day find fame in the rock world was surpassed in British blues circles only by John Mayall and Alexis Korner.

Legendary British blues cornerstone Long John Baldry has a long history of leading amazing bands and putting on incredible 'live' shows. This is his first 'live' release, captured at the Fabrik Club in Hamburg, Germany, and includes a retrospect of his blues influences, his many hits and that amazing voice. There's a smokin' live version of Don't Try To Lay No Boogie Woogie On The King Of Rock n' Roll, and I'd Rather Go Blind featuring Kathi McDonald. Long John Baldry and his band at their best on a hot night. ---forum.warez.ag

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