No Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady Sessions is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer recorded in and released on the Hyena label in 2003.James Blood Ulmer discography accessed July 27, 2010 The album features Ulmer covering ten blues standards and two of his own compositions (including "Are You Glad to Be in America?") recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
Reception
The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek stated, "No Escape From the Blues features Ulmer in a unique role, that of the blues singer and shouter. Never has he sounded so expressive, emotionally compelling, or convincing vocally; and his guitar playing, while less present here than on his other recordings, is still there, snaking its way through this weird yet wonderful set. Highly recommended. This recording is indeed 'future blues'."Jurek, T. [ AllMusic Review] accessed July 27, 2010
Track listing "Goin' to New York" (Mary Lee Reed) – 4:24 "Hustle Is On" (Eddy H. Owens) – 2:39 "Who's Been Talkin'" (Chester Burnett) – 3:25 "Ghetto Child" (Johnny Copeland) – 5:51 "Are You Glad to Be in America" (James Blood Ulmer) – 4:00 "You Know, I Know" (John Lee Hooker) – 4:16 "Let the Good Times Roll" (Earl King) – 4:12 "Bright Lights, Big City" (Jimmy Reed) – 6:03 "No Escape from the Blues" (McKinley Morganfield, Charles Edward Williams) – 3:32 "Satisfy (Story of My Life)" (Ulmer) – 2:02 "Trouble in Mind" (Richard M. Jones) – 4:43 "The Blues Had a Baby and Called It Rock N Roll" (Brownie McGhee, McKinley Morganfield) – 3:44 Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York on April 23, 24 & 25, 2003
Personnel James Blood Ulmer – guitar, vocals Vernon Reid – guitar Charles Burnham – violin Leon Gruenbaum – piano, keyboards David Barnes – harmonica Mark Peterson – bass Aubrey Dayle – drums Queen Esther – vocals Olu Dara – pocket trumpet John Kruth – tanpura Maya Smullyan Jenkins – tap
References