Top John Lee Hooker Vinyl Pick — Available Now at VMP
It Serve You Right to Suffer
'It Serve You Right To Suffer' was recorded in New York City in late 1965, and released in 1966. Hooker’s career defining singles were generally cut without much of a backing band--Hooker’s refusal to keep his blues constricted to structures like a single key, tempo, or rhythm scared off most potential bandmates--but producer Bob Thiele had what was a radical idea: he paired Hooker with the cream of the crop in Impulse!’s roster of jazz sidemen. The result is an artifact that features a rare cultural dialogue; the Delta Bluesman riding in the car with the bebop jazzbo.