Juke joints were the preferred domain of this legendary bluesman, not recording studios. So these 1951-52 United sessions recorded in Chicago are precious, indeed; his slide guitar sears Take It Easy Baby; Nighthawk Boogie; Feel So Bad; The Moon Is Rising; Kansas City; Seventy-Four , and more!

Seldom has a title for any album been so literal: Live on Maxwell Street was recorded, for the most part, live on an actual street--background noise includes cheers from bystanders, people passing by, and cars driving past. The informal setting and necessarily unideal recording circumstances don't detract one bit from the material here, which represents some of the elusive Robert Nighthawk's best material. Recorded in 1964, with sparse instrumentation--rhythm guitar, drums, and some excellent harmonica from Carey Bell--the recording includes some great guitar soloing on "The Time Have Come" and the "Maxwell Street Medley," which combines "Anna Lee" and "Sweet Black Angel." Other highlights include the smooth, active "Take It Easy Baby" and the slow moaner "I Need Love So Bad." Despite the highly unofficial nature of this recording, what's on here is more than worth hearing--including a 13-minute interview with the musician. --Genevieve Williams

Juke joints were the preferred domain of this legendary bluesman, not recording studios. So these 1951-52 United sessions recorded in Chicago are precious, indeed; his slide guitar sears Take It Easy Baby; Nighthawk Boogie; Feel So Bad; The Moon Is Rising; Kansas City; Seventy-Four , and more!