The Grand Dame!
I read many of the reviews of the "Amtrak Blues" album and I was very amused by most of them. Very eloquent prose, but this album defies words. One first must REALLY like the blues/jazz genre and after that, Ms. Hunter lays everything to waste, if you will. I am not a writer or an English major, so I believe most folks that really "dig" this kind of music will agree that this album has no equal. I believe that it can simply be said, "IT IS A GAS" and Ms. Hunter REALLY struts her stuff"!

Alberta Hunter
What more can I say about Alberta Hunter? Anything she has recorded is done with unearthly passion. She's a national treasure.

A CLASSIC WOMAN'S BLUES SINGER
As I noted in a recent review of Memphis Minnie one of the interesting facts about the development of the blues is that in the early days the recorded music and the bulk of the live performances were done by women. That time, the early 1920's to the 1930's was the classic age of women blues performers. Of course, when one thinks about that period the name that comes up is the legendary Bessie Smith. Alberta Hunter came into prominence at the tail end of that period. Although there were periods of quiescence Ms. Hunter had a long career as a classic blues torch singer.

This compilation produced by the legendary John Hammond and, therefore, technically good has a nice run of songs of the type that helped make Ms. Hunter's mark. Her phrasing on Always is interesting. Her heartfelt sorrow in A Good Man Is Hard To Find comes through. Sweet Georgia Brown is just so, so fine. And the plaintive My Handy Man Ain't Handy No More says it all. If you like torch singers this is for you.

Amtrak Blues
My mother was an Alberta Hunter fan. I had not heard of her until I saw her perform on Johnny Carson one evening. Eubie Blake backed her on piano on that show. WOW!!! What a performance. I do believe she was in her late 60's early 70's then. Excellent performer. She mentioned that she used to be a nurse and decided to pursue her dreams of music. I'm so glad she did.

unbelievable.
My boyfriend introduced me to this cd. It is spectacular! I bought earlier vinyl, but I think she is better at 80, than at 20. Age can definitely improve your concept of music and the meaning of a song. When I hear the lyric "I'll be down to get you in a taxi", it is time for everybody, but me and my man to go home. Buy this now and share it with the one you love. You want want anyone else around.