Post Description

In 1990 Dennis Hopper directed The Hot Spot, which starred Don Johnson and Virginia Madsen. It was a good stab at noir in color, but critics were unimpressed. Hopper asked Jack Nitzsche to write the music, and Nitzsche decided that the best way to accompany the images on screen was to use the blues. To play those blues he secured the artistry of John Lee Hooker, Miles Davis, Taj Mahal, Roy Rogers, Tim Drummond, Earl Palmer, and Bradford Ellis. He basically asked them to improvise on riffs, and since they aren't just any musicians, their noodling produced some awesome results. Many of the tracks sound alike, but things really move on the vamp-like "Bank Robbery," which lets Davis shine with muted trumpet licks intoned above a persistent rhythmic figure. The overall result is sultry and hot, and it's exactly what the film needed.

The recorded sound is excellent and definitely audiophile quality. The moaning of Hooker's vocals; the smooth sound of Rogers's slide guitar; and the sassy, pointed attacks from Davis are all exposed with wonderful clarity. The CD layer is fine, but the SACD tracks seem to add a little air around the players, resulting in greater presence. Both sets of tracks are stereo; there's no effort to synthesize any surround. For this recording, I think that was a good idea.

The music on the sound track to The Hot Spot is an amalgam of swampy blues, jazz and rock. This recording is of incredibly high quality, and the musicians aboard on this Dennis Hopper film read like a who's who, including Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers, Earl Palmer and Tim Drummond. This album has long been a highly sought after and collectible record among audiophiles. Originally released in 1990, this SACD is a true demonstration disc.

Features: 
. Stereo SACD
. This Hybrid SACD is playable on ALL CD Players!

Musicians:
Miles Davis, trumpet
Tim Drummond, bass
Bradford Ellis, keyboards
John Lee Hooker, guitar, vocals
Taj Mahal, guitar, vocals
Earl Palmer, drums
Roy Rodgers, slide guitar

Selections:
1. Coming to Town - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker,Roy Rodgers
2. Empty Bank - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers 
3. Harry's Philosophy - John Lee Hooker
4. Dolly's Arrival - Tim Drummond, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers
5. Harry and Dolly - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers
6. Sawmill - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker, Roy Rodgers
7. Bank Robbery - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers
8. Moanin' Blues - John Lee Hooker
9. Gloria's Story - Miles Davis, Bradford Ellis
10. Harry Sets Up Sutton - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers
11. Murder - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers
12. Blackmail - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Robert Palmer, Roy Rodgers
13. End Credits - Miles Davis, Tim Drummond, John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Roy Rodgers