Boom Boom Reborn: John Lee Hooker’s Late-Era Classic Returns with Vinyl and CD Reissue

Blues icon John Lee Hooker’s powerhouse 1992 album Boom Boom has returned in a fresh reissue that honors his timeless groove and late-career legacy. Originally released during a remarkable creative resurgence, this re-release arrives via BMG on both CD and vinyl—remastered from the original analog master tapes and enhanced with two bonus tracks.

The album's title track, a fresh take on Hooker's own blues staple “Boom Boom,” sees him teaming up with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. It’s a standout moment on a record packed with heavy hitters and musical chemistry.

First released when Hooker was well into his seventies, Boom Boom showcases the blues master riding a wave of renewed recognition, spurred on by collaborations with producer and guitarist Roy Rogers. Their partnership had already yielded The Healer (1989), a Grammy-winning triumph featuring Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Los Lobos, and more. That success was followed by Mr. Lucky in 1991, which brought in Keith Richards, Van Morrison, and Ry Cooder.

Boom Boom cemented this trilogy with equally compelling guest appearances. Albert Collins tears through “Boogie At Russian Hill,” Robert Cray lends soul to “Same Old Blues Again,” Charlie Musselwhite’s harmonica howls on “Thought I Heard,” and Vaughan’s presence adds bite throughout. Hooker remains firmly at the center—his voice gravelly, his phrasing hypnotic, his sense of rhythm utterly his own.

This 2025 CD edition mirrors the 2007 Shout! Factory reissue, featuring two extra tracks: “Dimples” and “Ain’t No Love in This House,” and a redesigned booklet that preserves the original liner notes by Jas Obrecht. Meanwhile, vinyl fans are treated to a pristine cut directly from the analog masters—marking the first wide vinyl release of this late-era gem.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or just diving into the deep, soulful waters of John Lee Hooker, Boom Boom is an essential listen that pulses with vitality, grit, and electric blues power.

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Tracklist:

1. Boom Boom (feat. Jimmie Vaughan)

2. I'm Bad Like Jesse James

3. Same Old Blues Again

4. Sugar Mama

5. Trick Bag (Shoppin’ for My Tombstone)

6. Boogie At Russian Hill

7. Hittin' the Bottle Again

8. Bottle Up and Go

9. Thought I Heard

10. Ain’t Gonna Suffer No More

11. Dimples (Bonus Track)

12. Ain’t No Love in This House (Bonus Track)

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