John Lee Hooker – The Standard School Broadcast Recordings

A long-lost treasure trove of John Lee Hooker recordings is finally seeing the light of day. Taped in 1973 for the award-winning educational radio series The Standard School Broadcast, this collection captures Hooker and his hand-picked trio at their most intimate and inspired. Decades later, the full session has been unearthed.

Founded in 1928, The Standard School Broadcast was a groundbreaking educational program dedicated to music appreciation and American history. In one of its many explorations of musical genres, the program invited Hooker to represent the Blues, resulting in an unforgettable studio session at San Francisco’s Coast Recorders.

Joined by bassist Gino Skaggs, drummer Ken Swank, and his 20-year-old son Robert Hooker on piano, Hooker recorded eight tracks—only three of which were ever broadcasted. The remaining five have remained unheard—until now.

“I just go by the natural Blues. I just play it as I feel it,” Hooker once said. That philosophy shines through in this session, where themes of regret, redemption, and resilience come to life. His son Robert’s standout piano performance complements Hooker’s voice and guitar, creating a hauntingly beautiful sonic landscape.

The Standard School Broadcast track listing:

Bad Boy

Hard Times

Rock With Me

Should Have Been Gone

I  Hate The Day I Was Born

When My First Wife Left Me/Hobo Blues

Sally Mae (Bonus Track)

Coast Recorders Jam (Bonus Track)

*Bonus Tracks appear only on the CD and Digital version