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BARGAIN
BASEMENT
COMPACT
DISCS - Blues & Gospel
Luther Allison - Johnny Dyer
| LUTHER ALLISON |
Inak 1715 |
Hand Me Down My Moonshine |
● CD $15.98 $8.98 |
12 tracks, recommended
Best known for his high energy
electric blues this set shows that Luther was also fine in a more
traditionally oriented setting. Most of the tracks here were recorded in
1992 in Luther's living room with Luther singing and playing acoustic guitar
accompanied on acoustic bass and occasional second guitar or harmonica.
Luther's singing and playing are fine throughout - I particularly like some
of the slower numbers like Lightning Bolt and Stay With Me
where his playing has echos of the acoustic playing of Eddie Taylor or Jimmy
Rogers. Most of the songs are originals - his cover of Rogers' You're The
One features some nice slide guitar by son Bernard. (FS)
|
| THE ALPHABETICAL FOUR |
Document DOCD 5374 |
Complete Recorded Works, 1938-1943 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 76 min., highly recommended
The thoroughly
welcome reissue of this important jubilee gospel quartet's entire output.
Favoring instrumental imitation in the manner of the early Mills Brothers,
the New York based Alphabeticals rivaled the better known Golden Gate
Quartet in the late 30's. Emory Johnson normally handled lead singing chores
for the group, but the six sides recorded in 1941 with an unknown female
lead are also particular nice. Among the many gems are Precious Lord Hold
My Hand, Get on Board Little Children, What a Friend We Have
in Jesus, Live Humble, Rock My Soul, Shake My Mother's
Hand, I Can't Feel at Home in this World Anymore, and The
Valley of Time. Wonderful music, solid sound quality for the era, and
worthwhile notes by gospel expert Ray Funk. (DH)
THE ALPHABETICAL FOUR: Do Not Pass Me By/ Get On Board,
Little Children/ Go Down Jonah And Serve The Lord/ Go Where I Send Thee/
Have You Heard About The World Coming To An End/ He Sees All We Do And Hears
All We Say/ He Was Nailed To The Cross/ I Can't Feel At Home In This World
Anymore/ I Don't Care Where They Bury My Body/ I Just Can't Help From Crying
Sometimes/ I Want Two Wings To Veil My Face/ I'm Gonna Walk Right In And
Make Myself At Home/ Live Humble/ My Mother's Prayers Have Followed Me/
Noah, God's Gonna Ride On The Rainy Tide/ Precious Lord, Hold My Hand/ Rock
My Soul/ Shake My Mother's Hand/ Shepherd Go Feed My Sheep/ Sleep On,
Darling Mother/ The Book Of The Seven Seals/ The Old Ark's A-moverin'/ The
Sun Didn't Shine/ The Valley Of Time/ We Will Understand It Better Bye And
Bye/ What A Friend We Have In Jesus/ When The Moon Goes Down In The Valley
Of Time/ Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
|
| ALBERT AMMONS |
Document DOCD 1008 |
1936-1946 : Alternate Takes, Radio
Performances, Home R |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
23 rare Ammons titles - alternate takes, radio shows and
private home recordings - includes solo cuts, sides with his Rhythm Kings, a
version of Pinetop's Boogie Woogie with the Benny Goodman Orchestra
and one track with a band accompanying Big Joe Turner.
ALBERT AMMONS: Blue Blue Blues/ Blues In The Groove No. 2/
Boogie Woogie Stomp (Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street broadcast)/
Boogie in C (Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street broadcast)/ Bottom
Blues No. 2/ Bugle Boogie No. 2/ Dying Mother Blues - Part One (private home
recording)/ Dying Mother Blues - Part Two (private home recording)/ Early
Mornin' Blues (alt. take)/ Funky Start Boogie/ I Don't Want To See You (alt.
take)/ I Had To Move That Thing (private home recording)/ Introduction -
Pinetop's Boogie Woogie (Camel Caravan broadcast)/ Nagasaki (alt. take)/
Reveille Boogie/ Rock Of Gibraltar Blues (alt. take)/ Shout For Joy (Chamber
Music Society of Lower Basin Street broadcast)/ Swanee River Boogie (2nd
alt. take)/ Swanee River Boogie (alt. take)/ The Boogie Rocks #2/ The Breaks
No. 2/ Whistlin' Blues
|
| BILLY BOY ARNOLD |
Testament TCD 5018 |
Goin' To Chicago |
● CD $11.98 $9.98 |
14 tracks, 41 min., recommended
Arnold is a fine, expressive
singer and a John Lee "Sony Boy" Williamson-inspired harmonica blower,
though under recorded for most of his career. This disc has no fewer than 11
previously unreleased cuts to recommend it (recorded mostly in 1966), and
though not every one has as much polish as Left My Happy Home, all
are at least worthwhile, and some, like Baby Jean, rock like crazy.
Arnold is joined by a small band, usually with Mighty Joe Young on guitar
and Jerome Arnold on bass. An upbeat Chicago blues album with the smartest
looking cover design in years and notes by none other than Frank Scott. (JC)
BILLY BOY ARNOLD: Baby Jane/ Baby Left Me A Mule To Ride/
Billy Boy's Jump/ Come See Me Early In The Morning (Take 1)/ Come See Me
Early In The Morning (Take 2)/ Cryin' And Pleadin'/ Evalina/ Hello Baby/ I
Love Only You/ Left My Happy Home (Alt.)/ Rock 'N' Roll/ Somebody Help Me
With These Blues/ Why Is Everybody Down On Me
|
| KOKOMO ARNOLD |
Document DOCD 5039 |
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological
Order, Vol. 3 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
This disc features 22 tracks recorded between May, 1936 and
March, 1937 and opens with Kokomo in an accompanying role on 6 sides by
Alice Moore and one by Signifying Mary Johnson. Both vocalist are excellent
and they are also joined by Peetie Wheatstraw on piano. He and Arnold were
to work together quite a bit in the coming years. He is also featured as a
member of Oscar's Chicago Swingers - a Harlem Hamfats type group with
unexecptional vocals by Sam Theard. The rest is either Kokomo on his own or
with Wheatstraw on piano and all are fine with some particularly nice guitar
on the good timey Sister Jane Across The Hall. (FS)
KOKOMO ARNOLD: Backfence Picket Blues/ Coffin Blues/ Cold
Winter Blues/ Fool Man Blues/ Laugh And Grin Blues/ Lonesome Road Blues/
Long And Tall/ Mister Charlie/ Running Drunk Again/ Salty Dog/ Shake That
Thing/ Sister Jane Cross The Hall/ Wild Water Blues/ SIGNIFYING MARY
JOHNSON: Delmar Avenue/ ALICE MOORE: Dark Angel/ Grass Cutter Blues/ I'm
Going Fishing Too/ Money Tree Man/ Telephone Blues/ Three Men/ OSCAR'S
CHICAGO SWINGERS: My Gal's Been Foolin' Me/ Try Some Of That
|
| BARRELHOUSE CHUCK |
The Sirens 5004 |
Prescription For The Blues |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
16 tracks, 45 min, recommended
New recordings by pianomeister Chuck, mostly solos, but 3 with fellow-pianist Erwin Helfer.
Chuck's solo playing & singing are fine as usual, with nods to Little
Brother Montgomery, Leroy Carr & Sunnyland Slim (a particularly fine version
of Johnson Machine Gun, as well as beautiful version of The
Missisippi Shieks' Sitting On Top Of The World (credited to Howlin'
Wolf). Each of the 3 duets are presented in a different way - a straight
duet on the original tune Nutty Boogie, Chuck singing & Helfer
playing the title track, but my fave on the set is a version of Ain't
Nobody's Business with Helfer on piano & Chuck on Farfisa!! (GM)
|
| ELDER CHARLES BECK |
Document DOCD 5524 |
In Chronological Order, 1946-1956 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
22 cuts by Beck plus 6 bonus cuts featuring 4 tracks from
1950 by Rev. J.B. Crocker and 2 from 1951 by Rev. M.E. Holmes.
|
| ED BELL |
Document DOCD 5090 |
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological
Order, 1927-30 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
Back in stock. The complete works of Alabama singer/
guitarist Ed Bell, who also recorded as Barefoot Bill and Sluefoot Joe,
consists of these 24 tracks for Paramount, QRS, and Columbia. Unfortunately,
half of the QRS tracks were taken from very rare and very worn 78's, and
House Top Blues actually skips a lot. But Bell is talented enough to
make you go back and listen to these again. Luckily, the other sides are
remarkably good sounding, all things considered. His two duets with Pillie
Bolling (I Don't like That/ She's Got A Nice Line) are excellent, and
along with the two bonus Bolling cuts not mentioned on the cover, constitute
that artist total catalog as well. (JC)
ED BELL: Bad Boy/ Barefoot Bill's Hard Luck Blues/ Big
Rock Jail/ Carry It Right Back Home/ Frisco Whistle Blues/ From Now On/ Grab
It And Run/ Hambone Blues/ House Top Blues/ I Don't Like That (Duet with
Pillie Boll/ Leaving Train Blues/ Mamlish Blues/ Mean Conductor Blues/ My
Crime Blues/ One More Time/ Rocky Road Moan/ Rosca Mama Blues/ She's A Fool/
She's Fool Gal/ She's Got A Nice Line (Duet with Pillie/ Shouting Baby
Blues/ Snigglin' Blues/ Squabblin' Blues/ Tooten' Out Blues/ PILLE BOLLING:
Brown Skin Woman/ Shake Me Like A Dog
|
| BUSTER BENTON |
Ronn RCD 8005 |
That's The Reason |
● CD $9.98 $6.98 |
1997 album (though possibly recorded earlier) - a mix of
electric Chicago blues, soul and even a bit of funk.
|
| THE BIDDLEVILLE
QUINTETTE |
Document DOCD 5362 |
Vol 2 + Birmingham Jubilee Singers, Siler
Leaf Qt. |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
21 tracks, 65 min., recommended
Volume 2 offers the last 16
sides (all from 1929) from this talented fivesome, blessed, if the ears may
judge, with genuine religious fervor. The group sounds a touch smoother
without giving up an ounce of the spontaneous exhortations of spiritual
excitement that mark their performances. Titles include Pharaoh's Army
Got Drowned/ Blessed Be The Tie That Binds/ I Stretch My Hand To Thee,
and 13 others. The gang at Document has cleaned a little house here too,
tacking on the 4 remaining Birmingham Jubilee Singers sides and the final
Silver Leaf Quartette Of Norfolk number, worthy efforts all. Another winner.
(JC)
THE BIDDLEVILLE QUINTETTE: As I Live Let Me Live In Love/
Blessed Be The Tie That Binds/ Coming To Christ/ Dip In The Beautiful
Stream/ Goin' To Heaven Anyway/ Got The Heaven In My View/ Handwriting On
The Wall/ I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say/ I Stretch My Hand To Thee/ I Wan't
God's Bosom To Be Mine/ I'm Going To Serve God Till I Die/ I'm Going To Sit
At The Welcome Table/ I'm Going Up To Live With God/ I'm Tormented In The
Flame (gex-2294)/ Jesus Is A Rock In The Weary Land/ Jesus Is Gonna Shake My
Righteous Hand (437-a)/ Join The Band/ Judas And Jesus Walked Together/
Pharaoh's Army Got Drowned/ The Lord Giveth/ THE SILVER LEAF QUARTETTE OF
NORFOLK: Oh! Glory Glory
|
| BLIND BLAKE |
Document DOCD 5024 |
Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1, 1926 - 1927 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
The first of four compact discs to reissue the complete
recordings of this brilliant East Coast musician. Though little is known of
Blake's life he was a popular and influential performer. He was a fine
singer and a dazzlingly fine guitarist with an endlessly imaginative
technique. Of the 26 tracks here recorded between July 1926 and October
1927, 20 are by Blake himslef and 6 are accompaniments to vaudeville
flavored singer Leola B. Wilson. Although sound on a few cuts is quite rough
it is generally quite listenable and consistently fine. Good notes by Alan
Balfour. (FS)
BLIND BLAKE: Ashley St. Blues (Leola B. Wilson/vcl)/ Bad
Feeling Blues/ Black Biting Bee Blues/ Black Dog Blues/ Blake's Worried
Blues/ Brownskin Mama Blues/ Buck-Town Blues/ Come On Boys Let's Do That
Messin' Around (Take 2)/ Down The Country/ Dry Bone Shuffle (Take 2)/ Dying
Blues (Leola B. Wilson/vcl)/ Early Morning Blues/ Hard Road Blues/ Hey Hey
Daddy Blues/ One Time Blues/ Sea Board Stomp/ Skeedle Loo Doo Blues (Take
1)/ Skeedle Loo Doo Blues (Take 2)/ State Street Men Blues/ Stonewall Street
Blues/ Tampa Bound/ That Will Never Happen No More/ Too Tight/ West Coast
Blues/ Wilson Dam
|
| BLIND BLAKE |
Indigo 2046 |
The Master Of Ragtime Guitar - The Essential
Recordings |
● CD $11.98 $9.98 |
24 track retrospective of some of the finest recordings of
this superb singer and influential guitarist.
BLIND BLAKE: Blind Arthur's Breakdown/ C.C. Pill Blues/
Cold Hearted Mama Blues/ Come on Boys, Let's Do That Messin' Arou/ Diddie Wa
Diddie/ Doing a Stretch/ Early Morning Blues/ Guitar Chimes/ Hastings Street
Spand/ He's in the Jailhouse Now Traditional/ Hot Potatoes/ One Time Blues/
Panther Squall Blues/ Poker Woman Blues/ Police Dog Blues/ Seaboard Stomp/
Skeedle Loo Doo Blues/ Southbound Rag/ Sweet Jivin' Mama/ Sweet Papa Low
Down/ That'll Never Happen No More/ Too Tight Blues/ Wabash Rag/ West Coast
Blues
|
| LITTLE JOE BLUE |
Collectables 5744 |
The Very Best Of Little Joe Blue |
● CD $11.98 $8.98 |
16 tracks, 49 mins, highly recommended
Once you get beyond
the uncanny resemblance of Joe's voice to that of B.B. King you realize that
Joe has lot more to offer. Apart from that striking voice he was a powerful
and funky guitar player that imitated no one and was an excellent
songwriter. Such songs as Who's The Fool?/ Shopping Instead ("I've
got a good mind to give up living/ And go shopping instead")/ Don't Tax
Me In and We All Have The Blues show a philosophical and topical
awareness that was not that common among his contemporaries. This set also
includes a remake of his one R&B hit - the excellent Dirty Work Is Going
On. These recordings were cut for Mel Alexander's Space and Kris labels
in the early 70s and Joe is accompanied by various small groups with
occasional horns or vocal group backup. Recording quality is bargain
basement but Joe's singing and playing comes through loud and clear. (FS)
|
| THE BLUES BUSTERS |
High Water/HMG 6512 |
Busted! |
● CD $15.98 $8.98 |
13 tracks, recommended
Expanded CD issue of High Water 1006
from 1987. By the time the LP had been released, the Busters had already
busted up, only lasting about a year & a half, until the end of '84. Formed
by seldom-recorded veterans of the Memphis blues scene by members of the
blues group Hollywood Allstars & funk group PCI, this quintet featured the
twin guitars of Earl "The Pearl" Banks & Lee Roy Martin, & play a
combination of fine blues mixed with soul & funk, even a jumpin' cover of
Jailhouse Rock along with covers of Little Milton's Let Your Loss Be
Your Lesson, Willie Cobbs' classic You Don't Love Me, even the
Clovers' Lovey Dovey, along with some nice originals. (GM)
|
| ALEX
BRADFORD & THE BRADFORD SINGERS |
Vee-Jay NVG2 605 |
One Step/ Angel On A Vacation |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
26 tracks, 71 min., recommended. When Bessemer-born Prof.
Bradford left Savoy to join Vee Jay in 1962, he took his gal-sounding
Bradford Singers with him. The strongest element on the Vee Jay sides are
his songs, self-penned and performed with wit, grace, and a raspiness of
soul. On these we hear the emergence of an exciting rejuvenated Bradford.
This amalgam of two albums (Vee Jay 5023 and 5037) contains One Step/
Walk Through The Streets/ Climbing Up The Mountain/ What About You/ When You
Pray/ He Always Keeps His Promises, the spine-chilling It Makes Me
Tremble/ I Made God A Promise, and a remake of Too Close - all
exceptional tunes presented with good concise sleeve notes by Lee
Hildebrand. (OLN)
|
| HADDA BROOKS |
Columbia CK 65081 |
Jump Back Honey - The Complete OKeh Sessions |
● CD $13.98 $9.98 |
16 tracks, 46 min., recommended
Having been classically trained in her youth, Hadda Brooks
ironically enjoyed her first taste of recording fame as a boogie-woogie
pianist on Los Angeles's Modern label in the late 40's. When she moved to
the reactivated Okeh label in 1952, she settled into the more reserved,
ballad-dominated style that is presented here. Featured tracks include the
upbeat title track, plus Dreamin' & Cryin', My Song, If
Your Love Me (Really Love Me), All Night Long, When I Leave
the World Behind, I Went to Your Wedding, He's Coming Home,
and Brooks Boogie. Gentle, often melancholy supper club music,
impeccably reissued this time around, and a nice companion to the earlier
reissue of her 40's sides on Romance in the Dark (Ace 453). (DH)
|
| LONNIE BROOKS |
Black Top 1129 |
Live At Pepper's, 1968 |
● CD $14.98 $8.98 |
8 tracks, 50 mins, recommended
Low-fi but terrifically
exciting set recorded by Belgian blues researcher George Adins in 1968 at
one of Chicago's most famous blues clubs of the era. Accompanied by bass,
drums and, occasionally, sax Lonnie works his way through some blues and R&B
favorites Hideaway/ Sweet Little Angel/ Can't Hold Out Much Longer/ You
Don't have To Go, etc along with a couple of originals. Lonnie's singing
is fine and his guitar playing was hot enough to set the club on fire! You
won't need state of the art stereo to get your kicks from this one!
Originally issued on the Dutch Black Magic label the booklet includes
original notes by Rien Wisse and new notes by Jeff Hannusch. (FS)
LONNIE BROOKS: Can't Hold Out Much Longer/ Hideaway/
Shakin' Little Mama/ Sweet Little Angel/ The Train & The Horse/ Who's Making
Love/ You Don't Have To Go/ You Put It On Me
|
| BUSTER BROWN |
Collectables 5110 |
The New King Of The Blues |
● CD $11.98 $8.98 |
Reissue of Fire 102 from 1961 with 4 added sides previously
issued on singles only for a total of 16 cuts. Brown is a lively singer and
harmonica player though a somewhat limited one and is accompanied by a solid
hard-rockin' group of musicians including guitarists Jimmy Spruill & Riff
Ruffin. Includes his big hit Fannie Mae plus Madison/ When Things
Go Wrong/ Gonna Love My Baby/ Don't Dog Your Woman/ Dr. Brown, etc.
BUSTER BROWN: Blue Berry Hill/ Doctor Brown/ Don't Dog
Your Woman/ Fannie Mae/ Gonna Love My Baby/ Good News/ I Got The Blues When
It Rains/ I'm Goin' But I'll Be Back/ Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby/
John Henry/ Lost In A Dream/ Louis Blues/ Madison/ Raise A Ruskus Tonight/
Sincerely/ When Things Go Wrong
|
| CHARLES BROWN |
Bullseye Blues 9501 |
All My Life |
● CD $14.98 $8.98 |
Some 45 years after his first recordings Charles Brown was
still going strong in 1990 when this album was released. His voice is deeper
and huskier than it was then but is still as smooth as silk and his piano
playing is as good as ever and he continues to purvey that mellow sound that
he pioneered and was a big influence on hundreds of performers. On this
selection of old hits and newer songs he is accompanied by a tatesful and
sympathetic group including veteran sax man Clifford Solomon, guitarist
Danny Caron, Earl May on bass and Keith Copeland on drums. Occasional guest
musicians sit in Dr John, Ruth Brown, Heywood Henry and the album's producer
Ron Levy. A first rate effort all round. (FS)
|
| CHARLES BROWN |
Bullseye Blues 9514 |
Someone To Love |
● CD $15.98 $8.98 |
These 1992 recordings are knock-down-drag-out good stuff.
The accompanying musicians - including Danny Caron, Tommie McKenzie,
Clifford Solomon, and Bobby Forte - are first rate, as is Brown's stunning
piano work, which often leads the way. Tracks include the title tune, I
Wonder How She Knows, Not So Far, Be Sharp You'll See, and
I Don't Want to Get Adjusted. For 45 minutes of mellow and funky
blues, this disc is hard to beat. Hats off to Bullseye Blues for their
sympathetic production. And may I be as "in tune" in my late 60's as Brown
is. It is hard to believe that a lot of his best known music was recorded
over 40 years ago. He sure sounds good now. Anyway, great sound, session
notes by Ron Levy, and a knockout cover picture of Brown is a silver
sequined coat and cap. (DH)
|
| CHARLES BROWN |
Bullseye Blues 9521 |
Just A Lucky So And So |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
10 tracks, 50 min., recommended
Charles Brown, on this, his
third, full length Bulleseye disc, displays his awesome talent in a variety
of musical settings. There are the expected late night piano solos, but we
also get small combo numbers featuring the sax of Clifford Solomon and the
guitar of Danny Caron, and big band and string section arrangements, with
the musical texture sometimes varying considerably within individual
numbers. Highlights include extended versions of Black Night and
Driftin' Blues, plus I Won't Cry Anymore, the title track, and
the delightful Song for Christmas. Sound, graphics, and notes are all
up to snuff. Get it while you can; this is not one to miss. (DH)
|
| CHARLES BROWN |
Bullseye Blues 9551 |
In A Grand Style |
● CD $15.98 $9.98 |
Previously unissued sides recorded at various Bullseye Blues
sessions by Brown in the early 90s. An after hours set featuring Charles
alone with his piano on a selection of ballads and blues. Includes One
Never Knows, Does One/ Black Night/ Give Me A Woman/ Charles' Chopin Liszt/
Stumbled And Fell In Love, etc.
|
| CHARLES BROWN |
Magnum Collector's 014 |
Sunshine In My Life |
● CD $12.98 $9.98 |
12 tracks, 37 mins, recommended
Fine set produced by Johnny
Otis for his Blues Spectrum label in 1974. Charles is in fine form with his
distinctive vocals and thoughtful piano work with Shuggie Otis providing
some very tasty guitar licks as well as providing bass and Johnny on drums,
vibes and occasional piano. The songs include a few of Charle old standbys
like Driftin' Blues and Black night along with songs by Ray
Charles, leonard Feather and some composed for the session by Otis & Brown.
A most worthwhile set. (FS)
|
| LEE BROWN |
Document DOCD 5344 |
Complete Recorded Works, 1927-1940 In
Chronological Ord |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 71 mins, recommended
24 songs recorded between
1937 and 1940 by singer/ piano player Brown. The 4 earliest cuts - 2 with
Sleepy John Estes/ gtr are the most down home and includes the first
recording of his most popular song Little Girl, Little Girl and he
was to recorded several variations on this song over the next few years. The
later tracks find him with various small groups some with a jazzy flavor and
usually feature Sam Price or Lil Armstrong on piano. One session features a
harmonica player who is probably the fine and enigmatic Rhythm Willie. Brown
is an excellent singer with some interesting lyrics though his soaring,
swooping vocal affectations can get annoying in large doses. (FS)
LEE BROWN: Another Little Girl/ Carpenter Man Blues/ Cross
The Sante Fe/ Down By The M & O/ Forsaken Blues/ Howling Man Blues/ I Can
Lay It On Down/ Jeff Davis Highway/ Lemon Roller/ Let Me Be Your Bo Weavil/
Little Brown Skin Girl/ Little Girl Little Girl/ Lock And Key Blues/ Low
Down Feelin'/ Midnight Dream/ Moanin' Dove/ My Driving Wheel/ New Little
Girl Little Girl/ Perlina Blues/ Pitchin' Boogie/ Ripley Rumbling Blues/
Rolling Stone/ She's My All And All/ Treated Like A Dog
|
| PRECIOUS BRYANT |
Music Maker 057 |
My Name Is Precious |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
Fine new album by this singer/ guitarist from Georgia is a
mostly solo acoustic production with 26 tracks featuring traditional blues,
original songs and versions of songs made popular by artists like Muddy
Waters, Little Willie John, Big Joe Turner, Denise LaSalle and others.
|
| EDDIE C. CAMPBELL |
Rooster Blues 2638 |
Hopes & Dreams |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
10 tracks, 45 mins, highly recommended
After being off the
scene for several years due to heart problems Eddie C. Campbell is back with
the best record of his career. In the past I have thought of Eddie as a
solid representative of the West Coast Chicago blues style with a repertoire
consisting of equal parts Chicago style blues originals and covers but
nothing really out of the ordinary. This album represents a leap forward -
it's all songs written by Eddie, often in collaboration with his wife and
manager Barbara Mason Campbell. The Chicago blues sound is still there but
other elements make their presence felt resulting in a sound that is
distinctively Eddie C. Campbell. Eddie's singing is superb - dark and
expressive and his guitar playing is exceptional. The title song alone is
worth the price of the album - it's a lovely blues ballad with a really
gorgeous melody and some truly lyrical guitar playing from Eddie. The gently
strummed electric guitar in the background really lends a wonderful
atmosphere. There are lots of other good songs here including Did I Hurt
You/ Geese In The Ninny Bow (Hey!)/ Cool Cool Mama and others including
a follwup to his popular Santa's Messin' With The Kid called I'm
Your Santa and a delightful acoustic duet with Billy Boy Arnold on the
semi spoken Those Were The Days. The instrumental arrangements are
imaginative - ranging from small group to a larger band with several horns.
A real delight. (FS)
|
| LEROY CARR |
Document DOCD 5138 |
Complete Chronological Recordings Vol. 5 -
1934 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
22 tracks, 65 min, highly recommended
Six of the titles on
this volume will be familiar to those of us who have the classic 1962
Columbia album - the album that introduced most of us to his/their music.
Recordings like Big Four Blues (about the
Cleveland-Cincinnati-Chicago- St. Louis Railroad), Bo Bo Stomp (with
that wonderful Speckled Red-ish 'yas-yas' refrain!), and I Believe I'll
Make A Change, a song 1st recorded by Josh White, and later covered by
the Harlem Hamfats. Also during this period, his producer J. Mayo "Ink"
Williams was varying his repertoire by introducing influences like Big Bill
Broonzy (Don't Start That Stuff), covering Joe Pullum's Black Gal
(What Makes Your Head So Hard?), and asking guitarist Josh White to sit
in with Scrapper Blackwell. (EL)
|
| LEROY CARR |
Document DOCD 5139 |
Complete Chronological Recordings Vol. 6 -
1934-35 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
21 tracks, 64 min., recommended
Needless to say, not every
track here is great: the problem with multi-volume completist sets full of
alternate takes and versions of every song a performer recorded is that
nobody bats 1000. Still, at least half the tracks on each set are worth
hearing, and the cumulative effect of hearing these recordings is to be
impressed by how many times Carr and Blackwell would press new wrinkles into
their mix. They were hardly ever complacent. Includes Bread Baker/
Longing For My Sugar/ Shinin' Pistol/ Arlena (two takes)/ My Good For
Nthin' Gal/ Suicide Blues (two takes)/ Rocks In My Bed/ Bad Luck All
The Time/ Just A Rag/ Going Back Home and more.
|
| LEROY CARR/ BLACK
BOY SHINE |
Document DOCD 5465 |
Unissued Test Pressings And Alternate Takes |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
23 tracks, 59 mins, highly recommended
What a pleasant
surprise - some really interesting unissued songs and alternate takes
including 3 never before heard songs by the great Leroy Carr from August &
December, 1934 when he was at his peak. Most of his cuts feature the twin
guitars of Scrapper Blackwell and Josh White. There are two takes of
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child which bears only a passing
resemblance to famous spiritual and one take each of The Stuff Is Here
(a duet with Bobby Phillips) and the beautiful Bozetta Blues. There
are also three fine alternate takes of songs previously issued on previous
Document CDs. The rest of the CD is devoted to Black Shine featuring two
takes each of seven songs and one take each of two others - none of these
have ever been issued before in any form. Although not as well known as Carr
Black Boy Shine (Harold Holiday) was an excellent and imaginative performer
and a most worthwhile companion. He was a piano player in the "Santa Fe"
style with a harmonically varied left hand and a "stride" feel to his
approach. He was also a fine singer with a solemn style rather like that of
Walter Roland. Like many Texas bluesmen his songs are above average with
references to his lifestyle and environment. These significant recordings
came from the archives of Art Satherly - the recording engineer on these
sessions. Sound quality is excellent and there are informative notes by
David Evans. (FS)
|
| ROSCOE CHENIER |
Rhino 71805 |
Roscoe Chenier |
● CD $11.98 $8.98 |
Now out of print. 1993 album by fine Louisiana singer and
guitarist who has been performing since the late 50s but has rceorded
infrequently. A solid collection of 10 original songs with a small band and
occasional horns. Roscoe's music has that nice rolling swamp feel and the
band does a nice job except for the keyboard player who is overly fond of
electronic effects.
|
| CHICAGO BOB & THE
SHADOWS |
High Water/HMG 6506 |
Just Your Fool |
● CD $14.98 $6.98 |
Reissue of 1987 High Water LP plus one previously unissued
cut. Chicago Bob is actually from Louisiana though he did spend a few years
in Chicago. He is quite a good singer and harmonica though rather one
dimensional in his approach. His accompanying band is competent though
unexceptional. They perform a mixture of originals (Call My Landlady/
Your Time To Choose/ Bogaloosa Boogie) and covers Just Your Fool/
Mama, Talk To Your Daughter/ Sloppy Drunk, etc.
|
| REV. EDWARD W. CLAYBORN |
Document DOCD 5155 |
Complete Chronological Recordings 1926-28 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
27 tracks, 78 min., recommended
As for any hard information
on Clayborn's life, forget it. The liner notes say he may possibly have been
born somewhere in or near Alabama. And that's it. His music tells everything
that's important, though. He was one of those great, late-'20s guitar
wielding evangelists who sounds too earnest to be a poser. His songs urge
listeners to be nice to Mom and Wife, beware of friends--eh, Judas?--and get
tickets for the Gospel Train, 'cause it's coming. Notes warn that "Clayborn's
records were never intended to be listened to en masse," which is to say the
songs sound a lot alike. So here they are en masse. Guess that's why the
company's called Document. Best title: The Wrong Way To Celebrate
Christmas. (JC)
|
| DOCTOR CLAYTON |
Document DOCD 5179 |
Complete Chronological Recordings (1935-42) |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 69 mins, recommended
Although not terribly
prolific or well known today Peter "Doctor" Clayton wrote several songs that
have become blues standards (Gotta Find My Baby, Cheating & Lying
Blues (usually known as Gonna Murder My Baby) and others. He was
the major influence on Sunnyland Slim and an influence on B.B. King. He had
a distinctive vocal style with a lovely soaring swooping quality to it. He
wrote some brilliant lyrics including the previsouly mentioned songs,
Slick Man Blues/ Moonshine Man Blues the patriotic '41 Blues and
Pearl Harbor Blues, the witty Ain't No Business We Can Do- and
the original version of Confessin' The Blues. Nearly all the cuts
feature effective piano by John Davis and several feature the rather unusual
but effective sound of a tuba played by Ransom Knowling. (FS)
|
| EDDY CLEARWATER |
Rooster Blues 2622 |
Flimdoozie |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
Enjoyable 1986 album. Eddy is accompanied by a talented
group of musicians including Will Crosby/ guitar, Leo davis/ keyboards and
herman Applewhite/ bass. There are several fine guest musicians including
Otis Rush who contributes some of his mighty string bending to 5 cuts. Sugar
Blue plays fine harp on a couple of cuts and Abbe Locke plays sax on a
couple. The songs, mostly originals are a mixture of upbeat blues, slow
blues, Chuck berry flavored rock 'n roll and a dance tune (Flimdoozie).
Nothing earthshaking here but some fine contemporary Chicago blues sounds.
|
|
JAYBIRD COLEMAN & THE BIRMINGHAM JUG BAND |
Document DOCD 5140 |
Complete Chronological Recordings 1927-1930 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
23 tracks, 71 minutes, recommended Alabama based bluesman
Burl C. "Jaybird" Coleman was one of the finest harmonica players to record
in the pre-war era. His performances have a primitive feel to them with
vocals that are almost pure field hollers with the harmonica acting as a
solo voice. Most of his performances here are solo which allows him to fully
express himself both vocally and instrumentally. On the beautiful spiritual
I'm Gonna Cross The River Of Jordan he is joined by Ollis Martin on
second harmonica and the result is a masterpieces. The two pieces where he
is given piano accompaniments find him obviously constrained by the steady
rhythms. Coleman is thought to be the harmonica player on the 8 tracks here
by The Birmingham Jug band but whether he is or not is really not important
since the group is a wonderfully raucous group. Most of Coleman's sides are
very rare so one has to make allowances for the very poor sound on some of
his titles. (FS)
|
| JOHNNY COPELAND |
Edsel 581 |
The Crazy Cajun Recordings |
● CD $17.98 $8.98 |
21 tracks, good
21 tracks (including 6 alternate takes)
recorded by the great gravel voice bluesman for the legendary (infamous?)
Huey P. Meaux in Houston in the mid/late 60s. Most of this material was
never originally issued but turned up on various Crazy Cajun LPs in the late
70s after Johnny had started recording his acclaimed albums for Rounder.
Most of these sides sound like demos and find Johnny performing in a variety
of styles including blues, soul, R&B and pop. Although there are some fine
moments, particuarly an early version of his great Gonna Make My Home
Where I Hang My Hat most of these recordings do not find Johnny at his
best and don't do justice to his abilities. (FS)
|
| MARTHA COPELAND |
Document DOCD 5372 |
Vol. 1 : 1923-1927 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
23 tracks, 71 mins, highly recommended
Martha Copeland is a
fine though obscure singer who recorded some 34 sides between 1923 and '28
reissued in their entirety on this album and Document 5373. She was a
powerful and expressive singer who sang some lightweight vaudeville songs
but also sang some very fine blues. The first 4 cuts feature some
particularly fine piano by Eddie Heywood. Other tracks feature the piano of
Cliff Jackson, Phil Worde, Porter Grainger and others. Bubber Miley pops up
on trumpet on two sides and a couple of cuts feature the cornet of Louis
Metcalf. Three cuts feature the rather drab violin of Bert Howell who
doesn't add anything to Martha's excellent I Don't Care Who Ain't Got
Nobody. This set includes her great recording from 1927 of Dyin'
Crap-Shooter's Blues which was the first and was covered by several
other female blues singers that year and was later revived by Blind Willie
McTell at his Library Of Congress session. She does a fine cover of Victoria
Spivey's Black Snake Blues and other songs include Papa, If You
Can't Do Better/ Fortune Teller Blues/ Stole My man Blues/ Soul And Body (He
Belongs To Me)/ Mr. Brakes-Man (Let me Ride Your Train)/ Hobo Bill and
more. Sound is fine and there are brief notes by John Wilby. (FS)
MARTHA COPELAND: Black Snake Blues/ Daddy, You've Done Put
That Thing On Me/ Dyin' Crap-shooter's Blues/ Hard Headed Mama (vocal Duet
W. Sidney Easton)/ Hobo Bill/ I Don't Care Who Ain' Got Nobody/ Mine's Just
As Good As Yours/ Mr. Brakes-man (let Me Ride Your Train)/ Nobody Rocks Me
Like My Baby Do/ On Decoration Day /fortune Teller Blues/ Papa If You Can't
Do Better (take 2)/ Papa If You Can't Do Better (take 3)/ Police Blues/
Skeleton Key Blues/ Sorrow Valley Blues/ Soul And Body (he Belongs To Me)/
Stole My Man Blues/ The Black Snake Moan/ The Down So Long Blues/ The Pawn
Shop Blues/ The Penetrating Blues/ When The Wind Make Connection With Your
Dry Goods (vocal Duet W. Sidney Eas
|
| BOB CORRITORE &
GUESTS |
HMG 1009 |
All-Star Blues Sessions |
● CD $14.98 $8.98 |
16 recordings made in Phoenix, Arizona between 1986 and 1998
featuring visiting bluesmen accompanied by Phoenix harmonica player and
booker Bob Corritore. Among the artists featured are J.B. Hutto, Bo Diddley,
Jimmy Rogers, Pinetop perkins, Henry Gray, Robert Lockwood Jr. and others.
|
| JAMES COTTON BAND |
BMG Special Products 748922 |
Extended Versions - The Encore Collection |
● CD $7.98 $5.98 |
10 tracks, 42 minutes, good
Budget labels can often be
either a blessing or a curse - the disc under review happens to be both.
This 'live' set of stems from the 1970s although the cover art depicts
Cotton in the 1960s with Luther Tucker. Strong versions of Mojo/ Boogie
Thing/ Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/ Help Me and more show Mr.
Superharp in fine form but this is little more than a truncated "Live And On
The Move" with ten tracks missing. The disc's title is also misleading as
"extended" accounts for nothing more than a few additional seconds of
audience applause. With a budget pricetag it's not going to break the bank,
and with the original product out-of-print, it's a fair way to grab some
potent mid-period Cotton. Just don't be bamboozled into thinking this is an
essential addition. (CR)
|
| IDA COX |
Document DOCD 5325 |
Complete Recorded Works, 1923-38 : Vol 4 -
1927-38 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 69 min., recommended
The final volume in the
series collects the last of her Paramount sides, beginning with 8 more from
1927 with Jesse Crump's pian | |
