|
BARGAIN
BASEMENT
COMPACT
DISCS - Blues & Gospel
The Sam Brothers 5 -> Johnny Young
| THE SAM BROTHERS 5 |
Arhoolie 9044 |
Sam (Get Down) |
● CD $9.98 $7.98 |
12 tracks, recommended
Reissue of Arhoolie 1081 from 1979. The Sam Brothers 5 are the sons of
veteran Zydeco artist Herbert Sam of Opelousas and when this album was
recorded were all in their teens. The group featured Leon (15 years old)/
lead singer & accordion ; Carl (18)/ guitar; Rodney (16)/ drums; Glen (13)/
bass ; and Calvin (11). In spite of their youth the group sings and plays
with an authority that belies their youth. They perform original songs,
songs by their father (who guest on vocals and accordion on two tracks) and
two from the "king" Clifton Chenier. Includes Sam (Get Down)/ La La
Waltz/ Roll Me Baby/ Going Down To Big Mary/ I'm A Hog For You/ Country Boy
and others. Lots of fun! (FS)
|
| THE SELAH JUBILEE
SINGERS |
Document DOCD 5499 |
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 : 1939-1941 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 69 min., highly recommended
According to gospel expert Ray Funk, who wrote the liner notes here, the
Selahs were the preeminent New York jubilee quartet of the 30's. They had
been together for over a decade before they actually recorded, so their
style, which focuses on slow harmony singing, owes a greater debt to the
groups of the 20's and early 30's than it does to the syncopated sound of
groups like the Golden Gate Quartet. Featured numbers here include Royal
Telephone, How Happy I Am, I Want Jesus to Walk Around My
Bedside, They Kicked the Devil Out of Heaven, I'll Fly Away,
Leak in the Building, How Will You Feel When You Come Out of the
Wilderness, and Have You Any Time for Jesus. Soulful and often
solemn music, beautifully rendered by this important early quartet. And
music that I wouldn't miss for the world, but do note that the listening
does get a little rough on a few tracks. (DH)
|
| THE SELAH JUBILEE
SINGERS |
Document DOCD 5500 |
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 : 1939-1945 |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
23 tracks, 65 min., highly recommended
Volume two of Document's Selah retrospective finds leader Thurmon Ruth
carefully strengthening his group's sound by replacing departing members
with outstanding veterans of other polished ensembles. New members during
this period include bass J. B. Nelson and former members of the Norfolk
Jubilees, baritone Melvin Colden and tenor Norman "Crip" Harris. So, the
early numbers here - like I Saw the Light, Just a Closer Walk with
Thee, Let Us All Run to Jesus, and King Jesus Is a Rock in the
Weary Land - are solid examples of jubilee harmony, but the latter part
of the program - featuring Let the World See Jesus in My Life,
Jesus Prayed Just Before He Died, I'll Fare Better in That Land,
and When Was Jesus Born - is both stronger and more complex. Even
with the variable sound quality that such a set as this presents, this is
definitely not a disc to miss. (DH)
|
| ROBERT SHAW |
Document 1014 |
The 1971 Party Tape |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 74 mins, recommended
Delightful set of performances by this outstanding Texas singer and piano
recorded at a house party at Ben Conroy's home in January, 1971. Shaw, who
died in 1985, was one of the last of the great Texas piano players - member
of an itinerant cluster of pianists loosely known as "the Santa Fe group"
which included musicians like Pinetop Burks, Rob Cooper, Buster Pickens and
many other unrecorded performers. Shaw was an immensly engaging performer
and this informal set capture him in a relaxed and loose mood performing a
wide range of material from his repertoire - Piggly Wiggly/ Black Gal/
Hattie Green #1/ Jim Nappy/ melody In E Flat/ Wood In My Woodhouse, etc.
Sound quality is generally very good though the continual background chatter
does get annoying. Set comes with an excellent 20 page booklet with lots of
black and white and color photos from the session, a complete discography
and an in depth discussion of Shaw's repertoire. (FS)
|
| JOHNNY SHINES |
Biograph BCD 121 |
Traditional Delta Blues |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
14 tracks, 48 mins, highly recommended
Reissue of Biograph 12044 from 1972 with two bonus cuts from Biograph 12048
issued in 1974. Johnny is in fine form on this all acoustic set - several
cuts featuring him with National steel guitar. The material includes a
couple of remakes of his old 78s (Ramblin' Blues/ Dynaflow Blues),
traditional blues songs (Sitting On Top Of The World/ Bumble Bee Blues/
Milk Cow Blues, etc) and several recent compositions by Johnny including
the superb topical Glad Rags on the subject of drugs. It also
includes the song Tell Me Mama which was, apparently, a Robert
Johnson song that Johnson never recorded. Johnny's singing and playing are
superb throughout. (FS)
|
| JOHNNY SHINES |
Testament TCD 5002 |
Masters Of Modern Blues |
● CD $11.98 $8.98 |
10 tracks, 34 min., recommended
Straight reissue of Testament 5002 - a rare full band Chicago session
featuring this great "rediscovered" Delta bluesman. The first number
Rollin' And Tumblin' starts a little tentatively, but midway through
turns into a swirling blues torrent, powered by Fred Below's remarkable
drumming. From there on out Shines and Co. (that's Big Walter Horton on
harp, pianist Otis Spann, bassist Lee Jackson, and Below) can do no wrong. A
look at the song titles brings Robert Johnson and Muddy to mind, but Johnny
takes the standards Sweet Home Chicago/ Walkin' Blues/ Two Trains Runnin'
and makes them completely his own. His vocals are truly spine-chilling
throughout, tinged with a little studio echo for maximum potency, whether on
the spooky Mr. Tom Green's Farm or the full-throttle rocker What
Kind Of Little Girl Are You?. And his Delta-bred electric slide guitar
blends easily with the sinuous work of this marvelous backing band, inviting
very positive comparison to the magic of Muddy's peak performances. Get it!
(MB)
|
| CLARA SMITH |
Retrieval 79030 |
The Essential Clara Smith, 1924-1929 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
25 tracks, 77 mins, essential
Great collection of sides by this outstanding pre war singer. While maybe
not the equal of that other great Smith, Bessie, she was not too far behind
with a powerful and expressive style and great accompaniments from the likes
of Coleman Hawkins, Don Redman, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Green, Fletcher
Henderson, Joe Smith, Bob Fuller, James P. Johnson and others. She also had
some particularly fine songs like Freight Train Blues/ Done Sold My Soul
To The Devil (And My Heart's Done Turned To Stone)/ Nobody Knows The Way I
Feel Dis Morning/ Shipwrecked Blues and the wonderful Look Where The
Sun Done Gone written by Stanley who composed eight of the songs on this
compilation and is freuqnetly featured in the piano seat. Sound quality on
these rare sides has never been better thanks to the technical wizardry of
the late John R.T. Davies. (FS)
CLARA SMITH: Black Cat Moan/ Broken Busted Blues/ Court
House Blues/ Deep Blue Sea Blues/ Done Sold My Soul to The Devil (And My
Heart's Done Turn To Stone)/ Freight Train Blues/ Hot Papa/ It Won't Be Long
Now/ Let's Get Loose/ Look Where The Sun Done Gone/ My John Blues/ Nobody
Knows The Way I Feel Dis Morning/ Oh! Mr. Mitchell/ Papa I Don't Need You
Now/ Race Track Blues/ Rock, Church, Rock/ Shipwrecked Blues/ Sobbin' Sister
Blues/ Steamboat Man Blues/ Strugglin' Woman's Blues/ Texas Moaner Blues/
Tired Of The Way You Do/ Where Is My Man?/ You Can't Stay Here No More/ You
Don't Know Who's Shakin' Your Tree
|
| THE SOUTHERNAIRES |
Document 5610 |
Complete Recordings, 1938-1941 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
25 tracks from Harlem based gospel group including five from
a 1938 radio program
|
| OTIS SPANN |
Testament TCD 5005 |
The Blues Of Otis Spann |
● CD $11.98 $9.98 |
15 tracks, 43 min., recommended
This reissue of Testament LP 2211 (with one additional cut) shows off
Spann's immense talent in a variety of settings. Seven tracks have him alone
at his piano, one (Vicksburg Blues) matches him with drummer Robert
Whitehead, and most of the rest feature Spann on piano or organ with other
members of Muddy Waters' Band, including the great James Cotton an harp. On
the instrumental extra cut, Spann is joined by Johnny Shines on guitar, Big
Walter Horton on harp. About the only rub is the occasionally diluted sound
quality, but that is a minor complaint in the face of such fine blues. (JC)
|
| OTIS SPANN |
Testament TCD 6001 |
Live The Life |
● CD $14.98 $10.98 |
16 tracks, 71 mins, recommended
Otis Spann was so good and died so young (in 1970 at the age of 40) that any
chance to hear previously unissued recordings by him is to be treasured even
if the sound on some of the material here is unexceptional. This is the
first album in a series of reissues from the late Pete Welding's archive of
previously unissued recordings. 12 of the cuts find Otis recorded live with
his former boss Muddy Waters. There are five from a 1968 tribute concert to
Martin Luther King with Muddy on acoustic guitar and an acoustic bass. Sound
balance on these is not very good but there is beautiful singing and playing
by Spann particularly on Tribute To Martin Luther King. There are
seven cuts with the full Waters band with much better sound - Spann takes
two vocals including a splendid version of the West Coast favorite Tin
Pan Alley and Muddy does four excellent vocals and plays some fine slide
on Can't Lose What You Never Had. There are two superb solo
performances by Spann from around 1965 and a couple of accompaniments to
Johnny Young and Slim Willis. A varied and entertaining collection though
probably not the first Spann album to get. (FS)
|
| COOTIE STARK |
Cello-Music Maker 91002 |
Sugar Man |
● CD $16.98 $6.98 |
12 tracks recorded in 1997 by down home South Carolina
bluesman. A mix of traditional and original songs with varying
accompaniments ranging from two acoustic guitars to small groups with
guitar, piano, harmonica and drums. Includes a version of Worried Life
Blues with two acoustic guitars, slide guitar and jazz saxophonist Lee
Konitz.
|
| FRANK STOKES & DAN
SANE |
Document DOCD 5012 |
The Beale Stret Sheiks - Complete Paramount
Recordings |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
Wonderful set featuring 12 songs recorded for Paramount 1927
and 7 from 1929 by this fabulous Memphis based duo. Stokes sang and played
rhythm guitar and Sane provides the flat picked lead resulting in some of
finest duet guitar work in blues. Stokes was a marvelous and powerful singer
with impressive breath control, the latter is heard to great effect on a
couple of songs here. Their reportoire ranged from minstrel and medicine
show flavored songs like You Shall and Chicken, You Can Roost
Behind The Moon to churning blues like Half Cup Of Tea, the
mostly instrumental Jazzin' The Blues and the two part Fillin' In
Blues. All of its wonderful but since these recordings are drawn from
incredibly rare and worn 78s the sound is pretty noisy on many cuts. Brief,
but informative, notes from Chris Smith. (FS)
|
| SUPER CHIKAN |
Rooster Blues 2634 |
Blues Come Home To Roost |
● CD $15.98 $9.98 |
14 tracks, recommended
Guess it's appropriate that the man who can make his guitar cluck like a
chicken is on Rooster Blues! James Johnson also plays bass, harp, piano &
drives a truck, bringing you REAL blues like "My house is 80 years old & the
front porch is falling down" & "I've got a '71 Chevy & the dealer wants to
take it away", from Down In The Delta. All tunes are Chikan
originals, many of them fine shuffles, but he does rock'n'roll on one cut,
in Rockin' (That 'Caine) & Roll in' (Mary Jane) - "you better chill
out with your psychopathic lies" & "better pack your sack/ I believe your
mama wants you back/ I ain't got no money for no damned crack." Also
Camel Toe, Super Chikan Strut, Well Gone Dry, Mr. Love Juice. The CD
booklet tells his story in cartoon form (GM)
|
| THE SWAN SILVERTONES |
Charly SNAPCD 188 |
Move Up |
● CD $13.98 $9.98 |
28 tracks, 78 mins, essential
A beautiful collection of tracks recorded for Vee-Jay by this superb group,
covering the period from their first Vee-Jay session in 1956 through their
last in 1964. Their Vee-Jay recordings features leads by the magnificent
high ethereal tenor (and sometimes falsetto) Claude Jeter or the powerful
baritone of Paul Owens, Dewey Young or Louis Johnson. Jeter and his sweet
falsetto have had more than a little influence on countless soul acts, Al
Green and The Temptations among them. It is difficult to overstate his
importance to both soul and gospel. The material ranged from the classic
harmony quartet style of Sinner Man to the more intense style that
influenced soul music. This set features one magnificent performance after
another ending with their utterly sublime rendition of The Lord's Prayer
- if this doesn't send a chill down your spine you might want to see a
chriropracter! (FS)
THE SWAN SILVERTONES: A Lady Called Mother/ At The Cross/
Bible Days/ Breathe On Me/ Come To Jesus/ Going On With Jesus/ Great Day In
December/ He Saved My Soul/ I Thank You Lord/ I'll Be Satisfied/ Jesus Is
Alright With Me/ Jesus Remembers/ Leave Your Burden There/ Love Lifted Me/
Move Somewhere/ Move Up/ Nobody But You/ Oh Mary, Don't You Weep/ Savior
Pass Me Not, Parts 1 & 2/ Singin' In My Soul/ Sinking Sand/ Sinner Man/ The
Lord Is Coming/ The Lord’s Prayer/ Trouble In My Way/ When Jesus Comes/ Why
I Love Him So/ Without A Mother
|
| ROOSEVELT SYKES |
Diablo 854 |
Sings The Blues |
● CD $14.98 $8.98 |
10 tracks, 26 mins, recommended
Short but fine set featuring the brilliant and ever reliable singer and
piano player. The set was recorded in Chicago in 1962 with an excellent
group including "Sax" Mallard on sax, Lee Jackson /guitar, Willie Dixon/
bass and Jump Jackson/ drums and was originally issued on a hard to find
Crown LP. A good mix of material is featured including slow blues, rockers
and ballads. Singing and playing is fine throughout with some exceptional
guitar work from Jackson on Your Will Is Mine. (FS)
|
| ROOSEVELT SYKES |
Document DOCD 5116 |
Complete Chronological Recordings, Vol. 1 -
1929-30 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
Roosevelt Sykes ranks as one of the greatest blues piano
players of all time and his recorded legacy is truly impressive. He remained
a consistently worthwhile artist from his earliest recordings in 1929 to his
last recordings made in the late 70s. This is the first of seven volumes
documenting his pre war recordings and is consistently fine from beginning
to end. It starts with his June 1929 recordings of "44" Blues, a blues piano
classic and ends with a June 1930 recording featuring Sykes accompanying
singer Ben Turner with Oliver Cobb on cornet. The emphasis here is on slow
and mid tempo blues with mournful expressive vocals by Sykes and lovely
thoughtful and imaginative piano accompaniments. Lest you think he is only
comfortable with slow and mid tempo items his variation on Pinetop's
Boogie Woogie called Boot That Thing shows he is capable of piano
pyrotechnics when neccessary. Some tracks feature guitar accompaniments by
Oscar Carter or Henry Townsend. With a few exceptions sound quality is
excellent and there are good notes by Chris Smith. (FS)
MAE BELLE MILLER: Beale And Main Blues/ Long Tall Man
Blues/ Trouble Everywhere Blues/ Working Man On The Seas/ ROOSEVELT SYKES:
'44' Blues/ All My Money Gone Blues/ Black River Blues/ Boot That Thing/
Bury That Thing/ Fire Detective Blues/ Henry Ford Blues/ Home Of Your Own
Blues/ I'm Tired Of Being Mistreated/ Little Sow Blues/ Lost All I Had
Blues/ Poor Boy Blues/ Roosevelt's Blues/ Single Tree Blues/ Skeet And
Garret/ Ten And Four Blues/ The Way I Feel Blues/ BEE TURNER: Jivin' Jelly
Roll Blues/ Rough Treatin' Daddy
|
| ROOSEVELT SYKES |
Document DOCD 5117 |
Complete Chronological Recordings, Vol. 2 -
1930-31 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 72 mins, recommended
The second volume of this brilliant singer and piano player features 24
tracks recorded between June 1930 and June 1931. Sykes was busy hopping from
label to label recording under the name of Willie Kelly for Victor, Dobby
Bragg for Paramount and Easy Papa Johnson for Melotone. As prolific as he
was his music was consistently outstanding with great singing, varied and
imaginative piano work and interesting and meaningful lyrics. Two tracks
feature his accompaniments to the relatively undistinguished singer St.
Louis Bessie. The sound here is mostly excellent and their are brief,
informative notes, by Chris Smith. Piano blues at its finest. (FS)
ROOSEVELT SYKES: 3-6 And 9 Listen/ 32-20 Blues Listen/ As
True As I've Been To You/ Big Time Woman/ Conjur Man Blues/ Cotton Seed
Blues/ Don't Put The Lights Out/ Don't Squeeze Me Too Tight/ Drinkin' Woman
Blues/ Give Me Your Change Listen/ Hard Luck Man Blues/ He Treats Me Like A
Dog/ I Love You More And More Listen/ Kelly's 44 Blues Listen/ Kelly's
Special/ Meat Cutter Blues/ Nasty But It's Clean/ No Good Woman Blues/ No
Settled Mind Blues/ Papa Sweetback Blues/ Side Door Blues/ Thanksgivin'
Blues/ We Can Sell That Thing/ You So Dumb
|
| ROOSEVELT SYKES |
Document DOCD 5121 |
Complete Chronological Recordings Vol. 6 -
1939-41 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
The sixth volume by this great artist features 25 tracks
with Sykes accompanied by legendary drummer Sid Catlett. Throughout Sykes's
vocals are powerful and expressive, his piano work endlessly inventive and
Catlett's playing discreet and propulsive. As always, Sykes's lyrics are
interesting and imaginative and his use of word play in Concentration
Blues is a real delight.
ROOSEVELT SYKES: 44 Blues/ 47th Street Jive/ Concentration
Blues/ Doin' The Sally Long/ Eight Ball Blues/ Essie Mae Blues (take A)/
Essie Mae Blues (take B)/ Get Your Row Out/ I've Made A Change/ Knock Me
Out/ Love Will Wear You Down/ New Mistake In Life We Will Never Make The
Grade/ New Style Blues/ Papa Low/ Pistol Shootin' Blues/ Right Now/ She's
Got What It Takes/ She's In My Blood/ Shoe Shiner's Moan/ Take It With A
Smile/ Under Eyed Woman/ Unlucky 13 Blues/ Ups And Downs Blues/ Yellow Yam
Blues
|
| BLIND JOE TAGGART |
Document DOCD 5153 |
Complete Chronological Recordings, Vol. 1
(1926-28) |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
24 tracks, 70 min., recommended
Josh White said Taggart was the 2nd meanest man he'd ever met and not even
blind...Cataracts. At any rate, Blind Joe Taggart was apparently the first
"guitar evangelist" (read: religious country blues guitarist) to put his act
on shellac. His early Vocalion sides are generally excellent, especially
Keep On The Firing Line, but his Paramount efforts are paramount. Some
of them, anyway. The notes call Goin' To Rest Where Jesus Is/ Been
Listening All The Day "Two of the most intriguing recordings in the
history of American folk music." Intriguing claim, that. Some secular sides
recorded under pseudonyms have been included, though Blind Percy may or may
not be the real (Blind) McCoy. (JC)
BLIND JOE AMOS: C &O Blues/ BLIND PERCY & HIS BLIND BAND:
Coal River Blues/ Fourteenth Street Blues/ BLIND JOE TAGGART: Been Listening
All The Day/ Everybody's Got To Be Tried/ God's Gonna Separate The Wheat
From The Tares/ Goin' To Rest Where Jesus Is/ I Will Not Be Removed/ I Wish
My Mother Was On That Train (-52)/ I Wish My Mother Was On That Train (-53)/
I'll Be Satisfied (-48)/ I'll Be Satisfied (-49)/ I've Crossed The
Separation Line/ Just Beyond Jordan/ Keep On The Firing Line/ Lord Don't
Drive Me Away/ Mother's Love/ Religion Is Something Within You/ Scandalous
And A Shame/ Take Your Burden To The Lord (-50)/ Take Your Burden To The
Lord (-51)/ The Half Ain't Never Been Told/ The Storm Is Passing Over/
There's A Hand Writing On The Wall
|
| TAMPA RED |
Document DOCD 5213 |
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological
Order, Vol 13 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
22 tracks, 65 mins, recommended
Tampa, under the guidance of the astute Lester Melrose, continues his post
war career. The first three sessions from 1945 and early '46 find him once
again in the company of the brilliant Big Maceo's whose wonderful rolling
piano are the perfect complement to Tampa's singing and guitar. The songs
are excellent and include a remake of his 1928 recording Corrine and
the outstanding Crying Won't Help You which has been recorded by a
number of bluesmen including Robert Nighthawk. The rest of the disk features
3 sessions from late 1946 and 1947 and features Tampa in the company of a
small jump band with Blind John Davis on piano and one or two horn players.
The singing and playing is competent enough but doesn't have the spirit of
the earlier sides. (FS)
|
| SONNY TERRY |
Collectables 5307 |
Sonny Terry |
● CD $13.98 $8.98 |
CD issue of Krazy Kat 807. On Aug. 15, 1952 Sonny cut 2
takes each of 8 tunes for Gotham, who released 2 couplings, Baby Let's
Have Some Fun/ Four O'Clock Blues & Harmonica Rhumba/ Lonesome Room.
This LP releases 14 of 16 recordings, only 3 ever before issued (for some
reason, only the alternate take of Rhumba is here.) With backing by
Brownie McGhee, Doc Bagby(org) & Daddy Merritt(p,d), the released tunes are
more in the folky vein Sonny & Brownie were doing at the time for Folkways,
with the other 4 being a harder, more blues sound - Wine Headed Baby
(great)/ Bad Luck Blues/ No Love Blues/ News For You Baby (GM)
|
| REV.
H.R. TOMLIN & REV. S. J. WORRELL |
Document DOCD 5406 |
Complete Recorded Works, 1926-1927 |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
22 tracks, 67 mins, highly recommended
The complete recordings of two obscure but fine preachers and singers. The
first six performances by Tomlin from 1926 are relatively staid with vocal
accompaniments from the rather formal Rigoltto Quintette of Morris Brown
University. It includes a cover of the Rev. Gate s"hit" Death's Black
Train Is Coming and the fascinating Come Ye That Love The Lord
where Tomlin compares some Christians to canned fruit ("they spoil in the
summer and freeze in the summer"!). The last two sides by him from 1927 are
much more energetic and are mostly sung with very little preaching and
exciting vocals fromTomlin and two female singers with harmonium
accompaniment. Harlem based preacher Rev. S.J. Worell, aka "Steamboat Bill",
is a powerful and exciting preacher of the "straining" school who titles
usually open with a sung chorus followed a sermon usually based on theme
drawn from the bible and includes The Prodigal Son/ Zacharias The Tax
Colector/ Daniel In the Lion's Den/ What A Man Soweth So Shall He Reap
and others. Powerful and moving music. (FS)
|
| BIG JOE TURNER |
Purple Pyramid 964 |
The Essential Recordings |
● CD $10.98 $6.98 |
12 tracks recorded by the great blues shouter for Johnny
Otis's Blues Spectrum label in the early 70s. Big Joe is accompanied by a
small group with occasional horns and the brilliant Shuggie Otis on guitar
on a selection of his old favorites - Shake, Rattle & Roll/ Roll 'Em
Hawk/ Cherry Red/ Honey Hush/ TV Mama/ Squeeze Me, Baby and others.
Nothing new but some fine performances.
|
| IKE & TINA TURNER |
Fuel 2000 61181 |
The Gospel According To Ike & Tina |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
10 tracks, very good
Ike & Tina Turner doing a collection of traditional gospel songs? Hard to
believe but true. This is a reissue of an obscure 1973 United Artists album
with about two-thirds of the lead vocals by Tina and the rest by Ike. Tina's
vocals are particularly nice and the vocal backup is fine. Ike's vocals are
less convincing and it seems that he had just acquired a new synthesizer and
quite a few of the tracks feature electronic bleeping, blooping, gurgling
and farting that are really out of place. Includes Father Alone
(sic)/ Glory Glory/ What A Friend We Have In Jesus/ Nearer The Cross
(probably the finest track here)/ When The Saints Go Marching In,
etc. Not exactly essential Ike & Tina but worth a listen. (FS)
|
| IKE TURNER
& THE KINGS OF RHYTHM |
Ikon 8850 |
Here And Now |
● CD $15.98 $9.98 |
This 2001 album was the first new solo album from this
important music pioneer in quite a while and certainly his best in a long
time. It's a pretty much straight ahead blues effort with Ike redoing some
of his old favorites, some new songs and some blues standards. It lacks the
energy of his earlier recordings but is certainly worth a listen. Includes
Tore Up/ You Can't Winnum All/ Catfish Blues/ I Need A Nuddin'/ Feelin'
Low Down/ Cold Day In Hell, etc.
|
| JOE LOUIS WALKER |
Hightone HCD 8006 |
Cold Is The Night |
● CD $11.98 $9.98 |
This is the first album by this talented blues performer.
Joe, a Bay Area based performer is a striking and powerful singer and an
imaginative guitarist who can play both fast or with restrained feeling. He
is backed by a basic but effective rhythm section (bass, keyboards and
drums) which is occasionally augmented by sax or added keyboards. As is
usually the case producers Bruce Bromberg and Dennis Walker get a thick
sound out of only a handful of instruments. The songs include 7 fine
originals by Joe Louis and 3 from the brilliant pen of Dennis Walker
including the moving and soulful title song and the fine Ten More Shows
To Play written in collaboration with Lowell Fulson. Highly recommended.
(FS)
|
| PHILLIP WALKER |
MC Records 47 |
Live At Biscuits & Blues |
● CD $16.98 $10.98 |
12 tracks, recommended
2002 album. While Phillip Walker
might not be getting any younger, his guitar playing remains as taut and
sharp as a man half his age. Recorded in front of an appreciative audience
in San Francisco at a popular blues nightspot, there's a full band with a
four-piece horn section in support. Walker's playing ignites from small
embers into full-bore blazing attack and the mix of shuffles, slow blues,
and soul-fused burners make for an entertaining set. Most of the tracks are
remakes of earlier recordings - Hello My Darling/ Think/ Respirator
Blues/ Reconsider Baby/ 90 Proof, etc. There are guest appearance from
Angela Strehli, Charlie Musselwhite and Rick Estrin. Vocally, Phillip's
perhaps a step below some of his earlier work, but simply put, the man still
delivers with all cylinders humming. (CR/ FS))
|
| ROBERT "BILBO" WALKER |
Rooster Blues 2643 |
Rock The Night |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
11 tracks, 43 min, highly recommended
In an attempt to
record the ultimate juke-joint disc, Living Blues's Jim O'Neal followed
Walker around the country, through different locations & rhythm sections
until finally settling on one live performance. Done in Chicago at The
Hideout 2/4/00 with a rhythm section of Pecan Porter on bass & Sam Carr on
drums, the guitarist is heard with nothing but raw houserockin' blues with a
few surprises, including a version of Buck Owens' (& writer Terry Fell's)
classic Truck Drivin' Man, & a Chuck Berry medley where he combines
parts of Little Queenie with his autobiographical Robert U Goode!
(GM)
|
| JIMMY WALKER &
ERWIN HELFER |
Testament 5011 |
Rough & Ready |
● CD $11.98 $7.98 |
20 tracks, 62 min., recommended
Last few copies. Recorded
when Chicago Pianist Jimmy Walker was in his 60s, this album (a reissue of
Testament 2202 with 6 previously unreleased cuts) explores the boogie woogie
duet form which gained prominence in the '40s and then effectively died.
Walker and 28-year-old white pianist Erwin Helfer (trained by Cripple
Clarence Lofton!) have a musical rapport that only time and mutual respect
could produce, the two having played together for 2 years before these
recording were made. Some tracks feature Walker by himself, sometimes
singing, sometimes not. Willie Dixon adds his bass to Helfer's piano on 4
Helfer compositions, including Fringe Benefit/ Give Me 10 Cents Worth Of
Love. (JC)
|
| VALERIE WELLINGTON |
Rooster Blues 2619 |
Million Dollar Secret |
● CD $15.98 $8.98 |
Fine young blues singer from Chicago. Her debut album from
1984 features an interesting selection of songs including updates of several
songs from the 20s and 30s such as the title song, Down In The Dumps and
Bessie Smith's Dirty No Gooders Blues. There are several originals by
Valerie along with songs by Howlin' Wolf, Roy Brown and others. Valerie has
a vocal style akin to that of Koko Taylor though she is a more subtle
performer and she is given solid support by some top Chicago blues musicians
including some great guitar by Magic Slim. Also includes John Littlejohn and
Sunnyland Slim.
|
| JUNIOR WELLS |
Fuel 2000 61547 |
An Introduction To Junior Wells |
● CD $12.98 $8.98 |
14 tracks, 55 mins, recommended
This compilation opens with
10 tracks recorded for Chief and Profile between 1957 and 1961. Although
Junior's superb harmonica work is present only on a couple of cuts including
the great instrumental Calling All Blues, there are fine vocals and
excellent songs and stellar instrumental work from accompanying musicians
like Earl Hooker, Syl Johnson, Lacy Gibson, Lafayette Leake, Big Moose
Walker, Willie Dixon, Fred Below and others. Songs include I Could Cry/
Lovey Dovey Lovey One/ Come On In This House/ Messin' With The Kid/ The
Things I'd Do For You and others. Note that his complete Chief, Profile
and USA recordings are available on Fuel 2000 61087 ("Calling All Blues" -
$16.98). The remaining four cuts are previously unissued live performances
from an unspecified date or place with Buddy and Phil Guy on guitars plus
organ, bass and drums. Includes fine performances of Help Me/ Look Over
Yonder/ Messin' With The Kid and I Can't Help Myself and this
time there's no shortage of fine harp work. (FS)
|
| PEETIE WHEATSTRAW |
Document DOCD 5242 |
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological
Order, Vol 2 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 tracks, 75 min., recommended
After a 2-year hiatus,
Wheatstraw returned to recording in 1934 with a few refinements on his
steady rolling piano rhythm formula. After 9 samey tunes, the jazz band
instrumentation of Throw Me In The Alley is quite a shock, and a
welcome one at that! A pair of guitar pieces Keyhole Blues/ Long Time Ago
Blues add spice, and ace slide guitarist Casey Bill Weldon enlivens six
more piano-guitar duets, including the superb Rising Sun and a pair
of paeans to Good Whisky. Another ode to hooch, Whiskey Head Blues
contains some uncommonly nimble solo piano, despite the artist's proclaimed
state of inebriation. We also get the exemplary Long Lonesome Dive,
two versions of C And A Train Blues, and many more. (MB)
|
| PEETIE WHEATSTRAW |
Document DOCD 5243 |
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological
Order, Vol 3 |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
25 tracks, 73 min., recommended
As the years rolled by,
Peetie Wheatstraw made clear progress as a vocalist and pianist,
demonstrated by the confident whoops, boastful proclamations, and keyboard
soloing on Good Hustler Blues/ Last Dime Blues. But the artist rarely
strays from his comfortable mid-tempo rhythm, making the jaunty beat of
Johnnie Blues a real standout. Santa Claus Blues must be one of
the first, and most melancholy Christmas blues - other uncommonly sad themes
distinguish Sorrow Hearted Blues/ Kidnapper's Blues. The last 7 cuts
here feature Kokomo Arnold, an excellent slide guitarist who cuts it up on
Low Down Rascal/ Coon Can Shorty. (MB)
|
| PEETIE WHEATSTRAW |
Document DOCD 5244 |
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological
Order, Vol 4 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
23 tracks, 70 min., recommended
The duets with slide
guitarist Kokomo Arnold continue through the first 5 sides here, opening
with a favored Wheatstraw theme Old Good Whiskey Blues. As usual,
there is little variety in Peetie's piano style, but the imaginative lyrics
and strong imagery of Country Fool Blues/ Jungle Man Blues/ Don't Take A
Chance/ Block And Tackle/ Little House transcend his formula
accompaniments. Arnold returns later in the chronology, issuing extroverted
slide excitement on False Hearted Woman/ Beggar Man Blues. And the
final two cuts show a whole new side to The Devil's Son-In-Law, as he romps
handily through the jazz inflections of Peetie Wheatstraw Stomp. Like
previous volumes, this one gets bogged down in repetitive tempos, but is
recommended for its frequent high points. (MB)
|
| GEORGIA WHITE |
Document DOCD 5302 |
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 : 1936-1937 |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
23 tracks, 64 mins, recommended
The second collection
features seven sessions between May, 1936 and May, 1937. Georgia is no
longer accompanying herself on piano - that role being taken by the
relatively pedestrian Richard M. Jones though Georgia more than compensates
with her expressive voice and some great songs and guitarist Ikey Robinson
provides some imaginative accompaniments. The material is varied ranging
from blues to novelty to pop and includes a gorgeous version of Jones's
classic Trouble In Mind which was so successful that six months later
she recorded New Trouble In Mind and Trouble In Mind Swing!
Other fine songs include I Just Want Your Stingaree/ Sinking Sun Blues/
Your Hellish Ways/ You Don't Know My Mind/ Walking The Streets and
others. More great stuff by the gal from Georgia. (FS)
|
| JOSH WHITE |
Document DOCD 5194 |
Complete Recorded Works, 1929-40; Vol 1 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
26 tracks, 78 mins, essential
The first of three discs
presenting all the recordings made between 1929 and 1940 by this brilliant
performer. Although he later became known as a suave night club folk
performer his early recordings are brilliant examples of East Coast country
blues. His voice was always a smooth one but one with great flexibility and
he spiced up his vocals with fragments of scat singing and moaning. His
guitar playing was joy - varied, supple and flowing and always apprpriate.
Both Buddy Moss and Blind Boy Fuller acknowledge him as an influence. This
disc starts with two delightful instrumentals from 1929 by the white country
band The Carver Boys with Josh accompanying harmonica player Warner
Carverand guitarist Bob Carver. The remaining tracks are from 1932 and '33
and with the excption of two tracks with a fine unknown piano player they
are all solo. They include such performances as the menacing Little
Brother (his knife - or is it?), some self advertising in The
Greenville Sheik, the beautiful Blood Red River and more
including half a dozen spirituals. With the exception of a couple of tracks
the sound is excellent and there are informative, though all too brief,
notes by Dave Moore. (FS)
|
| JOSH WHITE |
Document DOCD 5195 |
Complete Recorded Works, 1929-40; Vol 2 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
25 tracks, 74 mins, recommended
Another fine collection
from this South Carolina blues and gospel singer featuring recordings made
between November 1933 and March 1935. This is not quite as strong as the
first volume - mostly due to the fact that a higher proportion of titles are
from rather worn 78s and there are more covers and fewer original songs. The
disc opens with 7 spirituals - mostly fairly bland with the exception of
You Sinner You which is a sanctified version You Rascal You (or
is it the other way round?) complete with Louis Armstrong impersonation. The
rest is all blues and many of the tracks feature piano accompaniment - often
by the magnificent Walter. On four tracks he is accompanied by Leroy Carr &
Scrapper Blackwell and does a very fine version of the duo's Mean
Mistreater Blues. Other tracks include versions of Kokomo Arnold's
Milk Cow Blues, the raunchy Sissy Man, Joe Pullum's Black Gal
and others. (FS)
|
| JOSH WHITE |
Document DOCD 5196 |
Complete Recorded Works, 1929-40; Vol 3 |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
24 more fine sides by White. The first 16 sides from 1935
and 1936 find him still recording for an AfricanAmerican audience performing
blues and spirituals with his voice and magnificent guitar solo or
accompanied by pianist Walter Roland or second guitarist Buddy Moss. By 1940
Josh had become a part of the New York white club scene and find him
performing in a slicker and more sophisticated style accompanied by string
bass player Wilson Myers and on two cuts by graet jazz clarinestist Sidney
Bechet.
|
| JOSH WHITE/ BIG
BILL BROONZY |
Empire Musikwerks 450 853-2 |
Josh White Comes A-Visitin', Big Bill
Broonzy Comes A-S ingin' |
● CD $12.98 $9.98 |
16 tracks, 57 mins, recommended
Two 10" LPs originally
issued on the Period label in 1956 on one CD. The 8 Josh White tracks were
recorded in 1956 with a small combo with piano or organ, bass, drums and
vocal chorus. Apart from Evil Hearted Me there's not much blues here
but the performances are really quite entertaining. Other songs include
Bonbons, Chocolate And Chewing Gum/ She's Too Much For Me/ Come Along
Charlie, etc. The Big Bill sides are from a substantial number of sides
Bill made in France in 1951 and feature fine singing and guitar playing on
mostly familiar Broonzy songs Hey Bud Blues/ Letter To My Baby/ Make My
Getaway/ Lowland Blues, etc. Excellent sound and booklet with brief
introductory new notes and reprint of original LP notes. (FS)
|
| BIG JOE WILLIAMS |
Testament 5013 |
Back To The Country |
● CD $11.98 $8.98 |
21 tracks, 57 min., recommended
This reissue of Testament LP
2205 captures Big Joe Williams with fiddler/guitarist Jimmy Brown and harp
blower Willie Lee Harris as they recreate the sound and feel of an old time
country party. Thirteen tracks features Williams as vocalist, including a
solo effort on Mean Backstabber, the pensive The Mood Is Rising,
and two previously unissued cuts, Saturday Night Ball/ Goin' Back Home.
Brown sings on 6 cuts, including the absorbing Woody Woodpecker,
leaving Harris two opportunities (Worried And Lonesome/ Miss Ida B)
to vocalize his blues. But Williams dominates the proceedings with his
booming voice and impressing guitar work, and that's as it should be.
Includes Pete Welding's original liner notes, as do other volumes in this
excellent reissue series. (JC)
|
| BIG JOE WILLIAMS |
Testament TCD 6010 |
These Are My Blues |
● CD $14.98 $9.98 |
One of the greatest country bluesmen recorded live at
Rockford Colleg, Illinois in 1965. Joe is in tremedous form on a wide
variety of songs including old favorites like Baby Please Don't Go/
Mellow Peaches/ Good Morning Little Schoolgirl/ Sloppy Drunk, more rcent
compositions like Man Among Men and 56 Plymouth and even
You Are My Sunshine - 17 in all. Joe's 9-string is amplified with heavy
use of tremelo giving these recordings a unique feel.
|
| BIG JOE WILLIAMS |
Wolf 120.916 |
Shake Your Boogie |
● CD $16.98 $11.98 |
13 tracks, 34 mins, highly recommended
CD issue of Wolf
120.918 with considerably improved sound. The great Mississippi country
bluesman and unique 9-string guitarist recorded live in Jackson, Mississippi
in 1974. Big Joe is in his usual great form and performs a particularly
energetic selection of mostly familiar items from his repertoire along with
a few less common items. Includes The Death Of Dr. Martin Luther King/
Sloppy DRunk/ Annie Mae/ Rusty Can Blues/ baby, Please Don't Go/ Bull Cow
Blues, etc. The original LP release was almost unlistenable and while
this CD won't win any audio awards it's quite listenable and, if like me,
you can never have too much Big Joe, then it's worthy addition to your
collection. (FS)
|
| SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON |
Camden (UK) 569622 |
The Bluebird Blues |
● CD $11.98 $9.98 |
Last copy. Fine 23 track collection drawn from the first
four sessions by the great John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson in 1937 and 1938.
With accompaniments from Joe Williams, Robert Lee McCoy, Walter Davis, Yank
Rachell and others he performs classic songs like Good Morning Little
Schoolboy/ Early In the Morning/ You Give An Account/ Blue Bird Blues/
Jackson Blues/ Deep Down In the Ground/ Black Gal Blues/ Miss Louisa Blues,
etc.
|
| SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON |
Purple Pyramid 833 |
I Ain't Beggin' Nobody |
● CD $13.98 $8.98 |
15 tracks, 40 mins, highly recommended
Complementing
Arhoolie 310 ("King Biscuit Time" - $12.98) this is another great collection
of recordings made by the wonderful singer and harmonica player Sonny Boy
Williamson for Lillian McMurray's Trumpet label in Jackson, Mississippi in
the early 50s. It features at least take of all the songs not on the
Arhoolie set including tracks not originally issued. The tracks are drawn
from five different sessions in 1953 and 1954 with different line ups. The
use of a sax on some cuts seems a little incongruous but is well done and
sidemen on these sessions include Willie Love, Joe Willie Wilkins, Lester
Williams, David Campbell, B.B. King and others. Tracks include a song about
Trumpet's owner Lillian McMurray 309 Blues, one about the train that
took him and his good friend Willie Love to Houston for a session City Of
New Orleans, the upbeat instrumental Clownin' With The World and
a reworking of his classic Mighty Long Time as No Nights By Myself.
(FS)
|
| RALPH WILLIS |
Document DOCD 5256 |
Complete Recorded Works In Chronological
Order, Vol 1 |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
25 tracks, 68 mins, recommended
Ralph Willis was an
excellent, obscure, East Coast country blues singer/ guitarist. Originally
from Alabama he moved to North Carolina where he came under the influence of
Blind Boy Fuller, Brownie McGhee and Buddy Moss and their influence can be
heard on his style. He settled in New York in the late 30s and started
recording in 1944. His early sides are particularly fine with fluid guitar
playing in the Fuller mould and expressive singing. Later recordings often
feature a second guitarist (often Brownie McGhee) and/or a bass player which
make the rhythms a bit more rigid. On a number of tracks he is accompanied
by washboard player Pete Sanders and the result is some delightful country
dance music. Willis's songs are mosyly original, often based on traditional
themes. Sound is good and there are brief notes by dave Moore. (FS)
RALPH WILLIS: Amen Blues/ Boar Hog Blues/ Christmas Blues/
Church Bells/ Comb Your Kitty Kat/ Cool That Thing/ Eloise/ Everyday I Weep
And Moan/ Goin' To Chattanooga/ Goin' To Virginia/ I Will Never Love Again/
I'm Gonna Rock/ I've Been A Fool/ Just A Note/ Mama, Mama Blues/
Neighbourhood Blues/ New Goin' Down Slow/ Shake That Thing/ So Many Days/
Somebody's Got To Go/ Sportin' Life/ Steel Mill Blues/ That Gal's No Good/
Trouble Don't Last/ Worried Blues
|
| RALPH WILLIS |
Document DOCD 5257 |
Complete Recorded Works, Vol 1 + Complete
LEROY DALLAS |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
25 tracks, 68 min., very good
Continuing from Volume 1
(Document 5256), this volume contains the rest of Ralph Willis' postwar
recordings, beginning with the remainder of the issued Jubilee recordings
(see Sequel 749 : "Jumping at the Jubilee" - $15.98 - for 2 more unissued
sides), plus Leroy Dallas' complete Sittin' in with recordings & two of
Dallas' 1962 Peter Welding recordings. Long time collectors will know some
of these Ralph Willis titles from the Blues Classics and King albums. Sonny
Terry and/or Brownie McGhee are on hand to help out, especially on Cold
Chills and Gonna Hop On Down The Line. Leroy Dallas' 1948
recordings - originally reissued on Blues Classics, PWB and Negro Art
albums, are gathered here on CD for the 1st time. Five of these recordings
feature pianist Big Chief Ellis & Brownie McGhee on el. gtr, with Ellis'
piano at the forefront on Your Sweet Man's Blues and I'm Going
Away. The last 2 tracks are from a body of work recorded in 1962 by the
late Pete Welding which I hope one day will see the light of day on
Testament Records. (EL)
|
| JIMMY WILSON |
Official 5256 |
Jumpin' From Six To Six |
● CD $17.98 $12.98 |
26 tracks, 69 mins, recommended
Excellent, but problematic,
collection of West Coast blues from Wilson who has had very little of his
work reissued on CD. He had an R&B hit in 1953 with his version of Tin
Pan Alley and recorded the exciting Jumping From Six To Six which
has inspired a number of covers. Both of these great songs are featured
here. Wilson is a fine singer who first sang with the gospel group The
Pilgrim Travelers and his vocals show a strong gospel influence. The
recordings here were cut between 1951 and 1961, usually in the company of
top West Coast musicians like the great guitarist Lafayette Thomas, sax men
Que Martin & Wild Willie Moore and pianist King Solomon. I am particularly
fond of his minor key, doomy blues and there are a number of these songs
here. Musically this is deserving of an "essential" rating, unfortunately
the remastering frequently leaves a lot to be desired and the absence of
liner notes or discographical info are regrettable. (FS)
|
| JIMMY WITHERSPOON |
Blue Boar 1018 |
Ain't Nobody's Business |
● CD $12.98 $8.98 |
24 great early sides
JIMMY WITHERSPOON: Ain't Nobody's Business, Pt. 1/ Ain't
Nobody's Business, Pt. 2/ All My Geets Are Gone/ Bar Fly Blues/ Big Heart/
Call My Baby/ Ernestine/ Funny Style Baby/ Hey Mr. Landlord/ I Want a Little
Girl/ Long About Dawn/ Lush Head Woman/ Miss Candy B/ Money's Gettin'
Cheaper/ New Look/ Please Stop Playing Those Blues, Boy/ Roll on Katy/
Shipyard Woman Blues/ Skid Row Blues/ Spoon Calls Hootie/ Strange Woman
Blues/ Third Floor Blues/ Voodoo Woman Blues/ Wandering Gal Blues
|
| JIMMY WITHERSPOON |
Blues Collection 160 092 |
Spoon Sings The Blues, 1946-1950 |
● CD $11.98 $8.98 |
22 tracks, 69 mins, highly recommended
A perfect
introduction to the early recordings of this big voiced blues shouter
recorded between 1946 and 1950. Accompanied by groups led by his first Jay
McShann, Buddy Tate, Buddy Floyd and others he performs some of his biggest
R&B hits including the wonderful two-part Ain't Nobody's Business
plus In the Evening When The Sun Goes Down/ No Rpllin' Blues/ Big Fine
Girl and lots of great non hits like Roll On Katy/ Bar Fly Blues/
Christmas Blues/ Back Water Blues/ Early Morning Blues/ Call My Baby/ Jump
Childredn/ I'm Goin' Around In Circles/ There Ain't Nothin' Better (a
duet with Mickey Champion) and more. Sidemen on these sessions includes
McShann, "Tiny" Webb, Jesse Price, Bill Doggett, Maxwell davis, "Chuck"
Norris and more top flight West Coast sidemen. Sound quality is excellent
and booklet has notes in French and English and full discographical info.
(FS)
JIMMY WITHERSPOON: Ain't Nobody's Business/ Back Water
Blues/ Bar Fly Blues/ Big Fine Girl/ Cain River Blues/ Call My Baby/
Christmas Blues/ Doctor Blues/ Early Morning Blues/ Frogimore Blues/ Gone
With The Blues/ I'm Goin' Around In Circles/ I'm Just Wondering/ In The
Evening/ Jump Children/ Just A Country Boy/ Money Eyes Woman/ No Rollin'
Blues/ Please Stop Playing These Blues, Boy/ Roll On Katy/ Sweet Loving
Baby/ There Ain't Nothing Better
|
| JIMMY WITHERSPOON |
Collectables 7722 |
Spoon |
● CD $12.98 $8.98 |
Something a little different from the great blues shouter on
this 1961 Reprise album. Spoon does straight ahead renditions of pop and
jazz standards like Lover Come Back To Me/ Do Nothin' 'till You Hear From
Me/ We'll Be Together Again/ Just Sittin' And A Rockin/ Music Maestro
Please/ Don't Worry 'Bout Me and others accompanied by a fine band
including Gerald Wilson, Si Zentner, Lanny Morgan, Gerry Wiggins, Al Viola,
Earl Palmer and others. Spoon does a fine job and while this may not appeal
to diehard blues fans there's a lot to like in his expressive vocals and
fine arrangements.
|
| CARL WOLFE & GROUP |
Inside Mempis ISC 0516 |
W.C. Handy's Beale Street - Where The Blues
Began |
● CD $15.98 $8.98 |
A group led by co-founder of the Memphis Jazz Orchestra
performs songs written and published by blues pioneer W.C. Handy - Harlem
Blues/ St. Louis Blues/ Friendless Blues/ Basement Blues/ Blue-Gummed Blues/
Loveless Love/ Wall Street Blues/ Ole Miss/ Chantez Les Bas/ Way Down South
Where The Blues Began, etc. - 21 tunes in all.
|
| MARVA WRIGHT |
Shout 31 |
Do Right Woman - The Soul Of New Orleans |
● CD $15.98 $11.98 |
13 tracks, 59 min., recommended
T he record label does all it
can to focus attention (why?) on the soul side of this reissue (originally
released in 1993 on Sky Ranch), including changing the track order, but
still Wright comes off as a blues belter who can squeeze out a
more-than-respectable performance on a soul ballad. And that's no slight,
just description. So while Born With The Blues and Tommy Ridgley's
Three Times seem closer to magnetic north on Wright's stylistic compass
than It's Gonna Be All Right, it's all headed in the direction of
good. Unsurprisingly, her version of Hound Dog owes more to Big Mama
Thornton than it does to the big E. The backing musicians include such top
flighters as Sonny Landreth (slide guitar), Walter "Wolfman" Washington
(drums), Tracy Griffin (trumpet), Davell Crawford (piano), Marc Adams
(piano), and others. (JC)
|
| JOHNNY YOUNG |
Testament TCD 5003 |
Johnny Young & His Friends |
● CD $11.98 $7.98 |
18 tracks, 55 min., good
Reissue of Testament 2226,
comprising an assortment of "informal" mid-sixties recordings featuring
Little Walter, Otis Spann, Robert Nighthawk and others. Young was part of
the southern migration that fueled post-war Chicago, but lacked the frontman
qualities and vocal talents of his influential companions Sonny Boy
Williamson and Muddy Waters. As a result he is remembered mostly as a
respected accompanist who never lost his rural string band roots. Young's
mandolin playing is his most distinguished feature, heard to good effect in
the crisply recorded small group settings of Sugar Farm Blues/ Kid Man
Blues and the unissued Bumble Bee. His solo performances of
Want My Lovin'/ My Home Ain't Here are also memorable for their assured,
chugging acoustic guitar and convincing vocals. The full band cuts rock, but
are not always distinct in sound or style. Still there are plenty of chances
to enjoy the all-star sidemen, particularly Little Walter, who steals the
show on I'm Leaving Baby. (MB)
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