Blues & Gospel - Jazz Gillum -> Leothus "Lee" Green

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BLUES & GOSPEL
Jazz Gillum -> Leothus "Lee" Greene

JAZZ GILLUM
LLOYD GLENN
LILLIAN GLINN
MAE GLOVER
THE GOLDEN EAGLES
THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET
JIMMIE GORDON
ROSCO GORDON THE GOSPEL HUMMINGBIRDS
COOT GRANT & KID WILSON
BLIND ROOSEVELT & UAROY GRAVES
HENRY GRAY
LEOTHUS "LEE" GREEN

JAZZ GILLUM Document DOCD 5197 Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 1 ● CD $15.98

23 Tracks, 68 Mins, good
The first of four CDs featuring the complete 30s and 40s recordings of this popular singer/ harmonica player. Originally from Mississippi he went to Chicago in the 20s and in the 30s became a member of the coterie of artists assembled by the ubiquitous Lester Melrose. Gillum was a pleasant, warm, if somewhat inexpressive singer and an unexceptional harmonica player with a shrill reedy tone which gets wearing in large doses. The first six tunes from 1936 with accompaniments by Big Bill Broonzy and a bass player have a nice loose country dance feel to them - the opener Sarah Jane is particularly entertaining. Later recordings expand the group with piano and washboard and the sound becomes much more rigid and predictable though the six cuts from March 1938 feature some nice early electric guitar work from George Barnes. The last seven tracks really drag - all have pretty much the same tempo, are in the same key and only a few have memorable lyrics. Jazz Gillum made some fine records and a "Best Of" would be most worthwhile - this comprehensive approach for such a limited artist seems really unnecessary. (FS)
JAZZ GILLUM: Alberta Blues/ Birmingham Blues/ Boar Hog Blues/ Don't You Scandalize My Name/ Gillum's Windy Blues/ Good Old 51 Highway/ I Want You By My Side/ I Went To The Gypsy/ I'm Gonna Get It/ I'm That Man Down In The Mine/ Jockey Blues/ Just Like Jesse James/ Mule Blues/ My Old Lizzie/ My Old Suitcase/ New 'sail On, Little Girl'/ Reefer Head Woman/ Sarah Jane/ She Keeps On Rickin'/ Sweet Sweet Woman/ Uncertain Blues/ Worried And Bothered/ You're Laughing Now

JAZZ GILLUM Document DOCD 5198 Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 2 ● CD $15.98

25 tracks, 72 min., very good
In this, the 2nd of four volumes, singer/harmonica player William McKinley Gillum (1904-1966) is accompanied on all tracks by Big Bill Broonzy (gtr) and a bassist, with an occasional pianist (Joshua Altheimer) and washboard player (Washboard Sam, Amanda Sorter). All produced by the legendary Lester Melrose (1891-1968), it contains one of the earliest blues standards, Key To The Highway, recorded on May 9/1940, and it's answer record, I'm Still Walking The Hi-Way, which surely must have prompted Big Bill to 'shadow' this important song (available on Document 5133 - $16.98) - a song recently covered by Eric Clapton. Also included along with all the Bluebird recordings are 2 unissued Vocalion recordings, with Poor Boy Blues making it's first appearance on CD. (EL)
JAZZ GILLUM: Against My Will/ Big Katy Adams/ Get Away Old Woman/ Get Your Busines/ Got To Reap What You Sow/ Hard Drivin' Woman/ I'll Get Along Somehow/ I'm Still Walking The Hi-way/ Is That A Monkey You Got?/ It Sure Had A Kick/ Key To The Highway/ Keyhole Blues/ Let Her Go/ Little Woman/ Longest Train Blues/ Muddy Pond Blues/ One Time Blues/ Poor Boy Blues/ Riley Springs Blues/ She Belongs To Me/ She Won't Treat Me Kind/ Somebody Been Talking To You/ Stavin' Chain/ Straight/ Talking To Myself

JAZZ GILLUM Document DOCD 5199 Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 3 ● CD $15.98

25 tracks, 74 mins, recommended
The third volume of Gillum's recordings features 20 tracks from 3 sessions in 1941 and '42 and 5 from two sessions in 1945 and '46 after Gillum's return from army service. The first session has four songs featuring the overbearing washboard and percussion of Amanda Sorter who seems to determined to drown out everybody else at the session. The rest of the tracks are much better and although Gillum's harmonica work is still woefully dull his singing has become warmer and more expressive. His December 1941 session features the wonderful topical song War Time Blues which includes the line "It ain't gonna be no peace in Europe 'til we chop off Hitler's head"! Other fine performances include You Drink Too Much Whiskey/ I Couldn't Help It Blues/ Deep Water Blues/ Afraid To Trust Them and his version of the popular I'm Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town. Guitar work is handled in his usual exemplary fashion by Big Bill Broonzy and the piano honors are mostly divided among Horace Malcolm, Blind John Davis and Roosevelt Sykes. On the February, 1946 session to be continued on Volume 4 the piano seat is taken by the magnificent Big Maceo. Excellent sound and interesting and amusing notes by Keith Briggs. (FS)
JAZZ GILLUM: Afraid To Trust Them/ Deep Water Blues/ Down South Blues/ Five Feet Four/ From Now On/ Go Back To The Country/ I Couldn't Help It Blues/ I Got Somebody Else/ I'm Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town/ It Looks Bad For You/ It's All Over Now/ Maybe You'll Love Me Too/ Me And My Buddy/ My Big Money/ No Friend Blues/ One Letter Home/ Reckless Rider Blues/ Tell Me, Mama/ War Time Blues/ Water Pipe Blues/ Whiskey Head Buddies/ Woke Up Cold In Hand/ You Are Doingme Wrong/ You Drink Too Much Whiskey/ You're Tearing Your Playhouse Down

JAZZ GILLUM Document DOCD 5200 Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 4 ● CD $15.98

JAZZ GILLUM: A Lie Is Dangerous/ All In All Blues/ Can't Trust Myself/ Chauffer Blues/ Country Woman Blues/ Fast Woman/ Gonna Be Some Shooting/ Gonna Take My Rap/ Hand Reader Blues/ I'm Gonna Train My Baby/ I'm Not The Lad/ Jazz Gillum's Blues/ Keep On Sailing/ Long Razor Blues/ Look On Yonder Wall/ Look What You Are Today/ Roll Dem Bones/ Signifying Woman/ Take A Little Walk With Me/ Take One More Chance With M/ The Blues What Am/ The Devil Blues/ What A Gal/ You Got To Run Me Down/ You Should Give Some Away

JAZZ GILLUM Fremeaux & Associes FQ2CD 260 Harmonica Chicago Blues, 1934-1947 ● CD $21.98

Two CD set - 36 tracks. Nicely chosen survey of the recording career of this popular performer. It includes some of his best songs like Sarah Jane/ Key To The Highway/ War Time Blues/ Look On Yonders Wall and others. Gillum's fine vocals and limited harmonica playing are accompanied by Big Bill Broonzy, Washboard Sam, Blind John Davis, Roosevelt Sykes, Willie Lacey, Ransom Knowling and othees. 24 page booklet with notes in English and French plus discographical info and photos.
JAZZ GILLUM: Afraid To Trust Them/ All In All Blues/ Can't Trust Myself/ Country Woman Blues/ Don't You Scandalize My Name/ Down South Blues/ Five Feet Four/ Gillum's Windy Blues/ Go Back To The Country/ Good Old 51 Highway/ Hand Reader Blues/ Harmonica Stomp/ I'll Get Along Somehow/ I'm Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town/ I'm Gonna Train My Baby/ I'm Still Walking The Highway/ It Sure Had A Kick/ It's All Over Now/ Jazz Gillum's Blues./ Keep On Sailing/ Key To The Highway/ Longest Train Blues/ Look On Yonder's Wall/ Me And My Buddy/ Poor Boy Blues/ Reckless Rider Blues/ Riley Springs Blues/ Roll Dem Bones/ Sarah Jane/ Signifying Woman/ Tell Me Mama/ The Blues What Am/ The Devil Blues/ War Time Blues/ Water Pipe Blues/ You Got To Run Me Down

LLOYD GLENN Night Train 7009 Chica Boo ● CD $16.98

18 tracks, 47 min., recommended
Before he cut his rare and sought-after LP for the Mesner Brothers of Aladdin/Score in the mid-50's, Lloyd Glenn played with territory bands in the 30's and various jazz/blues ensembles throughout the 40's. But he made his first real inroads into recorded popularity both under his own name and as a session pianist with the Swing Time tracks that are featured here. Eight of the numbers are instrumentals by the Lloyd Glenn Combo or by the Edgar Hayes Stardusters, including two major hits from 1950 and 1951 respectively, Chica Boo and Old Time Shuffle Blues. The rest of the program features Glenn as a backup musician for Jesse Thomas, Joe Pullum, or Lowell Fulson. Highlights among the vocals include I Can't Stay Here by Thomas, Alberta by Pullum, and Good Times Back Home by Fulson. All in all, a plentiful supply of fine blues numbers in a mellow mood. Solid sound quality and brief notes. (DH)
LLOYD GLENN: Alberta/ Black Fantasy/ Blues Hangover/ Century Room/ Chica Boo/ Christmas Celebration/ Congo Rhumba/ Fat Meat & Greens/ Good Times Back Home/ I Can't Stay Here/ I'm Contented/ I'm So Blue/ It's You I'm Thinking Of/ My Woman/ Now Is The Time/ Old Time Shuffle/ Sunday Morning Boogie/ You're All Right With Me

LILLIAN GLINN Document DOCD 5184 Complete Recordings In Chronological Order (1927-29) ● CD $15.98

22 tracks, 68 min., good
Discovered as a singer of spirituals, this native Texan recorded secular material for only the two year period indicated above, during which she did six sessions for Columbia. Her powerful contralto recorded well, but her accompanists - Willie Tyson, Octave Gaspard, Pete Underwood, and Taylor Flanagan - tended to be solid rather than inspired. And most of her numbers feature the same slow tempo. Her repertoire here includes All Alone and Blue/ Doggin' Me Blues/ The Man I Love Is Worth Talking About/ I'm a Front Door Woman with a Back Door Man, and the key-as-phallus or vice versa Wobble It a Little Daddy. Good sound for the time period, brief but informative notes, and typical Document label graphics. (DH)
LILLIAN GLINN: All Alone And Blue/ All The Week Blues/ Atlanta Blues/ Best Friend Blues/ Black Man Blues/ Brown Skin Blues/ Cannon Ball Blues/ Come Home Daddy/ Cravin' A Man Blues/ Doggin' Me Blues/ Don't Leave Me Daddy/ I Love That Thing/ I'm A Front Door Woman With A Back Door Man/ I'm Through (shedding Tears Over You)/ Lost Letter Blues/ Moanin' Blues/ Packing House Blues/ Shake It Down/ Shreveport Blues/ The Man I Love Is Worth Talking About/ Where Have All The Black Men Gone/ Wobble It A Little Daddy

MAE GLOVER Document DOCD 5185 Complete Recordings In Chronological Order (1927-31) ● CD $15.98

22 tracks, 61 mins, recommended
Mae Glover is a totally obscure singer but a very fine one with an expressive and soulful vocal style. The first 6 tracks from April 1927 and were issued as by May Armstrong but are almost certainly the same singer who later recorded as Glover. She is accompanied by a fine piano player (possibly Lonnie Johnson) plus violin or mandolin. The four tracks from August 1927 by Side Whel Sally Duffie with Will Ezell are less obviously Glover but are nice. The best sides here are the four terrific performances from July, 1929 where Glover is accompanied by Misissippi guitarist John Byrd who was possibly the only Mississippi bluesman to record with 12 string guitar. It includes the amazing Pig Meat Papa where she emulates the yodeling of white bluesman Jimmie Rodgers and the wonderful risque dialogue with Byrd on Gas Man Blues. The final 8 tracks from 1931 are generally less interesting with rather sedate performances by Glover and lackluster accompaniments by pianist Charle O'Neil and trumpet player James Parker. Generally good sound interesting notes by Ken Romanowski. (FS)
MAY ARMSTRONG: Don't Beg Your Man Back/ Joe Boy Blues/ Lonesome Atlanta Blues/ Nobody Can Take His Place/ Sweetest Man Blues/ Woodchopping Blues/ SIDE WHEEL SALLY DUFFIE: Kid Man Blues/ Kind Papa Blues/ Thinking Blues/ Treat 'em Right Blues/ MAY GLOVER: Forty-four Blues/ Gas Man Blues/ Good Hearted Woman/ Grasshopper Papa/ Hoboken Prison Blues/ I Ain't Givin' Nobody None/ My Man Blues/ Pig Meat Mama/ Shake It Daddy/ Skeeter Blues/ The County Farm Blues/ Two Timin' Woman

THE GOLDEN EAGLES Rounder 2073 Lightning and Thunder ● CD $15.98

At last someone (Ron Levy) has recorded a troupe of Mardi Gras Indians in the live, natural setting of just their drums, vocals, and friends. The Golden Eagles, led by Monk Boudreaux, have long been one of New Orlean's best groups, both in terms of elaboration of their Indian beaded costumes and their musical prowess, as well as their dedication to the Indian tradition. Here they chant and drum their songs- "Two-Way-Pak-E-Way", "Shoo Fly", "Indian Red", "Hold 'Em Joe"- live in the H&R Bar, capturing the essence of this unique celebration of black and Indian culture. With fine notes by Michael Smith. (JM)

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET Blue Moon BMCD 3015 The Early Years, 1937-39 ● CD $13.98

32 great tracks though all available elsewhere - Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Bedside Of A Neighbor/ Born Ten Thousand Years Ago/ Massa's In The Cold Cold Ground/ Travelin' Shoes/ Lead Me On And On/ Take Your Burdens To God/ Let That Liar Alone/ Saints Go Marching In/ To The Rock/ Packing Up-Getting Ready/ Ol' Man Mose/ If I Had My Way/ 'Way Down In Egypt Land/ You Better Mind/ Every Time I Feel The Spirit and many more.

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET Blue Moon BMCD 3016 Greatest Hits, 1946-1950 ● CD $13.98

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET Document DOCD 5472 Complete Record Works, Vol. 1 - 1937/38 ● CD $15.98

23 tracks, 56 min., essential
Do note from the very beginning that Document's motto is "Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order." And for the Gates, that means an opening foray of no less than four volumes. In this, the first volume, we are treated to the material recorded for the Bluebird label at two Charlotte, North Carolina sessions. These were the group's first sessions, one in August of 1937 and one in January of 1938. Highlights include Golden Gate Gospel Train, Jonah, Won't There Be One Happy Time, a dreamy reading of the secular number Carolina in the Morning, John the Revelator, Remember Me, Dipsy Doodle, Swanee River, and Lead Me On And On. A splendid mix of jumping jubilee numbers, spoken semonettes, and ballads of both a worldly and a divine character - all featuring excellent sound quality. If you don't have this material in one of its earlier incarnations, this Document series is well worth consideration. (DH)
THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Bedside Of A Neighbor/ Behold The Bridegroom Cometh/ Bonnet/ Born Ten Thousand Years Ago/ Carolina In The Morning/ Dipsy Doodle/ Found A Wonderful Savior/ Gabriel Blows His Horn/ Go Where I Send Thee/ Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Job/ John, The Revelator/ Jonah/ Lead Me On And On/ Massa's In The Cold, Cold Ground/ Motherless Child/ Preacher And The Bear/ Pure Religion/ Remember Me/ Stand In The Test In Judgment/ Swanee River/ Travelin' Shoes/ Won't There Be One Happy Time

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET Document DOCD 5473 Complete Record Works, Vol. 2 - 1938/39 ● CD $15.98

23 tracks, 56 min., essential
Volume two, which features the recordings from four separate sessions, opens with a dual tempo version of the barbershop classic Sweet Adeline. Subsequent numbers include Sampson, Take Your Burdens to God, Ol' Man River, Rock My Soul, To The Rock, Saints Go Marching In, What Are They Doing in Heaven Today, Packing Up-Getting Ready to Go, Trouble of the World, Everything Moves by the Grace of God, and This World Is in a Bad Condition. More music from the masters of jubilee style gospel singing - like the other volumes in this series, much too good to miss. Sound quality is again above reproach. And Keith Briggs notes are more than commonly informative. DH
THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Bye And Bye Little Children/ Cheer The Weary Traveler/ Everything Moves By The Grace Of God/ God Almighty Said/ I Heard Zion Moan/ I Was Brave/ Let That Liar Alone/ Lis'n To De Lambs/ Lord, Am I Born To Die?/ My Lord Is Writing/ Noah (028964)/ Ol' Man River/ Packing Up - Getting Ready To Go/ Rock My Soul/ Saints Go Marching In/ Sampson/ Sweet Adeline/ Take Your Burdens To God/ This World Is In A Bad Condition/ To The Rock/ Troubles Of The World/ What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?/ When They Ring The Golden Bells

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET Document DOCD 5474 Complete Record Works, Vol. 3 - 1939 ● CD $15.98

Having achieved national stardom through their radio broadcasts by this time, the year 1939 saw an increase in the recording rate of the Golden Gate Quartet, with three productive sessions taking place in February, October, and December. The material that was released is primarily gospel as expected, but, once again, a few secular numbers do manage to creep into their repertoire. Program highlights include the Thomas Dorsey classic Precious Lord, Noah, What a Time, If I Had My Way, Our Father, You'd Better Mind, the rather worldly Whoa Babe, Stormy Weather, Timber, Jonah in the Whale, the delightful My Walking Stick, and Darling Nellie Gray. Of special note are the two live audience recordings made during their appearance at the second Spirituals to Swing concert in 1939 - Gospel Train and I'm on My Way. Other than those last two tracks, which are a bit rough, sound quality is again exceptional. DH
THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Change Partners/ Darling Nellie Gray/ Every Time That I Feel The Spirit/ Gospel Train (concert)/ He Said He Could Calm The Ocean/ Hide Me In Thy Bosom/ I Looked Down The Line And I Wondered/ I'm A Pilgrim/ I'm On My Way (concert)/ If I Had My Way/ Jonah In The Whale/ Julius Caesar/ My Walking Stick/ Noah (031980)/ Ol' Man Mose/ Our Father/ Precious Lord/ Stormy Weather/ The Devil With The Devil/ Timber/ Way Down In Egypt Land/ What A Time/ What's New?/ Whoa Babe/ You'd Better Mind

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET Document DOCD 5475 Complete Record Works, Vol. 4 - 1939-43 ● CD $15.98

24 tracks, 60 min., essential
During 1941, the group experienced its first personnel change when William Langford left to join the Southern Sons. He was replaced by Clyde Reddick. Also, after a mere three tracks here on volume four, the Gates tenure at Bluebird (RCA) came to an end, and their days on Okeh/Columbia began. In addition, the last four numbers here - Julius Caesar, Summer Rain, The Gospel Train, and The Preacher and the Bear - come from wartime V Discs. Otherwise, the Bluebird cuts include My Prayer, and The Valley of Time. The Columbia tracks include Jezebel, Blind Barnabas, Didn't It Rain, He Never Said a Mumblin' Word, Run On, Stalin Wasn't Stallin', and Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer. More great music, all of it anchored in the jubilee gospel tradition that the performances of the Gates virtually defined. (DH)
THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Anyhow/ Blind Barnabas/ Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer/ Daniel Saw The Stone/ Didn't It Rain/ Dip Your Fingers In The Water/ God Told Nicodemus/ Handwriting On The Wall/ He Never Said A Mumblin' Word/ Jezebel/ Julius Caesar/ Moses Smote The Waters/ My Prayer/ My Time Done Come/ Run On/ Stalin Wasn't Stallin'/ Summer Rain/ The Gospel Train/ The Preacher And The Bear/ The Sun Didn't Shine/ The Valley Of Time/ Time's Winding Up/ Toll The Bell Easy/ What Did Jesus Say?

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET Document DOCD 5638 Complete Recordings, Vol. 5 : 1945-1949 ● CD $15.98

The fifth volume of the groups commercial recordings features 25 tracks recorded between 1945 and '49 - The General Jumped At Dawn/ Bones, Bones, Bones (Ezekial In the Valley)/ Swing Down, Chariot/ Atom And Evil/ Hush!/ Wade In The water, etc.
THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Abdullah/ Atom And Evil/ Bones, Bones, Bones (Ezekiel In The Valley)/ Broodle-oo, Broodle-oo/ Do Unto Others/ Fare You Well, Fare You Well/ God's Gonna Cut 'em Down/ High, Low And Wide/ Hush!/ I Will Be Home Again/ I'm Just A Dreamer/ Jesus Met The Woman At The Well/ John Saw The Wheel/ Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho/ Lord, I Am Tired And I Want To Go Home/ Mary Mary/ Mene, Mene, Tekel/ No Restricted Signs (up In Heaven)/ Pray For The Lights To Go Out/ Shadrack/ She's Gonna Ruin You, Buddy/ Swing Down, Chariot/ Talking Jerusalem To Death/ The General Jumped At Dawn/ Wade In The Water

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET Document DOCD 5658 In Chronological Order, Vol. 6 : 1949-1952 ● CD $15.98

22 tracks, 60 mins, recommended
22 cuts from after the heyday of this group. It includes more fine sides in their distinctive jubilee style but often with unnecessary instrumental accompaniment. Other tracks find them trying the harder edged contemporary gospel style and doing it very well but in contrast there are uninteresting "pop" oriented performances. Still, there's enough satisfying tracks here to make it worth a listen. Includes Seven Angels & Seven Trumpets/ Religion Is A Fortune/ There's A Man Going 'Round Taking Names/ Ride On Moses/ Hold The Wind/ Mother's Love/ I Just Telephone Upstairs/ The General Jumped At Dawn, etc. (FS)
THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Bones, Bones, Bones/ Didn't That Man Believe/ Hit The Road To Dreamland (film Soundtrack With Dick Powell & Mary Martin)/ Hold The Wind/ I Just Telephone Upstairs/ Listen To The Lambs/ Look Up!/ Lord I Want To Be A Christian/ Lord I Want To Walk With Thee/ Mother's Love/ Nicodemus/ On Top Of Old Smokey/ Rain Is The Teardrops Of Angels/ Religion Is A Fortune/ Ride On Moses/ Same Train/ Satisfied/ Seven Angels And Seven Trumpets/ There's A Man Going �round Taking Names/ You Ain't Got Faith (till You Got Religion)/ You Better Mind

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET Fremeaux & Associates 002 Gospel 1937-41 ● CD $25.98

2 CD's, 36 tracks, 90 min., essential. A fantastic package for those who enjoyed the recent Gates reissue and want more. This set improves on the double LP of years ago with pristine fidelity and a wider span of time. Several of the best 1930's tracks appear, with the unsurpassed Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Go Where I Send Thee/ I Looked Down The Road/ My Walking Stick/ Whoa Babe, more outstanding vocal effects, and tight jubilee singing. Their high standards carry through to six rare sides from 1940-41, with the uplifting Jezebel, a mournful Anyhow and two uptempo songs with Leadbelly. Not all are gospel, but their popular and jazz-inspired numbers are rendered with equal polish and humor in the Gates' influential "human orchestra" style. (MB)

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET Goldies 25435 Rock My Soul & Other Gospel Favorites ● CD $19.98

Three CD set with 42 songs.
GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Anyhow/ Behold The Bridegroom Cometh/ Born Ten Thousand Years Ago/ Carolina In The Morning/ Daniel Saw The Stone/ Didnt It Rain/ Every Time That I Feel The Spirit/ Everything Moves By The Grace Of God/ Gabriel Blows His Horn/ Go Where I Send Thee/ Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Hide Me In Thy Bosom/ I Heard Zion Moan/ I Looked Down The Road And Wondered/ Im A Pilgrim/ Jezebel/ John The Revelator/ Jonah And The Whale/ Lead Me On And On/ Lord Am I Born To Die/ Motherless Child/ My Lord Is Waiting/ My Walking Stick/ Noah/ Ol Man Mose/ Our Father/ Packing Up - Getting Ready To Go/ Pick A Bale Of Cotton/ Precoius Lord/ Remember Me/ Rock Island Line/ Rock My Soul/ Saints Go Marching In/ Sampson/ Sweet Adeline/ Take Your Burdens To God/ Timber/ Travelin Shoes/ Troubles Of The World/ What Are They Doing In Heaven Today/ When They Ring The Golden Bells/ Whoa Babe

JIMMIE GORDON Document DOCD 5648 Complete Recordings, Vol. 1, 1934-1936 ● CD $15.98

22 tracks, 68 tracks, recommended
First of three discs presenting the complete recordings of this fine singer and piano player who has been overlooked by most blues researchers. Although he recorded more than 60 sides between 1934 and '41, and so must have been fairly popular, his life is a total mystery. He has generally been associated with St. Louis but liner note writer Dave Evans makes a good case for Gordon being based in Chicago. He was a good singer in the vein of Bumble Bee Slim or Bill Gaither but a bit more intense. He played his own piano on some of his recordings or was accompanied by the piano of Charles Segar, Horace Malcolm or Dot Rice. Other musicians featured include Charlie McCoy, Scrapper Blackwell, Carl Martin, John Lindsey and others. His songs are a mixture of popular songs of the day and some good originals like Louise Louisa Blues/ Yo Yo Mama Blues/ Graveyard Blues/ Mother Blues and the topical Don't Take Away My P.W.A. Sound on a few tracks is a bit rough but most sound good and there are excellent notes by David Evans. (FS)
JIMMIE GORDON: Baker Man/ Bed Springs Blues/ Bed Springs Blues No. 2/ Big Four Whistle Blues/ Black Gal Blues (what Makes Your Head So Hard)/ Bye Bye Baby Blues/ Don't Take Away My P.w.a./ Drive Me Away Blues/ Drunken Woman Blues/ Gone Gal Blues/ Graveyard Blues (dead And Gone Blues)/ I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water/ I'll Take You Back/ Little Red Dress (mary Usta Wear)/ Louise, Louisa Blues/ Mean Mistreatin' Blues/ Mother Blues/ Neck Bone Blues/ She Sells Good Meat/ Soon In The Morning/ Sweet Jelly Rollin'/ Yo Yo Mama Blues

JIMMIE GORDON Document DOCD 5649 Complete Recordings, Vol. 2, 1936-1938 ● CD $15.98

JIMMIE GORDON: Alberta Alberta/ Bleeding Heart Blues/ C. C. & St. Louis Blues/ Crying My Blues Away/ Fast Life/ Good As I Been To You/ I Believe I Been Hoodooed/ Jacksonville - Part 1/ Jacksonville - Part 2/ Keep Your Nose Out Of Other People's Business/ Lonesome Bedroom Blues/ Me And My Gin/ Number Runner's Blues/ Playing In The Grass/ Plenty Trouble On Your Hand/ Rattlesnake Bite/ Sail With Me/ She Wants To Rattle Me All The Time/ She's Doin' It Now/ Think You Need A Shot/ Whip It To A Jelly/ You're Bound To Look Like A Monkey (when You Get Old)

JIMMIE GORDON Document DOCD 5650 Complete Recordings, Vol. 3, 1939-1946 ● CD $15.98

JIMMIE GORDON: (roll 'em Dorothy)/ Actions Speak Louder Than Words/ Beer Drinking Woman/ Boogie Woogie Blues/ Daddy Bear Blues/ Delhia/ Do That Thing/ Ease It To Me/ Fast Life/ Get Your Mind Out Of The Gutter/ Henpecked Man/ I'm Gonna Cut Out/ If The Walls Could Talk/ It Ain't Like That No More/ Jumpin' At The Club Blue Flame/ L & N Blues/ Let 'em Jump For Joy/ Lookin' For The Blues/ Nobody Knows The Trouble I See/ Rock That Boogie/ St. Peter Blues/ The Boogie Man/ The Mojo Blues/ Trigger Slim Blues

ROSCO GORDON Ace CDCHD 694 Bootin' - The Best Of The RPM Years ● CD $18.98

24 RPM sides from the early 50s by this distinctive Memphis vocalist.
ROSCOE GORDON: A New Remedy For Love/ Blues For My Baby/ Booted/ City Woman/ Cold Cold Winter/ Dime A Dozen/ Dream Baby aka Dream On Baby/ I Remember Your Kisses/ I'm In Love/ Just In From Texas/ Lucille (Looking For My Baby)/ Maria/ New Orleans Wimmen/ No More Doggin'/ Ouch! Pretty Baby/ Roscoe's Boogie/ Saddled The Cow (And Milked The Horse)/ Throwin' My Money Away/ Tomorrow May Be Too Late/ Trying/ Two Kinds Of Women/ We're All Loaded (Whiskey Made Me Drunk)/ What You Got On Your Mind/ Why Do I Love You Baby?

ROSCO GORDON Official 5555 T-Model Boogie ● CD $17.98

THE GOSPEL HUMMINGBIRDS Blind Pig 74691 Steppin' Out ● CD $16.98

Writer, lead singer, producer, promoter Roy Tyler and Oakland's own Gospel Hummingbirds Quintet have come a long way these past 22 years. The original Gospel Hummingbirds dispersed in 1970, then shortly after Joe Thomas Sr. and his son formed a new group. The guys' first wax outing came in 1975 on Randy Strickland's Strickland-and-son label. One of the songs recorded at that time, Swing Low, is done on this 12-song set with fully original arrangements. The outfit's sound borrows harmonically from The Violinaires, but is best likened overall to Willie Banks & The Gospel Messengers (which is compliment indeed). My favorite workout, Change, could well have been cut by Willie. The music, which leans heavy on rhythm, borrows from soul, disco and jazz and can jam up a storm. Members include Roy, Clarence Nichols, Joe Thomas, James Gibson Jr., and Josh Lowery. Solid stuff from our very own award-winning quintet. (OLN)

COOT GRANT & KID WILSON Document DOCD 5563 Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 - March 1925 to November 1928 ● CD $15.98

23 tracks, 65 mins, recommended
Great collection of black vaudeville and blues featuring the talented Leola B. "Coot" Grant and "Kid" Wesley Wilson. The duo pieces are witty and humorous and the duo are accompanied by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Buster Bailey, Shirley Clay, Rex Stewart and others as well as Wesley's own piano playing. There are a number of excellent solo blues by Grant issued under her married name of Leola B. Wilson - several featuring the beautiful guitar work of Blind Blake. Musically and historically this deserves a higher rating than recommended but the sound quality leaves a bit to be desired on many of the tracks. Several of the performances have such a high level of surface noise as to make for very difficult listening and many of the others have that shrill thin sound of acoustic recordings which could possibly be improved with sophisticated equalization but, as it stands, is pretty tiring to listen to after more than a few songs. It's too bad as the music is great! (FS)
GRANT & WILSON: (take 1)/ (take 2)/ Ashley St. Blues/ Black Biting Bee Blues/ Come On Coot Do That Thing/ Crying Won't Make Him Stay/ Dishrag Blues/ Down The Country/ Ducks/ Dying Blues/ Find Me At The Greasy Spoon (if You Miss Me Here)/ Find Me At The Greasy Spoon (if You Miss Me Here)/ Have Your Chill, I'll Be Here When Your Fever Rises/ Key Hole Blues/ Mama Didn't Do It And Papa Didn't Do It/ Rasslin' 'till The Wagon Comes/ Rock, Aunt Dinah, Rock/ Rollin' Mill Blues/ Scoop It/ Speak Now Or Hereafter Hold Your Peace/ State Street Men Blues/ Stevedore Man/ When Your Man Is Going To Put You Down (you Never Can Tell)/ Wilson Dam/ You Dirty Mistreater

COOT GRANT & KID WILSON Document DOCD 5564 Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 - November 1928 to Aug 1931 ● CD $15.98

GRANT & WILSON: Ain't Going To Give You None/ Big Trunk Blues/ Boop-poop-a-doop/ Can I Get Some Of That?/ Can You Do That To Me/ Deceiving Man Blues/ Dem Socks Dat My Pappy Wore/ Do It Right/ Get Off With Me/ Get Your Mind Out Of The Gutter/ Hard Times/ Honey You Done Gone Too Far/ My Friend John/ Old Age Is Creeping Upon You/ On Our Turpentine Farm/ Our Family Doctor/ Rockin' Chair Mary/ She Shake's A Mean Ash Can/ Stevedore Blues/ The Gin Done Done It/ Uncle Joe (349)/ You Need A Woman Like Me/ You Rascal You/ You'se My Friend

COOT GRANT & KID WILSON Document DOCD 5565 Complete Recordings, Vol. 3 - September 1931 to May '38 ● CD $15.98

GRANT & WILSON: Blue Monday On Sugar Hill/ Daddy What You Done To Me/ Dirty Spoon Blues/ Do It Again/ Do Your Duty/ Hot Papa, That Out/ I Am A Woman/ I Can't Get Enough/ I Don't Want That Stale Stuff/ Jive Lover/ Keep Your Hands Off My Mojo/ Lay Your Racket Down/ Lollypop/ Meat Cuttin' Blues/ Save A Little Bit For Me/ Take It Outa Here/ Take Me For A Buggy Ride/ Toot It, Brother Armstrong (12824)/ Toot It, Brother Armstrong (63875)/ Uncle Joe (63873)/ Water Trough Blues/ Whippin' The Wolf/ You Can't Do That To Me

BLIND ROOSEVELT & UAROY GRAVES Document DOCD 5105 Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ● CD $15.98

Roosevelt Graves was a Ms. guitarist/ singer who, along with his harmonizing, tambourine-playing brother Uaroy, was at home in juke joints and churches. The first 16 were all recorded during one day in 1929, and include I Shall Not Be Moved/ Take Your Burdens To The Lord which are every bit as convincing as songs like Crazy About My Baby/ Low Down Woman. Also included are both somewhat noisy sides of the recently uncovered Paramount 12913: Happy Sunshine/ I'm Pressing On. The disc ends with 6 fine sides from July '36 - 3 of which feature Cooney Vaughn on piano - again containing a mix of the secular (Hittin' The Bottle Stomp) and religious (I'll Be Rested When The Roll Is Called). Overall, the sound is usually decent, except on Sad Dreaming Blues and St. Louis Rambler Blues, which comes from the only known 78. (JC)
BLIND ROOSEVELT GRAVES: Barbecue Bust/ Bustin' The Jug/ Crazy About My Baby/ Dangerous Woman/ Guitar Boogie/ Happy Sunshine/ Hittin' The Bottle Stomp/ I Shall Not Be Moved/ I'll Be Rested (When The Roll Is Called)/ I'm Pressing On/ Low Down Woman/ New York Blues/ Sad Dreaming Blues/ Skippy Whippy/ St. Louis Rambler Blues/ Staggerin' Blues/ Take Your Burdens To The Lord/ Take Your Burdens To The Lord (tk. A)/ Telephone To Glory/ When I Lay My Burdens Down/ Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus)

HENRY GRAY Hightone HCD 8131 Plays Chicago Blues ● CD $15.98

14 tracks, 48 mins, recommended
Henry Gray is one of the last of the great down home blues piano players whose playing has a lovely rolling, cascading quality - he is also a fine and expressive singer with a gruff style. Although originally from Louisiana where he has spent most of his life he is probably best known for his stint in Chicago in the 50s and and 60s when his piano playing illuminated recordings by many of greatest bluesmen in Chicago. This new album recaptures the feel of the glory days of Chicago blues with Henry accompanied by a small band including fellow Chicago veteran Chico Chism on drums, Johnny Rapp, Bob Margolin or Kid Ramos on guitar and producer Bob Corritore on harmonica. Henry performs a mixture of old favorites - some of his own as well as songs from the repertoire of Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James and others. The band does a good job though Corritore's harmonica is a bit overbearing - I would have preferred to have Henry's great piano higher in the mix. (FS)

LEOTHUS "LEE" GREEN Document DOCD 5187 Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order, Vol 1 ● CD $15.98

24 tracks, 75 minutes, recommended
First of two volumes presenting the complete recordings of this excellent singer and piano player from Mississippi. Green was a warm singer with a rich vibrato in his singing. He was a fluid and expressive piano player who is reputed to have originated the "44s" on the piano though Little Brother Montgomery claims to have taught him the tune and Green in turn taught it to Roosevelt Sykes. The 24 tracks here recorded between July, 1929 and January, 1930 are a diverse and consistently rewarding and includes his first recording of Number Forty-Four Blues - a truly wonderful performance. His songs frequently have interesting lyrics and some of his songs can be heard in the recordings of later performers. On some of his earliest recordings he flirts with a raggy stride style though he later abandoned this approach to concentrate on a straight ahead blues style. Two tracks feature him accompanying singer George "Hambone" Ruthers (aka F.T. Thomas) together with an unknown and quite effective alto sax player. Except for a few cuts the sound is very good and the booklet has interesting notes by William Westcott. (FS)
LEE GREEN: All My Money Gone Blues/ Bad Man Napper/ Bootleggin' My Jelly/ Death Bell Blues/ Down On Death Alley Blues/ Down On The Border/ Dud-low Joe/ Five Minute Blues/ Gambling Man Blues/ I Don't Care If The Boat Don't Land/ If I Get Drunk Who's Gonna Carry Me Home?/ Little Eddie Jones/ Lonesome Man Blues/ Memphis Fives/ Number Forty-four Blues/ Pork Chop Stomp/ Railroad Blues/ Running Drunk/ She Walks Like A Maltee Cat/ The Way I Feel Blues/ Wash Day And No Soap/ Washboard Rub/ F. T. THOMAS: Moanin' Piano Blues/ Street Walkin' Blues

Back To Blues Index

LEOTHUS "LEE" GREEN Document DOCD 5188 Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order, Vol 2 ● CD $15.98

22 tracks, 66 mins, good
Another collection from singer & piano player Green featuring 6 songs from 1930, 6 from 1934 and 10 from 1937. It includes a couple of remakes of his most popular songs 44 Blues and Memphis Blues along with a varied collection of other material. Some of the later tracks feature him accompanied by a guitar and on two he is joined by Hammie Nixon on jug. Although there is a lot of good material here, much of it is rather plodding and his distinctive vocal vibrato seems to have become something of a affectation. Decent sound and the same notes as on volume 1. (FS)
LEE GREEN: 'round The World Blues/ (good Morning Susie)/ 44 Blues/ Better Bring It Right Away/ Blues About My Black Gal/ Country Gal Blues/ Death Alley Blues/ Doctorin' Fool Blues/ Five Minute Blues/ I'm Gonna Beat Your Bread/ Lookin' Up To Down/ Maltese Cat Blues/ Memphis Fives/ My Best Friend/ Pork Chop Blues/ Sealskin Black Woman/ Southern Blues/ The Way I Feel/ Train Number 44/ Whip It Up And Down/ You May Be Beautiful But You Got To Die/ PERRY WESTON: Border Blues/ Nightime Is The Right Time

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JAZZ GILLUM	Document DOCD 5197	Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 1	● CD $15.98
23 Tracks, 68 Mins, good The first of four CDs featuring the complete 30s and 40s recordings of this popular singer/ harmonica player. Originally from Mississippi he went to Chicago in the 20s and in the 30s became a member of the coterie of artists assembled by the ubiquitous Lester Melrose. Gillum was a pleasant, warm, if somewhat inexpressive singer and an unexceptional harmonica player with a shrill reedy tone which gets wearing in large doses. The first six tunes from 1936 with accompaniments by Big Bill Broonzy and a bass player have a nice loose country dance feel to them - the opener Sarah Jane is particularly entertaining. Later recordings expand the group with piano and washboard and the sound becomes much more rigid and predictable though the six cuts from March 1938 feature some nice early electric guitar work from George Barnes. The last seven tracks really drag - all have pretty much the same tempo, are in the same key and only a few have memorable lyrics. Jazz Gillum made some fine records and a "Best Of" would be most worthwhile - this comprehensive approach for such a limited artist seems really unnecessary. (FS) JAZZ GILLUM: Alberta Blues/ Birmingham Blues/ Boar Hog Blues/ Don't You Scandalize My Name/ Gillum's Windy Blues/ Good Old 51 Highway/ I Want You By My Side/ I Went To The Gypsy/ I'm Gonna Get It/ I'm That Man Down In The Mine/ Jockey Blues/ Just Like Jesse James/ Mule Blues/ My Old Lizzie/ My Old Suitcase/ New 'sail On, Little Girl'/ Reefer Head Woman/ Sarah Jane/ She Keeps On Rickin'/ Sweet Sweet Woman/ Uncertain Blues/ Worried And Bothered/ You're Laughing Now

JAZZ GILLUM	Document DOCD 5198	Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 2	● CD $15.98
25 tracks, 72 min., very good In this, the 2nd of four volumes, singer/harmonica player William McKinley Gillum (1904-1966) is accompanied on all tracks by Big Bill Broonzy (gtr) and a bassist, with an occasional pianist (Joshua Altheimer) and washboard player (Washboard Sam, Amanda Sorter). All produced by the legendary Lester Melrose (1891-1968), it contains one of the earliest blues standards, Key To The Highway, recorded on May 9/1940, and it's answer record, I'm Still Walking The Hi-Way, which surely must have prompted Big Bill to 'shadow' this important song (available on Document 5133 - $16.98) - a song recently covered by Eric Clapton. Also included along with all the Bluebird recordings are 2 unissued Vocalion recordings, with Poor Boy Blues making it's first appearance on CD. (EL) JAZZ GILLUM: Against My Will/ Big Katy Adams/ Get Away Old Woman/ Get Your Busines/ Got To Reap What You Sow/ Hard Drivin' Woman/ I'll Get Along Somehow/ I'm Still Walking The Hi-way/ Is That A Monkey You Got?/ It Sure Had A Kick/ Key To The Highway/ Keyhole Blues/ Let Her Go/ Little Woman/ Longest Train Blues/ Muddy Pond Blues/ One Time Blues/ Poor Boy Blues/ Riley Springs Blues/ She Belongs To Me/ She Won't Treat Me Kind/ Somebody Been Talking To You/ Stavin' Chain/ Straight/ Talking To Myself

JAZZ GILLUM	Document DOCD 5199	Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 3	● CD $15.98
25 tracks, 74 mins, recommended The third volume of Gillum's recordings features 20 tracks from 3 sessions in 1941 and '42 and 5 from two sessions in 1945 and '46 after Gillum's return from army service. The first session has four songs featuring the overbearing washboard and percussion of Amanda Sorter who seems to determined to drown out everybody else at the session. The rest of the tracks are much better and although Gillum's harmonica work is still woefully dull his singing has become warmer and more expressive. His December 1941 session features the wonderful topical song War Time Blues which includes the line "It ain't gonna be no peace in Europe 'til we chop off Hitler's head"! Other fine performances include You Drink Too Much Whiskey/ I Couldn't Help It Blues/ Deep Water Blues/ Afraid To Trust Them and his version of the popular I'm Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town. Guitar work is handled in his usual exemplary fashion by Big Bill Broonzy and the piano honors are mostly divided among Horace Malcolm, Blind John Davis and Roosevelt Sykes. On the February, 1946 session to be continued on Volume 4 the piano seat is taken by the magnificent Big Maceo. Excellent sound and interesting and amusing notes by Keith Briggs. (FS) JAZZ GILLUM: Afraid To Trust Them/ Deep Water Blues/ Down South Blues/ Five Feet Four/ From Now On/ Go Back To The Country/ I Couldn't Help It Blues/ I Got Somebody Else/ I'm Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town/ It Looks Bad For You/ It's All Over Now/ Maybe You'll Love Me Too/ Me And My Buddy/ My Big Money/ No Friend Blues/ One Letter Home/ Reckless Rider Blues/ Tell Me, Mama/ War Time Blues/ Water Pipe Blues/ Whiskey Head Buddies/ Woke Up Cold In Hand/ You Are Doingme Wrong/ You Drink Too Much Whiskey/ You're Tearing Your Playhouse Down

JAZZ GILLUM	Document DOCD 5200	Complete Recorded Works, 1936-49; Vol 4	● CD $15.98
JAZZ GILLUM: A Lie Is Dangerous/ All In All Blues/ Can't Trust Myself/ Chauffer Blues/ Country Woman Blues/ Fast Woman/ Gonna Be Some Shooting/ Gonna Take My Rap/ Hand Reader Blues/ I'm Gonna Train My Baby/ I'm Not The Lad/ Jazz Gillum's Blues/ Keep On Sailing/ Long Razor Blues/ Look On Yonder Wall/ Look What You Are Today/ Roll Dem Bones/ Signifying Woman/ Take A Little Walk With Me/ Take One More Chance With M/ The Blues What Am/ The Devil Blues/ What A Gal/ You Got To Run Me Down/ You Should Give Some Away

JAZZ GILLUM	Fremeaux & Associes FQ2CD 260	Harmonica Chicago Blues, 1934-1947	● CD $21.98
Two CD set - 36 tracks. Nicely chosen survey of the recording career of this popular performer. It includes some of his best songs like Sarah Jane/ Key To The Highway/ War Time Blues/ Look On Yonders Wall and others. Gillum's fine vocals and limited harmonica playing are accompanied by Big Bill Broonzy, Washboard Sam, Blind John Davis, Roosevelt Sykes, Willie Lacey, Ransom Knowling and othees. 24 page booklet with notes in English and French plus discographical info and photos. JAZZ GILLUM: Afraid To Trust Them/ All In All Blues/ Can't Trust Myself/ Country Woman Blues/ Don't You Scandalize My Name/ Down South Blues/ Five Feet Four/ Gillum's Windy Blues/ Go Back To The Country/ Good Old 51 Highway/ Hand Reader Blues/ Harmonica Stomp/ I'll Get Along Somehow/ I'm Gonna Leave You On The Outskirts Of Town/ I'm Gonna Train My Baby/ I'm Still Walking The Highway/ It Sure Had A Kick/ It's All Over Now/ Jazz Gillum's Blues./ Keep On Sailing/ Key To The Highway/ Longest Train Blues/ Look On Yonder's Wall/ Me And My Buddy/ Poor Boy Blues/ Reckless Rider Blues/ Riley Springs Blues/ Roll Dem Bones/ Sarah Jane/ Signifying Woman/ Tell Me Mama/ The Blues What Am/ The Devil Blues/ War Time Blues/ Water Pipe Blues/ You Got To Run Me Down

LLOYD GLENN	Night Train 7009	Chica Boo	● CD $16.98
18 tracks, 47 min., recommended Before he cut his rare and sought-after LP for the Mesner Brothers of Aladdin/Score in the mid-50's, Lloyd Glenn played with territory bands in the 30's and various jazz/blues ensembles throughout the 40's. But he made his first real inroads into recorded popularity both under his own name and as a session pianist with the Swing Time tracks that are featured here. Eight of the numbers are instrumentals by the Lloyd Glenn Combo or by the Edgar Hayes Stardusters, including two major hits from 1950 and 1951 respectively, Chica Boo and Old Time Shuffle Blues. The rest of the program features Glenn as a backup musician for Jesse Thomas, Joe Pullum, or Lowell Fulson. Highlights among the vocals include I Can't Stay Here by Thomas, Alberta by Pullum, and Good Times Back Home by Fulson. All in all, a plentiful supply of fine blues numbers in a mellow mood. Solid sound quality and brief notes. (DH) LLOYD GLENN: Alberta/ Black Fantasy/ Blues Hangover/ Century Room/ Chica Boo/ Christmas Celebration/ Congo Rhumba/ Fat Meat & Greens/ Good Times Back Home/ I Can't Stay Here/ I'm Contented/ I'm So Blue/ It's You I'm Thinking Of/ My Woman/ Now Is The Time/ Old Time Shuffle/ Sunday Morning Boogie/ You're All Right With Me

LILLIAN GLINN	Document DOCD 5184	Complete Recordings In Chronological Order (1927-29)	● CD $15.98
22 tracks, 68 min., good Discovered as a singer of spirituals, this native Texan recorded secular material for only the two year period indicated above, during which she did six sessions for Columbia. Her powerful contralto recorded well, but her accompanists - Willie Tyson, Octave Gaspard, Pete Underwood, and Taylor Flanagan - tended to be solid rather than inspired. And most of her numbers feature the same slow tempo. Her repertoire here includes All Alone and Blue/ Doggin' Me Blues/ The Man I Love Is Worth Talking About/ I'm a Front Door Woman with a Back Door Man, and the key-as-phallus or vice versa Wobble It a Little Daddy. Good sound for the time period, brief but informative notes, and typical Document label graphics. (DH) LILLIAN GLINN: All Alone And Blue/ All The Week Blues/ Atlanta Blues/ Best Friend Blues/ Black Man Blues/ Brown Skin Blues/ Cannon Ball Blues/ Come Home Daddy/ Cravin' A Man Blues/ Doggin' Me Blues/ Don't Leave Me Daddy/ I Love That Thing/ I'm A Front Door Woman With A Back Door Man/ I'm Through (shedding Tears Over You)/ Lost Letter Blues/ Moanin' Blues/ Packing House Blues/ Shake It Down/ Shreveport Blues/ The Man I Love Is Worth Talking About/ Where Have All The Black Men Gone/ Wobble It A Little Daddy

MAE GLOVER	Document DOCD 5185	Complete Recordings In Chronological Order (1927-31)	● CD $15.98
22 tracks, 61 mins, recommended Mae Glover is a totally obscure singer but a very fine one with an expressive and soulful vocal style. The first 6 tracks from April 1927 and were issued as by May Armstrong but are almost certainly the same singer who later recorded as Glover. She is accompanied by a fine piano player (possibly Lonnie Johnson) plus violin or mandolin. The four tracks from August 1927 by Side Whel Sally Duffie with Will Ezell are less obviously Glover but are nice. The best sides here are the four terrific performances from July, 1929 where Glover is accompanied by Misissippi guitarist John Byrd who was possibly the only Mississippi bluesman to record with 12 string guitar. It includes the amazing Pig Meat Papa where she emulates the yodeling of white bluesman Jimmie Rodgers and the wonderful risque dialogue with Byrd on Gas Man Blues. The final 8 tracks from 1931 are generally less interesting with rather sedate performances by Glover and lackluster accompaniments by pianist Charle O'Neil and trumpet player James Parker. Generally good sound interesting notes by Ken Romanowski. (FS) MAY ARMSTRONG: Don't Beg Your Man Back/ Joe Boy Blues/ Lonesome Atlanta Blues/ Nobody Can Take His Place/ Sweetest Man Blues/ Woodchopping Blues/ SIDE WHEEL SALLY DUFFIE: Kid Man Blues/ Kind Papa Blues/ Thinking Blues/ Treat 'em Right Blues/ MAY GLOVER: Forty-four Blues/ Gas Man Blues/ Good Hearted Woman/ Grasshopper Papa/ Hoboken Prison Blues/ I Ain't Givin' Nobody None/ My Man Blues/ Pig Meat Mama/ Shake It Daddy/ Skeeter Blues/ The County Farm Blues/ Two Timin' Woman

THE GOLDEN EAGLES	Rounder 2073	Lightning and Thunder	● CD $15.98
At last someone (Ron Levy) has recorded a troupe of Mardi Gras Indians in the live, natural setting of just their drums, vocals, and friends. The Golden Eagles, led by Monk Boudreaux, have long been one of New Orlean's best groups, both in terms of elaboration of their Indian beaded costumes and their musical prowess, as well as their dedication to the Indian tradition. Here they chant and drum their songs- "Two-Way-Pak-E-Way", "Shoo Fly", "Indian Red", "Hold 'Em Joe"- live in the H&R Bar, capturing the essence of this unique celebration of black and Indian culture. With fine notes by Michael Smith. (JM)

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET	Blue Moon BMCD 3015	The Early Years, 1937-39	● CD $13.98
32 great tracks though all available elsewhere - Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Bedside Of A Neighbor/ Born Ten Thousand Years Ago/ Massa's In The Cold Cold Ground/ Travelin' Shoes/ Lead Me On And On/ Take Your Burdens To God/ Let That Liar Alone/ Saints Go Marching In/ To The Rock/ Packing Up-Getting Ready/ Ol' Man Mose/ If I Had My Way/ 'Way Down In Egypt Land/ You Better Mind/ Every Time I Feel The Spirit and many more.

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET	Blue Moon BMCD 3016	Greatest Hits, 1946-1950	● CD $13.98

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET	Document DOCD 5472	Complete Record Works, Vol. 1 - 1937/38	● CD $15.98
23 tracks, 56 min., essential Do note from the very beginning that Document's motto is "Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order." And for the Gates, that means an opening foray of no less than four volumes. In this, the first volume, we are treated to the material recorded for the Bluebird label at two Charlotte, North Carolina sessions. These were the group's first sessions, one in August of 1937 and one in January of 1938. Highlights include Golden Gate Gospel Train, Jonah, Won't There Be One Happy Time, a dreamy reading of the secular number Carolina in the Morning, John the Revelator, Remember Me, Dipsy Doodle, Swanee River, and Lead Me On And On. A splendid mix of jumping jubilee numbers, spoken semonettes, and ballads of both a worldly and a divine character - all featuring excellent sound quality. If you don't have this material in one of its earlier incarnations, this Document series is well worth consideration. (DH) THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Bedside Of A Neighbor/ Behold The Bridegroom Cometh/ Bonnet/ Born Ten Thousand Years Ago/ Carolina In The Morning/ Dipsy Doodle/ Found A Wonderful Savior/ Gabriel Blows His Horn/ Go Where I Send Thee/ Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Job/ John, The Revelator/ Jonah/ Lead Me On And On/ Massa's In The Cold, Cold Ground/ Motherless Child/ Preacher And The Bear/ Pure Religion/ Remember Me/ Stand In The Test In Judgment/ Swanee River/ Travelin' Shoes/ Won't There Be One Happy Time

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET	Document DOCD 5473	Complete Record Works, Vol. 2 - 1938/39	● CD $15.98
23 tracks, 56 min., essential Volume two, which features the recordings from four separate sessions, opens with a dual tempo version of the barbershop classic Sweet Adeline. Subsequent numbers include Sampson, Take Your Burdens to God, Ol' Man River, Rock My Soul, To The Rock, Saints Go Marching In, What Are They Doing in Heaven Today, Packing Up-Getting Ready to Go, Trouble of the World, Everything Moves by the Grace of God, and This World Is in a Bad Condition. More music from the masters of jubilee style gospel singing - like the other volumes in this series, much too good to miss. Sound quality is again above reproach. And Keith Briggs notes are more than commonly informative. DH THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Bye And Bye Little Children/ Cheer The Weary Traveler/ Everything Moves By The Grace Of God/ God Almighty Said/ I Heard Zion Moan/ I Was Brave/ Let That Liar Alone/ Lis'n To De Lambs/ Lord, Am I Born To Die?/ My Lord Is Writing/ Noah (028964)/ Ol' Man River/ Packing Up - Getting Ready To Go/ Rock My Soul/ Saints Go Marching In/ Sampson/ Sweet Adeline/ Take Your Burdens To God/ This World Is In A Bad Condition/ To The Rock/ Troubles Of The World/ What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?/ When They Ring The Golden Bells

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET	Document DOCD 5474	Complete Record Works, Vol. 3 - 1939	● CD $15.98
Having achieved national stardom through their radio broadcasts by this time, the year 1939 saw an increase in the recording rate of the Golden Gate Quartet, with three productive sessions taking place in February, October, and December. The material that was released is primarily gospel as expected, but, once again, a few secular numbers do manage to creep into their repertoire. Program highlights include the Thomas Dorsey classic Precious Lord, Noah, What a Time, If I Had My Way, Our Father, You'd Better Mind, the rather worldly Whoa Babe, Stormy Weather, Timber, Jonah in the Whale, the delightful My Walking Stick, and Darling Nellie Gray. Of special note are the two live audience recordings made during their appearance at the second Spirituals to Swing concert in 1939 - Gospel Train and I'm on My Way. Other than those last two tracks, which are a bit rough, sound quality is again exceptional. DH THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Change Partners/ Darling Nellie Gray/ Every Time That I Feel The Spirit/ Gospel Train (concert)/ He Said He Could Calm The Ocean/ Hide Me In Thy Bosom/ I Looked Down The Line And I Wondered/ I'm A Pilgrim/ I'm On My Way (concert)/ If I Had My Way/ Jonah In The Whale/ Julius Caesar/ My Walking Stick/ Noah (031980)/ Ol' Man Mose/ Our Father/ Precious Lord/ Stormy Weather/ The Devil With The Devil/ Timber/ Way Down In Egypt Land/ What A Time/ What's New?/ Whoa Babe/ You'd Better Mind

THE GOLDEN GATE JUBILEE QUARTET	Document DOCD 5475	Complete Record Works, Vol. 4 - 1939-43	● CD $15.98
24 tracks, 60 min., essential During 1941, the group experienced its first personnel change when William Langford left to join the Southern Sons. He was replaced by Clyde Reddick. Also, after a mere three tracks here on volume four, the Gates tenure at Bluebird (RCA) came to an end, and their days on Okeh/Columbia began. In addition, the last four numbers here - Julius Caesar, Summer Rain, The Gospel Train, and The Preacher and the Bear - come from wartime V Discs. Otherwise, the Bluebird cuts include My Prayer, and The Valley of Time. The Columbia tracks include Jezebel, Blind Barnabas, Didn't It Rain, He Never Said a Mumblin' Word, Run On, Stalin Wasn't Stallin', and Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer. More great music, all of it anchored in the jubilee gospel tradition that the performances of the Gates virtually defined. (DH) THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Anyhow/ Blind Barnabas/ Comin' In On A Wing And A Prayer/ Daniel Saw The Stone/ Didn't It Rain/ Dip Your Fingers In The Water/ God Told Nicodemus/ Handwriting On The Wall/ He Never Said A Mumblin' Word/ Jezebel/ Julius Caesar/ Moses Smote The Waters/ My Prayer/ My Time Done Come/ Run On/ Stalin Wasn't Stallin'/ Summer Rain/ The Gospel Train/ The Preacher And The Bear/ The Sun Didn't Shine/ The Valley Of Time/ Time's Winding Up/ Toll The Bell Easy/ What Did Jesus Say?

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET	Document DOCD 5638	Complete Recordings, Vol. 5 : 1945-1949	● CD $15.98
The fifth volume of the groups commercial recordings features 25 tracks recorded between 1945 and '49 - The General Jumped At Dawn/ Bones, Bones, Bones (Ezekial In the Valley)/ Swing Down, Chariot/ Atom And Evil/ Hush!/ Wade In The water, etc. THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Abdullah/ Atom And Evil/ Bones, Bones, Bones (Ezekiel In The Valley)/ Broodle-oo, Broodle-oo/ Do Unto Others/ Fare You Well, Fare You Well/ God's Gonna Cut 'em Down/ High, Low And Wide/ Hush!/ I Will Be Home Again/ I'm Just A Dreamer/ Jesus Met The Woman At The Well/ John Saw The Wheel/ Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho/ Lord, I Am Tired And I Want To Go Home/ Mary Mary/ Mene, Mene, Tekel/ No Restricted Signs (up In Heaven)/ Pray For The Lights To Go Out/ Shadrack/ She's Gonna Ruin You, Buddy/ Swing Down, Chariot/ Talking Jerusalem To Death/ The General Jumped At Dawn/ Wade In The Water

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET	Document DOCD 5658	In Chronological Order, Vol. 6 : 1949-1952	● CD $15.98
22 tracks, 60 mins, recommended 22 cuts from after the heyday of this group. It includes more fine sides in their distinctive jubilee style but often with unnecessary instrumental accompaniment. Other tracks find them trying the harder edged contemporary gospel style and doing it very well but in contrast there are uninteresting "pop" oriented performances. Still, there's enough satisfying tracks here to make it worth a listen. Includes Seven Angels & Seven Trumpets/ Religion Is A Fortune/ There's A Man Going 'Round Taking Names/ Ride On Moses/ Hold The Wind/ Mother's Love/ I Just Telephone Upstairs/ The General Jumped At Dawn, etc. (FS) THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Bones, Bones, Bones/ Didn't That Man Believe/ Hit The Road To Dreamland (film Soundtrack With Dick Powell & Mary Martin)/ Hold The Wind/ I Just Telephone Upstairs/ Listen To The Lambs/ Look Up!/ Lord I Want To Be A Christian/ Lord I Want To Walk With Thee/ Mother's Love/ Nicodemus/ On Top Of Old Smokey/ Rain Is The Teardrops Of Angels/ Religion Is A Fortune/ Ride On Moses/ Same Train/ Satisfied/ Seven Angels And Seven Trumpets/ There's A Man Going �round Taking Names/ You Ain't Got Faith (till You Got Religion)/ You Better Mind

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET	Fremeaux & Associates 002	Gospel 1937-41	● CD $25.98
2 CD's, 36 tracks, 90 min., essential. A fantastic package for those who enjoyed the recent Gates reissue and want more. This set improves on the double LP of years ago with pristine fidelity and a wider span of time. Several of the best 1930's tracks appear, with the unsurpassed Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Go Where I Send Thee/ I Looked Down The Road/ My Walking Stick/ Whoa Babe, more outstanding vocal effects, and tight jubilee singing. Their high standards carry through to six rare sides from 1940-41, with the uplifting Jezebel, a mournful Anyhow and two uptempo songs with Leadbelly. Not all are gospel, but their popular and jazz-inspired numbers are rendered with equal polish and humor in the Gates' influential "human orchestra" style. (MB)

THE GOLDEN GATE QUARTET	Goldies 25435	Rock My Soul & Other Gospel Favorites	● CD $19.98
Three CD set with 42 songs. GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Anyhow/ Behold The Bridegroom Cometh/ Born Ten Thousand Years Ago/ Carolina In The Morning/ Daniel Saw The Stone/ Didnt It Rain/ Every Time That I Feel The Spirit/ Everything Moves By The Grace Of God/ Gabriel Blows His Horn/ Go Where I Send Thee/ Golden Gate Gospel Train/ Hide Me In Thy Bosom/ I Heard Zion Moan/ I Looked Down The Road And Wondered/ Im A Pilgrim/ Jezebel/ John The Revelator/ Jonah And The Whale/ Lead Me On And On/ Lord Am I Born To Die/ Motherless Child/ My Lord Is Waiting/ My Walking Stick/ Noah/ Ol Man Mose/ Our Father/ Packing Up - Getting Ready To Go/ Pick A Bale Of Cotton/ Precoius Lord/ Remember Me/ Rock Island Line/ Rock My Soul/ Saints Go Marching In/ Sampson/ Sweet Adeline/ Take Your Burdens To God/ Timber/ Travelin Shoes/ Troubles Of The World/ What Are They Doing In Heaven Today/ When They Ring The Golden Bells/ Whoa Babe

JIMMIE GORDON	Document DOCD 5648	Complete Recordings, Vol. 1, 1934-1936	● CD $15.98
22 tracks, 68 tracks, recommended First of three discs presenting the complete recordings of this fine singer and piano player who has been overlooked by most blues researchers. Although he recorded more than 60 sides between 1934 and '41, and so must have been fairly popular, his life is a total mystery. He has generally been associated with St. Louis but liner note writer Dave Evans makes a good case for Gordon being based in Chicago. He was a good singer in the vein of Bumble Bee Slim or Bill Gaither but a bit more intense. He played his own piano on some of his recordings or was accompanied by the piano of Charles Segar, Horace Malcolm or Dot Rice. Other musicians featured include Charlie McCoy, Scrapper Blackwell, Carl Martin, John Lindsey and others. His songs are a mixture of popular songs of the day and some good originals like Louise Louisa Blues/ Yo Yo Mama Blues/ Graveyard Blues/ Mother Blues and the topical Don't Take Away My P.W.A. Sound on a few tracks is a bit rough but most sound good and there are excellent notes by David Evans. (FS) JIMMIE GORDON: Baker Man/ Bed Springs Blues/ Bed Springs Blues No. 2/ Big Four Whistle Blues/ Black Gal Blues (what Makes Your Head So Hard)/ Bye Bye Baby Blues/ Don't Take Away My P.w.a./ Drive Me Away Blues/ Drunken Woman Blues/ Gone Gal Blues/ Graveyard Blues (dead And Gone Blues)/ I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water/ I'll Take You Back/ Little Red Dress (mary Usta Wear)/ Louise, Louisa Blues/ Mean Mistreatin' Blues/ Mother Blues/ Neck Bone Blues/ She Sells Good Meat/ Soon In The Morning/ Sweet Jelly Rollin'/ Yo Yo Mama Blues

JIMMIE GORDON	Document DOCD 5649	Complete Recordings, Vol. 2, 1936-1938	● CD $15.98
JIMMIE GORDON: Alberta Alberta/ Bleeding Heart Blues/ C. C. & St. Louis Blues/ Crying My Blues Away/ Fast Life/ Good As I Been To You/ I Believe I Been Hoodooed/ Jacksonville - Part 1/ Jacksonville - Part 2/ Keep Your Nose Out Of Other People's Business/ Lonesome Bedroom Blues/ Me And My Gin/ Number Runner's Blues/ Playing In The Grass/ Plenty Trouble On Your Hand/ Rattlesnake Bite/ Sail With Me/ She Wants To Rattle Me All The Time/ She's Doin' It Now/ Think You Need A Shot/ Whip It To A Jelly/ You're Bound To Look Like A Monkey (when You Get Old)

JIMMIE GORDON	Document DOCD 5650	Complete Recordings, Vol. 3, 1939-1946	● CD $15.98
JIMMIE GORDON: (roll 'em Dorothy)/ Actions Speak Louder Than Words/ Beer Drinking Woman/ Boogie Woogie Blues/ Daddy Bear Blues/ Delhia/ Do That Thing/ Ease It To Me/ Fast Life/ Get Your Mind Out Of The Gutter/ Henpecked Man/ I'm Gonna Cut Out/ If The Walls Could Talk/ It Ain't Like That No More/ Jumpin' At The Club Blue Flame/ L & N Blues/ Let 'em Jump For Joy/ Lookin' For The Blues/ Nobody Knows The Trouble I See/ Rock That Boogie/ St. Peter Blues/ The Boogie Man/ The Mojo Blues/ Trigger Slim Blues

ROSCO GORDON	Ace CDCHD 694	Bootin' - The Best Of The RPM Years	● CD $18.98
24 RPM sides from the early 50s by this distinctive Memphis vocalist. ROSCOE GORDON: A New Remedy For Love/ Blues For My Baby/ Booted/ City Woman/ Cold Cold Winter/ Dime A Dozen/ Dream Baby aka Dream On Baby/ I Remember Your Kisses/ I'm In Love/ Just In From Texas/ Lucille (Looking For My Baby)/ Maria/ New Orleans Wimmen/ No More Doggin'/ Ouch! Pretty Baby/ Roscoe's Boogie/ Saddled The Cow (And Milked The Horse)/ Throwin' My Money Away/ Tomorrow May Be Too Late/ Trying/ Two Kinds Of Women/ We're All Loaded (Whiskey Made Me Drunk)/ What You Got On Your Mind/ Why Do I Love You Baby?

ROSCO GORDON	Official 5555	T-Model Boogie	● CD $17.98

THE GOSPEL HUMMINGBIRDS	Blind Pig 74691	Steppin' Out	● CD $16.98
Writer, lead singer, producer, promoter Roy Tyler and Oakland's own Gospel Hummingbirds Quintet have come a long way these past 22 years. The original Gospel Hummingbirds dispersed in 1970, then shortly after Joe Thomas Sr. and his son formed a new group. The guys' first wax outing came in 1975 on Randy Strickland's Strickland-and-son label. One of the songs recorded at that time, Swing Low, is done on this 12-song set with fully original arrangements. The outfit's sound borrows harmonically from The Violinaires, but is best likened overall to Willie Banks & The Gospel Messengers (which is compliment indeed). My favorite workout, Change, could well have been cut by Willie. The music, which leans heavy on rhythm, borrows from soul, disco and jazz and can jam up a storm. Members include Roy, Clarence Nichols, Joe Thomas, James Gibson Jr., and Josh Lowery. Solid stuff from our very own award-winning quintet. (OLN)

COOT GRANT & KID WILSON	Document DOCD 5563	Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 - March 1925 to November 1928	● CD $15.98
23 tracks, 65 mins, recommended Great collection of black vaudeville and blues featuring the talented Leola B. "Coot" Grant and "Kid" Wesley Wilson. The duo pieces are witty and humorous and the duo are accompanied by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Buster Bailey, Shirley Clay, Rex Stewart and others as well as Wesley's own piano playing. There are a number of excellent solo blues by Grant issued under her married name of Leola B. Wilson - several featuring the beautiful guitar work of Blind Blake. Musically and historically this deserves a higher rating than recommended but the sound quality leaves a bit to be desired on many of the tracks. Several of the performances have such a high level of surface noise as to make for very difficult listening and many of the others have that shrill thin sound of acoustic recordings which could possibly be improved with sophisticated equalization but, as it stands, is pretty tiring to listen to after more than a few songs. It's too bad as the music is great! (FS) GRANT & WILSON: (take 1)/ (take 2)/ Ashley St. Blues/ Black Biting Bee Blues/ Come On Coot Do That Thing/ Crying Won't Make Him Stay/ Dishrag Blues/ Down The Country/ Ducks/ Dying Blues/ Find Me At The Greasy Spoon (if You Miss Me Here)/ Find Me At The Greasy Spoon (if You Miss Me Here)/ Have Your Chill, I'll Be Here When Your Fever Rises/ Key Hole Blues/ Mama Didn't Do It And Papa Didn't Do It/ Rasslin' 'till The Wagon Comes/ Rock, Aunt Dinah, Rock/ Rollin' Mill Blues/ Scoop It/ Speak Now Or Hereafter Hold Your Peace/ State Street Men Blues/ Stevedore Man/ When Your Man Is Going To Put You Down (you Never Can Tell)/ Wilson Dam/ You Dirty Mistreater

COOT GRANT & KID WILSON	Document DOCD 5564	Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 - November 1928 to Aug 1931	● CD $15.98
GRANT & WILSON: Ain't Going To Give You None/ Big Trunk Blues/ Boop-poop-a-doop/ Can I Get Some Of That?/ Can You Do That To Me/ Deceiving Man Blues/ Dem Socks Dat My Pappy Wore/ Do It Right/ Get Off With Me/ Get Your Mind Out Of The Gutter/ Hard Times/ Honey You Done Gone Too Far/ My Friend John/ Old Age Is Creeping Upon You/ On Our Turpentine Farm/ Our Family Doctor/ Rockin' Chair Mary/ She Shake's A Mean Ash Can/ Stevedore Blues/ The Gin Done Done It/ Uncle Joe (349)/ You Need A Woman Like Me/ You Rascal You/ You'se My Friend

COOT GRANT & KID WILSON	Document DOCD 5565	Complete Recordings, Vol. 3 - September 1931 to May '38	● CD $15.98
GRANT & WILSON: Blue Monday On Sugar Hill/ Daddy What You Done To Me/ Dirty Spoon Blues/ Do It Again/ Do Your Duty/ Hot Papa, That Out/ I Am A Woman/ I Can't Get Enough/ I Don't Want That Stale Stuff/ Jive Lover/ Keep Your Hands Off My Mojo/ Lay Your Racket Down/ Lollypop/ Meat Cuttin' Blues/ Save A Little Bit For Me/ Take It Outa Here/ Take Me For A Buggy Ride/ Toot It, Brother Armstrong (12824)/ Toot It, Brother Armstrong (63875)/ Uncle Joe (63873)/ Water Trough Blues/ Whippin' The Wolf/ You Can't Do That To Me

BLIND ROOSEVELT & UAROY GRAVES	Document DOCD 5105	Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order	● CD $15.98
Roosevelt Graves was a Ms. guitarist/ singer who, along with his harmonizing, tambourine-playing brother Uaroy, was at home in juke joints and churches. The first 16 were all recorded during one day in 1929, and include I Shall Not Be Moved/ Take Your Burdens To The Lord which are every bit as convincing as songs like Crazy About My Baby/ Low Down Woman. Also included are both somewhat noisy sides of the recently uncovered Paramount 12913: Happy Sunshine/ I'm Pressing On. The disc ends with 6 fine sides from July '36 - 3 of which feature Cooney Vaughn on piano - again containing a mix of the secular (Hittin' The Bottle Stomp) and religious (I'll Be Rested When The Roll Is Called). Overall, the sound is usually decent, except on Sad Dreaming Blues and St. Louis Rambler Blues, which comes from the only known 78. (JC) BLIND ROOSEVELT GRAVES: Barbecue Bust/ Bustin' The Jug/ Crazy About My Baby/ Dangerous Woman/ Guitar Boogie/ Happy Sunshine/ Hittin' The Bottle Stomp/ I Shall Not Be Moved/ I'll Be Rested (When The Roll Is Called)/ I'm Pressing On/ Low Down Woman/ New York Blues/ Sad Dreaming Blues/ Skippy Whippy/ St. Louis Rambler Blues/ Staggerin' Blues/ Take Your Burdens To The Lord/ Take Your Burdens To The Lord (tk. A)/ Telephone To Glory/ When I Lay My Burdens Down/ Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus)

HENRY GRAY	Hightone HCD 8131	Plays Chicago Blues	● CD $15.98
14 tracks, 48 mins, recommended Henry Gray is one of the last of the great down home blues piano players whose playing has a lovely rolling, cascading quality - he is also a fine and expressive singer with a gruff style. Although originally from Louisiana where he has spent most of his life he is probably best known for his stint in Chicago in the 50s and and 60s when his piano playing illuminated recordings by many of greatest bluesmen in Chicago. This new album recaptures the feel of the glory days of Chicago blues with Henry accompanied by a small band including fellow Chicago veteran Chico Chism on drums, Johnny Rapp, Bob Margolin or Kid Ramos on guitar and producer Bob Corritore on harmonica. Henry performs a mixture of old favorites - some of his own as well as songs from the repertoire of Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James and others. The band does a good job though Corritore's harmonica is a bit overbearing - I would have preferred to have Henry's great piano higher in the mix. (FS)