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BLUES & GOSPEL

Rosie Ledet -> Joe Liggins

ROSIE LEDET
BONNIE LEE
BRYAN LEE
JULIA LEE
THE LEE BOYS
BOBBY LEECAN & ROBERT COOKSEY
KERI LEIGH
J.B. LENOIR
HOSEA LEVY
FURRY LEWIS
GEORGE LEWIS/ JIMMY YANCEY
JOHNIE LEWIS
MEADE "LUX" LEWIS
SMILEY LEWIS
CARL SONNY LEYLAND
JOE LIGGINS
 

 

ROSIE LEDET Maison De Soul 1052 Sweet Brown Sugar ● CD $15.98

ROSIE LEDET Maison De Soul 1077 Show Me Something ● CD $15.98

BONNIE LEE Delmark 676 Sweetheart Of The Blues ● CD $14.98
13 tracks of rompin' jump & Chicago blues by this fine singer , returning from retirement after working with, among others, Sunnyland Slim in the '70s. Backed up by 2 basic (with additions) bands, one led by guitarist former Slim guitarist Steve Freund, and by Delmark's own Willie Kent & The Gents. Though there's a few originals by Kent & Lee, most of the tunes are covers, ranging from Jimmy Rogers' That's All Right to Millie Jackson's Breakin' Up Somebody's Home, though my faves are the 2 featuring Johnny B. Moore on guitar, Willie Mae Thornton's Walkin' Blues & Jr. Parker's Next Time You See Me. (GM)

BRYAN LEE Justin Time 185 Six String Therapy ● CD $16.98
12 tracks, recommended
While capable of an over-the-edge approach, with Duke Robillard producing, Bryan Lee settles into his most authentic groove yet. Sax Gordon, Doug James, Bruce Katz, Jesse Williams and Mark Teixeira provide backing. From a second-line bounce on Go On Fool, to the relaxed swing of Just Like A Fish, or the Dave Bartholomew drive in Bumpity Bump, Lee is right at home. He takes on a Jody Williams gem in You May and lets the devil out of the closet for the ten-minute title track. B.B. King gets a nod with Beautician Blues, and Lee closes with a torch song, Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You? Those familiar with Bryan Lee know his voice has the perfect amount of grime and on Six String Therapy he's sounding better than ever. (CR)

JULIA LEE Bear Family BCD 15770 Kansas City Star ● CD $119.98
5 discs, 109 tracks, over 5 hrs, recommended
Heavy set, effervescent, and raunchy in a knowledgeable, fun-loving way, Julia Lee is certainly best known for the double entendre numbers featured on her 10 and 12 inch Party Time LPs from the mid-50s. And make no mistake, she did those numbers - King Size Papa, Snatch and Grab It, I Didn't Like It The First Time, and Boy Does My Man Stand Out - with particular verve and style. But, as this definitive Bear Family set reveals, she also sang supper club blues, less risque novelty numbers, and even straight pop ballads. And, even more surprisingly, she began her recording career much earlier than her 1944 start with Capitol. She actually began recording in 1927 with the George E. Lee Orchestra (her brother's band) and Jay McShann's Kansas City Stompers. Sadly, after only eight surviving tracks, included here, she retired as a youthful star in 1929. When she reemerged as a thoroughly adult recording star on Capitol, she was 42 years old and already a 20 plus years veteran of the Kansas City entertainment scene. Disc one here features her 1920's numbers - including Meritt Stomp, Paseo Street, Ruff Scufflin', and St. James Infirmary - plus her first Capitol number, Come on Over to My House, her subsequent cuts for the Premier label - including If It's Good and her first version of Lotus Blossom - and a previously unreleased eight song rehearsal session from 1946. All of discs two, three, and four, plus the majority of disc five offer the complete picture of Lee's issued and unissued Capitol recordings. All of her risque numbers are here, in addition to Doubtful Blues, Pagan Love Song, I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, Until the Real Thing Comes Along, Charmaine, and When Your Lover Has Gone. Disc five closes with her four mid-50's cuts for the Damon label, including Keep 'em Barefoot and Busy and Scat You Cats, and two of her last four tracks for the Foremost label where she tries to adjust to the popularity of rock 'n' roll with Bop and Rock Lullaby. The music, from start to finish is exuberant rather than bluesy. There's no angst here. The accompanying booklet is lavish, well-written, and full of session photographs. And sound quality, packaging, and general production standards are all up to this impressive label's normal high standards. (DH)

THE LEE BOYS Arhoolie 516 Say Yes ● CD $12.98
11 tracks, 56 minutes, highly recommended
Similar to Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Lee Boys are another outfit consisting of three brothers; Alvin on guitar with Keith and Derrick on providing vocals, plus nephews Emanuel Roosevelt Collier on pedal-steel, Alvin Cordy Jr. on bass, and Kenneth Earl Walker's drumming, all providing another fine look at the continuing "sacred steel" tradition. Collier's pedal-steel work soars on Joyful Sounds/ Come On Help Me Lift Him Up/ Tribute To Calvin Cooke, and a rousing version of You've Got To Move. Adding funk, hip-hop, and R&B flavors make for some wonderfully exciting listening. Perfectly suitable for driving to and from church, weekend barbeques, and any other day of the week, The Lee Boys deliver with all cylinders wide open. (CR)

BOBBY LEECAN & ROBERT COOKSEY Document DOCD 5279 Complete Recorded Works, Vol 1: 1924-1927 ● CD $15.98
24 tracks, 74 min., very good
This guitar (sometimes banjo) & harmonica duo first recorded together for Victor Records in 1926. The sides include Black Cat Bone Blues and as members of The South Street Trio, Need More Blues. Bruce Bastin, in his 1986 book Red River Blues, suggests that they were of southeastern origin, with a possible base in the NY-Philadelphia area. The CD is rounded out with their duo or individual recordings, accompanying Viola McCoy (1), Sara Martin (3), Elizabeth Smith (2), Helen Baxter (2) and Margaret Johnson (3). Volume 2 (1927-1928) contains further sides with The South Street Trio, Dixie Jazzers Washboard Band and Bobbie Leecan's Need-More Band. (EL)
HELEN BAXTER: I Wants A Real Man/ Scrubbin' Blues/ MARGARET JOHNSON: Dead Drunk Blues/ Good Woman Blues/ Second-Handed Blues/ BOBBY LEECAN & ROBERT COOKSEY: Black Cat Bone Blues/ Dirty Guitar Blues/ SARA MARTIN: Forget Me Not Blues/ Give Me Just A Little Of Your Time/ Nobody Knows And Nobody Cares Blues/ MARTIN & ROBERT: Dollar Blues/ Hock My Shoes/ Maxwell And Peoria Blues/ South Street Blues/ VIOLA MCCOY: West Indies Blues/ ELIZABETH SMITH & SIDNEY EASTON: Talk 'Bout Something That's Gwine To Happen/ When My Wants Run Out/ THE SOUTH STREET TRIO: Big Four/ Need More Blues (tk. 1)/ Need More Blues (tk. 2)/ South Street Stomp (tk. 1)/ South Street Stomp (tk. 2)/ Whiskey And Gin Blues (tk. 1)/ Whiskey And Gin Blues (tk. 2)

KERI LEIGH Waldoxy WCD 2806 No Beginner ● CD $15.98
KERI LEIGH & THE BLUE DEVILS: All Aboard/ Don't Tease Me/ Full Moon Blues/ Georgia Crawl/ Green River/ I Was Just Thinking/ If You Love Me/ Lightning Strikes The Ground/ Locomotive Blues/ No Beginnner At The Blues/ Stone Cold In Love/ Tell Mama/ The Houserocker/ Wild Women Don't Get The Blues

KERI LEIGH Waldoxy WCD 2810 Arrival ● CD $15.98
12 tracks, 51 min. very good
On Keri's 3rd CD, she leaves the Blue Devils' rhythm section behind & takes guitarist Mark Lyon down to the Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama (Waldoxy/Malaco happens to own the studio!). With backing by the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (including Roger Hood & Clayton Ivey) & the Muscle Shoals horns, the band slinks & grooves reminiscent of the classic female led horn bands of the 60s (Cold Blood/ Ten Wheel Drive). Keri picks some good covers including Sugar Pie DeSanto's Use What You Got & Koko Taylor's Voodoo Woman and a couple of surprises including The Allman Bros. Don't Keep Me Wonderin & Sly & The Family Stone's I Ain't Got Nobody, & some strong originals including the acoustic country blues-ish Hobo Train. (GM)

J.B. LENOIR Evidence 26068 Vietnam Blues - The Complete L+R Recordings ● CD $15.98
24 tracks, 65 mins, highly recommended
Long-time J. B. fans will know what to expect from this recorded-in-Chicago- for-Europeans acoustic set, as they'll already have both the German L & R albums. This CD contains both of these albums, all 24 tracks, with Willie Dixon and Fred Below helping out on a few cuts. Some of the tracks - Move This Rope, Born Dead - are very powerful, in contrast to his good time numbers like Mojo Boogie, I Feel So Good, How Much More, and Round And Round. A few collectors will have the Polydor "Crusade" album compiled by John Mayall, which was essentially the 2nd L & R album plus 3 extra 1962 'audition' tracks & interviews with Willie Dixon & Mrs. Lenoir. (EL)
J.B. LENOIR: Alabama/ Alabama March/ Born Dead/ Down In Mississippi/ Feelin' Good/ God's Word/ Good Advice/ How Much More/ I Feel So Good/ I Want To Go/ If I Get Lucky/ Leavin' Here/ Mississippi Road/ Mojo Boogie/ Move This Rope/ Round And Round/ Shot On James Meredith/ Slow Down Woman/ Talk To Your Daughter/ Tax Payin' Blues/ The Whale Has Swallowed Me/ Vietnam/ Vietnam Blues/ Voodoo Music

J.B. LENOIR JSP JSPCD 2154 One Of These Mornings ● CD $16.98
16 tracks, 49 mins, recommended
Reissue of LP JSP 1105 with five bonus cuts. This is a fascinating album of previously unissued recordings. The first seven tracks are from a demo tape made by Willie Dixon in 1962 and features Willie and J.B. chatting and singing songs. J.B. accompanies himself on acoustic guitar and includes a few old songs that he hadn't recorded elsewhere. The music is enjoyable and the repartee between J.B. and Dixon is delightful. Most of the remaining nine tracks are from a live concert with J.B. and his acoustic guitar (plus occasional drums from Fred Below) and include some of his more intensely personal and political songs - Alabama Blues/ The Whale/ Remove The Rope, etc. The last three tracks seem to be from a different source and are of lower quality than the rest but are worthwhile performances. (FS)

J.B. LENOIR Relic 7020 The Parrot Sessions ● CD $14.98
J.B. Lenoir was born in 1929 down in Monticello, MS. Played guitar and harp during the 40's in New Orleans before heading north for Chicago in 1951. He signed with Al Benson's Parrot label in 1954, where he cut many of his most memorable sides - Mama Talk To Your Daughter (45 rpm version)/ Eisenhower Blues/ Fine Girls - all included here. Accompanists include Lorenzo Smith, tenor sax; Joe Montgomery, piano; and Al Galvin, drums. Lenoir sings in warm, high-pitched, effeminate style (I have met people who thought that J.B. was a female blues guitar stylist). An essential collection by one of the champions of post-war Chicago blues, who died in an auto wreck on April 29. 1967. (OLN)
J.B. LENOIR: Eisenhower Blues/ Fine Girls/ Give Me One More Shot/ I Lost My Baby/ I'm Gonna Die Someday/ I'm In Korea/ Mama, Talk To Your Daughter/ Mama, Your Daughter's Going To Miss Me/ Man, Watch Your Women/ Sittin' Down Thinkin'/ We've Both Got To Realize/ What Have I Done

HOSEA LEVY Fedora 5002 You Gotta Move ● CD $16.98
New recordings of down home Arkansas bluesman

FURRY LEWIS Document DOCD 5004 Complete Recorded Works 1927 - 1929 ● CD $15.98
25 wonderful sides by outstanding Memphis based singer and guitarist.
FURRY LEWIS: Big Chief Blues/ Billy Lyons And Stack O'lee/ Black Gypsy Blues/ Cannon Ball Blues/ Creeper's Blues/ Dry Land Blues/ Everybody's Blues/ Falling Down Blues/ Furry's Blues/ Good Looking Girl Blues/ I Will Turn Your Money Green (tk. 1)/ I Will Turn Your Money Green (tk. 2)/ Jelly Roll/ John Henry (the Steel Driving Man) -1/ John Henry (the Steel Driving Man) -2/ Judge Harsh Blues (tk. 1)/ Judge Harsh Blues (tk. 2)/ Kassie Jones - Part 1/ Kassie Jones - Part 2/ Mean Old Bedbug Blues/ Mistreatin' Mama/ Mr. Furry's Blues/ Rock Island Blues/ Sweet Papa Moan/ Why Don't You Come Home Blues

FURRY LEWIS Fantasy 24703 Shake 'Em On Down ● CD $16.98
20 tracks, 72 minutes, recommended
Re-release of 2-LP set, comprised of two original Prestige/ Bluesville LP's from 1961. For some reason, perhaps his preference for folk blues numbers like this set's John Henry/ St. Louis Blues/ Casey Jones/ Frankie And Johnnie, Furry has never been regarded as a blues heavyweight. But these revival-era recordings sure sound good, filled with highly individual Deep South vocal stylings that can't be measured by the dominant Delta or Texas standard. His ever-steady acoustic guitar accompaniment is never hurried or overdone. Several numbers, including When My Baby Left Me/ I'm Going To Brownsville/ Roberta, feature beautifully languid slide work in addition to Lewis' fine fingerpicking. Nice resonant recording, excellent latter-day country blues. (MB)

FURRY LEWIS Fat Possum 80374 Good Morning Judge ● CD $15.98
10 tracks, 42 minutes, highly recommended
Originally recorded by George Mitchell in Memphis, Furry cut Don't You Come Home Blues and Furry Lewis Rag in 1962, while the remaining eight tracks were done in 1967. Considering he was near and beyond 70 when these were done, his spirit and performing capabilities are alarming with stunning guitar playing and full, passionate vocals. He offers great slide on the title track, romping rhythmic sense on Worried Blues, and decades-old bass string snaps on Blues Around My BedFurry Lewis Rag (with washtub bass by Dewey Corley - though not credited). His interpretation of Roll And Tumble Blues is a standout, and more than a few steps from the time-tested version most of us are used to. Sound quality is excellent throughout.(CR)

FURRY LEWIS Shout Factory 30248 Heroes Of The Blues - The Very Best Of Furry Lewis ● CD $11.98
16 tracks, 62 minutes, recommended
While Furry Lewis gained far more exposure than most of his contemporaries with an appearance on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, a film with Burt Reynolds, and an interview in Playboy magazine, he lived no better a life than his friends, working as a Memphis street sweeper to feed his family. His recordings (in a perfect world) should have brought him millions due to his wonderful slide guitar style and natural vocals, but like many others, his comeback period helped him considerably only to see him leave this world destitute. The first three tracks stem from Furry's late-1920s sessions for RCA Victor while the remainder come from Aldelphi, Biograph, and Fantasy recordings in the 1960s. A few have Lee Baker, Jr. assisting. Masterful. (CR)
FURRY LEWIS: Baby That's All Right/ Baby You Don't Want Me/ Cannon Ball Blues/ Furry's Blues/ I'm Going To Brownsville/ If You Follow Me Babe/ John Henry/ Judge Boushé/ Judge Harsh Blues/ Long Tall Gal Blues/ Natural Born Eastman/ Shake 'em On Down/ St. Louis Blues/ Take Your Time/ When I Lay My Burden Down/ Why Don't You Come Home Blues

FURRY LEWIS Yazoo 1050 In His Prime 1927 - 1928 ● CD $16.98
Like Henry Thomas and Frank Stokes, Lewis is a performer whose repertoire and style is deeply rooted in the mannerisms of the 19th century artists from whom he learned. For example, his most important influence was "Blind Joe", a Memphis musician who was in his 40's or 50's when Lewis was a child. Thus, many of his songs are pre-blues numbers, deriving from folk and ragtime sources. Nonetheless, his bottleneck playing and imaginative arrangements make him a compelling performer. Titles here include Good Looking Girl Blues/ I Will Turn Your Money Green/ Furry's Blues/ Kassie Jones Pts. 1 and 2/ Rock Island Blues. A reissue of the earlier Yazoo LP, with good sound considering the age of the material, one photo from the late 60's, and worthwhile notes by Steve Calt. (DH)
FURRY LEWIS: Cannonball Blues/ Everybody's Blues/ Falling Down Blues/ Furry's Blues/ Good Looking Girl Blues/ I Will Turn Your Money Green/ Jellyroll/ Judge Harsh Blues/ Kassie Jones Part 1/ Kassie Jones Part 2/ Mean Old Bedbug Blues/ Mistreatin' Mamma/ Rock Island Blues/ Why Don't You Come Home Blues

FURRY LEWIS & OTHERS Genes 9918 On The Road Again ● CD $14.98
Reissue of Adelphi 1007 featuring 10 tracks recorded in Memphis in 1969 - five by Furry, two by Gus Cannon and three by Bukka White. Mike Stewart adds second guitar to a number of tracks and veteran of The Memphis Jug Band, Dewey Corley, plays washtub bass and kazoo on one track

FURRY LEWIS WITH LEE BAKER, JR. Genes 9911 Take Your Time ● CD $14.98
12 tracks, 48 mins, highly recommended
Delightful collection of previously unissued recordings of legendary Memphis bluesman Lewis from 1969 featuring him accompanied by guitarist Lee Baker who worked with Furry for a number of years. Furry is in excellent form - his voice is very strong and his guitar work is terrific, both on slide and finger picked. Baker's accompaniments are generally sympathetic and mostly unobtrusive though they occasionally get in the way. Among the many fine songs here are Judge Boushe/ East St. Louis Blues/ See That My Grave Is Kept Clean/ If You Follow Me Babe/ Natural Born eastman and others. (FS)

FURRY LEWIS, BUKKA WHITE & FRIENDS Arcola 1001 Party! At Home ● CD $14.98
Fine set recorded informally, mostly at Furry's apartment, in Memphis in 1968. Many of these tracks were issued on an obscure 1972 LP on the Asp label. This CD reissue features four additional musical performances plus various segements of chatter. Both artists are in good form and the friends who turn up provide enthusiastic encouragement.

GEORGE LEWIS/ JIMMY YANCEY Collectables 6272 Jazz At Preservation Hall/ Pure Blues ● CD $13.98
Two rare Atlantic LPs combined. The George Lewis album was originally issued as Atlantic 1411 in 1963 and features the great New Orleans clarinetist recorded in the early 60s with "Kid" Howard, Jim Robinson and others. The Yancey sides were originally recorded in 1951 and released on Atlantic 1283 in 1958. The blues piano giant is in superb form, accompanied on most sides by the discreet bass playing of Israel Crosby and joined by Mama Yancey on four lovely vocals.

JOHNIE LEWIS Arhoolie 9007 Alabama Slide Guitar ● CD $9.98
18 tracks, 59 mins, recommended
A fine collection of country blues and spirituals recorded in Chicago in 1970 and '71 by Alabama born singer/ guitarist Lewis. Lewis is a strong singer and effective guitarist who often plays with a slide. His material is mostly traditional songs though Johnie usually gives them an original twist - two of the spirituals You Gonna Miss Me and I Got To Climb A High Mountain become tributes to Martin Luther King. Johnie also plays harmonica on one cut and kazoo on another and Charlie Musselwhite lends a helping harmonica hand on My Little Gal. Although no great original, Johnie is good enough to make one wonder why he didn't have more of a career as bluesman but when he was discovered there were a lot of great artists active and the blues scene at the time was smaller so maybe he got lost in the shuffle. Then again maybe he was satisfied with the more predictable rewards of his career as a highly regarded house painter. Whatever the reason we can at least enjoy this small smapling of his talents. (FS)
JOHNNY LEWIS: Baby, Listen To Me Howl/ Can't Hardly Get Along/ Comb My Baby's Hair/ Guitar Blues (Hound Dogs On My Track)/ He Met Me On A Thursday Morning/ Hobo Blues/ I Got To Climb A High Mountain (About Dr. Martin JOHNNY/ I'm Gonna Quit My Baby/ Jumpin' Jive/ Lewis' Little Girl Done Stole A Black Cat Bone/ Mistake In Life (Handsome Stranger)/ My Little Gal (With Charlie Musselwhite)/ My Mother Often Told Me/ North Carolina Blues/ Oh Lord, Tell Me Right From Wrong/ Poor Boy/ Uncle Sam Ain't No Woman/ You Gonna Miss Me (About Dr. Martin Luther King)

MEADE "LUX" LEWIS Document DOCD 5561 Alternate Takes, Live Performances, Soundies, etc. ● CD $15.98
31 tracks from 1939 to the late 40s.
MEADE LUX LEWIS: Be Ba Ba Le Ba Boogie (BW 250)/ Blues (private live recording)/ Boogie Tidal (Jubilee No. 87)/ Boogie Woogie (Soundie 16308)/ Cow Cow Blues (private live recording)/ Fast Boogie (D267)/ Honky Tonk Train Blues (D269)/ Honky Tonk Train Blues (Jubilee No. 41)/ Honky Tonk Train Blues (picture soundtrack)/ Introduction - Roll 'Em (Camel Caravan broadcast)/ Introduction - Six Wheel Chaser (Jubilee No. 87)/ Introduction - Yancey Special (Command Performance No. 14)/ Introduction/Honky Tonk Train Blues (Camel Caravan broadcast)/ Low Down Dog (Soundie 16508)/ Lux's Boogie (piece in G) (731)/ Medium Boogie (D266)/ Profoundly Blue No. 2 (R3461-2)/ Roll 'Em (Soundie 16008)/ Six Wheel Chaser (live recording)/ Slow Boogie (D268)/ Spirit Of Boogie Woogie (Soundie 8103)/ Squeeze Me (private live recording)/ Untitled Fragment (picture soundtrack)/ Untitled Phrases (cartoon soundtrack)/ V-Disc Stomp (Part One) (VP383 V-Disc unissued)/ V-Disc Stomp (Part Two) (VP383 V-Disc unissued)/ Whistlin' Blues (private live recording)

MEADE "LUX" LEWIS Jasmine 417 Gliding From Glendale To Chicago ● CD $15.98
Fine two CD set featuring 46 tracks by this great blues and boogie pianist. There are no recording details provided but, as far as I can tell, most of the recordings are from the 40s and early 50s. Most f the tracks are solo though a few feature a small group with nice electric guitar. On a few tracks he is featured playing celeste.
MEADE "LUX" LEWIS: Albert‘s Blues/ Bass On Top Boogie/ Bear Cat Crawl/ Birth Of The Blues/ Blues Whistle/ Bugle Call Rag/ Celeste Blues/ Chicago Flyer/ Closing Hour Blues/ Cow Cow Blues/ Darktown Strutters‘ Ball/ Deep Fives/ Denapa Boogie/ Doll‘s House Boogie/ Far Ago Blues/ Fast And Blues/ Fast Boogie/ Freakish Man Blues/ Glendale Glide/ Honky Tonk Train Blues/ Honky Tonk Train Blues/ How Long Blues/ I Ain‘t Gonna Give/ I‘m In The Mood For Love/ Jumpin‘ For Pete/ Lux Boogie/ Meade‘s Boogie/ Medium Boogie/ Mr. Freddy Blues/ No. 1 Boogie/ Pinetop‘s Boogie Woogie/ Randini‘s Boogie/ Rising Tide Blues/ Rockin‘ The Clock/ Six Wheel Chaser/ Slow Boogie/ Someday, Sweetheart/ St. Louis Blues/ Suitcase Blues/ Tell Your Story/ Tidal Boogie/ Two And Fews/ Whistlin‘ Blues/ Yancey Special/ Yancey‘s Pride/ deed I Do

MEADE "LUX" LEWIS Jasmine 2536 Barrel House Piano ● CD $11.98
16 tracks, 42 min., good
There is no indication in the notes here as to when these numbers were recorded, but they are primarily conventional honky tonk styled piano solos or similarly styled numbers with small combo backup. The sound quality is decent, so these are certainly not among Lewis' earliest recordings. Featured titles include Six Wheel Chaser/ How Long Blues/ Bugle Call Rag/ I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll/ Tidal Boogie, and Tisho Mingo Blues. Appreciative, but not very informative, notes. Though, from my perspective, he has neither the stateliness of Jimmy Yancy nor the the majestic drive of either Pete Johnson or Albert Ammons, he does produce appealing and energetic music here. (DH)

MEADE "LUX" LEWIS Original Jazz Classics OJCCD 1759 The Blues Piano Artistry Of Meade Lux Lewis ● CD $15.98
Meade Lux Lewis was one of the pioneer and foremost exponents of boogie woogie piano and this fine disc is reissue of Riverside 9402 recorded in 1961 and are some of his last recordings. The material is varied and in addition to his exemplary boogies Lux also plays some blues and jazz. Several cuts feature him performing on the celeste. (FS)

SMILEY LEWIS Bear Family BCD 15745 Shame, Shame, Shame ● CD $99.98
102 tracks, 3 hours 58 mins, essential
This superb box not only features all 87 of Smiley's his Imperial recordings but his four pre Imperial recordings for DeLuxe in 1947 and his post-Imperial recordings for Okeh, Dot and Loma. Smiley (Overton Amos Lemon) was one of the best singers in New Orleans with a powerful expressive vocal style. His Imperial recordings were mostly produced (and written) by the great Dave Bartholomew and Smiley was accompanied by the top musicians in New Orleans including Ernest McClean, "Tuts" Washington, Earl Palmer, Lee Allen, Fats Domino, Justin Adams, Herb Hardesty, Frank Fields, Salvador Doucette and many others. The set has one romping upbeat number after another with occasional breaks for an intense slow blues and the occasional pop standard which Smiley was very fond of but were not really his strong suit. The 36 page LP size booklet is outstanding with detailed notes by Rick Coleman, lots of interview material with Smiley's contemporaries and family, photos, posters, ads, session sheets, press clippings, his death certificate and photos of the boarding houses Smiley and his band stayed at in the 50s! Sound is impeccable. Sometimes I wish Bear Family would be responsible for all the reissues of vintage music! (FS)
SMILEY LEWIS: Ain't Goin' There No More/ Ain't Goin' There No More/ Ain't Gonna Do It/ Baby Please/ Bad Luck Blues/ Bee's Boogie/ Big Mamou/ Blue Monday/ Bumpity Bump/ By The Water/ Calsonia's Party/ Can't Stop Loving You/ Come On/ Crazy/ Dirty People/ Don't Jive Me/ Down The Road/ Down Yonder We Go Ballin'/ Farewell/ Go On Fool/ Goin' Down The Road/ Goin' To Jump & Shout/ Growing Old/ Gumbo Blues/ Gypsy Blues/ Here Comes Smiley/ Hey Girl/ How Long/ I Can't Believe It/ I Hear You Knocking/ I Love You For Sentimental Reasons/ I Shall Not Be Moved/ I Wake Up Screamin'/ I Want To Be With Her/ I Wonder/ I'm Coming Down With The Blues/ If You Ever Loved A Woman/ It's Music/ It's So Peaceful/ Jailbird/ Last Night/ Lil Liza Jane/ Lillie Mae/ Little Fernandez/ Lonesome Highway/ Lookin' For My Woman/ Lost Week End/ Lowdown/ Lying Woman/ Mama Don't Like/ My Baby/ My Baby Was Right/ My Love Is Gone/ No Letter Today/ No, No/ Nobody Knows/ Nothing But The Blues/ Oh Baby/ Oh Red!/ Oh Red!/ One Night/ One Night Of Sin/ Ooh La La/ Play Girl/ Please Listen To Me/ Queen Of Hearts/ Real Gone Lover/ Rootin' & Tootin'/ Sad Life/ School Days Are Back Again/ Shame, Shame, Shame/ Shame, Shame, Shame!/ She's Got Me Hook, Line & Sinker/ Show Me The Way/ Slide Me Down/ Someday You'll Want Me/ Sometimes/ Standing On The Corner/ Stormy Monday Blues/ Sweeter Words (have Never Been Told)/ Tee-nah-nah/ Tell Me Who/ That Certain Door/ The Bells Are Ringing/ The Bells Are Ringing/ The Jump (instrumental)/ The Rocks/ The Sheik Of Araby/ These Bones/ To The River/ Tomorrow Night/ Too Many Drivers/ Tore Up/ Turn On Your Volume, Baby/ Walkin' The Girl (instrumental)/ When Did You Leave Heaven/ Where Were You/ You Are My Sunshine/ You're Gonna Miss Me/ You're Not The One

 
CARL SONNY LEYLAND Solo Art SACD 117 Boogie And Blues ● CD $13.98
18 Tracks, 61 min., highly recommended
Carl Sonny Leyland sittin' in front of the piano performing what he terms his "own special brand of murder on the 88's". He sings on 6 tunes, but mostly he's inviting the listener to sit back and relax.... or jump up and shout for joy....or do whatever it is that great boogie woogie piano playing does for you. As the title indicates, it's not all boogies, there's other stuff thrown in also. Good notes from Leyland himself. Ten of the tracks are originals and he tells about his inspiration for each one. He also provides good information about the covers which include Down The Road Apiece, House Of Blue Lights and Yancey's Bugle Call. A cookin' CD. (RS)

JOE LIGGINS Purple Pyramid 965 The Essential Recordings ● CD $6.98 $0.00
Another of the great West Coast R&B pioneers recorded for Johnny Otis's Blues Spectrum label in the early 70s - this time singer/ songwriter/ pianist Joe Liggins. It's mostly remakes of some his mid/ late 40s classics like The Honeydripper/ Pink Champagne/ I've Got A Right To Cry/ Tanya and others. Arrangements are pretty close to the originals but with a smaller group and some tracks feature some tasty guitar work from Shuggie Otis.

JOE LIGGINS Specialty 7006 Legends Of Specialty - Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers ● CD $14.98
Singer, pianist, songwriter, bandleader Joe Liggins was one of a handful of early Post-War exponents of California-type blues and rhythm. Born in Oklahoma, Joe started out by writing charts for big bands in the early 1930s. This album features many of his best known jumping sides like Pink Champagne, the 1950 remake of The Honeydripper, Frankie Lee and the unstoppable Rag Mop. Contains three unissued sides including the frantic Flying Dutchman and which tenor saxman Maxwell Davis blows the roof off. With fascinating notes by Billy Vera. (OLN)
JOE LIGGINS: Blues For Tanya/ Brand New Deal In Mobile/ Do You Love Me, Pretty Baby?/ Don't Miss That Train/ Frankie Lee/ Freight Train Blues/ Going Back To New Orleans/ I Just Can't Help Myself/ I've Got A Right To Cry/ Little Joe's Boogie/ Louisiana Woman/ One Sweet Letter/ Pink Champagne/ Rag Mop/ Rain, Rain, Rain/ Ramblin' Blues/ Rhythm In The Barnyard/ Shuffle Boogie Blues/ Tanya/ The Big Dipper/ The Flying Dutchman/ The Honeydripper/ Trying To Lose The Blues/ Whiskey, Gin And Wine/ Whiskey, Women And Loaded Dice

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