BLUES & GOSPEL
Rosie
Ledet -> Joe Liggins
| ROSIE LEDET |
Maison De Soul 1052 |
Sweet Brown Sugar |
● CD $15.98 |
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| ROSIE LEDET |
Maison De Soul 1077 |
Show Me Something |
● CD $15.98 |
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| 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)
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| BONNIE LEE |
Wolf 120.853 |
I'm Good - Chicago Blues Session Vol. 7 |
● CD $15.98 |
10 songs with Magic Slim, Johnny B. Moore, Willie kent, Tim
Taylor and others.
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| 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)
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| 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)
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| JULIA LEE |
Blues Collection 159 702 |
Snatch And Grab It, 1944-49 |
● CD $11.98 |
22 track compilation of this fine artist's recordings.
This is a good
introduction to this artist for those that don't want to spring for the 5 CD
box on Bear family - Come On Over To My House/ If It's Good/ Lotus
Blossom/ Snatch And Grab It/ Bleeding Hearted Blues/ I was Wrong/ King Size
Papa/ Christmas Spirit/ Do You Want It?/ Don't Come Too Soon/ Ugly Papa/ You
Ain't Got It No More, etc.
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| JULIA LEE |
Classics 5119 |
1927-1936 |
● CD $14.98 |
Includes Julia's earliest sides recorded in 1927 and 1929
with her brother George. She didn't record again until 1945 when the story
picks up again with her recordings for Premier and Capitol with Tommy
Douglas's Orchestra and various small groups.
JULIA LEE: A Porter's Love Song To A Chambermaid/ Come On
Over To My House/ Down Home Syncopated Blues/ Dream Lucky Blues/ Gotta Gimme
Whatcha' Got/ Have You Ever Been Lonely?/ He's Tall, Dark And Handsome/ I'll
Get Along Somehow/ If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight/ If It's Good/
Julia's Blues/ Lies/ Lotus Blossom/ Oh Marie/ On My Way Out/ Out In The Cold
Again/ Paseo Street/ Ruff Scufflin'/ Show Me Missouri Blues/ Since I've Been
With You/ St. James Infirmary/ The Meritt Stomp/ Trouble In Mind/ When A
Woman Loves A Man/ Won't You Come Over To My House?/ Young Girl's Blues
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| JULIA LEE |
Classics 5144 |
The Chronological Julia Lee, 1947 |
● CD $14.98 |
| The second volume of Julia's complete commercial recordings
features 24 tracks recorded in 1947 including her two biggest hits Snatch
It And Grab It and King Size Papa plus There Goes My Heart/
Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out/ Back Street/ Doubtful Blues/ Cole
Hearted Daddy/ I Was Wrong/ Take It Or Leave It/ Blues For SomeoneJULIA
LEE: Ain't It A Crime/ All I Do Is Worry/ Back Street/ Bleeding Hearted
Blues/ Blues For Someone/ Breeze/ Cold Hearted-daddy/ Doubtful Blues/ I Was
Wrong/ I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles/ If You Hadn't Gone Away/ King Size Papa/
Knock Me A Kiss/ Mama Don't Allow It/ My Sin/ Nobody Knows You When You're
Down And Out/ Pagan Love Song/ Snatch It And Grab It/ Take It Or Leave It/
That's What I Like/ The Curse Of An Aching Heart/ There Goes My Heart/ When
You're Smiling/ Wise Guys
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| JULIA LEE |
JSP JSPCD 3405 |
Kansas City's First Lady Of The Blues |
● CD $16.98 |
Excellent two CD set at a budget price featuring 48 tracks
recorded by this fine vocalist and piano player between 1944 and 1947
accompanied by top jazz musicians like Jay McShann, Walter Page, Vernon "Geechie"
Smith, Dave Cavanaugh, Benny Carter, Vic Dickenson, George "Red" Callendar
and others. A fine mix of blues, jazz, pop songs and some of Julia's
trademark "risqué" numbers. Excellent sound and booklet has informative
notes and discographical details.
JULIA LEE: A Porter's Love Song To A Chambermaid/ Ain't It
A Crime/ All I Ever Do Is Worry/ Bleeding Hearted Blues/ Blues For Someone/
Breeze (blowing My Baby Back To You)/ Charmaine/ Christmas Spirits/ Cold
Hearted Daddy/ Come Over To My House/ Crazy World/ Doubtful Blues/ Dream
Lucky Blues/ Gotta Gimme Whatcha' Got/ I Was Wrong/ I'll Get Along Somehow/
I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles/ If It's Good/ If You Hadn't Got Away/ Julia's
Blues/ King Size Papa/ Lies/ Living Backstreet For You/ Lotus Blossom/ Lotus
Blossom/ Mama Don't Allow It/ My Sin/ Nobody Knows You When You're Down And
Out/ Oh Marie/ On My Way Out/ Out In The Cold Again/ Pagan Love Song/ Show
Me Missouri Blues/ Since I've Been With You/ Sit Down And Drink It Over/
Snatch And Grab It/ Take It Or Leave It/ Tell Me Daddy/ That's What I Like/
The Glory Of Love/ The Spinach Song (i Didn't Like It The First Time)/ There
Goes My Heart/ Trouble In My Mind/ Until The Real Thing Comes Along/ When A
Man Loves A Woman/ When You're Smiling/ Wise Guys (you're A Wise Guy)/ Young
Girl's Blues
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| JULIA LEE |
Proper Intro 2018 |
That's What I Like |
● CD $9.98 |
24 tracks, 69 mins, recommended
Heavy set, effervescent, and
raunchy in a knowledgeable, fun-loving way, Julia Lee is probably best known
for the double entendre numbers and many of those are featured here like
, and My Man Stand Out - all performed with particular verve and
style. But, as this collection of sides, recorded between 1944 and 1949,
shows, she also sang supper club blues, less risque novelty numbers, jazz
and pop ballads - Come On Over To My House/ I'll Get Along Somehow/ Out
In The Cold Again/ Nobody Knows You When You's Down And Out/ Ain't It A
Crime/ My Sin, etc. Arrangments range from rhythm sectiond to small
bands with Julia's fine piano work in the forefront. There's a lot of
duplication with previous reissues on President and Indigo but this has a
lower price and better packaging with an eight page booklet with notes and
discographical info. Sound quality is excellent. (FS)
JULIA LEE: A Porter's Song To A Chambermaid/ Ain't It A
Crime/ Cold Hearted Daddy/ Come On Over To My House/ Crazy World/ Do You
Want It/ Don't Come Too Soon/ Don't Save It Too Long/ Gotta Give Me Whatcha
Got/ I'll Get Along Somehow/ King Size Papa/ Mama Don't Allow It/ My Man
Stands Out/ My Sin/ Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out/ Out In The
Cold Again/ Snatch And Grab It/ Take It Or Leave It/ Tell Me Daddy/ That's
What I Like/ The Glory Of Love/ The Spinach Song/ Tonight's The Night/ You
Ain't Got No More
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| 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)
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| 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)
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| THE LEGENDARY BLUES
BAND |
Rounder 2029 |
Life Of Ease |
● CD $15.98 |
With Louis Myers - good, solid performances if not actually
earthshaking.
THE LEGENDARY BLUES BAND: Eye To Eye/ For You My Love/ How
Long How Long/ Hush Hush/ Life Of Ease/ Love You To The Bone/ Lucille/ Pay
Back/ Snakeskin Strut/ Think Like A Million/ Woke Up With The Blues
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| THE LEGENDARY BLUES
BAND |
Rounder 2035 |
Red Hot 'n' Blue |
● CD $15.98 |
A mixture of originals and older songs. Vocals are by
Portnoy, Jones and Perkins - none of whom are exceptional vocalists. The
accompaniments featuring fine guest guitarist Duke Robbillard are competent
without being very striking.
THE LEGENDARY BLUES BAND: Blues For Big Nate/ Come Back
Baby/ Crazy 'Bout That Thing/ Do The Get Down/ High Heel Sneakers/ How Long/
I Almost Lost My Mind/ Loverboy/ Money/ Streamlined Baby
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| KERI LEIGH |
Waldoxy WCD 2806 |
No Beginner |
● CD $15.98 |
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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
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| 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)
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| J.B. LENOIR |
Classics 5128 |
The Chronological J.B. Lenoir, 1951-1954 |
● CD $14.98 |
The 23 earliest sides of this superb Chicago bluesman
J.B. LENOIR: Carrie Lee/ Deep In Debt Blues/ Eisenhower
Blues/ How Can I Leave/ How Much More/ I Have Married/ I Want My Baby/ I'll
Die Tryin'/ I'm Gonna Die Someday (I Must Die)/ I'm In Korea/ Korea Blues/
Let's Roll/ Louise/ Mamma Talk To Your Daughter/ Man Watch Your Woman/ My
Baby Told Me/ People Are Meddling/ Play A Little While/ Sitting Down
Thinking/ Slow Down Woman/ Tax Paying Blues/ The Mojo/ The Mountain
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| 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
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| 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)
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| J.B. LENOIR |
MCA 6170 |
Martin Scorsese Presents J.B. Lenoir |
● CD $11.98 |
Thanks to the recent PBS documentary series J.B. Lenoir is
getting some much deserved attention and this fine collection features 15
tracks recorded for Chess, Parrot and Checker between 1951 and '58 including
two of his most famous songs Eisenhower Blues and Mama Talk To You
Daughter.
J.B. LENOIR: Don't Dog Your Woman/ Don't Touch My Head/
Eisenhower Blues/ Five Years/ Give Me One More Shot/ Good Looking Woman/ If
You Love Me/ Korea Blues/ Low Down Dirty Shame/ Mama Talk To Your Daughter/
Mama, What About Your Daughter/ Natural Man/ Sitting Down Thinking/ Voodoo
Boogie/ When I Am Drinking
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| J.B. LENOIR |
Relic 7020 |
The Parrot Sessions |
● CD $13.98 |
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
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| HOSEA LEVY |
Fedora 5002 |
You Gotta Move |
● CD $16.98 |
New recordings of down home Arkansas bluesman
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| RON LEVY'S WILD
KINGDOM |
Bullseye Blues 9532 |
B-3 Blues And Grooves |
● CD $15.98 |
11 tracks, 53 min., recommended
When the room is fills with
the sweet musical perfume of the unwieldy Hammond B-3 organ, I have to
wonder if I was born too late. Back when the organ combo reigned supreme,
things like learning to walk and talk loomed large in my world, so it's hard
to explain this nostalgic longing for the swirling, thick-as-molasses sounds
Jimmy Smith, Bill Doggett, and others poured over some of the fifties' best
music. Producer and ace keyboardist Ron Levy must feel the same fondness for
the period; why else would he start this disc with a phono needle dropping
onto a well-worn LP groove? Summertime/ Gimme A Break/ Prayin' The Blues/
Eema's Song recapture the vintage blend of genuinely organ-ic jazz and
blues that was one of the few redeeming features of the Eisenhower years.
Frost king Albert Collins dominates Chillin' Out/ Defrostin', while
Meter Made/ Funk Finger put a contemporary spin on the vacuum tube
behemoth. Even if you already own the best of the era, you'll want to give
this a few spins. (MB)
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| 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
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| 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)
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| 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)
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| FURRY LEWIS |
Lucky Seven 9202 |
Fourth And Beale |
● CD $15.98 $10.98 |
9 tracks, 38 min., recommended
A delightfully quirky
latter-day recording (1969), rich in backwoods surrealism and wild guitar
effects from this well-known Memphis bluesman. In the 42 years since his
first recordings, Furry had lost none of his abilities, and gained a
colorful personality that comes through loud and clear on an assortment of
traditional blues themes and vigorous originals. Blues scholars will marvel
at how Furry switches between finger-picked East Coast accompaniment and
some very fine Delta-style bottleneck playing. As the informal session
progresses and Lewis "loosens up" his vocals get a little sloppy, but the
music doesn't suffer much. You might recognize John Henry/ Casey Jones/
St. Louis Blues/ When The Saints Go Marchin' Home, though you haven't
heard 'em done like this before. Good fun. (MB)
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| FURRY LEWIS |
Lucky Seven 9206 |
Blues Magician |
● CD $15.98 |
12 tracks, 41 mins, good
Previously unissued recordings from
1969 recorded at Furry's home in Memphis. Other, and better, recordings made
at the same time are available on Lucky Seven 9202. These are leftovers and
sound like it - there are some good moments but the music is frequently
marred by sloppy playing and tentative vocals from Furry. Many of the songs
are available are available on other albums by him in much better versions.
Furry was a great artist and releasing inferior recordings by him does
injustice to his memory - if this was the only Furry album you heard you
wouldn't realize what a marvelous performer he was. (FS)
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| FURRY LEWIS |
Shout Factory 30248 |
Heroes Of The Blues - The Very Best Of Furry
Lewis |
● CD $13.98 |
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
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| FURRY LEWIS |
Yazoo 1050 |
In His Prime 1927 - 1928 |
● CD $15.98 |
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
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| 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
|
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| 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)
|
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| 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.
|
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| 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.
|
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| JIMMY "BABY
FACE" LEWIS |
Blue Moon 6028 |
The Complete Recordings, 19471955 |
● CD $14.98 |
26 tracks, recommended
Fine overlooked singer and guitarist.
Lewis was a good singer and performed up tempo jump numbers, slow blues and
ballads. He was also a solid, if not particularly original, guitarist. He is
accompanied by various fine groups including Floyd Campbell & His Orch, The
Tab Smith Orchestra, Joe Morris' Blues Cavalcade and others. Songs include
Jospehine/ LOnesome Road/ Dusty Road/ I'm Wise To You Baby/ Bulging Eyes/
How Long Baby/ Mailman Blues/ I'm Still In Love/ Slippin' & Slidin'/ Let's
Get Together & Make Some Love/ Cherry Wine and others. Good sound and
informative notes by Opal Louis Nations. (FS)
|
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| JOHNIE LEWIS |
Arhoolie 9007 |
Alabama Slide Guitar |
● CD $9.98 |
18 tracks, 59 mins, recorded
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)
|
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| MEADE "LUX" LEWIS |
Classics 722 |
The Chronological Meade Lux Lewis, 1927-1939 |
● CD $14.98 |
18 tracks, 61 min., recommended
A delightful hour of boogie
and blues by one of the few masters of the craft. Lewis - along with Jimmy
Yancey, Pete Johnson, and Albert Ammons - brought boogie woogie to its brief
tour at the forefront of American popular music in the years before World
War II. This chronological look at his career opens with his first version
of Honky Tonk Train Blues, recorded for Paramount in 1927, and
subsequently features his second and third versions, recorded for Parlophone
and Victor during the mid-30's. Other numbers include Yancey Special,
Celeste Blues, Boogie Woogie Prayer with Ammons and Johnson,
The Blues parts 1-5, and Solitude. A program well worth the
admission price, featuring brief but solid liner notes and good sound
quality. Duplicates about half of the material on the Blue Note CD "The
First Day". (DH)
MEADE LUX LEWIS: Bear Cat Crawl/ Boogie Woogie Prayer
(Parts 1 & 2)/ Celeste Blues/ Honky Tonk Train Blues (3 takes)/ I'm In The
Mood For Love/ Melancholy/ Mr. Freddie Blues/ Solitude/ The Blues (Parts 1 -
5)/ Whistlin' Blues/ Yancey Special
|
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| MEADE LUX LEWIS |
Classics 1401 |
The Chronological Meade Lux Lewis, 1946-1954 |
● CD $14.98 |
19 tracks, 70 mins, highly recommended
The fourth collection
in Classics' chronological survey of the recordings of this great blues and
boogie piano player (complementing Classics 722, 743 & 841). It opens up
with four great solo sides from a 1946 Jazz At The Philharmonic concert
including a stellar rendition of his theme song Honky Tonk Train Blues.
This is followed by a nine track studio session where he is accompanied by
bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Frank Williams on a selection of mostly
blues and boogie favorites including Jumpin' With pete/ Cow Cow Boogie/
Yancey Special/ Pinetop's Boogie Woogie and, of course, Honky Tonk
Train Blues. The final six track studio session from 1954 finds him the
company of drummer Louie Bellson and feature a number of tracks that feature
a more jazz flavored approach - even the boogie tracks are a bit restrained
and exhibit more improvization than on his earlier recordings and show the
depth of his piano skills. Sound is excellent - notes are dispensable. (FS)
MEADE LUX LEWIS: Albert's Blues/ Bush Street Boogie/ Cow
Cow Blues/ Fast Boogie/ Hangover Boogie/ Honky Tonk Train Blues/ Honky Tonk
Train Blues/ Jumpin' With Pete/ Mam's Bounce/ Medium Boogie (yancey
Special)/ Mr. Freddie's Blues/ Pinetop's Boogie Woogie/ Riff Boogie/
Shooboody/ Slow Boogie (dupree Blues0/ Spooney Sam/ Suitcase Blues/ Yancey
Special/ Yancey's Last Ride
|
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| 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)
|
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| 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
|
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| 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
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