NEWSLETTER #138
Blues & Gospel
Tom McFarland
->
Mighty Joe Young
| MISS ANGEL |
Electro-Fi 3389 |
That's The Way I Tumble |
● CD $15.98 |
11 tracks, 48 minutes, excellent
Previously heard on Mel
Brown's "Neck Bones & Caviar" disc, Mississippi-born Miss Angel steps
forward on her first solo outing, and justifiably, Mel and his Homewreckers
provide the backing throughout. Whether chugging through the shuffling
Country Man, a funky That's The Way I Tumble, or the strutting
747 Blues, Angel's vocals are powerful and completely unaffected, if at
times a bit unpolished and under-developed. Her power and conviction prove
stronger on the 'live' and driving Hipshake with the rest of the
album being a well-produced studio effort. Brown's stirring guitar proves a
perfect foil from beginning to end while the small band locks into the
grooves without missing a beat. (CR)
|
| KING SOLOMON |
Night Train 7138 |
You Ain't Nothing But A Teenager |
● CD $15.98 |
24 tracks, highly recommended
Great collection of soul
flavored blues recorded for various small California labels in the 60s and
70s by King Sylvester Lee, or as he was better known, King Solomon. Solomon
got his start in gospel groups and his vocals have a strong gospel feel to
them. His first single for the Ball label, the two part Non Support Blues
recorded for the L.A. based Ball label became a local and was picked up by
the Checker label though all his subsequent releases were confined to small
labels and the tracks here were released on labels like Magnum, Don-J,
Resist, Highland, Mader-D, Ashanti and Celestial. There are lots of fine
songs here like Separation, the Howling Wolf flavored Yodeling
This Morning, the fine slow blues I Got To Move, the funk
flavored The Natural Look and others. The last seven tracks are from
an LP released on the Celestial label in 1978 featuring a blend of blues,
soul and funk including the topical songs Energy Crisis. Most of the
accompanying musicians are unknown but there are some excellent bands with
top notch guitar on many of the tracks. Includes eight page fold out booklet
with detailed notes and rare photos. Like many Night Train titles the
remastering could be better but there's lots of fine and infrequently heard
music here. (FS)
|
| SPIRIT OF MEMPHIS |
Acrobat ADDCD 3007 |
Happy In The Service Of The Lord |
● CD $13.98 |
Two CDs, 47 tracks, 143 mins, essentiall
In my humble opinion
the 33 tracks recorded by the Spirit Of Memphis for King between 1949 and
1952, and included on this collection, features some of the greatest gospel
quartet singing ever put on record. With the soaring tenor lead of Wilmer
"Little Ax" Broadnax (a woman, living as man!), the powerful baritone/ tenor
lead of Jethro "Jet" Bledsoe and the ferocious, thundering, baritone lead
singing and preaching of the great Silas Steele they produced music of such
visceral intensity that you will feel positively drained after hearing half
a dozen songs. One can only imagine the effect it had a live audience at the
time. Whether it's the interweaving of the lead voices or the exquisite
harmonies of the rest of the group it's all just perfect. Listen to The
Day Is Passed And Gone where Little Axe subtly intones the lyrics
against the harmonies of the group oohing in the background with Silas
Steele preaching at the same time - the effect is utterly spine chilling.
And there's one classic after another On The Battlefield/ Blessed Are The
Dead/ If Jesus Had To Pray/ Calvary/ I'll Go/ Everytime I Feel The Spirit/
That Awful Day/ Toll The Bell Easy and others. The group ended their
King stay with the wonderful live two part Lord Jesus. After they
left King they joined the major gospel label Peacock and this set includes
their first dozen sides for that label which curiously lack the passion and
fire of the King sides - fine performances on their own but they pale in
comparison. Opening the set are the group's first recordings in 1949 for
Deluxe and Hallelujah Spirituals which preasged what was to come on King.
Sound is generally excellent, dubbed from mostly clean 78s, and booklet has
informative notes by Opal Louis Nations. If you buy only one gospel CD this
decade this is the one to get! (FS)
|
| WARREN
STORM & THE BLUES ROCKERS |
St. George 7709 |
Dust My Blues |
● CD $14.98 |
14 tracks, 43 min., recommended
Born Warren Schexnider, Mr.
Storm established himself as a leading progenitor of Louisiana swamp pop in
the 1950s and '60s. In LA where he soaked up his eclectic musical approach,
Storm paid the rent as an in-demand session drummer. "Dust My Blues"
features Cajun and rockabilly tunes but is decidedly blues heavy. Storm
drums and sings his way back in time, covering such favorites as Honey
Hush, If You Need Me, Slim Harpo's Rainin' In My Heart,
and others. Yet for all that it doesn't sound like a man trying to recapture
his musical youth so much as a man who is still genuinely in love with the
music. Storm and the aptly named Blues Rockers know how to create a
disturbance in the atmosphere, thanks in part to the spirited guitar work of
Studebaker John and Rockin' Billy Harnden. Pull up a dance floor. (JC)
|
| THE SWANEE QUINTET |
MCA 21098 |
Take The Lord With You |
● CD $8.98 |
Back in stock. 10 of this fine group's Nashboro recordings -
Take The Lord With You/ That's The Spirit/ Sit Down Servant/ Holy Ghost
Got Me/ How I Got Over, etc.
|
| FINIS TASBY |
Electro-Fi 3390 |
What My Blues Are All About |
● CD $15.98 |
12 tracks. 64 minutes, recommended
Pretty much
under-the-radar until the last few years, Finis Tasby is showing himself as
a force to be reckoned with, and this new disc amply displays his rich and
soulful voice as well as his powerful songwriting. Four of the twelve tracks
are sizzling covers (Baby Please/ Mean Old World/ I Don't Want No Woman
/Ugly Woman Blues) with the balance consisting of creatively potent
originals. The swamp feel of Back In Love Again and the grinding
Blues From Down Under are just two of many highlights. Guitar is
supplied by Mel Brown on a few (plus a few more on keyboard) and relative
newcomer Enrico Crivellaro (who proves he's no slouch either) while David
Rotundo's harp is very effective with a thick, overdriven approach. Tasby is
a joy to listen to, and whether on his own or making appearances with The
Mannish Boys (among others), his hearty style is completely satisfying -
especially so on "What My Blues Are All About." (CR)
|
| BIG JOE TURNER |
Fabulous 149 |
The Forties, Vol. 1 : 1940-1946 |
● CD $7.98 |
The first of two volumes presenting a selection of the
recordings made by the great Big Joe Turner in the 40s. These two volumes
provide a fine introduction. Joe is featured in the company of musicians
like Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Ulysses Livingston, Freddie Slack, Pete
Johnson and others on 18 songs including How Long, How Long Blues/ I
Can't Give You Anything But Love/ Goin' To Chicago Blues/ Blues In the Night
(My Mama Done Told Me)/ Little Bittie Gal's Blues/ Johnson & Turner Blues/
My Gals & Jockey and more. Good sound, brief notes by Neil Slaven and
discographical info.
|
| BIG JOE TURNER |
Fabulous 185 |
The Forties, Vol. 2 : 1947-1949 |
● CD $7.98 |
18 more fine sides - this time from 1947 through 1949 with
Pete Johnson, Art Farmer, Maxwell Davis, Joe Houston & others - Around
The Clock, Parts 1 & 2/ TRouble Blues/ Christmas Date Boogie/ Baby Wont You
Marry Me/ Rainy Weather Blues/ I Wish I Had A Dollar, etc.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Ace CDCHD 1057 |
The Modern Downhome Blues Sessions, Vol. 4 |
● CD $18.98 |
The fourth volume in this great series is a real treat for
country blues lovers - apart from four tracks by Texas pianist Alexander
Moore (accompanied by guitarist Smokey Hogg) the rest is all guitar
accompanied country blues. Some of it by real mystery men and all of it
great. Includes Jesse Thomas, Pine Top Slim, Leroy Simpson (with Lane
Hardin/ guitar), Lane Hardin (aka Arkansas Johnny Todd, Big Bill Dotson,,
Little Son Jackson and Big Charley Bradix. The CD includes six previously
unissued songs or alternate takes. Jim O'Neal's in depth liner notes helps
lift the veil on some of the mysteries here.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Arhoolie 510 |
Blues With A Message |
● CD $12.98 |
Excellent collection of 18 tracks from the Arhoolie catalog
featuring blues songs with a topical message including I Have To Paint My
Face by Sam Chatmon, Tom Moore's Farm by Mance Lipscomb, Levee
Camp Blues by Fred McDowell, Little Soldier Boy by Doctor Ross,
Depression Blues by Herman E. Johnson, It's EWnough by Juke
Boy Bonner and others including the beautiful and moving 1919 Influenza
Blues by Essie Jenkins which is making its first appearance on CD.
Includes 20 page booklet with detailed notes by Paul Oliver's whose
pioneering book Blues Fell This Morning was the first in depth look
at the meaning and content of the blues.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Blue Moon 6049 |
Juke Box R&B 1945-1946 |
● CD $16.98 |
25 tracks of Los Angeles jump blues and R&B
featuring the complete recordings of Johnny Alston & His Orchestra, Cal
Lucas & His Orch., Sylvester Scott & His Orch and Ollie Jackson & His Band.
Some obscure but fine artists with excellent sound.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Boulevard 1011 |
The R&B Years - 1954 |
● CD $29.98 |
Another great collection featuring 100 blues, R&B and
doo-wop titles issued in 1954 including hits and lesser known sides. About
25% of the tracks are duplicated on Indigo 2565.
Generally excellent sound and set comes with 8-page fold out booklet with
notes by Roy Bainton.
JOHNNY ACE: Never Let Me Go/ FAYE ADAMS: It Hurts Me To My
Heart/ LAVERN BAKER: Tweedle Dee/ DAVE BARTHOLOMEW: Jump Children/ JIMMY
BINKLEY: Wine, Wine, Wine/ OTIS BLACKWELL: Oh! What A Babe!/ TINY BRADSHAW:
Overflow/ CHARLES BROWN: I Want To Fool Around With You/ CLARENCE
"GATEMOUTH" BROWN: Midnight Hour/ Okie Dokie Stomp/ NAPPY BROWN: That Man/
ROY BROWN: Black Diamond/ Bootleggin' Baby/ RUTH BROWN: Love Contest/ Mambo
Baby/ Oh What A Dream/ RAY CHARLES: Don't You Know/ It Should've Been Me/
THE CHARMS: Hearts Of Stone/ THE CHORDS: Sh-boom (life Could Be A Dream)/
THE CLOVERS: I've Got My Eyes On You/ Little Mama/ Lovey Dovey/ Your Cash
Ain't Nothing But Trash/ SUGAR BOY CRAWFORD: Jock-a-mo/ PEE WEE CRAYTON: Do
Unto Others/ You Know Yeah/ EARL CURRY: One Whole Year Baby/ LARRY DALE: You
Better Heed My Warning/ MARGIE DAY: Take Out Your False Teeth Baby/ VARETTA
DILLARD: Send Me Some Money/ FATS DOMINO: Something's Wrong/ You Done Me
Wrong/ THE DOMINOES: My Baby's 3-d/ CHAMPION JACK DUPREE: Rub A Little
Boogie/ Shim Sham Shimmy/ THE EAGLES: Trying To Get To You/ WILLIE EGANS:
It's A Shame/ BILLY EMERSON: The Woodchuck/ THE FIVE ROYALES: Cry Some More/
THE FLAIRS: Love Me Girl/ JOHNNY FULLER: Hard Times/ LOWELL FULSON:
Reconsider Baby/ MIKE GORDON: Why Don't You Do Right?/ You Got To Give/ BIG
JOHN GREER: Bottle It Up And Go/ TINY GRIMES: Juicy Fruit/ GUITAR SLIM:
Later For You Baby/ The Story Of My Life/ The Things That I Used To Do/
ARTHUR GUNTER: Baby Let's Play House/ SHIRLEY GUNTER: Oop Shoop/ WYNONIE
HARRIS: Keep-a-'talkin/ JOE HOUSTON: All Night Long/ ELMORE JAMES: Make My
Dreams Come True/ BUDDY JOHNSON: I'm Just Your Fool/ A Pretty Girl (a
Cadillac And Some Money)/ LITTLE JOHNNIE JONES: Hoy Hoy/ B.B. KING: Bye!
Bye! Baby/ Everything I Do Is Wrong/ You Upset Me Baby/ EARL KING: A
Mother's Love/ J.B. LENORE: Eisenhower Blues/ SMILEY LEWIS: Blue Monday/
Down The Road/ LITTLE MILTON: Beggin' My Baby/ WILLIE MABON: Poison Ivy/
Would You Baby/ PERCY MAYFIELD: I Need Love So Bad/ JIMMY MCCRACKLIN: Blues
Blasters Boogie/ CLYDE MCPHATER & THE DRIFTERS: Honey Love/ CLYDE MCPHATTER
& THE DRIFTERS: Such A Night/ THE MEDALLIONS: Buick '59/ MEMPHIS SLIM: Call
Before You Go/ THE MIDNIGHTERS: Annie Had A Baby/ Sexy Ways/ AMOS MILBURN:
Baby You Thrill Me/ Good, Good Whiskey/ Milk And Water/ THE MOONGLOWS:
Sincerely/ THE PENGUINS: Earth Angel (will You Be Mine)/ PROFESSOR LONGHAIR:
Tipitina/ RED PRYSOCK: Jump Red Jump/ LULA REED: Watch Dog/ LITTLE RICHARD
WITH THE TEMPO TOPPERS: Rice, Red Beans And Turnip Greens/ TOMMY RIDGLEY:
Jam Up/ THE ROBINS: Riot In Cell Block No.9/ THE ROYALS: Work With Me Annie/
BIG MAMA THORNTON: I Smell A Rat/ THE TRENIERS: Rock A Beatin' Boogie/ JOE
TURNER: Shake Rattle And Roll/ Tv Mama/ Well, All Right/ T-BONE WALKER: Love
Is Just A Gamble/ Pony Tail/ DINAH WASHINGTON: Big Long Slidin' Thing/ YOUNG
JOHN WATSON: Space Guitar/ CHUCK WILLIS: I Feel So Bad/ You're Still My
Baby/ JIMMY WITHERSPOON: I Can Make It With You (big Daddy)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Boulevard Vintage 1013 |
The R&B Years 1947 |
● CD $29.98 |
A particularly welcome entry in this series as recordings
from 1947 haven't been explored in much depth in other thematic anthologies
and this includes some hard to find sides as well as some tracks that have
not appeared on CD before. It includes some of the R&B hits from 1947 as
well as lots of obscure sides. Among the many artists featured are Amos
Milburn, Eddie Vinson, Buddy Banks, Redd Foxx, Jack McVea (his classic
Open The Door Richard! of course), Roy Milton, Jesse Price, Cecil Gant,
Tiny Bradshaw, Buddy Johnson, Illinois Jacquet, Erskine Hawkins, The Five
Blazers, Big Three Trio, Memphis Jimmy, Helen Humes (the great Jet
Propelled Papa), Sherman Williams, Cousin Joe, Nellie Lutcher, Joe
Liggins, The Chicago All Stars, Louis Jordan, Marion Abernathy, Jimmie
Gordon, Julia Lee, Charles bRown, T-Bone Walker, Hot Lips Page, Gene
Phillips, Floyd Smith and many more. 100 tracks in all.
MARION ABERNATHY: You Ain't Got Nothing For Me/ JO JO
ADAMS WITH TOM ARCHIA: Drinkin' Blues/ ANNISTEEN ALLEN WITH LUCKY MILLINDER:
Let It Roll/ ALBERT AMMONS: Swanee River Boogie/ TOM ARCHIA: Fishin' Pole/
BABY DEE WITH BILL CAMPBELL: Look What Baby's Got For You/ BUDDY BANKS:
Banks' Boogie/ DAVE BARTHOLOMEW: She's Got Great Big Eyes/ COUNT BASIE ORCH.
WITH TAPS MILLER: I Ain't Mad At You/ BUSTER BENNETT: Signifying Woman/
CLYDE BERNHARDT: Is It's Any News To You/ THE BIG THREE TRIO: Money Tree
Blues/ FIVE BLAZERS: Chicago Boogie/ TINY BRADSHAW: Take The Hands Off The
Clock/ HADDA BROOKS: That's My Desire/ CLARENCE "GATEMOUTH" BROWN: Gatemouth
Boogie/ ROY BROWN: Good Rockin' Tonight/ Special Lesson No.1/ WALTER BROWN:
Gonna Open Up A Business/ CHARLES BROWN WITH JOHNNY MOORE'S BLAZERS:
Changeable Woman Blues/ Merry Christmas Baby/ New Orleans Blues/ CHRISTINE
CHATMAN: The Boogie Woogie Girl/ THE CHICAGO ALL STARS: Green Light/ COUSIN
JOE: Box Car Shorty and Peter Blue/ BILL CROSBY: Hip Chick Blues/ DICK
DAVIS: Memphis Train/ REDD FOXX: Shame On You/ LOWELL FULSON: Jelly Jelly/
CECIL GANT: Boozie Boogie/ PAUL GAYTEN: Your Hands Ain't Clean/ JIMMIE
GORDON: Jumpin' At The Club Blue Flame/ LIL GREEN: I Want A Good Man Bad/
RUDY GREENE: Buzzard Pie/ TINY GRIMES: Tiny's Boogie Woogie/ JIMMY GRISSOM
WITH THE BLENDERS: Big Fine Baby/ WYNONIE HARRIS: Mr Blues Jumped A Rabbit/
Young And Wild/ ERSKINE HAWKINS: Hawk's Boogie/ DUKE HENDERSON: 18th and
Vine Street Boogie/ CAMILLE HOWARD: Thrill Me/ Camille's Boogie/ HELEN
HUMES: Jet Propelled Papa/ IVORY JOE HUNTER: High Cost Low Pay Blues/ JUMP
JACKSON WITH BENNY KELLY: Hey Pretty Mama/ ILLINOIS JACQUET: Blow Illinois
Blow/ BUDDY JOHNSON: Hey Sweet Potato/ ALBENNIE JONES: Papa Tree Top Blues/
LUKE JONES: She's My Baby/ LOUIS JORDAN: Boogie Woogie Blues Plate/ Early In
The Morning/ I Know What You're Puttin' Down/ Jack You're Dead/ Look Out/
Texas & Pacific/ JULIE LEE: Opportunity Knocks/ DICK LEWIS: Tornado/ JOE
LIGGINS: Blow Mr Jackson/ JOE LUTCHER: Blues For Sale/ Rockin' Boogie/
NELLIE LUTCHER: He's A Real Gone Guy/ Hurry On Down/ JAY MCSHANN WITH JIMMY
WITHERSPOON: Bar Fly Blues/ JACK MCVEA: Open The Door Richard!/ Two Timin'
Baby/ MEMPHIS JIMMY: Jimmy's Jump/ MEMPHIS SLIM: Life Is Like That/ Rockin'
The House/ AMOS MILBURN: Down The Road Apiece/ Money Hustlin' Woman/ ROY
MILTON: Red Light/ True Blues/ GATEMOUTH MOORE: Love Doctor Blues/ HOT LIPS
PAGE: Walking In A Daze/ KING PERRY: Kilroy Was Here/ GENE PHILLIPS: Big Fat
Mama/ Rock Bottom/ KING PORTER: Bump's Boogie/ JESSE PRICE: You Can't Take
It With You/ THE RAVEN: Ol' Man River/ TODD RHODES: Bell Boy Boogie/ JIMMY
RUSHING: Good Morning Blues/ CLARENCE SAMUELS: Boogie Woogie Blues/ FLOYD
SMITH: Floyd's Guitar Blues/ GEECHIE SMITH: And I Wants To Thank Ya'/ JESSE
STONE: An Ace In The Hole/ JOE SWIFT WITH JOHNNY OTIS ORCH.: Good Boogie
Googie/ ROOSEVELT SYKES: Bobby Sox Blues/ RABON TARRANT: Blues With A
Feeling/ THE TRENIER TWINS: Hey Sister Lucy!/ JOE TURNER: Miss Brown Blues/
EDDIE VINSON: Bonus Pay/ Kidney Stew Blues/ Old Maid Boogie/ T-BONE WALKER:
Hard Pain Blues/ I Know Your Wig Is Gone/ DINAH WASHINGTON WITH LIONEL
HAMPTON: Blow Top Blues/ CROWN PRINCE WATERFORD: Undercover Blues/ PAUL
WILLIAMS: Hastings Street Bounce/ SHERMAN WILLIAMS: Baby, Don't You Want To
Go
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Buzzola 001 |
Reefer Madness - A Collection Of Vintage
Drug Songs |
● CD $15.98 |
Another one of those delightful thematic anthologies with
wonderfully entertaining graphics and informative and tongue in cheek in
notes. If you can't guess, the theme of this collection is that eveil weed
marijuana with 18 blues and jazz tracks on the subject including Dope
Head Blues by Victoria Spivey (with Lonnie Johnson on guitar),
Kicking The Gong Around by Cab Calloway, Texas Tea Party by Jack
Teagarden, Take A Whiff On Me by Leadbelly, When I get Low, I Get
High by Ella Fitzgerald, I'm Feeling High And Happy by Helen
Ward, Jack, I'm Mellow by Trixie Smith and more. Most of the tracks
have been reissued before on similar collections but the overall production
on this one is a real plus.
BARNEY BIGARD: Sweet Marijuana Brown/ CAB CALLOWAY: Kickin'
The Gong Around/ Minnie The Moocher/ ELLA FITZGERALD (WITH CHICK WEBB):
Wacky Dust/ When I Get Low, I Get High/ LIL GREEN: Knockin' Myself Out/
JERRY KRUGER (WITH COOTIE WILLIAMS): Ol' Man River (Smoke A Little Tea)/
LEADBELLY: Take A Whiff On Me/ JULIA LEE: Lotus Blossom (Sweet Marijuana)/
FRANKIE NEWTON: Onyx Hop/ DON REDMAN: Reefer Man/ BESSIE SMITH: Gimme A
Pigfoot (Gimme A Reefer)/ STUFF SMITH: Here Comes The Man With The Jive/
TRIXIE SMITH: Jack, I'm Mellow/ VICTORIA SPIVEY: Dope Head Blues/ JACK
TEAGARDEN (WITH BENNY GOODMAN): Texas Tea Party/ FATS WALLER: The Reefer
Song (If You're A Viper)/ HELEN WARD (WITH GENE KRUPA): I'm Feeling High &
Happy
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Buzzola 009 |
Junkers, Jivers & Coke Fiends |
● CD $15.98 |
Another collection of 18 drug songs including Cocaine
Habit Blues by The Memphis Jug Band, Cocaine Blues by Luke
Jordan, Canned Heat Blues by Tommy Johnson (not really drugs but a
great song), Killin' Jive by The Cats & The Fiddle, Reefer Head
Woman by Jazz Gillum, Cocain by Dick Justice plus tracks by
Charley Patton, The Harlem Hamfats, Louis Jordan, Slim Gaillard & Slam
Stewart, Buster Bailey, Cab Calloway and others.
BUSTER BAILEY: Light Up/ "HI" HENRY BROWN: Skin Man Blues/
CAB CALLOWAY: The Man From Harlem/ THE CATS & THE FIDDLE: Killin' Jive/ SLIM
GAILLARD & SLAM STEWART: Dopey Joe/ JAZZ GILLUM: Reefer Head Woman/ THE
HARLEM HAMFATS: The Weed Smoker's Dream/ FRANKIE "HALF PINT" JAXON: Jive Man
Blues/ TOMMY JOHNSON: Canned Heat Blues/ CHARLEY JORDAN: Spoonful Blues/
LOUIS JORDAN: Junco Partner/ LUKE JORDAN: Cocaine Blues/ DICK JUSTICE:
Cocaine/ ANDY KIRK & HIS TWELVE CLOUDS OF JOY: All The Jive Is Gone/ THE
MEMPHIS JUG BAND: Cocaine Habit Blues/ CHARLEY PATTON: Spoonful Blues/ BUCK
WASHINGTON: Save The Roach For Me/ CLARENCE WILLIAMS: Jerry The Junker
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Buzzola 010 |
Space Guitar & Deathray Boogie |
● CD $15.98 |
A collection of 18 blues, R&B, jazz and country songs and
instrumentals recorded between 1930 and 1954 with a science fiction theme
though they cheat a bit by including three songs about cars and one about a
train with "Rocket" in the name. Includes Flying Saucer Boogie by
Eddie Cletro, Two Little Men In A Flying Saucer by Ella Fitzgerald,
Space Guitar by Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Rockin With The Rockets
by Harlan Leonard & The Rockets, Radar Blues by Big Joe Turner,
Rocket 88 by Bill Haley & The Saddlemen, etc.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Buzzola 011 |
Ride Daddy Ride, Vintage Songs About Sex,
1927-1953 |
● CD $15.98 |
18 songs from every blues man and blues fan's favorite
subject. Lots of familiar stuff but as always Buzzola's
packaging is very
cool. Includes the title song by Fats Noel plus You Put It In, I'll Take
It Out by Papa Charlie Jackson, Poon Tang by The Treniers, It
Must Be Jelly 'Cos You Know) Jam Don't Shake from female impersonator
Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon, Let Me Ride In Your Little Automobile by
Lowell Fulson, Sit Right On It by Johnny Temple and additoional
naughtiness from Bullmoose Jackson, Blind Boy Fuller, Bo Carter (of course),
The Hokum Boys and others.
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Buzzola 012 |
Outside The Law |
● CD $15.98 |
18 songs of gangsters, racketeers and the Feds recorded
between 1922 and 1947. Mostly blues with the occasional jazz or hillbilly
number.
BLIND BLAKE: Police Dog Blues/ BO CARTER: The Law Gonna
Step On You/ THE CATS & THE FIDDLE: Gang Busters/ SLIM GAILLARD & SLAM
STEWART: A Tip On The Numbers/ LEE GREEN: Bad Man Napper/ THE HICKORY NUTS:
Louisville Burglar/ DARBY HICKS: Court Room Blues/ HELEN HUMES: They Raided
The Joint/ LONNIE JOHNSON: Racketeer Blues/ FURRY LEWIS: Judge Harsh Blues/
ROBERT LEE MCCOY: G-Man/ JACK RANGER: Thievin' Blues/ EDITH SMITH: Rules And
Regulations, Signed Razor Jim/ WILLIE WALKER: Dupree Blues/ BARRELHOUSE
WENCH: Dyin' Pickpocket Blues/ PEETIE WHEATSTRAW: Gangster Blues/ Police
Station/ BUKKA WHITE: District Attorney Blues
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Champion 501 |
Hot Fish |
● CD $16.98 |
Fine collection of jump blues from Southern bands recorded
in the early 50s including sides by The Joe Dyson Orch., Sherman "Blues"
Johnson & His Clouds Of Joy, Clarence Jolly, Rufus Beacham & His Tempo
Toppers, Roy Gaines (his frequently reissued first side Loud Mouth Lucy),
Manzy Harris Orch., Harold Young, Ray Charles and others. About 60% of the
tracks are new to CD. Sound is fine and booklet has notes on the performers.
RUFUS BEACHAM: My Baby And Me/ Do You Know How To Boogie/
Roly-poly/ RAY CHARLES: I Can't Do No More/ JOE DYSON ORCH.: Merc-o-matic
Boogie/ ROY GAINES: I'm Setting You Free/ Loud Mouth Lucy/ MANZY HARRIS
ORCH: Crawlin' Around/ You're Gonna Know/ SHERMAN "BLUES" JOHNSON & HIS
CLOUDS OF JOY: Hot Fish/ Pretty Baby Blues/ Sugar Mama/ CLARENCE JOLLY: Baby
Take A Look At Me/ Every Man's Blues/ I Need You Baby/ You'd Better Change
Your Ways/ SONNY JONES: My Baby's Crying/ WALLY MERCER: Don't Wait Until
Tomorrow/ Looped/ Yellow Hornet/ JIMMY SWAN: Hey Now Baby, Hey/ Laughing,
Laughing Blues/ HAROLD YOUNG: I Love You For Myself/ You're Gonna Miss Me
Baby
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Severn 034 |
Chicago Blues Harmonica Project - Diamonds
In The Rough |
● CD $15.98 |
12 tracks, highly recommended
Many think the lengthy rein of
top-shelf harp players in the Windy City have moved aside for
guitar-oriented blues, but the half-dozen dazzlers on the "Chicago Blues
Harmonica Project " have another idea. Young guns in the form of Russ Green
and Omar Coleman stand forth carrying on the tradition (with very creative
and over-amplified blowing) while Larry Cox and the previously unrecorded
Little Addison offer gripping performances as well. Harmonica Khan #1 (who
sadly passed on before this was issued) recalls the bustling days of Maxwell
Street with solo offerings of Baby What You Want Me To Do and Next
Time You See Me (accompanying himself with tap dancing and bones) and
Dusty Brown makes a triumphant return with his old Parrot classic He
Don't Love You plus a fine cover of Little Walter's I Got To Go.
Hopefully, Severn (or another solid blues label) will make it a point to
record this sort of thing again in the very near future. Masterful stuff!
(CR)
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Shanachie 6064 |
When Gospel Was Gospel |
● CD $15.98 |
Fabulous collection of gospel from the late 40s to the early
60s including both solo performers and groups. Many tracks are issued here
on CD for the first time and 8 tracks are previously unissued. Compiled and annotated by the
country's leading gospel authority Anthony Heilbut.
QUEEN C. ANDERSON: I Never Heard Of A City-these Are They/
ROBERT ANDERSON: Jesus/ THE ANGELIC GOSPEL SINGERS & DIXIE HUMMINGBI:
Standing On The Highway/ PROFESSOR ALEX BRADFORD: Leak In The Building/ J.
ROBERT BRADLEY: Amazing Grace/ DOROTHY LOVE COATES & THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL
HARMONETTES: Dot's Testimony/ You Better Run/ MADAME EDNA GALLMON COOKE &
THE RADIO FOUR: Walk Through The Valley/ THE DAVIS SISTERS: Jesus Steps
Right In/ Too Close To Heaven/ PROFESSOR J. EARLE HINES: Look For Me In
Heaven/ MAHALIA JACKSON: Mahalia Moans/ Power Of The Holy Ghost/ THE ROBERTA
MARTIN SINGERS: The Old Ship Of Zion/ Yield Not To Temptation/ BROTHER JOE
MAY: Mercy Lord/ You're Gonna Need Him/ THE SENSATIONAL NIGHTINGALES: How
About You/ Sinner Man/ THE SOUL STIRRERS: His Eye Is On The Sparrow/ The
Lord Will Make A Way/ SPIRIT OF MEMPHIS QUARTET: Here Am I Send Me/ THE SWAN
SILVERTONES: Thank You Jesus-i Have A Friend/ SISTER ROSETTA THARPE & MARIE
KNIGHT: Beams Of Heaven/ SISTER ROSETTA THARPE & THE DEPENDABLE BOYS: Little
Boy, How Old Are You/ CLARA WARD & THE WARD SINGERS: Leave It There/ Time Is
Winding Up/ MARION WILLIAMS: Traveling Shoes
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| VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Wolf 120.926 |
Louisiana Swamp Blues, Vol. 5 - 40 Years Of
La. Blues |
● CD $15.98 |
Enjoyable collection of down home Louisiana blues recorded
1990/91 featuring several generations of Louisiana bluesmen. Includes Larry
Garner, Cora Jefferson, Tabby Thomas, Tootsie, Rudi Richard and Silas Hogan.
12 tracks in all.
|
| BIG JOE WILLIAMS |
Sonet 986 925-2 |
The Sonet Blues Story |
● CD $13.98 |
Reissue of 1972 album originally issued on the Swedish Sonet
label and subsequently in the USA on GNP. This new CD issue has been 24-bit
remastered and features five previously unissued bonus sides. Big Joe and
his trusty nine-string are in top form on songs like Black Gal You're
Sure Looking Warm/ Little Annie Mae/ Hang It Up On The Wall/ This Heavy
Stuff Of Mine/ Big fat Mama/ Jefferson And Franklin Blues/ They Stopped Me
At the Border and others. Includes booklet with original and new notes
by producer Samuel Charters. There's no shortage of Big Joe CDs available
but another one this good is most welcome.
|
| MARION WILLIAMS |
Shanachie 6063 |
Remember Me |
● CD $15.98 |
24 tracks, 74 mins, essential
A stunning collection of 24
tracks by one of the greatest gospel singers of the second half of the 20th
century recorded between 1968 and 1992 when she was still at the peak of her
powers. Compiled by Marion's friend Anthony Heilbut who also produced most
of these sides half the tracks are drawn from out of print Spirit Feel and
Shanachie albums and the rest are previously unissued. There are some
stupendous performances including the church wrecking opening How I Got
Over, the powerful rendition of Take My Hand, Precious Lord with
introductory naration by its' compser Thomas A Dorsey, a truly spine
chilling rendition of City Called Heaven, the politically charged,
blues flavored Bad News, Bad Times and the sublime The Day Is
Passed And Gone which appropriately ends the set. Arrangements are
varied including acapella performances, solo piano accompaniment or small
groups - some featuring the bluesy guitar of Jonathan Dubose. A number of
the tracks were recorded live in front of an enthusiastic church audience.
Throughout, Marion's glorious voice is front and center. Includes 12 page
booklet with extensive notes by Heilbut. (FS)
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