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NEWSLETTER #146
Bargain Basement
Lee Allen -> The Woods Band + Books
 

  

 

BOOKS
 
GENE VINCENT & EDDIE COCHRAN Rock 'n' Roll Revolutionaries by John Collis ● BOOK $27.95 $12.95
Hardbound, 230 pages, counts as 5 CDs for shipping
The 1960 tour of the U.K. by Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran marked a defining moment in British popular culture. At the Liverpool Empire, the Beatles were inspired by their performances. The first generation of British rock guitarists, such as Joe Brown and Big Jim Sullivan, learned so much simply by sharing a stage with Cochran, arguably the most prodigiously talented musician of the rock `n' roll generation. Between them, the good-looking, guitar-toting Cochran and the skinny, demonic, black-leather-clad Vincent, defined the enduring images of rock music. John Collis has traced the story of Britain's first rock tour, from the tales of Vincent and Cochran's rock `n' roll hedonism all the way to its tragic climax, with the death of Eddie Cochran. He looks back on the contrasting backgrounds of the two stars, follows the tales onwards to Gene Vincent's death from alcohol and drug abuse, and examines the lasting legacy of their music.

 
GIRL GROUPS Fabulous Females That Rocked The World by John Clement  ● BOOK $19.95 $8.95
Paperback 276 pgs Recommended
Put this one up on the shelf next to your record guides, for it's important research material. This book profiles 60 groups in-depth from the Dixie Cups to the Go-Gos and also provides a record price guide of the--in his opinion--top 500 collectable girl group records. Also features a staggering 1725 strong A-Z listing of female groups from The Accents to Zip & The Zippers, including all of the record labels each recorded with. Each of the featured 60 groups get a 2-7 page profile, with line-ups, classic and recent pictures and discographies. African American artists like the Ronettes, Marvelettes, Supremes, Exciters, Shirelles, Crystals, etc., make up the bulk of the book, but stand out Caucasian groups like the Shangri-las, Angels, Teardrops etc. get their share of the print as well. There are also a few solo acts that share the basic Girl Group aesthetic: Little Eva, Beverley Warren, Jean Thomas; sure, that works for me. (JM)

   

COMPACT DISCS
 
 
LEE ALLEN Collectables 5083 Walkin' With Mr. Lee - Golden Classics ● CD $11.98 $9.98
14 tracks, recommended
Instrumental New Orleans R&B featuring legendary tenor sax player Lee Allen who worked with just about everybody in New Orleans in the 50s and 60s. Joined by fellow New Orlenians Allen Toussaint, Edgar Blanchard, Justin Adams and others and he recorded a number of fine tracks for the New York based Ember Records in 1957 and '58 which resulted in two minor hits Walkin' With Mr Lee and Tic Toc which are featured here along with 12 other cuts - Short Circuit/ Ivy League/ Hot Rod Special/ Promenade/ Strollin' With Mr. Lee/ Lee's Blues and others. This CD is a reissue of Ember LP 200 and has new notes by Mark Marymount. (FS)
LEE ALLEN: Bee Hive/ Big Horn Special/ Boppin' At The Hop/ Chuggin/ Hot Rod Special/ Ivy League/ Jim Jam/ Lee's Blues/ Promenade/ Short Circuit/ Strollin' With Mr. Lee/ Teen Dream/ Tic Toc/ Walkin' With Mr. Lee

 
LITTLE JOE BLUE Collectables 5744 The Very Best Of Little Joe Blue ● CD $11.98 $8.98
16 tracks, 49 mins, highly recommended
Once you get beyond the uncanny resemblance of Joe's voice to that of B.B. King you realize that Joe has lot more to offer. Apart from that striking voice he was a powerful and funky guitar player that imitated no one and was an excellent songwriter. Such songs as Who's The Fool?/ Shopping Instead ("I've got a good mind to give up living/ And go shopping instead")/ Don't Tax Me In and We All Have The Blues show a philosophical and topical awareness that was not that common among his contemporaries. This set also includes a remake of his one R&B hit - the excellent Dirty Work Is Going On. These recordings were cut for Mel Alexander's Space and Kris labels in the early 70s and Joe is accompanied by various small groups with occasional horns or vocal group backup. Recording quality is bargain basement but Joe's singing and playing comes through loud and clear. (FS)

 
EMIL BRUH Global Village 102 Klezmer Violinist And Instrumental Ensemble ● CD $15.98 $11.98
A lovely collection of instrumental klezmer music performed by violinist Emil Bruh with piano and occasional bass percussion accompaniment. There is no booklet with biographical information but the back cover indicates that these recordings were originally made in the 1950s. His playing ranges from sweet and lyrical to energetic and fiery as the mood of the tune dictates - excellent!

 
RUSTY BRYANT & THE CAROLYN CLUB BAND Carolyn 101 America's Greatest Rock 'n Roll ● CD $17.98 $11.98
23 tracks, 61 mins, recommended
Fine R&B sides featuring Columbus, Ohio sax blower Rusty Bryant. He plays in a solid honkin' style popularized in the mid 50s by the likes of Big Jay McNeely and Red Prysock. He plays a fine selection of instrumentals accompanied by a solid group including his one minor hit All Nite Long (actually his version of Night Train) plus a mix of covers and originals - Pink Champagne/ Blow, Rusty Blow/ House Rocker/ Back Street/ Ridin' With Rusty/ The Honeydripper/ Hanka Boo/ Foot Stompin'Honky Tonk, Part 2/ Kittyhawk, Part 2 and others. There are a handful of vocals, a couple of them rather nondescript but there are also a couple of fine blues (Danger Blues/ I Need Someone) female vocalist Janie Turner. Worth a listen. (FS)
RUSTY BRYANT & THE CAROLYN CLUB BAND: All Nite Long/ Back Street/ Blow Rusty Blow/ Castle Rock/ Danger Blues/ Don't Tell Me/ Foot Stompin'/ Frankie & Johnny/ Hanka Boo/ Honeydripper/ Honky Tonk Part 2/ Hot Fudge/ House Rocker/ I Need Someone/ Kittyhawk Part 2/ Little Hawk's Walk/ Lonely Cryin' Heart/ Merry Go Round/ Moonlight Garden Stomp/ Pink Champagne/ Record Delivery Blues/ Ridin' With Rusty/ Slow Drag

 
ALEX CAMPBELL Castle 1168 Been On The Road So Long - The Alex Campbell Anthology ● CD $16.98 $10.98
22 tracks, highly recommended
Most welcome collection of recordings made in the mid 60s by this immensely popular Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist who recorded dozens of albums between the late 50s and 1987 when he died of cancer at the age of 62. These recordings made for Transatlantic and Xtra are generally considered to be his finest and feature two versions of his most famous composition Been On The Road So Long - one by himself and one with vocal backup by Sandy Denny. Alex's album "Alex Campbell & Friends" introduced Sandy to the world. There are a couple of other Campbell compositions here including the fine My Old Gibson Guitar, a couple from the pen of Woody Guthrie and the rest are traditional - mostly from the Scottish tradition. Includes night Visiting Song/ The Overgate/ Love Is Teasing/ My Singing Bird/ The Water Is Wide/ I Left My Baby Lying There, etc.
 
TONY CAPSTICK Rubber 008 Punch & Judy Man ● CD $21.98 $14.98
10 tracks, 40 mins, highly recommended
CD issue of 1974 album by this fine singer from Yorkshire who subsequently turned more to humor than singing. This is a fine collection of traditional and contemporary songs - the latter often in traditional vein. The arrangements are varied featuring musicians like Dave Price, Mick Doonan, Jed Grimes and Martin Jenkins and ranges from simple acoustic guitar to electric band and includes one song acapella. There are two songs from the brilliant songwriter John Connolly including the gorgeous title song which is alone worth the price of the disc. Other tracks include Laszlo Faher (a chilling ballad)/ Sir Hubert Vayne (dig that wah-wah guitar!)/ McCaffery/ Hughie The Graeme and others. Tony passed away in 1959 at the early age of 59. This CD is available in limited quantities. (FS)

 
DEE CLARK Westside 805 Take Care Of Business ● CD $15.98 $10.98
First ever CD issue of Dee's mid 60s recordings for Constellation - Crossfire Time/ Come Closer/ That's My Girl/ Heartbreak/ I Ain't Gonna Be A Fool, etc.

 
DOCTOR CLAYTON Document DOCD 5179 Complete Chronological Recordings (1935-42) ● CD $15.98 $10.98
24 tracks, 69 mins, recommended
Although not terribly prolific or well known today Peter "Doctor" Clayton wrote several songs that have become blues standards (Gotta Find My Baby, Cheating & Lying Blues (usually known as Gonna Murder My Baby) and others. He was the major influence on Sunnyland Slim and an influence on B.B. King. He had a distinctive vocal style with a lovely soaring swooping quality to it. He wrote some brilliant lyrics including the previsouly mentioned songs, Slick Man Blues/ Moonshine Man Blues the patriotic '41 Blues and Pearl Harbor Blues, the witty Ain't No Business We Can Do- and the original version of Confessin' The Blues. Nearly all the cuts feature effective piano by John Davis and several feature the rather unusual but effective sound of a tuba played by Ransom Knowling. (FS)
 
BING CROSBY JSP JSPCD 934 The Vintage Years ● CD $28.98 $22.98
Four CD set with 106 tracks drawn from radio broadcasts made between 1932 and 1950 including guest appearances by Judy Garland and Jimmy Durante.
 
WALTER DAVIS Document DOCD 5282 Complete Recorded Works, 1933-1952 :
Vol. 2, 1935-37		 ● CD $15.98 $11.98
24 tracks, 77 mins, essential
By July 1935 when the first tracks on this CD were recorded Walter had now hit his stride. The brilliant but sometimes overly fussy piano playing of his mentor Roosevelt Sykes was replaced by his own piano playing. Deceptively simple yet full of interesting rhythmic ideas it was a perfect backup for Davis's own beautiful and melancholy vocals. Guitarist Henry Townsend provides suitably pungent guitar accompaniments. The disc, featuring recordinsg made between July 1935 and May 1937 is full of wonderful songs - one often hears elemnts of Davis's songs in the work of a number of post war bluesmen. His songs are full of evocative images and and such performances as Moonlight Is My Spread/ Ashes In My Whiskey/ Fallin' Rain/ West Coast Blues/ Angel Child are masterpieces. There are some wonderful risque songs which gain a new dimension thanks to Walter's soulful delivery which take them out of the novelty category. His imagery in songs like I Can Tell By The Way You Smell/ Carpenter Man and Think You Need A Shot is pretty explicit. Well Diggin' Papa has the provocative line "Sometimes I Dig The Little Boys/ And Sometimes I Dig The Girls". Sound quality is generally very good and there are informative notes by Julian though they often seem more concerened with musical structure than the songs themselves and the influence of Davis on other blues artists. (FS)
WALTER DAVIS: Angel Child/ Ashes In My Whiskey/ Blues At Midnight/ Can't Get Along With You/ Carpenter Man/ Don't The Clouds Look Lonesome?/ Fallin' Rain/ Fifth Avenue/ I Ain't Got Changing Clothes/ I Can Tell By The Way You Smell/ Jacksonville - Part 2/ Jacksonville -part 1/ Just Wondering/ Katy Blues/ Moonlight Is My Spread/ Nightmare Blues/ Pearly May/ Santa Claus/ Shady Lane/ Think You Need A Shot/ Well Diggin' Papa/ West Coast Blues/ What Else Can I Do?/ What Have I Done Wrong?

 
WALTER DAVIS Document DOCD 5283 Complete Recorded Works, 1933-1952 : Vol 3, 1937-1938 ● CD $15.98 $11.98
23 tracks, 75 mins, highly recommended
More wonderful sides from this brilliant performer. There was not a lot of variety in Davis's approach but the heartfelt directness of his music and the straightforward yet never mundane lyrics are continually appealing. His piano playing, though deceptively simple was full of subtle nuances as in the quotes from Jabo Williams Pratt City Blues in his own My Babe and the subtle boogie undertow in I Hear My Baby Crying. There are some wonderful raunchy songs like Guiding Rod/ Candy Man and If You Only Understand which J.B. Hutto reworked nearly 20 years later as Pet Cream man. The opening cut Good Gal is a rarity for Davis an almost hokum song sung as duet with Robert Lee McCoy (aka Nighthawk) accompanied by two guitars - no piano in sight. Lots of other great stuff like Streamline Woman/ Big Jack Engine Blues/ Million-Dollar Baby/ 13 Highway/ Love Will Kill You and more. Most of the cuts feature Davis accompanied by the guitar of Henry Townsend or Yank rachell - the later occasionally on mandolin. Another indispensable collection. (FS)

 
WALTER DAVIS Document DOCD 5284 Complete Recorded Works, 1933-1952 : Vol 4, 1938-1939 ● CD $15.98 $10.98
23 tracks, 74 mins, highly recommended
More splendid sides from this brilliant performer. The 12 cuts from 1938 feature Walter with either mandolin or guitar accompaniment while the rest are completely solo which was to remain the format of his recordings for the next few years. Even on the tracks here where he is accompanied, the accompaniment is so far in the background that these are, to all extent and purposes, solo cuts. In the solo setting one can really appreciate the uniqueness of his instrmental style. His vocals are as usual mournful and the lyrics are frequently interesting. Includes Just Tell Me Your Trouble/ Cuttin' Off My Days/ Smoky Mountin/ Troubled And Wearied/ Corrine/ Airplane Blues, etc. (FS)
 
BLIND BOY FULLER Document DOCD 5091 Complete Chronological Recordings, Vol. 1 (1935-1936) ● CD $15.98 $10.98
The first of six volumes presenting the complete recordings of one of the most popular and influential country bluesmen of the 30s. Between 1935 and 1940 he recorded 129 songs - this first disc presents 14 tracks cut at four sessions in July 1935 and 10 from 2 sessions in April, 1936. Fuller was a wonderful engaging singer and skilful and adept guitarist who was equally at home with the uptempo Rag, Mama, Rag or the slower more intense Walking My Troubles Away. His playing is consistently fluid with a strong ragtime flavor. One track here Homesick And Lonesome Blues features an all too rare example of his lovely slide guitar playing. Most of the tracks here are Fuller alone with his guitar - on three cuts he is joined by Blind Gary Davis on second guitar (Davis was apparantly quite an influence on Fuller) and washboard player Bull City Red. There are two takes of several songs and while the alternates are not very different they are different enough to be worthy of includion. This set includes many Fuller classics, that were often covered by other bluesmen including I'm A Rattlesnakin' Daddy/ Ain't It A Crying Shame (recorded in the 1950 by Chicago bluesman Jimmy Rogers) / Rag, Mama, Rag/ Baby, You Gotta Change Your Mind/ My Brownskin Sugar Plum/ Black And Tan/ Babe You Got To Do Better/ Truckin' My Blues Away and more. With a couple a couple of exceptions the sound is excellent and there are good notes by Ken Romanowki and full discographical information. (FS)
BLIND BOY FULLER: (I Got A Woman Crazy For Me)/ Ain't It A Crying Shame?/ Babe You Got To Do Better/ Baby, I Don't Have To Worry/ Baby, You Gotta Change Your Mind/ Big Bed Blues/ Black And Tan/ Cat Man Blues (take 1)/ Evil Hearted Woman/ Homesick And Lonesome Blues/ I'm A Rattlesnakin' Daddy/ I'm Climbin' On Top Of The Hill/ Keep Away From My Woman (take 1)/ Keep Away From My Woman (take 2)/ Log Cabin Blues (take 1)/ Log Cabin Blues (take 2)/ Looking For My Woman/ My Brownskin Sugar Plum/ Rag, Mama, Rag (take 1)/ Rag, Mama, Rag (take 2)/ She's Funny That Way/ Somebody's Been Playing With That Thing/ Truckin' My Blues Away/ Walking My Troubles Away (take 1)/ Walking My Troubles Away (take 2)

 
BILL GAITHER (LEROY'S BUDDY) Document DOCD 5253 Complete Record Works In Chronological Order, Vol 3 ● CD $15.98 $11.98
22 tracks, highly recommended
More fine sides by this underrated bluesman. Gaither was a fine vocalist and an exceptional songwriter, often with a witty edge to his lyrics. He accompanied himself with some tasty guitar and, on his best recordings, was accompanied by pianist Honey Hill. Although many of recordings were credited as Leroy's Buddy, he was anything but a Lery Carr imitator. The first 11 tracks here from a June 1938 session with Hill are particularly fine ranging from the mournful Old Coals Will Kindle, the wonderfully witty That's Grieving Me with it's brief spoken interlude and a great tribute to The Brown Bomber Champ Joe Louis. These are followed by two solo sides by Hill including an outstanding version of Pinetop Smith's Boogie Woogie. The final nine tracks from a June 1939 session find Gaither in the company of pianist Lil Armstrong and Teddy Bunn on guitar and is fine though somewhat less inspired than the earlier sides. (FS)
BILL GAITHER: Babyfied Ways Girl/ Big Time Town Woman/ Boogie Woogie (Honey Hill)/ Champ Joe Louis/ I Got Your Water On/ If I Was The Devil/ It's Coming Back Home To You/ It's Grieving Me/ New Pains In My Heart/ New Rocky Mountain Blues/ Noah's Dove/ Old Coals Will Kindle/ Old Fashioned Woman/ Old Model 'A' Blues/ Racket Blues/ Right Hand Friend/ Set 'Em (Honey Hill)/ So Much Trouble/ Sweet Mama/ Too Late Too Late/ When My Woman's Lovin' Someone Else/ You Done Lost Your Swing No. 2

 
JIMMIE GORDON Document DOCD 5648 Complete Recordings, Vol. 1, 1934-1936 ● CD $15.98 $11.98
22 tracks, 68 tracks, recommended
First of three discs presenting the complete recordings of this fine singer and piano player who has been overlooked by most blues researchers. Although he recorded more than 60 sides between 1934 and '41, and so must have been fairly popular, his life is a total mystery. He has generally been associated with St. Louis but liner note writer Dave Evans makes a good case for Gordon being based in Chicago. He was a good singer in the vein of Bumble Bee Slim or Bill Gaither but a bit more intense. He played his own piano on some of his recordings or was accompanied by the piano of Charles Segar, Horace Malcolm or Dot Rice. Other musicians featured include Charlie McCoy, Scrapper Blackwell, Carl Martin, John Lindsey and others. His songs are a mixture of popular songs of the day and some good originals like Louise Louisa Blues/ Yo Yo Mama Blues/ Graveyard Blues/ Mother Blues and the topical Don't Take Away My P.W.A. Sound on a few tracks is a bit rough but most sound good and there are excellent notes by David Evans. (FS)
JIMMIE GORDON: Baker Man/ Bed Springs Blues/ Bed Springs Blues No. 2/ Big Four Whistle Blues/ Black Gal Blues (what Makes Your Head So Hard)/ Bye Bye Baby Blues/ Don't Take Away My P.w.a./ Drive Me Away Blues/ Drunken Woman Blues/ Gone Gal Blues/ Graveyard Blues (dead And Gone Blues)/ I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water/ I'll Take You Back/ Little Red Dress (mary Usta Wear)/ Louise, Louisa Blues/ Mean Mistreatin' Blues/ Mother Blues/ Neck Bone Blues/ She Sells Good Meat/ Soon In The Morning/ Sweet Jelly Rollin'/ Yo Yo Mama Blues

 
AL GREEN Hi (UK) 251 Listen - The Rarities ● CD $14.98 $10.98
An indispensable collection for Green fans featuring 18 tracks included unreleased songs, undubbed versions of songs that had strings added for commercial release and original full length versions of songs that were substantially edited down for commercial release.
 
ROY HEAD Edsel 598 White Texas Soul Shouter - Crazy Cajun Recordings ● CD $17.98 $10.98
24 tracks featuring Texas singer Roy Head on a collection of rock 'n' roll, R&B, blues and soul songs recorded for Huey Meaux in the early 70s - mostly covers. Includes One More Time/ Get Out Of My Life Woman/ I'm Not A Fool Anymore/ Double Your Satisfaction/ Bring It To jerome/ Drivin' Wheel/ How Do You Think I Can Live With Somebody/ Do What You Can Do, etc. The opening cuts is supposed to be a version of One More Time by Roy but is actually a song by Lowell Fulson. No doubt a tape error. As far as I know all copies are like this.
 
LONNIE JOHNSON RCA Bluebird 66064 He's A Jelly Roll Baker ● CD $13.98 $10.98
If you're not ready for the 10 CD's of Lonnie on Document & Blues Documents, try this for an appetizer. 20 cuts from the WWII-era, mostly in his pleasing song style with dazzling guitar plus piano and bass accompaniment from the likes of Lil Armstrong, John Davis and Ransom Knowling. Songs are varied including the vitriolic attack on a woman stealer Nothing But A Rat, pop ballad stylings like The Loveless Blues, a remake of one of his most famous songs the insightful Crowing Rooster Blues , the risque title song and other fine performances like Why Women Go Wrong/ Jersey Belle Bluews/ I'm Just Dumb/ That's Love/ Lazy Woman Blues,D>, etc. Lonnie had a long and extremely productive career and this a typically fine selection. (FS)
LONNIE JOHNSON: Baby Remember Me/ Chicago Blues/ Crowing Rooster Blues/ Get Yourself Together/ He's A Jelly Roll Baker/ I Did All I Could/ I'm Just Dumb/ In Love Again/ Jersey Belle Blues/ Lazy Woman Blues/ Nothing But A Rat/ Rambler's Blues/ Somebody's Got To Go/ That's Love/ The Last Call/ The Loveless Blues/ The Victim Of Love/ Watch Shorty/ When You Feel Low Down/ Why Women Go Wrong

 
LUTHER "GUITAR JUNIOR" JOHNSON Bullseye Blues 9546 Country Sugar Papa ● CD $15.98 $9.98
13 tracks, 55 min., recommended
A member of the Muddy Waters Band in the '70s, Johnson plays Chicago blues guitar West Side style a la Magic Sam. His 3rd Bullseye release is solid as usual, and several cuts, namely his ownWalkin' With You Baby/ I'm Going Back, Back, Back/ Can't Come Home, are downright hot. The songs that work the best do not attempt to force the guitar down the listener's throat just for the sake of guitar, opting instead for the inclusion of tasty harp solos or horns and back-up singers. And so on. When producer Ron Levy lets the guitar become more important than the song, the results are competent blues without the flair necessary to make them stand out. Fortunately, Johnson and Levy hit much more often than they miss. (JC)

 
NIC JONES Leader LERCD 2014 Ballads and Songs ● CD $21.98 $16.98
9 tracks, highly recommended
Back in stock in very small quantities. CD reissue of Nic's first album from 1971. Although Nic's style was far from mature his performances of traditional songs shows a conviction and imagination that was to blossom into something truly magical. Songs include Sir Patrick Spens/ The Duke Of Marlborough/ The Noble Lord Hawkins/ The Outlandish Knight and others including a brilliant rendering of Little Musgrave which is easily worth the price of the album. (FS)
 
J.B. LENOIR Fuel 2000 61587 An Introduction To J.B. Lenoir ● CD $12.98 $8.98
16 tracks, 47 mins, recommended
Fine compilation of this distinctive bluesman mostly drawn from two previously issued and now deleted CDs on the Fuel label. 8 of the tracks are drawn from his superb early 50s sessions for J.O.B., two sides were recorded for U.S.A. in 1963, four cuts are from a 1963 live set at Nina's lounge in Chicago and two songs, including the powerful topical song Alabama Blues recorded in 1965 specifically for the European market. If you don't already have these sides it is an invaluable introduction to a superb artist. (FS)
 
LITTLE EVA Westside 512 The Complete Dimension Recordings ● CD $13.98 $10.98
29 tracks recorded for Don Kirshner's Dimension label between 1962 and '65. Includes her hits The Loco-Motion/ Let's Turkey Trot and Keep Your Hands Off My Baby plus many others, usually from the pens of the talented and prolific Gerry Goffin & Carole King.
LITTLE EVA: Another Night With The Boys/ Breaking Up Is Hard To Do/ Christmas Song (merry Christmas To You)/ Down Home/ Get Him/ He Is The Boy/ I Have A Love/ I Wish You A Merry Christmas/ Just A Little Girl/ Keep Your Hands Off My Baby/ Let's Start The Party Again/ Let's Turkey Trot/ Loco Motion/ Makin' With The Magilla/ Old Smokey Locomotion/ Please Hurt Me/ Run To Her/ Some Kinda Wonderful/ Swinging On A Star/ Takin' Back What I Said/ Trouble With Boys/ Up On The Roof/ Wake Up John/ What I Gotta Do (to Make You Jealous)/ Where Do I Go/ Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

 
BONNIE LOU B.A.C.M. 130 Danger! Heartbreak Ahead ● CD $13.98 $10.98
Similar to the now out of print Westside CD this set presents 24 tracks recorded for King between 1953 and 1955 by this pop flavored country singer. It includes her two big hits Seven Lonely Days/ Tennessee Wig Walk plus a mix of hillbilly, novelty songs, and R&B covers.
BONNIE LOU: A Rusty Old Halo/ Blue Tennessee Rain/ Danger! Heartbreak Ahead/ Darling Why/ Finger Of Suspicion Points At You/ Hand Me Down Heart/ Huckleberry Pie/ Just Out Of Reach/ Miss The Love I‘ve Been Dreaming Of/ No Heart At All/ No One/ Old Faithful And True Love/ Please Don‘t Laugh When I Cry/ Scrap Of Paper/ Seven Lonely Days/ Since You Said Goodbye/ Tell The World/ Tennessee Wig Walk/ Texas Polka/ Train Whistle Blues/ Tweedle Dee/ Two Step Side Step/ Wait For Me Darling/ Welcome Mat

 
VIOLA MCCOY Document DOCD 5416 Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 : 1923 ● CD $15.98 $10.98
24 tracks, 69 min., recommended
Vaudeville blues have not been favored by reissue companies, and now with this 1st volume (of 3), Document Records has offered the (near) complete recordings of Viola McCoy except for a few undiscovered titles. The late critic Derrick Stewart-Baxter was of the opinion (as I am) that she scarcely ever made a bad record. If it wasn't for the fact that we know very little about her, I'm sure her recordings would be better known. Until this series, all that was available was one track on Rosetta Records, and the rare Bateau Chinois/Ristic album. Accompanied mostly by pianist Porter Grainger, this volume contains the 1st recordings of Just Thinkin' (covered by both Edna Hicks & Sara Martin), Sad And Lonely Blues (covered by both Alberta Hunter & Edna Hicks) Strut Long Papa, Tain't No Telling What The Blues Will Make You Do (covered by Lena Wilson) and Wish I Had You (And I'm Gonna Get You Blues) (covered by both Fletcher Henderson and Hazel Meyers). As was the custom, she also recorded titles (dare I say, returning a favor!) associated with Ida Cox, Josie Miles, Monette Moore, Trixie Smith and Ethel Waters. (EL)
VIOLA MCCOY: Bama Bound Blues/ Bleeding Hearted Blues/ Chirpin' The Blues (8371-b)/ Chirping The Blues (80991)/ Gulf Coast Blues/ If You Want To Keep Your Daddy Home (11661)/ If You Want To Keep Your Daddy Home (8268)/ Just Thinkin' (a Blues) (8370-a)/ Just Thinkin' (blues) (11656)/ Laughin' Cryin' Blues (80912)/ Laughin' Cryin' Blues (8269-b)/ Long Lost Mama/ Michigan Water Blues/ Midnight Blues (a Wee Hour Chant)/ Mistreatin' Daddy (12029)/ Sad And Lonely Blues/ Strut Long Papa/ Taint No Telling What The Blues Will Make You Do/ Tired O' Waitin' Blues (81033)/ Tired O' Waitin' Blues (8355-a)/ Triflin' Blues (80990)/ Triflin' Blues (8329-b)/ Wish I Had You (and I'm Gonna Get You Blues) (8390)/ Wish I Had You (and I'm Gonna Get You Blues)(12032)

 
AUGIE MEYERS & THE WESTERN HEAD BAND Edsel EDCD 555 Finally In Lights ● CD $17.98 $7.98
10 tracks, 35 mins, recommended
Tex-Mex superstar Augie Meyers and his rag-tag band of hippies and outlaws tore up the San Antonio Texas scene in the 1970's and occasionally still do today. Edsel records is doing a fine job re-issuing all of Augie's records from the time that he put out on his own "The Texas Re Cord Co" based out of his home town of Bulverde (I'm pretty sure that means bull in green sauce) Texas, just north of San Antonio. This batch of ten eclectic tunes features 7 originals by Meyers, country standards Release Me and Deep In The Heart Of Texas and the swell "Cowboy" Jack Clement song Miller's Cave. Articulate and entertaining liner notes by Clayton (Augie's Son) Meyers (original) and John Lomax III (new), as well as a complete album discography covering The Sir Douglas Quartet through to the Texas Tornadoes (R.I.P. Doug Sahm & Freddy Fender). (JM)

 
AMOS MILBURN Purple Pyramid CLP 961 The Essential Recordings ● CD $11.98 $7.98
The last recordings by this great bluesman recorded for Johnny Otis's Blues Spectrum in 1976. At the time of these recordings Amos had suffered two strokes and had one of his legs amputated and so most of the piano work was handled by Otis and his singing range was limited. In addition to Johnny Amos is joined by Otis's son Shuggie playing some fine guitar. It's mostly recordings of some of Amos's best known numbers (Checken Shack Boogie/ One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer/ Bewildered/ One Hour Past Midnight, etc). Although listening to these sides one would never know what a magnificent performer Amos was in the 40s and 50s the performances are unpleasing and I would like to think that Otis made the recording to help out an old friend.

 
NINEY THE OBSERVER Heartbeat 99 Freaks ● CD $15.98 $8.98
10 tracks, 37 mins, recommended
Legendary reggae producer Niney doesn't put out much solo work, so this album is a treat for reggae fans. Niney's voice (homely as it is, it doesn't detract), his new dancehall style, and some unique songs create an overall good time. Several recent Niney productions have come out on Heartbeat (Yami Bolo, Little John) and most have sounded good, so he's on a hot streak now. Although a little short this album is worthy of Niney's legend, and would make a good buy for a fan of modern dancehall reggae. (MS)
 
JOHNNY PRESTON Castle CMEDD 605 Feel So Fine - The Anthology ● CD $22.98 $13.98
Two CD set with 46 tracks - the most comprehensive reissue of the Mercury recordings made between 1959 and 1962 by this Texas vocalist best known for his number 1 hit Running Bear. This set includes that monster, less successful hits like Cradle Of Love/ Feel So Fine/ Charming Billy and Leave My Kitten Alone, B-sides, album tracks, obscure singles and tracks not originally issued.
JOHNNY PRESTON: (i Want A) Rock And Roll Guitar/ Broken Hearts Anonymous/ Charming Billy/ Chief Heartbreak/ Chosen Few/ City Of Tears/ Cradle Of Love/ Danny Boy/ Do What You Did/ Dream/ Earth Angel/ Feel So Fine/ Four Letter Word/ Free Me/ Guardian Angel/ Hearts Of Stone/ I Feel Good/ I Played Around With My Love/ I'm Starting To Go Steady With The Blues/ Just Little Boy Blue/ Kissin' Tree/ Kissin' Tree (alt Take)/ Leave My Kitten Alone/ Let The Big Boss Man (pull You Through)/ Let Them Talk/ Let's Leave It That Way/ Lucky In Love/ Madre De Dios (mother Of God)/ My Heart Knows/ My Imagination/ New Baby For Christmas/ Over And Over/ Please Believe Me/ Pretend/ Running Bear/ She Once Belonged To Me/ Sitting Here Cryin'/ That's All I Want/ The Angels Gave You To Me/ The Day After Forever/ The Twist/ Token Of Love/ Up In The Air/ What Am I Living For/ Willy Walk/ You'll Never Walk Alone

 
THE RIVIERAS Norton CED 272 California Sun : Best Of The Rivieras ● CD $14.98 $11.98
First, in-depth compilation of sides by this shortlived surf/ garage group from the midwest who, like many others, succumbed to the British Invasion. Includes hits, rare album tracks, singles and unissued sides. Includes the original 1963 version of their great California Sun, the 1965 remake plus Danny Boy/ Little Donna/ Church key/ let's Have A Party/ H.B. Goosestep/ Oh Boy/ Played On and more. Comes with booklet with extensive notes, interviews and rare photos.

 
THE SELAH JUBILEE SINGERS Document DOCD 5500 Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 : 1939-1945 ● CD $15.98 $10.98
23 tracks, 65 min., highly recommended
Volume two of Document's Selah retrospective finds leader Thurmon Ruth carefully strengthening his group's sound by replacing departing members with outstanding veterans of other polished ensembles. New members during this period include bass J. B. Nelson and former members of the Norfolk Jubilees, baritone Melvin Colden and tenor Norman "Crip" Harris. So, the early numbers here - like I Saw the Light, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Let Us All Run to Jesus, and King Jesus Is a Rock in the Weary Land - are solid examples of jubilee harmony, but the latter part of the program - featuring Let the World See Jesus in My Life, Jesus Prayed Just Before He Died, I'll Fare Better in That Land, and When Was Jesus Born - is both stronger and more complex. Even with the variable sound quality that such a set as this presents, this is definitely not a disc to miss. (DH)

 
SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET Edsel 557 Live Love ● CD $17.98 $10.98
10 tracks, 37 min., highly recommended
Recorded live at The Armadillo in Austin, Texas, in 1977, this SDQ show offers an admirable eclecticism of song that few groups could match. These boys take diverse material from many musical styles and play them all as if they were born doing it. They cover Eddie Floyd's Knock On Wood, Roosevelt Sykes' Drivin' Wheel, the Smokey Robinson-penned My Girl, Roky Erickson's Starry Eyes, and assorted originals by Mr. Sahm. Original band member and sought after session man Augie Meyers works his brand of tex-mex magic throughout. And indeed both sets of booklet notes are all about Meyers (Sir Doug is barely mentioned) as this is part of Edsel's efforts to reissue albums from Meyers' own record label. A nice set, if a bit short. (JC)

 
JOE TEX R n B CD 1001 The Early Years ● CD $17.98 $11.98
27 tracks, 72 min., recommended
A comprehensive look at the late 50's and very early 60's recordings of this soul star to be. And, truth to tell, Tex's early works very accurately predict the output to come, for, like Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, and James Brown, he seemed to know the music of the next decade long before that decade began. Tracks here include All I Could Do Was Cry, She's Mine, Boys Will Be Boys, Ain't Nobody's Business, Mother's Advice, You Little Baby Faced Thing (an attempt to sound like Little Richard), I'll Love You Just the Same, Davy You Upset My Home, Get Closer Together, Another Woman's Love, Yum Yum, and I'll Never Break Your Heart. Fine music, offered here with solid sound quality, a great vintage cover photo, and no notes at all. (DH)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS BGO BGOCD 464 Rural Blues, Vol. 3 - Down Home Stomp ● CD $17.98 $11.98
Reissue of 1970 Imperial LP. 14 great down home and country blues tracks from Aladdin & Imperial - some originally unissued
COUNTRY JIM: Good Lookin' Women/ Sad And Lonely/ J.D. EDWARDS: Hobo/ Playboy Blues/ LOWELL FULSOM: Stormin' And Rainin'/ LITTLE SON JACKSON: Rock & Rollin' #2/ Sad Letter Blues/ PAPA LIGHTFOOT: Jump The Boogie/ Mean Old Train/ MANNY NICHOLS: No One To Love Me/ ROOSEVELT SYKES: Hush On Hush/ I'm Tired/ BOOGIE BILL WEBB: Bad Dog/ Boogie

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS BRG Records 0124 The Blues Foundation Presents Blues Greats 2003 ● CD $9.98 $6.98
12 track budget priced collection features some of the nominees for the 2003 W.C. Handy Blues Awards. Includes Otha Turner, Carla Thomas, Bobby Rush, Precious Bryant, Kenny Brown, Big Jack Johnson, R.L. Burnside, Richard Johnston, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Otis Taylor, Chris Thomas King and Perry Tillis. Includes fold out booklet with notes on the artists.
 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Charly CPCD 8137 Unissued Sun Masters ● CD $13.98 $9.98
30 tracks, 69 min., recommended
These vintage rockabilly tracks, not up to Sam Phillips "release standard" at the time of their recording in the mid-50's to early 60's, may not compare handsomely with the prime works of Elvis, Jerry Lee, Johnny, Warren, Carl or Billy, but they still make most of the non-Sun competition look pretty weak. And this material is truly obscure, with most cuts not listed in previous "complete" discographies. Among the featured tracks are Wampus Cat by Howard Chandler, Treat Me Right by Ken Parchman, Peroxide Blond & Hopped Up Model Ford by Gene Simmons, Teenage Way by Narvel Felts, Little Girl by Carl McVoy, I'm Stepping Aside by Harold Dorman, Tired of Love by Teddy Reidel, and But Now That It's Over by Johnny Powers. If you're a got-to-have-it-all Sun Records fan, or if you're just a dyed-in-the-wool rockabilly lover, this is not a disc you'll want to pass by. Solid sound quality, and worthwhile artist-by-artist liner notes by Adam Komorowski. (DH)
ANDY ANDERSON: Johnny Valentine/ HOWARD CHANDLER: Wampus Cat/ HAROLD DORMAN: I'm Stepping Aside/ NARVEL FELTS: Cry Baby Cry/ Did You Tell Me/ Teenage Way/ RAY GARDEN: This Chick/ RUDY GRAYZELL: Remember When/ JIMMY HAGGETT: Rabbit Action/ CURTIS HOBACK: King Is Back, The/ With My Best Friend/ GLENN HONEYCUTT: Campus Love/ CARL MCVOY: Little Girl/ You're The Only Star/ CURLEY MONEY: Chain Gang Charlie/ KEN PARCHMAN: Love Crazy Baby/ Treat Me Right/ DICK PENNER: Someday Baby/ JOHNNY POWERS: But Now That It's Over/ Don't Got Away/ LYNN PRATT: If I Can't Have You/ JIMMY PRITCHETT: Nothing On My Mind/ TEDDY REIDEL: Stop/ Tired Of Love/ GENE ROSS: Everybody's Trying To Kiss My Baby/ GENE SIMMONS: Peroxide Blond & Hopped Up Model Ford/ RAY SMITH: Right Behind You Baby/ CLIFF THOMAS: Dance Little Girl/ JESSE LEE TURNER: Put Me Down/ UNKNOWN ARTIST: Little Red Hen

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Charly CPCD 8277 Sun Rock 'n' Roll, Vol. 1 ● CD $13.98 $8.98
30 tracks, recommended
30 cuts from the late 50s and early 60s when the rawer rural sounds of rockabilly was giving way to the more polished urban inspired rock 'n' roll and jangling guitars and slapped bass were being replaced by honking sax and piano though a number of the cuts here could certainly be classified as rockabilly. About half the tracks here had not been issued on singles and five make their first appearance here. It includes Ace Cannon's fine instrumental hit Tuff, Smokey Joe Baugh's great rocker Hula Bop, an alternate take of Thomas Wayne's mournful hit Tragedy and more from Bill Johnson, Brad Suggs, Eddie Bush, Ernie Barton, Rayburn Anthony, Tracy Pendarvis, Cliff Thomas, Mickey Gilley (the originally unissued demo Have A Little Party), Alton & Jimmy (the great No More Crying The Blues), Barabra Pittman and others. Includes 12 page booklet with notes on all the artists by Adam Komorowski. (FS)
ALTON & JIMMY: No More Crying The Blues/ RAY ANTHONY: Hambone/ FRANK BALLARD: Shake 'em Up Baby/ ERNIE BARTON: Shut Your Mouth/ EDDIE BUSH: Hey Baby Doll/ ACE CANNON: Tuff/ HAROLD DORMAN: Let 'em Talk/ Wait Til' Saturday Night/ THE FOUR DUKES: Baby Doll/ MICKEY GILLEY: Have A Little Party/ CLIFF GLEAVES: Your Cheatin' Heart/ EDWIN HOWARD: More Pretty Girls Than One/ JIMMY ISLE: Diamond Ring/ BILL JOHNSON: Bobaloo/ You Better Dig It (alternate Take)/ DICKEY LEE: Memories Never Grow Old/ JERRY MCGILL: I Wanna Make Sweet Love/ CARL MCVOY: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight/ MACK OWEN: Walkin' And Talkin'/ TRACEY PENDARVIS: Belle Of The Suwannee/ BARBARA PITTMAN: I'm Getting Better All The Time/ HULA BOP SMOKEY JOE: / BRAD SUGGS: Ooh Wee/ CLIFF THOMAS: Mean Old World/ THE VEL-TONES: Good Gracious/ THOMAS WAYNE: I've Got It Made/ Tragedy (alternate Take)/ JIMMY WILLIAMS: All I Want Is You/ Rocking History/ RED WILLIAMS: I'm Losing You