Sonny Is King
Artist: Sonny Terry
Released: 1963

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Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Essential Jimmy Rushing
Artist: Jimmy Rushing
Released: 1974

This single CD reissues an earlier Jimmy Rushing two-LP set, leaving off two cuts due to lack of space. Jimmy Rushing, who may very well have been the definitive male big band singer, sticks mostly to blues and Kansas City swing on the release and is backed by a variety of top swing all-stars, including most notably tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate,... [+] Read More

This single CD reissues an earlier Jimmy Rushing two-LP set, leaving off two cuts due to lack of space. Jimmy Rushing, who may very well have been the definitive male big band singer, sticks mostly to blues and Kansas City swing on the release and is backed by a variety of top swing all-stars, including most notably tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate, trumpeter Emmett Berry, and trombonists Lawrence Brown and Vic Dickenson. The sidemen receive plenty of space for concise solos, particularly pianists Pete Johnson and Sammy Price. The performances (plus the 11 other songs that are awaiting reissue someday) are among the most rewarding of Jimmy Rushing's post-Basie career and are full of joy and timeless swing. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Best of Louis Jordan - MCA
Artist: Louis Jordan
Released: 1977

This is a best-of CD collection that actually lives up to its name. Virtually all of Louis Jordan's hits, which musically bridged the gap between small-group swing, R&B, and rock & roll, are on this single CD, including "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," "Let the Good Times Roll," "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," "Saturday Night Fish Fry," "Caldonia,"... [+] Read More

This is a best-of CD collection that actually lives up to its name. Virtually all of Louis Jordan's hits, which musically bridged the gap between small-group swing, R&B, and rock & roll, are on this single CD, including "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," "Let the Good Times Roll," "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," "Saturday Night Fish Fry," "Caldonia," "Five Guys Named Moe," and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying." Serious collectors will want to explore a more complete series, particularly the one put out by Classics, but for a single acquisition, this is the Louis Jordan set to get. Jordan's very likable and good-humored vocals and his hot alto, as well as the playing of the Tympani Five, belong in everyone's music collection. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Virtuoso Guitar 1925-1934
Artist: Scrapper Blackwell
Released: 1925

It's for recordings like this that a lot of blues guitar fans started listening to the music in the first place. The definitive Blackwell collection to date, featuring not only his best extant solo sides, but also his work in association with Leroy Carr, Black Bottom McPhail, and Tommy Bradley. The 14 songs here all have something to offer in... [+] Read More

It's for recordings like this that a lot of blues guitar fans started listening to the music in the first place. The definitive Blackwell collection to date, featuring not only his best extant solo sides, but also his work in association with Leroy Carr, Black Bottom McPhail, and Tommy Bradley. The 14 songs here all have something to offer in the playing -- and generally the singing as well -- that will give the listener pause, a run, an arpeggio, a solo passage that makes you say, "Whoa, what was that?" The sound is surprisingly good, and one only wishes there were more than 14 songs here, although it's hard to imagine anything that could follow the last track, Leroy Carr's "Barrelhouse Woman No. 2." ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Blues, Candy and Big Maybelle
Artist: Big Maybelle
Released: 1958

Two vinyl albums of Maybelle's Savoy recordings on one compact disc makes for a nice 28-track retrospective of her prime work. First up is the album originally issued as Blues, Candy and Big Maybelle, a chunk of session work from 1956-1957, with a three-song date from 1959 to round things up. Her takes on "Rockhouse," "Ramblin' Blues," and the... [+] Read More

Two vinyl albums of Maybelle's Savoy recordings on one compact disc makes for a nice 28-track retrospective of her prime work. First up is the album originally issued as Blues, Candy and Big Maybelle, a chunk of session work from 1956-1957, with a three-song date from 1959 to round things up. Her takes on "Rockhouse," "Ramblin' Blues," and the title track are the big tickets here. The second anthology, titled simply Big Maybelle, features her recordings from 1956-1959, with the balance of it leaning toward her later output for the label. A 1957 session with Kenny Burrell on guitar yields interesting stabs at "White Christmas" and "Silent Night," while a 1959 session finds her big voice framed with a string section on a great read of "Until the Real Thing Comes Along." A very underrated singer, Big Maybelle is a total delight and deserves a much wider hearing. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing 1945-1946
Artist: Cootie Williams & His Orchestra
Released: 1999

Having already starred in both Ellington's and Goodman's bands, trumpeter Cootie Williams marked the '40s with a slew of sides featuring his own big band and a variety of combos. His fiery, Armstrong-inspired blowing always was full of narrative wit, and this mighty horn package is certainly on display on Classics' chronological roundup of some... [+] Read More

Having already starred in both Ellington's and Goodman's bands, trumpeter Cootie Williams marked the '40s with a slew of sides featuring his own big band and a variety of combos. His fiery, Armstrong-inspired blowing always was full of narrative wit, and this mighty horn package is certainly on display on Classics' chronological roundup of some of Williams' 1945-1946 sides. Still a bit shy of later R&B-styled work, Williams swings nicely on standouts like "Juice Head Baby," "Jumping to Conclusions," and "Echoes of Harlem." The supporting cast may not be star studded -- save for a young Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson -- but the playing is all top-notch and Williams certainly delivers more than just a few meaty solos. A choice collection best suited to dedicated listeners. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra
Released: 1996

A fine 24-track distillation of Johnson's lengthy career for Decca, during which he and his musicians served as a key link between Harlem big bands, jump blues, and R&B. Spanning 1941 to 1952, the focus is on the bluesier and/or more uptempo sides credited to either Buddy or sister Ella, as well as tracks with Johnson associations cut by Arthur... [+] Read More

A fine 24-track distillation of Johnson's lengthy career for Decca, during which he and his musicians served as a key link between Harlem big bands, jump blues, and R&B. Spanning 1941 to 1952, the focus is on the bluesier and/or more uptempo sides credited to either Buddy or sister Ella, as well as tracks with Johnson associations cut by Arthur Prysock and Harold "Geezil" Minerve. Several of the Johnson clan's most celebrated performances are here: "Walk 'Em" (a sort of signature tune for Buddy), Ella's original version of "Since I Fell For You," Ella's huge R&B hits "That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch" and "When My Man Comes Home," and Buddy's 1949 Top 20 pop hit, "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" (surely one of the greatest baseball/pop novelties ever). Some of the raunchy sax breaks are signposts for a style that would become prevalent in R&B and early rock'n'roll; the gritty instrumental "Shake 'Em Up," for instance, anticipates the sound of Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk" by four years. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Big Joe Turner
Released: 2000

This reissue from Collectables combines two classic Joe Turner Atlantic sides, Joe Turner and Rockin' the Blues, originally released in 1957 and 1958, respectively. Featuring 28 tracks, including a number of R&B staples that crossed over into the pop realm: "Shake Rattle & Roll," "Flip Flop & Fly," "Honey Hush," "Chains of Love," and more. This... [+] Read More

This reissue from Collectables combines two classic Joe Turner Atlantic sides, Joe Turner and Rockin' the Blues, originally released in 1957 and 1958, respectively. Featuring 28 tracks, including a number of R&B staples that crossed over into the pop realm: "Shake Rattle & Roll," "Flip Flop & Fly," "Honey Hush," "Chains of Love," and more. This is a sure bet purchase and also sports the addition of the original LP track sequence that highlights jump blues cuts not often heard, which are just as enjoyable as the hits. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Choo Choo Ch'boogie - ASV/LIVING ERA
Artist: Louis Jordan
Released: 1999

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Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Best of Amos Milburn: Down the Road Apiece
Artist: Amos Milburn
Released: 1994

Pianist Amos Milburn mixed boogie-woogie with vocal energy and intensity to forge a style that was among early R&B's most exciting and appealing. Milburn's 1940s and '50s singles were sometimes fiery and sometimes silly, ranging from drinking songs and celebratory uptempo numbers to stomping instrumentals and an occasional blues or love tune.... [+] Read More

Pianist Amos Milburn mixed boogie-woogie with vocal energy and intensity to forge a style that was among early R&B's most exciting and appealing. Milburn's 1940s and '50s singles were sometimes fiery and sometimes silly, ranging from drinking songs and celebratory uptempo numbers to stomping instrumentals and an occasional blues or love tune. This excellent 26-track anthology contains such classic Milburn anthems as "Chickenshack Boogie," "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer," "Let's Have A Party," and "Bad, Bad Whiskey," as well as lesser-known but just as spirited romps. The mastering bolsters the sound, but doesn't deaden it, while Joseph Laredo's liner notes clearly and completely outline Milburn's musical and cultural/historical significance. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Furry Lewis
Released: 1975

Recorded in Memphis on March 5, 1969, with Furry Lewis in bed -- essentially an impromptu concert for the microphone and whoever happened to be there -- these nine tracks show Lewis to fairly good advantage. They're more laid-back than his work at the other end of the decade for Prestige/Bluesville, with Lewis playing more slowly and singing... [+] Read More

Recorded in Memphis on March 5, 1969, with Furry Lewis in bed -- essentially an impromptu concert for the microphone and whoever happened to be there -- these nine tracks show Lewis to fairly good advantage. They're more laid-back than his work at the other end of the decade for Prestige/Bluesville, with Lewis playing more slowly and singing more roughly than those earlier sessions. However, his slide work is still stingingly effective, his voice is still highly expressive, and he knows how to put over a song even at this late date, playing with an almost hypnotic intensity. The songs include new renditions of "John Henry" and "Casey Jones," as well as "When the Saints Go Marching In" and W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues." ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Joe Liggins & the Honeydrippers
Artist: Joe Liggins
Released: 1989

Pianist Joe Liggins presented a fairly sophisticated brand of swinging jump blues to jitterbuggers during the early '50s, when his irresistible "Pink Champagne" scaled the R&B charts. Twenty-five of his very best 1950-1954 Specialty sides grace this collection, including a tasty remake of "The Honeydripper;" "Rhythm in the Barnyard," and the... [+] Read More

Pianist Joe Liggins presented a fairly sophisticated brand of swinging jump blues to jitterbuggers during the early '50s, when his irresistible "Pink Champagne" scaled the R&B charts. Twenty-five of his very best 1950-1954 Specialty sides grace this collection, including a tasty remake of "The Honeydripper;" "Rhythm in the Barnyard," and the syncopated "Going Back to New Orleans" (recently revived by Dr. John). ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Very Best of Big Joe Turner
Artist: Big Joe Turner
Released: 1951

After Rhino Records began their series of reissues of classic blues and R&B material from the Atlantic Records vaults, they did a snappy edit, shuffle, and augmentation of Atlantic's fine Big Joe Turner's Greatest Hits, and the result was the equally superb The Very Best of Big Joe Turner. The Very Best of Big Joe Turner features 12 of the tunes... [+] Read More

After Rhino Records began their series of reissues of classic blues and R&B material from the Atlantic Records vaults, they did a snappy edit, shuffle, and augmentation of Atlantic's fine Big Joe Turner's Greatest Hits, and the result was the equally superb The Very Best of Big Joe Turner. The Very Best of Big Joe Turner features 12 of the tunes which appeared on the earlier album, while adding another four (mostly leaning toward the more rollicking side of Turner's musical personality, including the gloriously lascivious "TV Mama"). While Big Joe Turner's Greatest Hits covered a bit more ground, The Very Best of Big Joe Turner is even more consistent and offers one of the great pioneering shouters of hard-rockin' R&B at his wild and raving best. Sounding at once loose and thoroughly committed, this collection is a glorious summation of what Turner did best, and these 16 recordings are the soundtrack for a memorable after-hours party just waiting to happen. If you don't already have "Shake, Rattle and Roll," "Flip, Flop and Fly," or "Honey Hush" in your collection, than The Very Best of Big Joe Turner is one disc you need to add to your library posthaste, and the typically excellent remastering and packaging from Rhino only add to the value of this disc. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Bull Moose Jackson
Released: 1988

Cleveland-born Bullmoose Jackson sings and blows tenor and is supported by members of the Lucky Millinder Orchestra, with whom he recorded for many years. This is a reproduction of the original album in all its typical brass disregard for the featured artist. The set includes the storming "Why Don't You Haul Off," and the joys and perils of... [+] Read More

Cleveland-born Bullmoose Jackson sings and blows tenor and is supported by members of the Lucky Millinder Orchestra, with whom he recorded for many years. This is a reproduction of the original album in all its typical brass disregard for the featured artist. The set includes the storming "Why Don't You Haul Off," and the joys and perils of "Sneaky Pete," the jumpin' "Cherokee Boogie," and the comic "Bow-Legged Woman." It's a collection of tunes cut between 1947 and 1951 for King. It contains many ballads from the Billy Eckstine school of smooch. ~ Opal Louis Nations, Roots & Rhythm Newsletter, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Bloodshot Eyes: The Best of Wynonie Harris
Artist: Wynonie Harris
Released: 1993

Rhino's 1994 collection, Bloodshot Eyes: The Best of Wynonie Harris, chronicles his hits for King Records, beginning in 1947 with the seminal "Good Rockin' Tonight" and concluding in 1954 with "Git to Gittin' Baby." Lots of hits come between those two songs, but there were a lot of recordings that appeared before and after, so why choose... [+] Read More

Rhino's 1994 collection, Bloodshot Eyes: The Best of Wynonie Harris, chronicles his hits for King Records, beginning in 1947 with the seminal "Good Rockin' Tonight" and concluding in 1954 with "Git to Gittin' Baby." Lots of hits come between those two songs, but there were a lot of recordings that appeared before and after, so why choose Bloodshot Eyes over other compilations? Because it offers the best of his best work, concentrating on the cream of his recordings for King, when he was at his peak. This is hard-driving, relentless jump blues/R&B, propelled by the powerhouse vocals of Harris along with his joyously rampaging band. Truth be told, Harris rarely departed from this formula, but the cuts showcased on this collection capture him at his best, not just in terms of performance, but in terms of material. There are more comprehensive collections on the market -- collections that span his entire career, and collections that narrowly focus on a few years -- but this is the ideal collection that contains the best from his peak, with no fat whatsoever. Essential music for any serious R&B, blues, or rock and roll collection. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Good Rocking Tonight: The Best of Roy Brown
Artist: Roy Brown
Released: 1994

An unassailable 18-cut cross section of the monstrously popular and influential New Orleans jump blues shouter's sides for the DeLuxe, King, and Imperial labels that spans 1947-1957 and takes in his seminal "Good Rocking Tonight" (where it all began!), "Rockin' at Midnight," "Boogie at Midnight," and "Love Don't Love Nobody"; the almost... [+] Read More

An unassailable 18-cut cross section of the monstrously popular and influential New Orleans jump blues shouter's sides for the DeLuxe, King, and Imperial labels that spans 1947-1957 and takes in his seminal "Good Rocking Tonight" (where it all began!), "Rockin' at Midnight," "Boogie at Midnight," and "Love Don't Love Nobody"; the almost unbearably tortured "Hard Luck Blues"; and the unbelievably raunchy two-parter "Butcher Pete." Looking for the origins of rock? Here they are! ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Backwater Blues
Artist: Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee
Released: 1999

Songs of whiskey, women, and money -- nothing was more important to the repertoire of this classic acoustic blues duo. Good relations on stage were not, but during this 18-tune club date at Sugar Hill in San Francisco, Terry and McGhee are in good spirits. The former's fingerpicking, good-time guitar strummin', and even-keeled singing, joined by... [+] Read More

Songs of whiskey, women, and money -- nothing was more important to the repertoire of this classic acoustic blues duo. Good relations on stage were not, but during this 18-tune club date at Sugar Hill in San Francisco, Terry and McGhee are in good spirits. The former's fingerpicking, good-time guitar strummin', and even-keeled singing, joined by Terry's frantic harmonica and frequent whoops and hollers were the epitome of this genre's style, and these two performing in their heyday.

They do hits familiar to all like "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," "Key to the Highway," and "Careless Love," while changing up "Sittin' on Top of the World," making it "Climbin' on Top of the Hill." Advice songs include the poignant "My Father's Words," "(If You) Lose Your Money (Please Don't Lose Your Mind," and "Walk On." There's also a lone instrumental, "Playing With the Blues"; the title track identified by Terry as "Backwater Rising"; and occasionally call-and-response vocalizing as on "Climbin'" or harmony singing on "You'd Better Mind." The clarity of the recording and the singing is pure as the driven snow, with no distortion or compression. It's the way this blues should be heard. Lee Hildebrand's episodic liner notes relating the strained relationship between Terry and McGhee, and the tale of Barbara Dane's involvement in the Sugar Hill club is as important a story as the songs the duo sing. The words and music prove a last will and testament accenting this posthumous release, a companion to the Live at Sugar Hill Original Blues Classic CD. It's a must buy for those who treasure this type of no-nonsense porch-style get-down blues. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Harlem Street Singer
Artist: Rev. Gary Davis
Released: 1960

Recorded during a three hour session on August 24, 1960, Gary Davis laid down 12 of his most impassioned spirituals for Harlem Street Singer. Starting off the session with a version of Blind Willie Johnson's "If I Had My Way I'd Tear That Building Down," here renamed "Samson and Delilah," Davis is in fine form. His vocals are as expressive as... [+] Read More

Recorded during a three hour session on August 24, 1960, Gary Davis laid down 12 of his most impassioned spirituals for Harlem Street Singer. Starting off the session with a version of Blind Willie Johnson's "If I Had My Way I'd Tear That Building Down," here renamed "Samson and Delilah," Davis is in fine form. His vocals are as expressive as Ray Charles' while similar in richness to Richie Havens' work. Harlem Street Singer features his inspired country blues fingerpicking as well. Many moods color the selections, from the gentle "I Belong to the Band" to the mournful "Death Don't Have No Mercy," only to be followed by the joyous shouting of "Goin' to Sit Down on the Banks of the River." Overall, the collection is well worth the purchase and should be considered essential listening for fans of country blues or gospel. ~ Matt Fink, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
Released: 1969

Although its programming has been juggled a bit, and the CD has been given liner notes, this Delmark release is a straight reissue of the original LP. Clocking in at around 38 minutes, the relatively brief set is the only recording that exists of Vinson, pianist Jay McShann, and guitarist T-Bone Walker playing together; the sextet is rounded out... [+] Read More

Although its programming has been juggled a bit, and the CD has been given liner notes, this Delmark release is a straight reissue of the original LP. Clocking in at around 38 minutes, the relatively brief set is the only recording that exists of Vinson, pianist Jay McShann, and guitarist T-Bone Walker playing together; the sextet is rounded out by the fine tenor Hal Singer, bassist Jackie Sampson, and drummer Paul Gunther. Vinson, whether singing "Plese Send Me Somebody to Love," "Just a Dream," and "Juice Head Baby" or taking boppish alto solos, is the main star throughout this album (originally on Black & Blue), a date that helped launch Vinson's commercial comeback. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Louis Prima
Released: 1956

What Louis Prima accomplished musically in the company of Sam Butera and the Witnesses and vocalist Keely Smith is in hard evidence on this excellent 26-track compilation. All the classics are aboard with excellent liner notes from Scott Shea and crisp transfers of the original masters ("Angelina-Zooma Zooma," "That Old Black Magic," "I've Got... [+] Read More

What Louis Prima accomplished musically in the company of Sam Butera and the Witnesses and vocalist Keely Smith is in hard evidence on this excellent 26-track compilation. All the classics are aboard with excellent liner notes from Scott Shea and crisp transfers of the original masters ("Angelina-Zooma Zooma," "That Old Black Magic," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Buona Sera" -- which includes a great snippet of studio chatter kicking it off -- "Oh Marie," and the obligatory "Just a Gigolo-I Ain't Got Nobody"). Although this duplicates several tracks with Rhino's Zooma! Zooma! compilation, with the addition of several singles and unissued tracks, this stands as the best single-disc collection available of Prima's tenure with Capitol Records. The perfect place to start your Louis Prima collection. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1935-1936)
Artist: Blind Boy Fuller
Released: 1992

The finest collection ever of blues and ragtime. Fuller is here both solo and with Gary Davis, Sonny Terry, and Bull City Red. This is Piedmont blues at its best (1935-1936), a must for anyone interested in down-home blues. ~ Barry Lee Pearson, All Music Guide

The finest collection ever of blues and ragtime. Fuller is here both solo and with Gary Davis, Sonny Terry, and Bull City Red. This is Piedmont blues at its best (1935-1936), a must for anyone interested in down-home blues. ~ Barry Lee Pearson, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing They Rock! They Roll! They Swing!: The Best of the Treniers - EPIC/LEGACY
Artist: The Treniers
Released: 1995

Led by identical twins Cliff and Claude Trenier, the Treniers were a joyously crazed R&B group whose style suggested a middle ground between Louis Jordan's swingin' boogie and the more stylized approach of Ray Charles' early sides, but with less ballast and more frantic energy than both of those acts put together. While the Treniers released... [+] Read More

Led by identical twins Cliff and Claude Trenier, the Treniers were a joyously crazed R&B group whose style suggested a middle ground between Louis Jordan's swingin' boogie and the more stylized approach of Ray Charles' early sides, but with less ballast and more frantic energy than both of those acts put together. While the Treniers released their first records through Mercury, the group's best recordings were cut for the Okeh label between 1951 and 1955, and They Rock! They Roll! They Swing!: The Best of the Treniers collects 15 classic sides from the Okeh vaults (among them their duet with baseball star Willie Mays, "Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)," and the gotta-hear-it-to-believe-it "Poontang") along with five equally potent unreleased cuts. Whether they were chasing women, getting drunk on patent medicine, or simply celebrating their own monumental coolness, the Treniers were one group who knew how to get the party started, and They Rock! They Roll! They Swing! is both a fine introduction to their fine sounds and a fitting soundtrack for your next bash. All 20 tunes have been expertly remastered and sound great, while Nick Toshes (who wrote a superb appreciation of the Treniers in his book Unsung Heroes of Rock 'n' Roll) contributes informative and entertaining liner notes. This disc was reissued in 2004 on the Collectables label featuring nine bonus tracks not available on the 1995 Epic/Legacy version. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-55
Artist: Big Maybelle
Released: 1994

Maybelle's entire OKeh output -- 26 tracks -- including her three R&B chart items, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," and the risqué slow blues "I'm Getting 'Long Alright." "Gabbin' Blues," her 1952 OKeh debut smash, is a humorous dialogue between Maybelle and gossiping rival Rosemarie McCoy, the tune's co-writer. Maybelle was no mere copyist; her... [+] Read More

Maybelle's entire OKeh output -- 26 tracks -- including her three R&B chart items, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," and the risqué slow blues "I'm Getting 'Long Alright." "Gabbin' Blues," her 1952 OKeh debut smash, is a humorous dialogue between Maybelle and gossiping rival Rosemarie McCoy, the tune's co-writer. Maybelle was no mere copyist; her sandpapery vocals stood in sharp contrast to the many interchangeable thrushes then populating the R&B world. Great support from New York session wizards such as tenor saxist Sam "The Man" Taylor and guitarist Mickey Baker throughout. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Best of Ruth Brown - RHINO
Artist: Ruth Brown
Released: 1996

For those who want a cheaper and more concise collection of her best Atlantic cuts than the two-CD Miss Rhythm, this superb 23-track CD has the cream of her '50s work, including no less than 19 Top Ten R&B singles. Charting her evolution from her jazzy debut, "So Long," through jump blues and early rock & roll, it also adds a bonus of two...

For those who want a cheaper and more concise collection of her best Atlantic cuts than the two-CD Miss Rhythm, this superb 23-track CD has the cream of her '50s work, including no less than 19 Top Ten R&B singles. Charting her evolution from her jazzy debut, "So Long," through jump blues and early rock & roll, it also adds a bonus of two previously unissued live cuts from 1959. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Folkways Years, 1944-1963
Artist: Sonny Terry
Released: 1991

While he's best known as guitarist Brownie McGhee's longtime partner, harmonica ace and vocalist Sonny Terry made many excellent recordings as a solo act, and also recorded with Blind Boy Fuller and others. The 17 songs on this anthology include Terry playing with McGhee's brother Sticks, Pete Seeger, and others, as well as several featuring... [+] Read More

While he's best known as guitarist Brownie McGhee's longtime partner, harmonica ace and vocalist Sonny Terry made many excellent recordings as a solo act, and also recorded with Blind Boy Fuller and others. The 17 songs on this anthology include Terry playing with McGhee's brother Sticks, Pete Seeger, and others, as well as several featuring Terry's biting harmonica and wry leads relating stories of failure, triumph, and resiliency, backed by McGhee's flickering but always audible guitar. The title is a bit misleading, since the earliest date for any session is 1946 (one number), and most are done between 1955 and 1959. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Steppin' on the Blues
Artist: Lonnie Johnson
Released: 1990

Groundbreaking guitar work of dazzling complexity that never fails to amaze -- and this stuff was cut in the 1920s! Lonnie Johnson's astonishingly fluid guitar work was massively influential (Robert Johnson, for one, was greatly swayed by his waxings), and his no-nonsense vocals (frequently laced with threats of violence -- "Got the Blues for... [+] Read More

Groundbreaking guitar work of dazzling complexity that never fails to amaze -- and this stuff was cut in the 1920s! Lonnie Johnson's astonishingly fluid guitar work was massively influential (Robert Johnson, for one, was greatly swayed by his waxings), and his no-nonsense vocals (frequently laced with threats of violence -- "Got the Blues for Murder Only" and "She's Making Whoopee in Hell Tonight" are prime examples on this 19-cut collection) are scarcely less impressive. Johnson's torrid guitar duets with jazzman Eddie Lang retain their sense of legend over seven decades after they were cut. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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