Big Joe Rides Again
Artist: Big Joe Turner

With the exception of one selection ("Pennies from Heaven") left over from his 1956 record The Boss of the Blue, the music on this album was all recorded in September 1959. Veteran blues singer Big Joe Turner returns to his roots, belting out blues and early standards while accompanied by an octet arranged by Ernie Wilkins. Among the key sidemen... Read More

Two Classic Albums
Artist: Roomful of Blues
Candy
Artist: Big Maybelle

The belter moved over to Newark, NJ-based Savoy midway through the decade and continued to prosper: "Candy," "Ramblin' Blues," and the intense "Blues Early, Early" rate with her finest cuts. "Ring Dang Dilly" and "Tell Me Who" rock with the seemingly effortless swing peculiar to New York's R&B scene at the time, thanks to the presence of saxists... Read More

Shake 'Em Up
Artist: Johnny Nocturne Band

Led by accomplished tenor saxman John Firmin, the Johnny Nocturne Band plays near-flawless renditions of 1940s-era jump blues and swing. Featuring vocals by Brenda Boykin, Shake 'Em Up is a collection of bues and swing tunes recorded live in the studio. The eight-piece band blows through classics such as "Fool's Blues" and "I Ain't Got Nothin'... Read More

Jamming the Blues
Artist: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson

For this lesser-known outing (reissued on CD), the great altoist and blues singer Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson is heard in fine form at the 1974 Montreux Jazz Festival. With fine support from a four-piece rhythm section that includes pianist Peter Wingfield and some solo space for tenor-saxophonist Hal Singer, Vinson plays a few of his familiar but... Read More

Flip, Flop & Fly
Artist: Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner's first of many recordings for Pablo was not initially released until 1989. In the spring of 1972, the 60-year-old blues singer toured Europe with the Count Basie Orchestra and this CD has music from two concerts. Turner's repertoire offered few surprises at that late date (he mostly performs remakes of earlier hits), but his... Read More

Wailin' Daddy
Artist: Johnny Nocturne Band

A solid recreation of the jump blues genre from a modern perspective. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More

Eddie Cleanhead Vinson & Roomful of Blues
Artist: Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson

If there were justice in the world, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson would have been able to tour with this type of group throughout much of his career. Roomful of Blues, a popular five-horn nonet, has rarely sounded more exciting than on this musical meeting with the legendary singer/altoist. Vinson himself is exuberant on some of the selections,... Read More

Big Joe Turner's Greatest Hits
Artist: Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner's music is the aural equivalent of a rare Porterhouse steak -- oversized, juicy, and a glorious overload for the senses, and if isn't always good for you, that's just part of the fun. Whether what he was singing was billed as jazz, swing, rhythm & blues, or rock & roll, Turner pretty much always did things the same way, rolling... Read More