Something Gonna Jump out the Bushes
Artist: Nappy Brown

Ultra-solid support from guitarists Anson Funderburgh, Eugene Ross, Ronnie Earl, and Earl King and Black Top's superb house horn section make this Dallas-cut set Brown's best contemporary album to date. His lusty shouting style works well on covers of the Dominoes' "Have Mercy Baby," the "5" Royales' title track, a pair of Earl King-penned... Read More

Two Classic Albums
Artist: Roomful of Blues
Women, Whiskey & Fish Tails
Artist: Wynonie Harris

Ace's Women, Whiskey & Fish Tails spotlights some of the famous blues-shouter's latter-day work (1952-1957) for independent R&B label King. Now joined by Ace's '50s-centric Harris survey, Lovin' Machine, this 21-track disc takes the somewhat more obscure path through the catalog, substituting the still-electric likes of "Greyhound" and "Drinkin'... Read More

The Originator of Modern Guitar Blues
Artist: Lonnie Johnson

Later Lonnie Johnson, demonstrating his proficiency on everything from pop to blues and R&B. It's excellently remastered, sequenced and presented, covering 1940s and '50s cuts. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide Read More

Jimmy Witherspoon & Jay McShann
Artist: Jimmy Witherspoon

Although Jimmy Witherspoon gets first billing on this CD reissue, he actually only has vocals on 11 of the 24 selections and is just present on three of the seven sessions; highpoints include two versions of his signature song "Ain't Nobody's Business." Pianist Jay McShann is the real leader of these Los Angeles recordings and the brand of music... Read More

The Trumpet Kings Meet Joe Turner
Artist: Big Joe Turner

This album has a most unusual session. Veteran blues singer Joe Turner and his usual rhythm section of the mid-'70s (which includes guitarist Pee Wee Crayton) are joined by four notable trumpeters: Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Clark Terry. On three blues (including the 15-minute "I Know You Love Me Baby") and "Tain't... 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

Bosses of the Blues, Vol. 1
Artist: Big Joe Turner

Two BluesWay albums recorded on consecutive days are reissued in full on this single CD. Big Joe Turner sings eight numbers while T-Bone Walker stretches out on seven; both mix together remakes of earlier hits with some newer material. While Turner is accompanied by an orchestra, Walker is joined by a crack studio group with some space allocated... Read More

J.B. Summers & the Blues Shouters
Artist: J.B. Summers

A collection of great unreleased stuff from the vaults of Gotham material that was originally issued on Bruce Bastin's Flyright label (right down to the liner notes). These sides feature a treasure trove of great jazz artists (Tiny Grimes, Red Prysock, Jo Jones, Freddy Green, Ray Bryant, Walter Page, Bill Doggett, Count Basie, Frank Motley, even... Read More

Good Rockin' Tonight - KING
Artist: Wynonie Harris

This compilation of the ribold shouter's blasting jump blues classics for King is essential. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More

Goin' Down Slow (Blues, Soul & Early R 'n' R, Vol. 14)
Artist: Billy Wright

Crying and pleading the blues, Wright's early-'50s Savoy output was very influential. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide Read More

Jimmy Witherspoon With Panama Francis & the Savoy Sultans Sings the Blues
Artist: Jimmy Witherspoon

The Savoy Sultans, as revived by drummer Panama Francis, was one of the hottest small-group swing bands of the late '70s/early '80s. Singer Jimmy Witherspoon fits right in with the group, emphasizing the Kansas City swing and blues side of his repertoire. With the Sultans (a nonet also including trumpeters Francis Williams and Irv Stokes,... 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

Hot Little Mama
Artist: Roomful of Blues

The third album by Roomful of Blues (which they originally put out on their own label; it was later reissued by Varrick) has plenty of exciting moments that should interest blues and jazz fans alike. The nine-piece group in 1980 featured Greg Piccolo on spirited vocals and romping tenor, trombonist Porky Cohen, and the up-and-coming guitarist... Read More