VA - Boss Black Rockers Vol. 6: Mardi Grass Rock (KMCD55)

Size: 153,2 MB
Time: 64:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Rock & Roll, R&B
Art: Front & Back

01 Bobby Freeman - Mardi Gras Rock (2:00)
02 Joe Tex - She's Mine (2:21)
03 Pretty Boy - Rockin' The Mule (2:37)
04 Billy Lamont - I Got A Rock And Roll Gal (2:32)
05 Eugene Church - Miami (2:40)
06 Bunker Hill - The Girl Can't Dance (1:54)
07 Little Mac - I Need Love (2:19)
08 Amos Milburn - Chicken Shack Boogie (2:29)
09 The Ecuadors - Say You'll Be Mine (With Chuck Berry) (2:15)
10 The Blonde Bomber - Strollie Bun (2:18)
11 Young Jessie - Hit Git And Split (2:29)
12 Roy 'Mr Guitar' Gaines - De Dat De Dum Dum (2:09)
13 The Vibes - Let The Old Folks Talk (1:51)
14 Harold Burrage - She Knocks Me Out (2:11)
15 Esquerita - Rockin' The Joint (1:59)
16 Eddie Bo - Ohoh (2:25)
17 Mr. Pt & The Party Timers - Crazy Sadie (2:15)
18 Big Al Downing - Just Around The Corner (2:45)
19 Jackie Wilson - If I Can't Have You (1:43)
20 The Seniors - Pitter Patter Heart (2:32)
21 Don & Dewey - Bim Bam (2:03)
22 Robert Parker - All Nite Long Pt 2 (2:32)
23 Bobby Day - Three Young Rebs From Georgia (2:38)
24 The Egyptians - Flipping Their Top (2:24)
25 Barrett Strong - Let's Rock (2:03)
26 Jim Breedlove - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (2:14)
27 Paul Griffin - Ragdoll Baby (1:59)
28 Clarence 'Frogman' Henry - I'm In Love (2:30)

African American music, especially blues and rhythm "n" blues, gave the hillbilly and country sound of the 30s and 40s the wings, or rather the hips, to start a worldwide triumph as rock "n" roll. Although "Rock" n "Roll" was also a label to introduce the white audience to the disreputable "black" rhythm "n" blues, its protagonists did not stop playing their newly named music in the 50s, long before Civil Rights Movement built popular music's first delicate bridges between the separate spheres of "Black and White". With the fourth "Boss Black Rockers" episode, 28 songs again show the vitality of the rhythm "n" blues, many of which are only known to connoisseurs, including artists such as Joe Tex, The Egyptians, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Robert Parker, The Vibes, Roy "Mr. Guitar" Gaines, Billy Lamont, "Big" Al Downing, Jim Breedlove and many more.

Boss Black Rockers Vol. 6 MP3
Boss Black Rockers Vol. 6 FLAC

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Super Chikan & Terry 'Harmonica' Bean - From Hill Country To Mississippi Delta Blues

Size: 145,5 MB
Time: 62:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Country Blues
Art: Front & Back

01. Tin Top Shak (5:32)
02. Down In The Mississippi Delta (5:11)
03. Wavy Thoughts (5:40)
04. Leaving Blues (4:49)
05. Boogie With Me (3:02)
06. Tribute To Jimmy Reed (3:54)
07. Poor Broke Boy (3:59)
08. Who Gonna Be Your Sweet Man When I’m Gone (2:52)
09. Mississippi Walking Blues (2:14)
10. 'Sippi Seekan' Saw (4:54)
11. Black Cat Bone (3:44)
12. Fred’s Dollar Store (5:49)
13. Hug Me, Don’t Bug Me (5:05)
14. I Got Love If You Want It (2:49)
15. 2018 - Doin My Own Thing (2:36)

2018 Hannes and Nicola Folterbauer went on a excursion through Mississippi to meet Harmonica Terry Bean and Super Chikan. The mood was so good, so we started a record session directly at the artists’ home to get a real feeling of their music. The Album is just amazing, real blues!

From Hill Country To Mississippi Delta Blues MP3
From Hill Country To Mississippi Delta Blues FLAC

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Shawn Starski - Shawn Starski

Size: 90,6 MB
Time: 39:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full

01. Sea Of Faces (3:04)
02. Was It You (3:21)
03. Dirty Deal (2:35)
04. For Us (4:34)
05. Cry Baby (Feat. Elle) (5:11)
06. How It Come To Be (3:16)
07. The Truth (Feat. Elle) (3:47)
08. Means Nothing Now (3:09)
09. Hallows Eve (6:09)
10. Sweet Cherry Rose (3:54)

Starski brings every chord and every note to life with an emotion reminiscent of days past. His influences include Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, BB King, Freddie King, Johnny Winter, and Stevie Ray Vaughan...just to name a few.

Shawn started his musical journey at age thirteen when introduced to Larry Canora at his families local church. Larry served as a mentor and friend guiding young Starski in the only suitable direction for a man destined to play the guitar. He played in his church band for years until he landed himself in south Florida band The Shadowcasters. Here at seventeen Starski began to refine his playing, and gain understading of his love for the Blues and Rock. After a couple years Shawn joined The Regulators and began studying jump and swing. Both bands were great influences and opened doors to a seven year adventure with Jason Ricci and New Blood. The band recorded four albums and toured extensively throughout the States and Europe, only to disband in 2010 due to musical differences.

Since then Starski has teamed up with Kelly Hunt...recording on and touring in support of her latest release "Gravity Loves You." He also tours with Shaun Murphy whose claim to fame comes from singing backups for Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, and Little Feat.

This year Starski will be touring with Otis Taylor Throughout the States and Europe promoting his new album "Contraband." Shawn is eager to incorporate his musical style into the Trance Blues Sound Otis has developed over ther years.

Starski currently resides in Nashville, Tn with his wife Elle who is also a singer and performs on his latest release. He has much gratitiude for his family, friends, and fans for their consistent support.

There are those who keep us going. Without whom this record would not have been made. I want to thank all the great musicans that played on this record. My beautiful wife Ellen, Eugene and Sonia Stachurski, Henry & Mary Deible, willy & Keran Grey, the whole Grey family...just to name a few...

I hope you all recognize your effort in our achievements and can feel the love and gratitude we extend to you though the music.

Shawn Starski MP3
Shawn Starski FLAC

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Jump4Joy - Vinyl Joy

Size: 78,6 MB
Time: 11:05
File: FLAC
Released: 2020
Styles: Blues, R&B
Art: Front

01. Black Box (3:16)
02. Cheap Love (2:40)
03. Hungry Marie (2:37)
04. Riverbank (2:30)

Jump4Joy (Jump 4 Joy) is a Swedish quartet focused on boogie-woogie, energy, humor, and some theatrical stage performance. The backbone is pianist and singer Ulf Sandström and saxophonist Bo Gustafsson. The group was formed in 1992 and has since completed over 3000 concerts both in Sweden and internationally.

Personnel: Ulf Sandström (vocals, piano), Bo Gustafsson (saxophones), Anders Almberg (drums), Anders Olsson (double bass).

Vinyl Joy

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Jack J Hutchinson - Who Feeds The Lockdown? / Who Feeds The Lockdown?: Unplugged

Album: Who Feeds The Lockdown?
Size: 101,8 MB
Time: 43:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Heavy Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Justified (4:05)
02. Haunted Bones (3:11)
03. Kiss Your Ass Goodbye (4:48)
04. Peace Of Mind (5:54)
05. Autumn Leaves (4:00)
06. Winds Of Change (3:31)
07. Rattlesnake Woman (3:16)
08. Lucky Man (3:23)
09. Rapture (3:24)
10. War Pigs (8:05)

Album: Who Feeds The Lockdown?: Unplugged
Size: 97,7 MB
Time: 41:39
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Acoustic Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Deal With The Devil (2:49)
02. Hip Slickin' (3:02)
03. Kiss Your Ass Goodbye (5:02)
04. One Horse Town (4:20)
05. The River Cries (3:57)
06. Get It Back (2:37)
07. No Speak No Slave (4:00)
08. Homebound (3:56)
09. Down By The River (6:47)
10. Wonderwall (5:03)

Jack J Hutchinson is a London based guitarist and singer songwriter. Described by Classic Rock Magazine as “Southern-smoked blues-rock with hooks, choruses, the lot”, his most recent album ‘Who Feeds The Wolf?‘ reached #1 in the Amazon Blues Chart and the iTunes Blues Chart Top 5.

Born in Leicester, Hutchinson spent his formative years in Burnley in the north west before moving to London to be an artist and musician. To date, he has released two solo albums, including 2017’s critically acclaimed ‘Paint No Fiction‘.

He has toured internationally, including shows in Brazil, Spain, Russia, France, Germany. He has also played various high profile festivals, including BluesFest at the O2 alongside Bad Company and Ramblin’ Man Fair, where he shared the bill with ZZ Top, Rival Sons and Blackberry Smoke. Support slots have included Monster Truck and Kris Barras Band.

Who Feeds The Lockdown? MP3
Who Feeds The Lockdown? FLAC
Who Feeds The Lockdown?: Unplugged MP3
Who Feeds The Lockdown?: Unplugged FLAC

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Jimmy McCracklin - Blues & Rhythm Series 5110: The Chronological Jimmy McCracklin 1948-1951

Size: 165 MB
Time: 71:39
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B
Art: Full

01. Low Down Mood (2:44)
02. She's My Baby (2:53)
03. When I'm Gone (2:46)
04. South Side Mood (2:55)
05. Listen Woman (2:47)
06. I Can't Understand Love (3:00)
07. Josephine (Just Won't Let Her Go) (2:37)
08. I'll Get A Break Someday (2:16)
09. Love When It Rains (2:36)
10. Your Heart Ain't Right (3:03)
11. I Think My Time Is Here (3:02)
12. Deceivin' Blues (2:55)
13. Beer Drinkin' Woman (3:00)
14. Up And Down Blues (3:03)
15. Just Won't Let Her Go (2:56)
16. Rockin' All Day (2:42)
17. Gotta Cut Out (2:27)
18. You Deceived Me (3:26)
19. Bad Health Blues (3:25)
20. Hamburger Joint (3:00)
21. Looking For A Woman (2:34)
22. You Don't Love Me (3:03)
23. I'm Gonna Have My Fun (2:38)
24. True Love Blues (2:39)
25. Rockin' Man (3:01)

A full half-century from when he started out in the blues business, Jimmy McCracklin was still touring, recording, and acting like a much younger man. In fact, he vehemently disputed his commonly accepted birth date, but since he began recording back in 1945, it seemed reasonable. McCracklin grew up in Missouri, his main influence on piano being Walter Davis (little Jimmy's dad introduced him to the veteran pianist). McCracklin was also a promising pugilist, but the blues eventually emerged victorious. After a stint in the Navy during World War II, he bid St. Louis adieu and moved to the West Coast, making his recorded debut for the Globe logo with "Miss Mattie Left Me" in 1945. On that platter, J.D. Nicholson played piano; most of McCracklin's output found him handling his own 88s.

McCracklin recorded for a daunting array of tiny labels in Los Angeles and Oakland prior to touching down with Modern in 1949-1950, Swing Time the next year, and Peacock in 1952-1954. Early in his recording career, McCracklin had Robert Kelton on guitar, but by 1951, Lafayette "Thing" Thomas was installed as the searing guitarist with McCracklin's Blues Blasters and remained invaluable to the pianist into the early '60s.

By 1954, the pianist was back with the Bihari Brothers' Modern logo and really coming into his own with a sax-driven sound. "Couldn't Be a Dream" was hilariously surreal, McCracklin detailing his night out with a woman sent straight from hell, while a 1955 session found him doubling credibly on harp.

A series of sessions for Bay Area producer Bob Geddins' Irma label in 1956 (many of which later turned up on Imperial) preceded McCracklin's long-awaited first major hit. Seldom had he written a simpler song than "The Walk," a rudimentary dance number with a good groove that Checker Records put on the market in 1958. It went Top Ten on both the R&B and pop charts, and McCracklin was suddenly rubbing elbows with Dick Clark on network TV.

The nomadic pianist left Chess after a few more 45s, pausing at Mercury (where he cut a torrid "Georgia Slop" in 1959, later revived by Big Al Downing) before returning to the hit parade with the tough R&B workout "Just Got to Know" in 1961 for Art-Tone Records. A similar follow-up, "Shame, Shame, Shame," also did well for him the next year. Those sides eventually resurfaced on Imperial, where he hit twice in 1965 with "Every Night, Every Day" (later covered by Magic Sam) and the uncompromising "Think" and "My Answer" in 1966.

McCracklin's songwriting skills shouldn't be overlooked as an integral factor in his enduring success. He penned the funky "Tramp" for guitarist Lowell Fulson and watched his old pal take it to the rarefied end of the R&B lists in 1967, only to be eclipsed by a sassy duet cover by Stax stalwarts Otis Redding and Carla Thomas a scant few months later. McCracklin made a string of LPs for Imperial, even covering "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" in 1966, and segued into the soul era totally painlessly. Latter-day discs for Bullseye Blues proved that McCracklin still packed a knockout punch from behind his piano, no matter what his birth certificate said. Jimmy McCracklin died in San Pablo, California on December 20, 2012 at the age of 91. ~Bill Dahl

The Chronological Jimmy McCracklin 1948-1951

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Muddy Waters - Blues & Rhythm Series 5109: The Chronological Muddy Waters 1950-1952

Size: 329 MB
Time: 73:22
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

01. You're Gonna Need My Help I Said (3:08)
02. Sad Letter Blues (3:02)
03. Early Morning Blues (Before Daybreak) (3:08)
04. Appealing Blues (Hello Little Girl) (2:49)
05. Louisiana Blues (2:55)
06. Evans Shuffle (Ebony Boogie) (2:13)
07. Long Distance Call (2:42)
08. Too Young To Know (3:14)
09. Honey Bee (3:23)
10. Howlin' Wolf (2:44)
11. Country Boy (All Night Long) (3:13)
12. She Moves Me (2:58)
13. My Fault (2:43)
14. Still A Fool (3:19)
15. They Call Me Muddy Waters (3:24)
16. All Night Long (2:54)
17. All Night Long (Faster Version) (3:20)
18. Stuff You Gotta Watch (Gal You Gotta Watch) (2:50)
19. Lonesome Day (3:31)
20. Please Have Mercy (3:13)
21. Who's Gonna Be Your Sweet Man (3:05)
22. Standing Around Crying (3:21)
23. Gone To Main Street (2:30)
24. Iodine In My Coffee (3:31)

McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913 – April 30, 1983), known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who was an important figure in the post-war blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of modern Chicago blues". His style of playing has been described as "raining down Delta beatitude".

Muddy Waters grew up on Stovall Plantation near Clarksdale, Mississippi, and by age 17 was playing the guitar and the harmonica, emulating the local blues artists Son House and Robert Johnson. He was recorded in Mississippi by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1941. In 1943, he moved to Chicago to become a full-time professional musician. In 1946, he recorded his first records for Columbia Records and then for Aristocrat Records, a newly formed label run by the brothers Leonard and Phil Chess.

In the early 1950s, Muddy Waters and his band—Little Walter Jacobs on harmonica, Jimmy Rogers on guitar, Elga Edmonds (also known as Elgin Evans) on drums and Otis Spann on piano—recorded several blues classics, some with the bassist and songwriter Willie Dixon. These songs included "Hoochie Coochie Man", "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and "I'm Ready". In 1958, he traveled to England, laying the foundations of the resurgence of interest in the blues there. His performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1960 was recorded and released as his first live album, At Newport 1960.

Muddy Waters' music has influenced various American music genres, including rock and roll and rock music. ~Wikipedia

The Chronological Muddy Waters 1950-1952

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Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers - Blues & Rhythm Series 5108: The Chronological Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers 1948-1950

Size: 269 MB
Time: 67:13
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B, Jazz
Art: Full

01. Big Baritone (2:57)
02. Roll 'em (2:18)
03. Don't Stop Loving Me (2:47)
04. Key Jam (2:33)
05. End Of A Kiss (2:45)
06. Fascination (2:41)
07. Three O'clock Jump, Pt. 1 (2:39)
08. Three O'clock Jump, Pt. 2 (2:33)
09. Miss You (3:19)
10. I Cover The Waterfront (2:39)
11. Lonesome Guitar (2:49)
12. Hey Mama! (2:37)
13. What's The Reason (2:51)
14. Ramblin' Blues (2:47)
15. Rag Mop (3:02)
16. Sentimental Lover (2:47)
17. Pink Champagne (3:03)
18. Little Joe's Boogie (2:51)
19. Little Joe's Boogie (2:42)
20. Goin' Back To New Orleans (2:52)
21. Rhythm In The Barnyard, Pt. 1 (2:21)
22. Rhythm In The Barnyard, Pt. 2 (2:27)
23. I've Got A Right To Cry (3:16)
24. Little Black Book (3:24)

This second volume of the complete recordings of Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers opens with their final 13 sides for the Exclusive label recorded in Los Angeles in 1948 and 1949. There are lots of instrumental tracks here -- nine of the Exclusives, in fact. "Roll 'Em" was a big hit for Liggins, and deservedly so as it is one of his very best boogie-woogie exercises. "Big Baritone" bears more than passing resemblance to Liggins' opus of 1946, "Yvette." "Key Jam" seems to have been closely patterned on Duke Ellington's "Merry Go Round," while "End of a Kiss" resembles both "Don't Get Around Much Any More" and "I Guess I'm Just a Lucky So and So." For an R&B retrospective, this package sure holds a lot of jazz, proving once again that stylistic delineations are relatively illusory half of the time. "Three O'Clock Jump," a cheerful sequel to Count Basie, really rocks and rolls. Part of what made the Honeydrippers band so tasty was the presence of saxophonists James and Little Willie Jackson. The riff spectrum widens as "Hey Mama" and "Fascination" tap into tango and rhumba rhythms. There is a splendid rendering of "I Cover the Waterfront," and "Lonesome Guitar" (featuring Frank Pasley) is a masterpiece of slow blue reverie. On January 20, 1950, Joe Liggins cut his first sides for the Specialty label. Slight changes had occurred in the band personnel, most significantly the addition of a third saxophonist, tenor man Maxwell Davis. "Pink Champagne" was another number one hit record for a little while. The endlessly covered "Rag Mop" was originally derived from Henry "Red" Allen's "Get the Mop," one of several postwar hijacked hits. Liggins kept his arrangement at a lively but not frenetic pace for maximum grooviness. He tapped into the boogie-woogie craze with both original and shameless imitation Louis Jordan-styled novelties. "Little Black Book" has a decidedly boppish line. With baritone sax behind the alto, it sounds a lot like some of the records James Moody was putting out during the late '40s. ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers 1948-1950

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Mabel Scott - Blues & Rhythm Series 5107: The Chronological Mabel Scott 1951-1955

Size: 175 MB
Time: 43:43
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B
Art: Full

01. No More Cryin' Blues (3:12)
02. Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train (3:07)
03. Somebody Goofed (2:37)
04. Catch 'em Young, Treat 'em Rough, Tell 'em Nothin' (2:52)
05. Wailin' Daddy (2:53)
06. Yes! (3:09)
07. Shut Eye (2:33)
08. Take My Love (2:34)
09. Mr. Fine (2:52)
10. Mabel Blues (2:56)
11. Fool Burro (2:48)
12. Do The Thing (2:55)
13. I Wanna Be Loved, Loved, Loved (2:23)
14. Just The Way You Are (2:11)
15. Mabel's Blues (2:37)
16. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (1:57)

Mabel Scott had a powerful voice and energy to spare. She could be disarmingly funny ("No More Cryin' Blues"), pleasantly rowdy ("Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train"), or downright overbearing in the manner of Betty Hutton or Cass Daley ("Catch 'Em Young, Treat 'Em Rough, Tell 'Em Nothin'"). Naturally, much of this hinged on the nature of her material. Most of these songs, including the ones she helped to write, come off neatly. "Yes!" is saturated with sexual energy. The singer sounds as though she's in bed with somebody, and her delivery is almost as over the top as Frankie "Half-Pint" Jaxon's X-rated performance on Tampa Red's smutty rendition of Leroy Carr's "How Long, How Long Blues." Leiber & Stoller's "Wailin' Daddy" seems at first to be about a rocking musician but ends up glorifying domestic violence. Bragging about her man's ability to "wail" on her, Scott actually boasts that "he's the only man alive knows how to beat a woman right." The instrumentalists on these recordings are exceptionally fine. The Coral sides recorded in New York on May 22, 1951, had her backed by jazz players, including trombonist Tyree Glenn and saxophonists Eddie Barefield and Budd Johnson. Four titles waxed in Los Angeles on March 17, 1952, are greatly enhanced by tenor saxophonist Maxwell Davis, pianist Milt Raskin, and an unidentified trumpeter. Four tunes recorded for the Parrot label in Chicago at some point during the year 1953 find the singer backed by a tough little band. The only positively identified player in this group is legendary trumpeter King Kolax. "Mr. Fine" is overtly theatrical, "Mabel Blues" packs several violent threats worthy of Bessie Smith, and "Fool Burro" is a sort of a Mexican slow-grind rhumba. Faced with sagging record sales and terminated contracts, Mabel Scott toured Australia and recorded four sides in Sydney for the Festival label in August of 1955. These included "Just the Way You Are," a feisty love song of unknown authorship, and remakes of two earlier hits, "Mabel Blues" and "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus." This was the end of Mabel Scott's recording career. Although she spent the rest of her life singing in church, it is likely -- and most unfortunate -- that she never appeared on records again. Mabel Scott passed away in Los Angeles on July 19, 2000. ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological Mabel Scott 1951-1955

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Tiny Grimes - Blues & Rhythm Series 5106: The Chronological Tiny Grimes 1949-1951

Size: 110 MB
Time: 53:12
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B, Jazz
Art: Full

01. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (2:30)
02. Drivin' And Jivin' (Flying Saucer Boogie) (2:24)
03. I'm In Love With You Baby (2:36)
04. Frankie And Johnny Boogie (2:55)
05. Riverside Jump (3:06)
06. Loch Lomond (3:04)
07. Sanctifying The Blues (3:00)
08. Marie (2:39)
09. Battle Of The Mass (2:39)
10. Hawaiian Boogie (2:20)
11. My Baby's Cool (2:47)
12. St. Louis Blues (3:20)
13. 1626 Blues (2:47)
14. Rockin' And Sockin' (2:33)
15. Am I Blue (3:09)
16. Tiny's Jump (3:09)
17. Howling Blues (Blues) (2:28)
18. Bananas (2:35)
19. Jackie's Dance (3:04)

Lloyd "Tiny" Grimes was a vital force in swing, bebop, and R&B. Ungratefully jettisoned from the roster of the Atlantic record company in 1949, Grimes lined himself up with Gotham Records in Philadelphia. In 2004, the Classics Blues & Rhythm Series reissued all of Grimes' Gotham recordings made between 1949 and 1951. While this is rocking R&B at its very best, the jazz element runs strongly through these tasty vintage jams, and is personified by saxophonists Benny Golson, John Hardee, and Red Prysock; bassist Ike Isaacs; and pianists George Kelly and Freddie Redd. On the first two tracks the great Sonny Payne, later famous for his work with Count Basie, is all over the drums. Grimes himself had developed by 1949 into a first-rate jam-up electric guitarist. No melody was safe from this man's good-time sensibilities, be it "Frankie and Johnny," "Down by the Riverside," "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," or even "Loch Lomond." So successful was this last tune when performed in person that Grimes and his guys put on kilts and started calling themselves the Rocking Highlanders. Most of this stuff is solid, groovy, exciting instrumental dance music. There are only two vocalists on the entire compilation -- Georgia native Claudine Clark and George Grant, who went by the name of Haji Baba. As slim as John Hardee's discography is (mostly Blue Note sides, usually mentioned in the same breath as those of Ike Quebec), his instrumental collaborations with Tiny Grimes are precious indeed. This outstanding compilation ends with a surprise tidbit predating the scope of this segment of the Grimes chronology; inadvertently omitted from an earlier volume in the series, "Jackie's Dance" was recorded near the end of 1947 and features Red Prysock on the tenor sax. ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological Tiny Grimes 1949-1951

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Chicken Shack Feat. Stan Webb - Poor Boy: The Deram Years 1972-1974 (2 CD)

Album: Poor Boy: The Deram Years 1972-1974
Year: 2006
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:13 + 48:17
Size: 183,4 + 111,6 MB
Styles: Electric blues, blues-rock
Scans: Full

CD 1:
1. Crying Won't Help You Now (5:08)
2. Daughter Of The Hillside (3:52)
3. If I Were A Carpenter (6:33)
4. Going Down (3:32)
5. Poor Boy (5:09)
6. Telling Your Fortune (11:09)
7. The Loser (2:29)
8. You Know You Could Be Right (3:44)
9. Revelation (5:09)
10. Prudence's Party (3:10)
11. Too Late To Cry (3:07)
12. Stan The Man (4:22)
13. Unlucky Boy (2:32)
14. As Time Goes Passing By (4:43)
15. Jammin' With The Ash (7:01)
16. He Knows The Rules (3:53)
17. As Time Goes Passing By (Single Version) (Bonus) (3:30)

CD 2:
1. Everyday I Have The Blues (5:35)
2. The Thrill Is Gone (5:33)
3. Going Down (5:49)
4. You Take Me Down (5:16)
5. Webb's Boogie (6:06)
6. You're Mean (6:20)
7. Poor Boy (7:12)
8. Webb's Guitar Boogie Shuffle (3:53)
9. Tutti Frutti (2:28)

This Castle package features the best of Chicken Shack's Deram years, when they kept some of the trademark blues expression that made them somewhat popular in the British blues scene of the 1960s, while getting decidedly heavier to the point of being a power metal trio. The entire Imagination Lady album is presented here, along with eight of the 14 cuts from Unlucky Boy. As a bonus, there is a second disc that contains Chicken Shack's unreleased Goodbye album, which was cut live.

Those who worshiped the early band - and there are people who did since they were in their way as credible as the Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer-led Fleetwood Mac (and even had Christine Perfect as a member for a time before she left and married the Mac's bassist, John McVie) - will, as those of the day did, find this material tedious and plodding. However, those who have found solace in the hard rock of the early '70s will find this material not only gratifying but surprising in its way, given the mastery of the material and the big, loud, and raw mixes. Recommended. /Thom Jurek, AllMusic

CD 1: Tracks 1-7 from "Imagination Lady" (1972), tracks 8-16 from "Unlucky Boy" (1973)
CD 2: "Goodbye Chicken Shack" (Live, 1974)

Poor Boy: The Deram Years 1972-1974 (2 CD) mc
Poor Boy: The Deram Years 1972-1974 (2 CD) zippy

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MFC Chicken - Solid Gravy!

Year: 2014
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:27
Size: 78,1 MB
Styles: R&B, rock & roll
Scans: Front

1. Chicken 'Bout You (2:05)
2. Pocahontas (2:06)
3. (Get Outta The) DJ Booth (2:24)
4. Voodoo Chicken (1:47)
5. I'm Her Pet (2:15)
6. Hot Friend (1:44)
7. (Show Me The) Gravy, Baby (2:34)
8. Don't Wanna Talk About Chicken (2:13)
9. Well Now (3:08)
10. M.F. Sea Chicken (2:49)
11. Chicken Shack (2:25)
12. Horseshit (2:03)
13. White Leather Boots (2:05)
14. Dirty Little Bitch (3:44)

When Spencer Evoy arrived in London fresh from Canada, little did he know that his quest to reignite the spirit of the rock n roll sound of the American Northwest would start outside a chicken shop on the Holloway Road. Walking down that fabled stretch of tarmac, he was struck by the greasy aroma of deep fried chicken and felt his belly ache. Realising his funds had all been spent on the plane fare, he whipped out his saxophone and proceeded to busk outside the premises in the hope of a few quid to pay for his next meal.

Hearing the sweet tones of rock n roll drift into his bedroom in the flat above the shop, Bret Bolton called out to Spencer. Their eyes met and they instantly realised they were musical brothers in arms. Days later they had formed a band together, naming it after the now sadly defunct and derelict chicken shop where they met: MFC Chicken. Joined by Ravi, Parsley and Alberto, the poultry-loving group soon began making a name for themselves, becoming one of the hottest garage rock n roll acts in London, setting clubs alight with their own red hot take on the music The Sonics were listening to. /Amazon

Personnel: Spencer Evoy (vocals, saxophone); Alberto Zioli (guitar); Bret Bolton (bass); Ravi Low-Beer (drums); Reverend Parsley (keyboards).

Solid Gravy! mc
Solid Gravy! zippy

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Al Basile - B's Hot House

Year: 2019
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:27
Size: 135,3 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Scans: Front, back

1. So-Called Storyteller (4:47)
2. Five Roads (3:48)
3. Razor Wire (4:28)
4. Try One (2:52)
5. Don't Fool With The Truth (3:38)
6. Give Me That Look (3:50)
7. Looking for A Cookie (4:52)
8. Can't Keep Me From Dreaming (4:00)
9. I See You There (5:15)
10. I Ain't Changing (4:09)
11. You Don't Know Lonesome (3:32)
12. What Dogs Wanna Do (3:54)
13. Talking In A Room (3:21)
14. Time Has Made A Fool Of Me (5:55)

Al Basile sings with a voice like Eddie Floyd, plays muted trumpet like Miles Davis and leads a band like Booker T Jones on this swampy collection of STAXY originals. He teams with guitar legend Duke Robillard along with Mark Teixeira (drums), Brad Hallen (bass), Bruce Bears (keyboards)and a horn section of Doug James (tenor sax) and Jeff Chanonhouse (trumpet). The songs sound like they come out of the nightclubs of Memphis' Beale Street, with smoky horns framing Basile's solo and singing on "So-Called Storyteller" and the boogalooing "Looking For A Cookie".

Bears' organ hums through the shuffling "Razor Wire", and Robillard's guitar cries through the stomping "Don’t Fool With The Truth" while Teixeira delivers a stroll beat with the cymbals on "Give Me That Look". A few slower ballads and sepia moods come to the fore with Basile relaxed on "Can't Keep Me From Dreaming" and baring his noir'd soul for "I See You There". Some gospel has Basile preaching on "You Don't Know Lonesome" and the team smokes like baby back ribs on "What Dogs Wanna Do". If you can’t make it to Memphis anytime soon, get some take out dry rub and dig these tunes at home. /George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

B's Hot House mc
B's Hot House zippy

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Louisiana Red - Sings The Blues...+

Size: 164,8 MB
Time: 69:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1994
Styles: Louisiana Blues
Art: Full

01. Who' Dat? (2:50)
02. Rollin' Stone (3:10)
03. I Am Louisiana Red (2:10)
04. Country Playboy (2:57)
05. You Don't Have To Go (1:59)
06. Mean Ol' Frisco (2:47)
07. Story Of Louisiana Red (3:25)
08. The Same Thing (4:10)
09. Freight Train To Ride (3:30)
10. Where Is My Friend? (4:12)
11. Red's New Dream (4:26)
12. Louisiana Blues (5:34)
13. Standin' By The Airport (3:36)
14. Evil Main Blues (3:48)
15. 'Let These' Blues (4:02)
16. Little Girl Take Your Time (2:05)
17. Let Me Give You Your Exercise (4:20)
18. My Blues Came Rolling Down (3:26)
19. Some Day (3:10)
20. Early In The Morning (3:25)

Louisiana Red (born Iverson Minter) was a flamboyant guitarist, harmonica player, and vocalist. He lost his parents early in life through multiple tragedies; his mother died of pneumonia a week after his birth, and his father was lynched by the Klu Klux Klan when he was five.

Red began recording for Chess in 1949, then joined the Army. After his discharge, he played with John Lee Hooker in Detroit for almost two years in the late '50s, and continued through the '60s and '70s with recording sessions for Chess, Checker, Atlas, Glover, Roulette, L&R, and Tomato, among others.

Louisiana Red moved to Hanover, Germany in 1981, and maintained a busy recording and performing schedule through the subsequent decades into the new millennium, his 21st century releases including 2001's Driftin' on Earwig, 2002's A Different Shade of Red on Severn, 2004's Bad Case of the Blues on Mojo Tone, 2005's No Turn on Red on Hightone and Hot Sauce on Red Lightnin', and 2008's Back to the Black Bayou (recorded in Norway with producer/guitarist Little Victor) on Ruf. He died in Germany in 2012 when his thyroid imbalance brought on a stroke. ~Ron Wynn

Sings The Blues...+ MP3
Sings The Blues...+ FLAC

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Angela Brown - Just Fabulous: Live In Concert

Size: 176,6 MB
Time: 76:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Chicago Blues, Rockin' Blues
Art: Front

01. St James Infirmary (Live Edition) ( 7:39)
02. Jailhouse Blues (Live Edition) ( 4:23)
03. C.C.Rider (Live Edition) ( 4:57)
04. Ball And Chain (Live Edition) ( 8:13)
05. You Didn't Want What You Had (Live Edition) ( 4:18)
06. Rock Me (Live Edition) ( 4:49)
07. Sunday Kind Of Love (Live Edition) ( 6:26)
08. I Don't Want Maybe (Live Edition) ( 5:10)
09. Deja Vu (Live Edition) ( 3:24)
10. Backwater Blues (Live Edition) (12:14)
11. So Long Ago (Live Edition) ( 7:04)
12. Black Drawers (Live Edition) ( 7:32)

Chicago blues singer Angela Brown recorded in England in 1997. Considered one of the best blues singers of her generation, Angela has a superb voice that is equally at ease with classic as well as modern blues. With an electrifying stage presence, her performance runs from high octane to sheer emotion with a voice that is 'just fabulous'.

Just Fabulous: Live In Concert MP3
Just Fabulous: Live In Concert FLAC

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Soulmate - Give Love

Size: 114,2 MB
Time: 49:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. The Way We Are (3:19)
02. Don't You Miss Me Baby (4:12)
03. Give Love (3:45)
04. Hole In Your Soul (6:38)
05. I Sing The Blues (5:34)
06. Troubled Times (7:19)
07. Soulmate Boogie (3:57)
08. Still Loving You (4:31)
09. Voodoo Woman (4:49)
10. Your Love (5:09)

Soulmate is a blues rock band from Shillong, Meghalaya, India. The band is primarily made up of Rudy Wallang (guitar/vocals/songwriter) and Tipriti TIPS Kharbangar (vocals/guitar), although they frequently team up with session musicians (on drums, bass, organ and possibly other backup instruments) when on tour. Tipriti is considered as one of the finest female singers to have emerged from North East India and Wallang is considered one of the most respected blues guitarists of India.

Soulmate is a Shillong-based blues band, which came together in February 2003 playing their first concert at the ‘Roots Festival' at the Water Sports Complex in Umiam. Since then the band has performed many concerts all over The Northeast as well as in different parts of India, Southeast Asia, Europe, The Middle East and The United States.

Soulmate gained nationwide recognition and popularity within jazz and blues circles in India after they became the only blues band to represent the country at the 23rd International Blues Challenge organized by The Blues Foundation of America, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, in February 2007 and 2010. They were semi-finalists and performed at the Rum Boogie Café (Blues Club of The Year, 2007) and Ground Zero(2010) alongside 150 other bands and musicians from all over the world.

Give Love MP3
Give Love FLAC

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Mike 'Shrimp Daddy' Reid - Messin' With My System

Size: 95,9 MB
Time: 40:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Electric Blues, Harmonica Blues
Art: Full

01. Some Guys Like It Rough (5:09)
02. Few Bricks Shy (3:56)
03. Mistreated My Baby (4:02)
04. Messin' With My System (3:01)
05. Rollin' Nickels (5:59)
06. Fitted Sheets (3:59)
07. Treat Me Right (4:31)
08. Next Door Neighbor (2:56)
09. I Don't Belong (4:46)
10. Surf & Turf (2:31)

Shrimp Daddy’s seminal recording, “Messin’ With My System”. Inspired in equal measure by the sounds of Little Walter and William Clarke, “Messin’ With My System” is a must have for any blues aficionado’s library. Shrimp’s powerful baritone voice, rich harp tone and tasty phrasing will carry the listener through tunes filled with both irony and good humour. His deep gravelly vocals, accompanied by the mesmerizing sound of his harmonica whisks you to the juke joints of Mississippi as well as the hard edge blues clubs of Chicago. The music of the “Walters”, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf & Muddy Waters augmented with the unforgettable sound of Butterfield is his forte! The CD is a testament to the gritty reality of the life of a true bluesman, Michael “Shrimp Daddy” Reid.

Messin' With My System MP3
Messin' With My System FLAC

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Gregg Wright - Millennium Blues: Live 1998

Size: 196,8 MB
Time: 85:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Drivin' To New Orleans (Live) ( 3:38)
02. Fast One (Live) ( 6:49)
03. Nocturne (Live) ( 5:17)
04. Bad Situation (Live) ( 5:45)
05. Born Under A Bad Sign (Live) ( 4:20)
06. Come Together (Live) ( 8:49)
07. Or Die Trying (Live) ( 7:38)
08. I'm A Man (Live) (14:55)
09. Blues At Sunrise (Live) (10:46)
10. Heidi Ann (Live) ( 4:03)
11. Voodoo Chile (Live) (13:03)

Gregg Wright recorded live in England in 1998. Gregg is a blues guitarist for the 21st century and Millennium Blues showcases his molten and killer guitar tone together with great original songs and smoky, soulful lyrics putting him amongst the worlds elite modern blues guitarists.

Millennium Blues: Live 1998 MP3
Millennium Blues: Live 1998 FLAC

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Dana Gillespie - As Blue As I Can Be: Live

Size: 194,5 MB
Time: 84:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Be My Sugar (Live) ( 5:31)
02. Big Boy (Live) ( 4:33)
03. Blue Room (Live) ( 5:31)
04. Blue Cadillac (Live) ( 3:14)
05. Organ Grinder (Live) ( 5:23)
06. Blue Temptation (Live) ( 4:32)
07. Man Size Job (Live) ( 3:16)
08. St. Louis Blues (Live) ( 7:07)
09. Your Mind Is On Vacation (Live) ( 5:22)
10. Big Ten Inch Record (Live) ( 2:57)
11. No One (Live) (11:46)
12. I Want You To Be My Baby (Live) ( 4:11)
13. Up Your Sleeve (Live) ( 6:14)
14. Spoonful (Live) ( 4:23)
15. Come On (If You're Coming) (Live) ( 9:55)

Dana Gillespie recorded in England in 1997. Following in the footsteps of the great female blues singers, Dana sings humorous, risqué blues. Inspired by Bessie Smith and her combination of sly, funny and bawdy lyrics, this set is toe-tapping, hand clapping, shake your blues away music interspersed with powerhouse St Louis Blues style classics. A joy to listen.

As Blue As I Can Be: Live MP3
As Blue As I Can Be: Live FLAC

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Kent Duchaine - My Name Is Duchaine: Live 1997

Time: 77:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2020
Styles: Acoustic Blues
Art: Front

01. Marylin (Live) (2:17)
02. Jitterbug Swing (Live) (2:44)
03. Long Distance Call (Live) (3:27)
04. Preachin' Blues (Live) (2:48)
05. Little Red Rooster (Live) (2:26)
06. Edgemont Station (Live) (3:20)
07. Walking Blues (Live) (3:30)
08. Trouble In Mind (Live) (3:36)
09. You Don't Want Me (Live) (3:08)
10. Travellin' Riverside (Live) (3:08)
11. St James Infirmary (Live) (5:47)
12. The Seventh Son (Live) (2:23)
13. Shake Your Moneymaker (Live) (2:05)
14. Irresistible (Live) (2:49)
15. Mean Old World (Live) (3:26)
16. Always Lift Him Up And Never Knock Him Down (Live) (3:54)
17. The Things I Used To Do (Live) (2:49)
18. Boogieman (Live) (2:34)
19. No Place Like Home (Live) (3:53)
20. Personality (Live) (4:17)
21. She's Haunting Me (Live) (2:59)
22. Friend Of Mine (Live) (3:31)
23. Aberdeen Mississippi Blues (Live) (3:15)
24. When The Saints Go Marching In (Live) (3:08)

Blues music of American bluesman, Kent DuChaine performance footage of blues standards and self-penned numbers recorded in England in 1995 and 1997. Kent plays Mississippi Delta style acoustic slide on his 1934 National Steel guitar, Leadbessie and talks about the influences of Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters together with his personal friendship with Johnny Shines.

My Name Is Duchaine: Live 1997 MP3
My Name Is Duchaine: Live 1997 FLAC

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Bullmoose Jackson - Blues & Rhythm Series 5105: The Chronological Bullmoose Jackson 1947-1950

Size: 242 MB
Time: 62:33
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B
Art: Full

01. We Can Talk Some Truth (2:50)
02. Oh John (2:32)
03. Fare Thee Well, Deacon John, Fare Thee Well (2:58)
04. All My Love Belong To You (2:50)
05. I Can't Go On Without You (3:01)
06. Love Me Tonight (2:57)
07. Come Back To Me (2:55)
08. Don't Ask Me Why (3:01)
09. Moosey (2:57)
10. Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide (3:03)
11. Lettle Girl Don't Cry (3:00)
12. A Fool In Love (2:51)
13. Not Until You Come My Way (2:55)
14. Is That All I Mean To You? (2:49)
15. Must You Go (2:49)
16. Why Don't You Haul Off And Love Me? (3:01)
17. Sometimes I Wonder (2:41)
18. Time Alone Will Tell (2:50)
19. My Little Baby (2:48)
20. My Beloved (2:41)
21. Forgive And Foget (2:33)
22. Big Fat Mamas Are Back In Style Again (2:22)

While touring through Texas in 1945 with the Lucky Millinder Orchestra, Benjamin Clarence Jackson, Jr. was dubbed Bull Moose Jackson by drummer Panama Francis, who apparently exclaimed: "You look like a moose coming over the hill." Tall and powerful with a friendly expressive face, the bespectacled saxophonist was riding a tide of popular success by the time these recordings were cut for the King label between September 1947 and September 1950 in New York, NY; Linden, NJ; St. Louis, MO; and Cincinnati, OH. Bull Moose Jackson & His Buffalo Bearcats (the "Buffalo" was dropped beginning in 1950) were an all-purpose R&B jump band balancing upbeat novelty cookers with remarkably handsome ballads. The Bull Moose discography glistens occasionally with the names of jazz heroes like Count Basie's flute and saxman Frank Wess and Ellington trumpeter Harold "Money" Johnson. It's obvious why these records were popular in their day. The wide range of topics and textures is well represented here as titles like "Love Me Tonight" and "My Beloved" appear alongside "Fare Thee Well Deacon Jones" and "Big Fat Mamas Are Back in Style." Some of these songs were composed by King kingpins Syd Nathan and Henry Glover (with Nathan sometimes using the pseudonym Sally Nix), and Lucky Millinder's name appears in the composer credits as well. Other songs represent clearly discernible links with the country music market, as is the case with Wayne Raney's "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me," here given the robust handclapping treatment so typical of Bull Moose Jackson. ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological Bullmoose Jackson 1947-1950

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Paula Watson - Blues & Rhythm Series 5104: The Chronological Paula Watson 1948-1953

Size: 130 MB
Time: 46:28
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B, Jazz
Art: Full

01. Pretty Papa Blues (Pretty Mama Blues) (2:45)
02. A Little Bird Told Me (2:38)
03. Paula's Nightmare (2:40)
04. Stick By Me Baby (2:31)
05. You Broke Your Promise (2:15)
06. Hidin' In The Sticks (2:51)
07. I've Got The Sweetest Man (2:21)
08. Of All Things (2:19)
09. A Want A Short, Squat, Big Fat Papa (3:00)
10. I'll Be Glad, Glad, Glad (2:35)
11. A Heart Of Stone (2:27)
12. Don't Worry Me No More (3:06)
13. Stop That Knockin' At My Heart (2:29)
14. I'm Gonna Paper My Walls With Your Love Letters (2:39)
15. Put A Little Bug In My Ear (2:23)
16. I Love To Ride (2:32)
17. Chick-Chick-Chick-A-Dee (2:18)
18. Tennessee Walk (2:30)

Often compared with Nellie Lutcher, Julia Lee, Rose Murphy, and Martha Davis, rowdy vocalist Paula Watson was a vigorous pianist who could lay down a mean boogie-woogie blues, as demonstrated on her very best recorded performance, "Paula's Nightmare." Watson cut eight sides for the Supreme record label in 1948, including a simple novelty singalong number with the unassuming title "A Little Bird Told Me." Composed by pianist Harvey Brooks, a veteran of the West Coast jazz scene in the 1920s, this song had only just begun to catch on when the Decca record company released their own version sung by Evelyn Knight. After this became a lucrative hit, Supreme sued Decca for $400,000 in damages, but the judge ruled in favor of the larger company. Supreme was soon entirely out of business, and by December of 1949 Paula Watson was working for Decca. This Classics chronological compendium contains all or most of her recorded works. Watson's eight Supreme sides illustrate her range of mostly novelty material, distinctly corny and at times somewhat overbearing. Backed by guitarist Tiny Webb and an otherwise unidentified band, Watson seems to have enjoyed cutting up every step of the way and even used human-generated sound effects like the crowing rooster heard during "Hidin' in the Sticks." On her first two Decca sides she was backed by saxophonist Jerry Jerome and his orchestra, and it is here that she sounds almost exactly like Julia Lee. The formula never changed much -- lots of hand clapping and cute/hip lyrics. Four Deccas recorded in L.A. on March 30, 1950, are laden with group vocals by Four Hits & a Miss and backed by a studio band trying like hell to emulate Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven. If you follow the trajectory of Watson's heavy-handed vocal delivery to its logical conclusion, the next stop would be someone like Cass Daley. "A Heart of Stone" is vintage 1950 corn, suitable perhaps for Eddy Arnold or Tennessee Ernie Ford. "Don't Worry Me No More," on the other hand, is comparatively cool, sounding almost like a Buddy Johnson record. The backing vocals enhance her lead without distracting from the mood. But the rest of the material from this session will only appeal to those who enjoy the sort of spongy white-bread group vocals epitomized by Four Hits & a Miss. Paula Watson's four sides cut for the MGM label in March of 1953 are significantly hipper, thanks largely to the participation of saxophonists T. Alexander Hulbert, Dave McRae, and Sam "The Man" Taylor. Note also the presence of master upright bassist Milt Hinton and ex-Earl Hines percussionist Rudy Traylor. Watson has a lot of fun with "I Love to Ride," rocking it up and lightly pushing the conventional limits of acceptability for 1953. The saxophones make some of these tunes feel like miniature blowing sessions. ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological Paula Watson 1948-1953

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T.J. Fowler - Blues & Rhythm Series 5103: The Chronological T.J. Fowler 1948-1953

Size: 187 MB
Time: 66:37
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B, Jazz
Art: Full

01. Sultry Moon (3:00)
02. Mango Blues (2:37)
03. T.J. Boogie (2:54)
04. What's The Matter Now (2:28)
05. Midnight Clipper, Pt. 1 (2:46)
06. Midnight Clipper, Pt. 2 (2:39)
07. Harmony Grits (2:43)
08. Pleas For Love (2:58)
09. Red Hot Blues (2:32)
10. Hot Sauce (2:53)
11. Blue Lullaby (2:35)
12. Yes I Know (2:16)
13. Oo-La-La (2:22)
14. Night Crawler (3:10)
15. Fowler's Boogie (2:14)
16. Back Biter (2:37)
17. Wine Cooler (2:25)
18. Got Nobody To Tell My Troubles To (2:46)
19. Little Baby Child (2:34)
20. Say Baby Say (2:15)
21. Camel Walk (Hip Hop) (2:31)
22. Gold Rush (2:34)
23. The Queen (2:49)
24. Take Off (2:50)
25. Tell Me What's The Matter (2:56)

Georgia-born and Detroit-raised pianist T.J. Fowler led a series of smart, jazzy R&B bands in Detroit during the late '40s and throughout the 1950s. This fascinating Classics chronological compilation lines up all of Fowler's first recordings as a leader. It opens with a couple of mood pieces issued on the Paradise label. While "Sultry Moon" has a wistful charm similar to Earl Bostic's ballad style, Freddie Johnson's pidgin West Indian vocal only cheapens "Mango Blues," a counterfeit Caribbean lament in rhumba time. Fowler's subsequent recordings, originally issued on the National and Sensation labels, provided the spark that ignited his career and led to his tenure with Savoy Records in 1952 and 1953. Teamed with bassist Henry Ivory and drummer Clarence Stamp behind a smoky front line of trumpeter John Lawton and saxophonists Walter Cox and Lee Gross, Fowler presented hot music for dancing and the occasional slow grind. Aside from a couple of Billy Eckstine imitations committed by an unidentified crooner, the only voices heard on the National and Sensation sides are group vocals with handclapping over jump blues based in boogie-woogie and swing. Adding singer and blues guitarist Calvin Frazier to his lineup, Fowler made his first sides for Savoy in Detroit on March 28, 1952. While the singalong rockers like "Oo-La-La" and "Yes I Know" were designed and presented as crowd-pleasers, the ominous slow groove called "Night Crawler" and the broiling "Fowler's Boogie," issued back to back as Savoy 843, stand among Fowler's most enduring achievements from this time period, along with "Back Biter," "Wine Cooler," "Gold Rush," and "Camel Walk." With gutsy solos by guitarist Calvin Frazier and saxophonist Walter Cox, this is early Detroit R&B at its fundamental best. This portion of the T.J. Fowler story ends with three of the only recordings he ever made outside of the Motor City. Recorded in Chicago and issued on the States record label, these tracks feature the pianist in the company of trumpeter Dezie McCullers, alto saxophonist and singer Frank Taylor, home boy tenor Walter Cox, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Floyd "Bubbles" McVay, who switches to congas on the two groovin' instrumentals, "The Queen" and "Take Off." ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological T.J. Fowler 1948-1953

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Johnny Otis - Blues & Rhythm Series 5102: The Chronological Johnny Otis 1950

Size: 315 MB
Time: 71:02
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues, R&B
Art: Full

01. Misery (2:49)
02. I'm Through (2:54)
03. I'm Living O.K. (2:24)
04. Ain't No Use Beggin' (2:54)
05. You're Fine, But Not My Kind (2:40)
06. Helpless (3:08)
07. Cool And Easy (2:44)
08. Mistrustin' Blues (3:03)
09. Dreamin' Blues (2:34)
10. Cupid's Boogie (2:38)
11. Just Can't Get Free (2:34)
12. My Heart Tells Me (2:53)
13. Last Dream Blues (Lost In A Dream) (3:16)
14. Deceivin' Blues (2:36)
15. Lonely Blues (2:46)
16. Strange Woman (2:57)
17. Freight Train Boogie (2:34)
18. Good Time Blues (2:43)
19. Sunset To Dawn (3:12)
20. Wedding Boogie (2:57)
21. Far Away Blues (Far Away Christmas Blues) (3:22)
22. Love Will Break Your Heart For You (2:57)
23. Rockin' Blues (2:52)
24. I Don't Care (3:01)
25. I Dream (2:22)

Johnny Otis spent the year 1950 leading large and small bands from behind his scintillating vibraphone, almost always backing delightful vocalists. The Otis lineup was perpetually impressive: Little Esther Phillips, Mel Walker, Redd Lyte, Lee Graves, and naturally the Robins. Otis is also believed to have been one of three singers billed as the Beltones, crooning behind Phillips on "Just Can't Get Free." This batch of reissues is a delightful grab bag of Afro-American recorded entertainment. Anyone searching for those often-cited "roots of rock" should listen in on wild guitarist Pete Lewis during "I'm Living O.K." Irresistible honey-and-ginger-voiced Little Esther is particularly well represented here, either carrying a song by herself or teamed up with Mel Walker. On "Cupid's Boogie" these two find themselves sliding uneasily toward matrimony. An inevitable sequel, "Wedding Boogie," is the definitive Johnny Otis situation comedy routine, adding full-throated Lee Graves as a tippling jackleg preacher who flirts with the bride. "Freight Train Boogie," this compilation's only instrumental, is a masterpiece of topical rhythm, rock, and roll, featuring once again the twangy electric guitar of Pete Lewis and some smoking manipulations on the vibes by Johnny Otis. ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological Johnny Otis 1950

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Big Bill Broonzy - Blues & Rhythm Series 5101: The Chronological Big Bill Broonzy 1951

Size: 326 MB
Time: 75:27
File: FLAC
Released: 2004
Styles: Blues
Art: Full

01. Blues In 1890 (3:46)
02. Big Bill Blues (3:26)
03. Lonesome Road Blues (3:21)
04. When Did You Leave Heaven (3:33)
05. John Henry (3:23)
06. Keep Your Hands Off (3:14)
07. Stump Blues (3:15)
08. Five Foot Seven (3:04)
09. Plough Hand Blues (3:01)
10. Hey, Hey (2:55)
11. Stump Blues (3:00)
12. Get Back (3:03)
13. Willie Mae (2:50)
14. Walkin' The Lonesome Road (3:19)
15. Mopper's Blues (2:39)
16. I Know She Will (3:14)
17. Hollerin' The Blues (3:08)
18. Leavin' Day (3:02)
19. Southbound Train (3:01)
20. Tomorrow (2:51)
21. You Changed (2:54)
22. John Henry (3:19)
23. Crawdad (2:51)
24. Wonderin' Man (3:06)

Big Bill Broonzy's second Parisian session opens this installment in the Classics Blues & Rhythm Series. On September 21 1951 Broonzy was on his second day of recording for Vogue, and what you get here are the master takes (tracks one-through five). This is Broonzy the one-man folk, pop, and blues revue. He digs deep into the tradition for "John Henry," puts his own stamp on the Tin Pan Alley love song "When Did You Leave Heaven," and salutes legendary philanthropist Joe Turner with "Blues in 1890." Three days later, Broonzy was in London cutting a handful of topical blues for Melodisc. Back in Chicago for an Emarcy date on November 8, Broonzy knocked out eight solid numbers with rhythmic string bass accompaniment by Bluebird sessionman Ransom Knowling. The piano heard on "Hollerin' the Blues" is credited to either Bob Call or Memphis Slim. Broonzy was a remarkably expressive and moving singer and these are sublime examples of how passionately he sang from the heart. One song is particularly poignant, and places Broonzy in parallel contrast with Leadbelly, the master of folk and blues, who had passed away in December 1949. In 1939, Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" had broken the ice by publicly -- and graphically -- describing the specter of murderous racist violence. Twelve years later, Big Bill was tossing off periodic broadsides that essentially paved the way for J.B. Lenoir and other politically outspoken musicians. "Get Back" -- the toughest number on the entire collection -- has a formulaic refrain that spells out the gradated obsession with skin pigment that most every African American child has had to contend with from an early age: "If you white, all right, if you brown, stick around, but if you black -- get back, get back, get back". Broonzy's straight shooting delivery, seconded by Knowling's powerfully plucked bass, hammers home the grim delineations on which was founded the U.S. color line caste system. Unlike Columbia, who in 1939 refused to record "Strange Fruit" and farmed out Lady Day to Commodore for the assignment, Emarcy did issue "Get Back" -- probably at the insistence of a progressive young producer by the name of Norman Granz. Broonzy recorded again for Emarcy in November and December of 1951, first with a quintet featuring reedmen Sax Mallard and Bill Casimir, then one-on-one with bassist Big Crawford, for a return to traditional fare: a second invocation of "John Henry" and the old-time singalong favorite "Crawdad." ~arwulf arwulf

The Chronological Big Bill Broonzy 1951

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