BLUES
& GOSPEL
THE
PACE JUBILEE SINGERS/ C. & M.A. COLORED GOSPEL QUARTET |
Document 5618 |
Vol 2, 1928-29 |
● CD $15.98 |
This features the remaining 19 cuts by The
Pace Jubilee Singers from 1928 & '29 plus 4 tracks by C.M.A. Colored
Gospel Quartet from their very obscure recordings on the Gospel Tabernacle
label, sometime in the early 20s.
|
PAPA LIGHTFOOT |
Ace CDCHD 548 |
Natchez Trace |
● CD $18.98 |
14 tracks, 61 mins, recommended
Entertaining and energetic
selection from Mississippi singer and harmonica player Alexander
"Papa George" Lightfoot recorded in 1969. 9 of these tracks were
originally issued on a Vault LP and the remainder are unissued up to now.
Lightfoot was a legend among blues collectors for his raucous Imperial
recordings in the 50s and when he was rediscovered he was still in fine
form. He was a gruff singer whose gruffness is accentuated by having him
sing through his harp and was a dynamic harmonica player. His playing has
a thick, full sound, at times reminiscent of Big Walter Horton. Though
maybe not one of the greatest he was certainly an
expressive and imaginative player. He was accompanied on these sessions by a
hastily put together band and although there was little time for rehearsal
they do an excellent job of following Lightfoot's occasional erratic timing.
With the exception of Baby, Please Don't Go all the tracks are
originals - a number of them instrumentals. The disc ends with an extended
version of the spoken monologue that was on the original album. Lightfoot
died two years later and so these and his rare 50s recordings are the only
legacy of a very talented performer. (FS)
|
THE PARAMOUNT SINGERS |
Arhoolie 382 |
Work & Pray On |
● CD $13.98 |
Using a somewhat unusual lineup (sextet with 4 tenors), the
Paramounts continue a legacy of acapella gospel that goes back to their
recording debut in 1941. Two of the present members have been Paramounts
since the '40's, assuring a strong link with the classic sound of gospel's
golden age. Innovative arrangements set them apart from the handful of
traditional groups still active today, though other groups may have a
"harder" sound and more vocal power. We might have gotten a
stronger program if the group were given more than two sessions to do 20
songs! Still, there's plenty of stompin' soul in He Looked Beyond My
Faults/ He'll Work It Out and even some convincing jubilee-style
singing on Great Day/ It's Gonna Rain. Historical notes by Lee
Hildebrand. (MB)
THE PARAMOUNT SINGERS: Child Of The King/ Deep
River/ Ezekiel (Dry Bones)/ Family Prayer/ Great Day/ He Looked Beyond My
Faults (Amazing Grace)/ He'll Work It Out (Problems)/ Heaven In My View/ If
I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again/ It's Gonna Rain/ Jesus Gave Me Water/
Jesus Is All This World To Me/ Mother/ My Lord What A Morning/ Oh, Rocks/
Out Of The Depths Of My Soul/ Peace In The Valley/ There's A Leak In This
Old Building/ We've Come This Far By Faith/ Work And Pray On
|
THE
PARAMOUNT JUBILEE SINGERS/ TASKIANA FOUR |
Document DOCD 5347 |
The Paramount Singers/ The
Taskiana Four |
● CD $15.98 |
25 tracks, 69 min., recommended
Volume two in
this impressive series opens with six performances by the formal,
university-taught Paramount Jubilee Singers including When All the
Saints Come Marching In and I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray. The
next 16 tracks, recorded between 1926 and 1928, belong to the less rigid
Taskiana Four. They lend a freer, more modern sound to numbers like Creep
Along Moses, Join That Band, I Shall Not Be Moved, Toot
Toot Dixie, and Brightly Beams. Closing out the program are the
only two known numbers by the Southern Jubilee Quartet, from 1927, Couldn't
Hear Nobody Praying and Listen to the Lambs. An interesting
disc, complete with solid notes by Ken Romanowski. (DH)
|
JUNIOR PARKER |
Collectables 5624 |
The Mercury Recordings |
● CD $13.98 |
JUNIOR PARKER: (ooh Wee Baby) That's The Way
You Make Me Feel/ Baby, Please/ Come Back, Baby/ Country Girl/ Cracked Up
Over You/ Hey Lawdy Mama/ Hurtin' Inside/ I Can't Put My Finger On It/ If I
Had Your Love/ Just Like A Fish/ Sometimes I Wonder/ Wish Me Well/ You Ain't
Got No Heart/ You Can Make It If You Try
|
SONNY PARKER |
Blue Moon BMCD 6003 |
The Complete, 1948-1953 |
● CD $15.98 |
26 tracks, 72 min., highly recommended
Vocalist Sonny
Parker's career lasted just about 6 years, recording (1st) with King Kolax
(Columbia), Lionel Hampton (Decca, MGM), Johnny Board (Aladdin/Peacock),
Gene Morris (Spire) and Jesse Stone (Brunswick). In all, 16 titles were
issued under his own name. His other recordings were released as Lionel
Hampton recordings, covering such R&B hits as Larry Darnell-Paul
Gayten's For You My Love, Johnny Moore & The Blazers' Merry
Christmas, Baby, Sticks McGhee Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee, and
Mabel Scott's Boogie Woogie Santa Claus. Given the limitation of
the CD technology, only 10 of the 21 sides he recorded with Hampton are
included. As usual with Hampton, the musicianship is first-rate, featuring
pianists Sammy Price (What's Happening Baby?), Milt Buckner (Don't
Flee The Scene Salty), and Floyd Dixon (Cryin'). Other
musicians include trombonist Al Grey (especially fine on Worried Life
Blues), saxophonist Johnny Board, and a young Wes Montgomery (Pretty
Baby). The mastering leaves something to be desired which accounts for
it being only highly recommended. (EL)
|
NEAL PATTMAN |
Cello-Music Maker 91003 |
Prison Blues |
● CD $15.98 |
|
CHARLEY PATTON |
Black Swan 21/22 |
The Voice Of The Delta - The
Complete Paramount Recordings |
● CD $28.98 |
Two CD set.
|
CHARLEY PATTON |
Document DOCD 5009 |
Complete Recorded Works Vol. 1, 1929 |
● CD $15.98 |
First of three discs featuring the complete recordings of
one of the greatest and most influential of all Mississippi Delta
bluesmen. Patton was a wonderful gruff singer who, in spite of the
ferocity of singing was capable of great subtlety. He was also the
consummate Delta blues guitarist both playing regular guitar or slide. The
first volume features 20 tracks recorded in June and December of 1929 and
includes several accompaniments by fiddler Henry Sims including the
alternate take of Elder Greene Blues which was only discovered a
few years ago and was previously reissued on Document 532. Also includes Mississippi
Boweavil Blues/ Down The Dirt Road Blues/ Banty Rooster Blues/ Pea Vine
Blues/ A Spoonful Blues/ Prayer Of Death, Parts 1 & 2 (a truly
incredible gospel performance)/ I'm Goin' Home/ Circle 'Round The Moon/
Mean Black Cat Blues, etc. (FS)
|
CHARLEY PATTON |
Document DOCD 5010 |
Complete Recorded Works Vol. 2, 1929 |
● CD $15.98 |
Another 20 gems recorded November/ December 1929 including
the never before reissued Jim Lee Blues, Part 1 which was only
discovered a few years ago. Also included are the alternate takes of Some
These Days I'll Be Gone and Hammer Blues plus 2 accompaniments
to the vocal & fiddle of Henry Sims. Also includes Frankie &
Albert/ Green River Blues/ Magnolia Blues/ Heart Like Rialroad Steel/
You're Gonna Need Somebody When You Die/ High Water Everywhere, Part 1
& 2/ I Shall Not Be Moved, etc. (FS)
|
CHARLEY PATTON |
Document DOCD 5011 |
Complete Recorded Works Vol. 3, 1929 - 1934 |
● CD $15.98 |
The third disc features 21 sides recorded in December 1929,
May 1930 and January/ February, 1934. It includes the other side of the
previously unreissued Jim Lee Blues - Some Summer Day, Part 1
- a variation on the Sittin' On Top Of The World theme with lovely
two guitar work from Patton & Willie Brown (even though the
discography on the disc lists only one guitar). It also includes more
accompaniments by and to Henry Sims as well as accompaniments to Patton's
wife Bertha Lee on two songs and two gsopel songs with Bertha Lee duetting
with Patton. Included are Running Wild Blues/ Be True Be True Blues/
Mean Black Moan/ Moon Going Down (one of his greatest performances)/ Jersey
Bull Blues/ Stone Pony Blues/ Mind Reader Blues/ Love My Stuff/ Oh Death/
Poor Me, etc. (FS)
|
CHARLEY PATTON |
JSP 7702 |
Charley Patton & Associates - Complete
Recordings |
● CD $28.98 |
5CDs, 92 tracks, 285 minutes
The importance of Charley
Patton seems to have crested with three box sets in the last two years.
Catfish entered in early 2001 with their well done, yet inexpensive, 3-disc
set and Revenant finished out the year with an elaborate and costly 7-CD
masterpiece. JSP hands in yet another Patton box, this time five CD's with
close to five hours of playing time.
Chronologically laid out, disc one
contains Patton's fourteen tracks as well as four from Buddy Boy Hawkins
dating to the June, 1929, session in Richmond. Disc two gathers sixteen of
the sides Charley delivered in October of 1929 in Grafton, Wisconsin, along
with Edith North Johnson's four piano offerings, while the third disc in the
set also stems from the same session; Patton's even dozen are coupled with
four from Henry 'Son' Sims. Disc four compiles the stunning sixteen tracks
from the June, 1930 date, where Patton brought along Son House, Willie
Brown, and Louise Johnson. House is spellbinding for three two-part
masterpieces; My Black Mama/ Preachin' The Blues, and Dry Spell
Blues, while the test of Walkin' Blues sounds absolutely better
than ever. Brown's pairing of Future Blues and M&O Blues is
breathtaking as well, and Louise Johnson's five show a driving pianist not
afraid to get in the alley with the two-part All Night Long. The
fifth CD has a few additional Patton cuts from the same date plus Wheeler
Ford's powerful vocals fronting the Delta Big Four in May, while the balance
is made up of Charley's final sessions. He traveled to New York in late
January of 1934, and over three days, he and Bertha Lee delivered a dozen
sides.
While there's not a lot of gloss and shine to the JSP box, it does
offer incredible value. With much more included compared to the Catfish box,
JSP comes out far ahead. Granted, it doesn't measure up to Revenant's
expensive polish, and although it is a little less designed than what
Catfish offers, by comparing all three sets, "Charley Patton: Complete
Recordings 1929 - 1934" wins in the bargain sweepstakes. Sound quality on
all three is far better than what many Patton devotees have ever heard, but
mastering by 'The Masked Marvel' on the JSP set does sound better in many
spots over the other two contenders. (CR)
|
ASIE PAYTON |
Fat Possum 80353 |
Just Do Me Right |
● CD $16.98 |
14 tracks, 46 minutes, good
This is Fat Possum's second
posthumous release of Asie Payton material and was recorded between 1980 and
1994. Payton delivered the goods with a soulful voice and careening guitar
in Do Me Right, a slice of pure delta while I Got A Friend
offers dirge-like guitar and Need My Help delivers looped drums with
other gadgets. Livin' In So Much Pain is stripped clean while You
Got Me Doin' Things relies on rattling gizmos to keep with the present.
Why'd You Do It returns to simplicity and Lose My Happy Home
will thrill purists and adventure seekers with its cry-and-moan that isn't
far from Wolf's territory. You Don't Want Me gets minimal assistance
and Payton tackles Watch Yourself with solid success thanks to Kenny
Brown's slide and Sam Carr's backbeats. Standard Fat Possum fare from the
absolutely wicked to what-in-the-world-for. (CR)
|
PINETOP PERKINS |
Black & Blue 424-2 |
Pinetop Is Just Top |
● CD $22.98 |
Now on CD. Good set recorded in France in 1976 with Luther
Johnson Jr./gtr, Calvin Jones/ bass & Willie Smith/ drums.
|
PINETOP PERKINS |
Earwig 4934 |
With The Blues Ice Band |
● CD $15.98 |
1991 recordings featuring Chicago Beau on harp.
|
LUCKY PETERSON |
Alligator 4789 |
Triple Play |
● CD $13.98 |
New recording by grown-up child prodigy, now an accomplished
guitarist and singer in addition to his keyboard abilities. Triple Play
presents 10 cuts in a pop-oriented R&B/ blues vein similar to Robert
Cray's recent efforts. Nice version of the Falcon's I Found A Love.
(MB)
|
BREWER PHILLIPS |
Delmark 686 |
Homebrew |
● CD $15.98 |
16 cuts, 61 minutes, recommended
Brewer made his best music
years ago as the rhythm guitarist with Hound Dog Taylor's Houserockers.
Now in his 70s, He makes his 1st US LP as a leader. Lots of good-time,
rough-hewn boogie & blues, with a quartet with pianist Aaron Moore,
bassist Willie Black & former Magic Sam drummer Robert
"Huckleberry Hound" Wright. Mostly originals by Moore, who also
sings, with a few choice covers, like You Don't Have To Go, Let
The Good Times Roll & Laundromat Blues. (GM)
|
GENE PHILLIPS |
Ace CDCHD 746 |
Swinging The Blues |
● CD $18.98 |
25 tracks, 64 min., essential
Painstakingly transferred
from 16' acetates, these 1947-1950 Modern Music/Modern Recordings feature
the outstanding singer/electric guitarist/songwriter Gene Phillips
accompanied by distinguished West Coast soloists like tenor
saxophonist/arranger Maxwell Davis, pianist Lloyd Glenn, trumpter Vernon
"Jake" Porter, and saxophonists Marshal Royal and Jack McVea.
Eugene Floyd Phillips was born 1915, St. Louis, MO., and died in 1990 in
Lakewood, CA. Though most of these sides were reissued on two 1986/1988
Ace albums, first time listeners are in for a treat as Phillips' swing
style will please all of you who enjoy the music of Jimmy Rushing, Eddie
Vinson, and Louis Jordan. His (sometimes lap steel) guitar playing is
featured on tracks like How Long Blues, My Baby's Mistr'Me,
Slippin' & Slidin' (with Jack McVea), Snuff Dripping Mama,
and others. As a bonus, the set includes a charming 34th "Happy
Birthday" greeting to his good friend and producer Jules Bihari. As a
songwriter, his songs Hey Lawdy Mama (to be included in volume 2)
and Honey Chile had previously been recorded for Melodisc (1945)
when he was a member of a trio led by the well respected California-born
pianist Lorenzo Orlando Flennoy. Finally, instrumental city jump blues
fans will rejoice with tracks like Gene's Guitar Blues (a tribute
to his mentor Floyd Smith), Jumpin' With Lloyd (a live JATP-type
bebop featuring Lloyd Glenn, Maxwell Davis and Marshal Royal), and a
two-sax blowout on Lionel Hampton's Flying Home (with Maxwell Davis
and (I believe) Jewell L. Grant). The first of two volumes, this set is
essential to all fans of early post-war II Jump 'n Swing blues. (EL)
GENE PHILLIPS: Big Fat Mama/ Big Legs/ Broke And
Disgusted aka It's A Lonely World/ Cherry Red/ Crying Won't Help You None/
Fatso/ Flying Home (inst)/ Gene Jumps The Blues/ Gene's Guitar Blues (inst)/
Happy Birthday (Jules Bihari)/ Honey Chile/ Honky Tonk Train/ How Long
Blues/ I Wonder What The Poor Folks Are Doin'/ It's Raining/ Jumping With
Lloyd (inst)/ My Baby's Mistreatin' Me/ My Mama Told Me/ Punkin' Head Woman/
Ramblin' Woman/ See See Rider aka C.C. Rider/ Short Haired Ugly Woman/
Slippin' & Slidin'/ Snuff Dripping Mama/ To Each His Own, Brother
|
GENE
PHILLIPS & HIS RHYTHM ACES |
Ace CDCHM 894 |
Drinkin' And Stinkin' |
● CD $13.98 |
19 tracks, 53 mins, highly recommended
Another superb
collection of West Coast blues recorded for Modern between 1946 and 1950.
Complementing Ace 746 this features one take of every tune not featured on
that CD including several songs not originally issued on 78 rpm. Gene's fine
vocal and guitar work are accompanied by top West Coast sidemen like tenor
saxophonist/ arranger Maxwell Davis, pianist Lloyd Glenn, trumpeter Jake
Porter, saxophonist Marshal Royal and others. One track features him in the
company of Jack McVea & His Orchestra and two tracks were recorded live at
"Frank Bull & Gene Norman's Blues Jamboree" in Los Angeles in 1950. A fine
blend of slow blues, jump blues and a couple of jazzy instrumentals with
sterling instrumental work throughout. Sound quality is stunning and there
are detailed notes by Tony Rounce and, a rarity for Ace, a complete gene
Phillips Modern discography. (FS)
|
PIANO RED |
Arhoolie 379 |
Atlanta Bounce |
● CD $13.98 |
21 tracks, 73 mins, recommended
This one's been out for a
while but we haven't had a chance to review it
before. Willie "Piano Red" Perryman from Atlanta was a terrifically
entertaining performer with a raucus vocal and piano style. Though steeped
in traditional blues stylings he made many popular recordings with an
R&B band and in the early 60s crossed over into the pop charts with
recordings under the name of Dr. Feelgood. All his classic commercial
recordings are reissued on the incredible Bear Family box set (Bear Family
15685 - $99.50). This delightful set finds Red alone with his piano and
without a band one really gets an idea of the scope of his music - 8 of
these were originally issued on Arhoolie 1064 ad 7 were previously unissued
from the same session. The set is rounded out by five exciting cuts with his
band from a chaotic 1956 live performance. (FS)
PIANO RED: Atlanta Bounce/ Blues, Blues, Blues/
Boogie Time/ Corrine, Corrina/ Do She Love Me/ Don't Get Around Much
Anymore/ Got You On My Mind/ Got You On My Mind/ Let's Get It On!/ My Baby
Left Me/ Please, Baby, Come On Home/ Pushing That Thing/ Red's Boogie/ Red's
How Long Blues/ Right String But The Wrong Yo-Yo #1/ Right String But The
Wrong Yo-Yo #2/ Rockin' With Red/ Telephone Blues/ Ten Cent Shot/
Umph-Umph-Umph/ You Ain't Got A Chance
|
PIANO RED |
Delmark 740 |
Dr. Feelgood |
● CD $11.98 |
Reissue of solo 1975 session by this distinctive singer and
piano player. Originally issued as an LP on the Euphonic Sounds label.
|
DAN PICKETT |
Collectables 5311 |
1949 Country Blues |
● CD $11.98 |
CD issue of Krazy Kat 811. Back in the 60s some of the most
highly prized 78s among blues collectors were the rare Gotham records of
Dan Pickett. These were valued, not only for their rarity but for the fact
that they were among the finest commercial recordings of country blues in
the post war era. At that time no one could have imagined that there would
be an album available of Pickett's recordings but, here it is and not only
do we get all of Pickett's sides issued on 78 rpm but four previously
unissued titles and most of it from original master tapes thanks to
Gotham's foresight in recording on to tape as early as 1948. Pickett,
whose real name was apparently James Founty was a stunning performer. A
distinctive vocalist he had a remarkable vocal technique in which he
sometimes compressed an amazing amount of syllables into one line. He was
also a stunning guitar player performing in either a rhythmic percussive
picking style or a lovely melodic slide style stunning accentuating his
playing with rapping on the guitar. The songs are mostly versions of songs
originally recorded in the 30s including Leroy Carr's How Long ,
Buddy Moss's Ride To A Funeral In A V-8 , Blind Boy Fuller's Let
me Squeeze Your Lemons (which Pickett calls Lemon Man and
others including a spellbinding version of 99 1/2 Won't Do
Pickett's only gospel performance. Pickett transforms the songs into
totally unique ones. The unissued songs are every bit as good as the
issued ones. Album has excellent sound and informative notes by Chris
Smith. A special hand of thanks to Bruce Bastin whose foraging in the
Gotham vaults has turned up this gem. (FS)
|
BILLIE & DEDE
PIERCE |
Original Blues Classics 534 |
Vocal Blues And Cornet In The Classic
Tradition |
● CD $11.98 |
|
Back To Blues Index
Roots & Rhythm
P.O. Box 837
El Cerrito, CA 94530 USA
Toll Free Order Line : 888-ROOTS-66, Fax : 510-526-9001
©2012 Roots & Rhythm. No part of this site
may be reproduced without written permission
|
| |