LATEST ADDITIONS  09/10/2017

BOOKS/ MAGAZINES
SHORTY JOE An Autobiography

UGLY THINGS #45

COMPACT DISCS
ROY BROWN

LEROY CARR
THE CHECKERS
TOMMY COLLINS
THE COMO MAMAS
EDDIE CONDON
RILEY CRABTREE
THE DEEP RIVER BOYS
COOT GRANT & KID WILSON
TONY HALL
SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS
WANDA JACKSON
ETTA JAMES
JIMMY LONG
LORD KITCHENER
BOB LUMAN

THE MADDOX BROTHERS & ROSE
CLARA MCDANIEL
SKEETS MCDONALD
MEMPHIS WILLIE B.
JOHNNY MOORE'S THREE BLAZERS
RED NORVO
ELVIS PRESLEY
FAMOUS L. RENFROE
REPARATA & THE DELRONS
THE SONS OF THE PIONEERS
THE STANLEY BROTHERS
KAY STARR
WILBUR SWEATMAN'S ORIGINAL JAZZ BAND
IKE & TINA TURNER
VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE WAILERS
BILLY WALKER
LAL & MIKE WATERSON
BILL WILLHITE WITH AL CLAUSER'S OKLAHOMA COWBOYS
MIGHTY JOE YOUNG


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Since our Second Time Around listings are so popular this list includes some great releases which have been out for a while but you may have missed them the first time we listed them.To avoid you getting possible duplicates we have added  asterisks (**) after these particular titles.
 

BOOKS & MAGAZINES

   

SHORTY JOE An Autobiography By Joe Quartuccio With Steve Hathaway ● BOOK $14.98
Paper, 94 pages, counts as three CDs for shipping, highly recommended
Shorty Joe Quartuccio may not be a familiar name to many but he was a significant figure in the country music scene in California in the 1940s ad 50s. His relative obscurity is due to the fact that music was a part time career for him - his day job was as an aircraft and spacecraft mechanic working for NASA and its predecessor NACA. He was born in Sicily in 1924 and he and his family emigrated to the USA in 1930. Once here he fell in love with American country music and in particular the music of Dude Martin & His Nevada Night Herders and The Sons of the Pioneers and worked at honing his skills on guitar and together with some friends formed his first group The Red Rock Canyon Cowboys in 1941. After returning from his spell in the services he reformed his band and stared performing regularly around the San Jose area and was pretty soon backing some of the great performers that came through town including Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell and many others and made some highly regarded recordings for the Bella label and his own Golden West label. His band had various fine musicians pass through its ranks and two of his steel guitarists Pee Wee Whitewing and Bobby Black were inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. This entertaining book tells Joe's story in his own words and is copiously illustrated with photos of Joe and his bands as well as pictures of the artists Joe performed with including Hank Williams (three photos including the only known picture of Hank playing electric guitar!), Jimmy Wakely, Foy Willing & The Riders of the Purple Sage, Jim Reeves, Skeets McDownald and others. The book also includes a full discography of Joe's recordings and a timeline of his performances. (FS)

 

COMPACT DISCS

 
ROY BROWN Ace CDCHD 1072 Good Rockin' Brown - The King & Deluxe Acetate Series** ● CD $18.98
24 tracks, 67 mins, essential
Ace does it again! Some time ago they acquired the rights to reissue King and DeLuxe recordings made between 1944 and 1951 from the original 16 inch acetates which have remained untouched for many years. These acetates, many thought to have been lost in a warehouse fire, have been transferred the Ace's headquarters in London and Ace stalwarts Tony Rounce and Peter Gibbon have been slowly working their way through them since December 2004 finding the original first generation recordings of many classic sides, loads of unissued material as well as previously unknown recordings. They are starting what promises to be an extensive series of reissues drawn from these acetates with this great collection of primo blues shouter Roy Brown. This CD presents one take of every surviving acetate recorded by Brown in 1947 at Cosimo Matissa's J&M studio in New Orleans. It opens with a previously unissued alternate take of his first hit Good Rockin' Tonight which is very different from the issued version. It also includes unissued alternates of two other early classics Mighty Mighty Man and Miss Fanny Brown plus seven issued sides and a whopping 14 songs previously unissued in any form. These unissued songs are every bit as good as the issued recordings ranging from the intense slow blues I'm the Man Who Sings The Blues and Jailhouse Blues to the hard rocking Farm Town Gal and Looking For A Woman. Sound quality is stunning and there informed notes by Rounce.  (FS)

 
LEROY CARR JSP JSPCD 77104 And Scrapper Blackwell - Vol. 1: 1928-1934** ● CD $28.98
Four Cds, 95 tracks, very highly recommended
Between 1928 and his untimely death in 1935 singer/piano player Leroy Carr and his guitar playing partner Scrapper Blackwell produced some of the finest and most influential blues recordings of the era. Carr's beautiful melancholic vocals and low key, but very effective piano work was perfectly complemented by Blackwell's wonderful acerbic guitar style. It includes his original recordings of songs that have become blues standards like How Long, How Long Blues/ Sloppy Drunk Blues/ Midnight Hour Blues/ Mean Mistreater Mama/ Blues Before Sunrise and others. It also includes several alternate takes and tracks not originally issued on 78s. His first session in June 1928 yielded the classic How Long, How Long Blues and it's popularity led to him recording five sequels using the same melody but with (often substantial) lyric variations. Although best known for his mournful blues, Carr also recorded a number of novelty songs and pop ballads - the latter not always showing Carr to his best advantage. Interestingly it seems that as his career progressed his songs seemed to become more intense and introspective - perhaps reflective of his battle with the alcoholism that led to his death. Blackwell's fantastic guitar playing tended to become more prominent as the recordings progressed and it becomes very clear what a big influence his playing was on many later musicians. Because of Carr's immense popularity his records were played continuously and it's hard to find his earlier recordings in good shape and so sound quality on the earlier recordings is often rough though these transfers are an improvement over previous reissues. Hopefully, one day, someone will turn up a mint copy of the first How Long, How Long Blues so we can finally hear it in all its glory. Includes informative notes by Max Haynes.  (FS)
LEROY CARR: Ain't Got No God/ Ain't Got No Money Now/ Alabama Women Blues/ Baby Come Back To Me/ Baby Don't You Leave Me No More/ Baby You Done Put That Thing On Me/ Big House Blues/ Blue Night Blues/ Blue With The Blues/ Blues Before Sunrise/ Blues Before Sunrise (alternate)/ Blues She Gave Me/ Box Car Blues/ Broken Spoke Blues/ Carried Water For The Elephant/ Christmas In Jail/ Corn Licker Blues/ Court Room Blues/ Depression Blues, The/ Dirty Dozen, The/ Don't Say Goodbye/ Don't You Get Tired/ Four Day Rider/ Gambler's Blues/ Gettin' All Wet/ Gone Mother Blues/ Goodbye Blues/ Hard Times Done Drove Me To Drink/ Hold Them Puppies/ How About Me/ How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone/ How Long, How Long Blues/ How Long, How Long Blues No. 2/ How Long, How Long Blues No. 3/ How Long, How Long Blues Part 2/ Hurry Down Blues/ I Keep The Blues/ I Know That I'll Be Blue/ I Won't Miss You When You're Gone/ I'm Going Away And Leave My Baby/ I'm Going Back To Tennessee/ Jail Cell Blues/ Just Worryin' Blues/ Let's Disagree/ Let's Make Up And Be Friends Again/ Lifeboat Blues/ Lonesome Nights/ Long Road Blues/ Love Crying Blues/ Love Rides All/ Low Down Dirty Blues/ Low Down Dog Blues/ Mean Mistreater Mama/ Mean Mistreater Mama (alternate)/ Mean Mistreater Mama No. 2/ Mean Old Train Blues/ Memphis Town/ Midnight Hour Blues/ Moonlight Blues/ My Own Lonesome Blues/ My Woman's Gone Wrong/ Naptown Blues/ New How Long Blues, The/ Nineteen Thirty One Blues/ Papa Wants A Cookie/ Papa Wants To Knock A Jug/ Papa's Got Your Water On/ Papa's On The House Top/ Prison Bound Blues/ Prison Cell Blues/ Quittin' Papa/ Rainy Day Blues/ Shady Lane Blues/ Sloppy Drunk Blues/ Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child/ Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child (alternate)/ Stormy Night Blues/ Straight Alky Blues Part 1/ Straight Alky Blues Part 2/ Straight Alky Blues Part 3/ Taht's Tellin 'em/ Take A Walk Around The Corner/ Tennessee Blus/ That's All Right For You/ There Ain't Nobody Got It Like She Got It/ Think Of Me Thinking Of You/ Tired Of Your Low Down Ways/ Truth About The Thing, The/ Truthful Blues/ What More Can I Do/ Workhouse Blues/ Wrong Man Blues/ You Can't Run My Business No More/ You Don't Mean Me No Good/ You Got To Reap What You Sow

 
THE CHECKERS Collectables 2888 White Cliffs Of Dover - Very Best Of The Checkers** ● CD $16.98
22 tracks, 57 min., essential
The Checkers are surely one of the most underrated of the 50's vocal groups. Formed when the Dominoes underwent their first major personnel shift in early 1952, the Checkers roster included former Dominoes bass Bill Brown and former Dominoes second tenor Charles White. Similarities also prevailed in the shape and form of high tenor lead Little David Baughn, who went on to sing with The Harps and to temporarily replace Clyde McPhatter in the Drifters. Listen to Little David's emotionally touching pipes on the beautiful House Without Windows and I Promise You - you'd swear you were listening to C. McPhatter. Their ballad and jump performances, recorded between 1952 and 1954, rank among the most powerful in the pantheon of rhythm and blues harmony. The program here includes 22 of their classic performances mostly recorded between 1952 and 1954 plus a few later sides by a different line up. Among the earlier gems are Flame in My Heart, Night's Curtain, Ghost of My Baby, White Cliffs of Dover, the hilarious answer to Sixty Minute Man, Don't Stop Dan, Mama's Daughter, and Trying to Hold My Gal. Terrific music, impressive sound quality, a cover photo of the group, and short but solid liner notes. Simply not a disc to miss. (DH)
THE CHECKERS: Can't Find My Sadie/ Don't Stop Dan/ Flame In My Heart/ Ghost Of My Baby/ Heaven Only Knows/ House With No Windows/ I Promise You/ I Wanna Know/ I Wasn't Thinkin', I Was Drinkin'/ Let Me Come Back/ Love Wasn't There/ Mama's Daughter/ My Prayer Tonight/ Night's Curtain/ Nine More Miles (the Faster, Faster Song)/ Oh, Oh, Oh Baby/ Over The Rainbow/ Trying To Hold My Gal/ White Cliffs Of Dover/ Without A Song/ You Never Had It So Good/ You've Been Fooling Around

 
TOMMY COLLINS Rural Routes 5004 This Is Tommy Collins/ Words and Music Country Style ● CD $16.98
21 tracks, highly recommended
Tommy Collins was superb honky tonk singer and songwriter and an important figure on the Bakersfield country scene but, except for the Bear Family box, has been poorly served on reissues. This splendid collections reissues his first two Capitol albums from 1959 and 1960 and is a superb collection featuring Tommy's distinctive vocals accompanied by Buck Owens, Fuzzy Owens and others. It includes his first four hits for Capitol - mostly novelty songs (You Better Not Do That/ Untied/ What'cha Gonna Do Now and It Tickles)>. There are several other novelty songs like I Always Get A Souvenir/ All The Monkeys Ain't In THe Zoo and Think It Over Boys but also some superb honky tonk ballads like How Do I Say Goodbye/ High On A Hilltop/ Those Old Love Letters From You. There are four fine gospel songs including a couple of duets with his wife Wanda on The Feet Of The Traveler. It also includes the song Boob-I-Lak about which the less said, the better. Sound quality is excellent and booklet reproduces the original album covers. If you have B.A.C.M. 165 then you have about two thirds of the songs here but I think that the sound here is better. (FS)

 
THE COMO MAMAS Daptone 045 Move Upstairs ● CD $14.98
11 tracks, strongly recommended
The Como Mamas are a group of three gospel singers from Como, Mississippi who perform a heartfelt collection of gospel songs in the old style with powerful call and response vocals with different members of the group taking the lead. On most tracks they are accompanied by a small group of musicians (guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ) who provide low key and funky backup making sure the ladies are in the spotlight. Their material is mostly traditional or songs from the pen of people like Luther Barnes, Dorothy Love and others and includes Move Upstairs/ Count Your Blessings/ 99 and A Half Won't Do/ So Good To Me/ He's Mine, etc. Como was the home of the great Mississippi Fred McDowell and the Mamas do an almost acapella version of one of the great gospel songs associated strongly with him Glory, Glory Hallelujah. A most worthwhile release. (FS)

 
EDDIE CONDON Fabulous 2045 The Eddie Condon Collection ● CD $9.98 $7.98
Two CD set with 46 tracks featuring many of the groups bandleader and guitarist Eddie Condon was involved with between 1929 and 1961 - includes Bud Freeman, Gene Krupa, Mezz Mezzrow, Louis Armstrong, Red McKenzie, Muggsy Spanier and many other jazz greats.

 
RILEY CRABTREE B.A.C.M. 567 1955-1963 ● CD $14.98
25 tracks, strongly recommended
Riley Crabtree was an excellent honky tonk singer from Texas who started his recording career in 1948 doing covers of Jimmie Rodgers songs (reissued on B.A.C.M. 387 - Following In The Footsteps of Jimmie Rodgers) but subsequently found his own style. The sides here were recorded for various small West Coast labels between 1955 and 1962 with Riley accompanied by various fine honky tonk musicians - mostly unknown though the guitar on his bluesy Meet Me At Joes is thought to be Eddie Cochran. Most of the songs were co-written by Crabtree and are mostly straight ahead honky tonk though some of the later titles show some pop influences. An enjoyable collection. (FS)

 
THE DEEP RIVER BOYS Acrobat ACMCD 4262 Let's Go ● CD $13.98 $9.98
28 tracks, highly recommended
The Deep River Boys were a black vocal group formed in the mid 30s by baritone singer Harry Douglass. They recorded farly extensively in the 40s and 50s doing both gospel and jivey pop material. In the 50s they toured extensively in Europe where they became very popular and recorded regularly. The notes to this collection by Opal Louis Nations are extensive but vague as to the date of these recordings here but I believe most of them are from the period 1946 through 1950. Highlights are six stunning acapella recorded for the obscure Pilotone label in 1945 or '46 including Get On Board Little Children/ Swing Low Sweet Chariot/ I'm Trampin' and others. On most of the other tracks they are accompanied by piano or rhythm section and tracks include Carmena Waltz Song/ I Am Bound For Sweet Canaan Land/ You Talk Too Much/ A Zoot Suit/ Cousin Jedidiah/ What Did He Say/ That's What You Need To Succeed/ Ain't Misbehavin', etc. Sound quality is generally excellent. (FS)

 
COOT GRANT & KID WILSON Document DOCD 5564 Complete Recordings, Vol. 2 - November 1928 to Aug 1931 ● CD $15.98 $10.98
24 tracks, strongly recommended
The second collection of recordings featuring this excellent duo featured in a varied selection including solo blues vocals by Grant, hokum duets by the two accompanied by Wilson's piano and the guitar of Eddie Lang, hokum duets by Wilson with Harry McDaniels as Pigmeat Pete and Catjuice Charlie, a couple of solo sides by Wilson accompanied by his own piano, three sides by Grant with accompaniment including some fine blues fiddle and more. Sound quality on this volume is better than the the first. Includes informative notes by John Henry Vanco. (FS)
GRANT & WILSON: Ain't Going To Give You None/ Big Trunk Blues/ Boop-poop-a-doop/ Can I Get Some Of That?/ Can You Do That To Me/ Deceiving Man Blues/ Dem Socks Dat My Pappy Wore/ Do It Right/ Get Off With Me/ Get Your Mind Out Of The Gutter/ Hard Times/ Honey You Done Gone Too Far/ My Friend John/ Old Age Is Creeping Upon You/ On Our Turpentine Farm/ Our Family Doctor/ Rockin' Chair Mary/ She Shake's A Mean Ash Can/ Stevedore Blues/ The Gin Done Done It/ Uncle Joe (349)/ You Need A Woman Like Me/ You Rascal You/ You'se My Friend

 
TONY HALL Osmosys 003 Mr. Universe** ● CD $16.98
13 tracks, 50 mins, highly recommended
With only two albums in 20 years one could hardly accuse Tony Hall of being over-recorded but since he makes his living as a (successful) cartoonist he doesn't have to rely on music to put food on the table. If you are a English folk music fan you will have noticed him as an accompanying musician on albums by Nic Jones, Silly Sisters, Peter Bellamy and others. He is a fine melodeon player - not flashy but spot on with a warm, friendly quality full of whimsy. His singing has that same quality and it's unfortunate that his voice is under recorded on the three excellent songs he does here. The tunes are very diverse - film theme music, Scottish airs, hornpipes, Elizabethan compositions, bluegrass melodies, blues and more but all of it becomes distinctively his own. Most of it is solo but a few have added guitar, fiddle or percussion. If you are looking for something exciting you'll need to look elsewhere but this is great music to just settle down with - maybe with a pint or two. (FS)

 
SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS Bear Family BCD 16687 Screamin' Jay Rocks** ● CD $24.98
31 tracks, 78 mins, highly recommended
Screamin' Jay Hawkins' catalog has long suffered from sloppy, second-rate collections, so having Bear Family come in and do a topnotch job like this one is a real treat. This captures the best of his '50s & '60s work, with few surprises in the track listing and only an alternate version of Knock-Kneed Nana making its first appearance here. You get all of the classics -- I Put A Spell On You/ Little Demon/ Baptize Me In Wine/ (She Put The) Whammy (On Me,)/ I Is, -- and many, many more. Plus less often compiled tracks that are fantastic, like $10,000 Lincoln Continental/ Armpit #6, and Mountain Jive, etc. The real key here is the beautiful sound and outstanding presentation. There is a thick booklet with all kinds of rare photos, plus brand new, extensive notes by Bill Millar and, on top of that, a deeply detailed Discography covering all of Screamin' Jay's recordings from 1952 - 1970. This is easily the best Screamin' Jay Hawkins compilation, even better than the great set Rhino put out about 20 years ago. Get rid of all of your other Hawkins' comps (except maybe the one recently from Rev-Ola) and get this right away (or at least before Halloween)! (JM)
SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS: $ 10,000 Lincoln Continental (take 2)/ (She Put The) Wamee (On Me)/ All Night/ Alligator Wine/ Armpit No. 6/ Baptize Me In Wine/ Do You Really Love Me/ Frenzy/ I Is/ I Put A Spell On You/ In My Front Room/ Just Don't Care/ Knock-Kneed Nana (take 7)/ Little Demon/ Little Demon (alt. take)/ Mountain Jive/ Not Anymore/ Party Doll/ Person To Person/ Please Don't Leave Me/ Strange/ Take Me Back/ Talk About Me/ There's Something Wrong With You/ This Is All/ Well I Tried/ Whammy/ What That Is/ Yellow Coat/ You Ain't Foolin' Me/ You Made Me Love You

 
WANDA JACKSON Rural Routes 5005 Wonderful Wanda/ Lovin' Country Style ● CD $16.98
24 tracks, strongly recommended
Although Wanda Jackson was the greatest female rock 'n' roller her first love was country music and this fine collection shows what a superb country singer she was reissuing two of her country LPs. Wanda was discovered by Hank Thompson while she was still in high school and she was signed to Decca in 1954 where she recorded a series of excellent singles most of which were originally reissued on the LP "Lovin' Country Style." Accompanied by a small honky tonk group she turns in fine performances of songs like the title song plus Nobody's Darlin' But Mine/ I'd Rather Have A Broken Heart/ Tears At The Grand Ole Opry/ The Heart You Could Have Had and others. In 1956 she signed with Capitol and over the next five years recorded fabulous rock 'n' roll sides which have frequently been reissued along with some country. In 1961 she had a big hit with In The Middle Of Heartache and subsequent Capitol releases embraced country and the Capitol album "Wonderful Wanda" in 1962 was her first country album for Capitol. "Countrypolitan" was the popular style of the day and so many sides find her backed by strings and vocal choruses but Wanda's crystalline and soulful vocals helps elevate them above much countrypolitan material. She hadn't completely abandoned rock 'n' roll as the fine I'll Be Ashamed shows and You Don't Know, Baby has an appealing bluesy quality to it. Sound quality is excellent and booklet reproduces original front and back covers. (FS)

 
ETTA JAMES Acrobat 3204 The Complete Singles, As & Bs, 1955-1962 ● CD $16.98
2 CDs, 52 tracks, 138 mins, essential
You know what Etta James did from 1955 - 1962? She recorded one fantastic track after another, and if she stopped performing in 1963, her status as one of the all time greats would have already been cemented; thankfully, we had her for a few decades and many great recordings beyond. She started her recording career with a R&B #1 hit, her mighty take on The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry) taking Hank Ballard's song and making it all her own. This excellent collection compiles that big debut hit, and all of her other hits, flip, and sundry, put out by Modern, Kent, Chess/ Argo, Pye International, and even one (the cleaned up Dance With Me Henry) on Crown records. Highlights include Good Rockin Daddy/ I'm A Fool/ Tears Of Joy/ The Pick-Up,, a fantastic duet with Harvey Fuqua on Spoonful, All I Could Do Was Cry/ I Just Want To Make Love To You/ Something's Got A Hold On Me, plus many, many more. Even lighter fare like Shortenin' Bread Rock, and By the Light of the Silvery Moon, is elevated by the majesty of Etta James. CD comes with deep notes, including full recording session info. Sound is beautiful throughout. (JM)
ETTA JAMES: All I Could Do Was Cry/ Anything To Say You're Mine/ At Last/ Baby, Baby Every Night/ Be Mine/ Boy Of My Dreams/ By The Light Of The Silvery Moon/ Come What May/ Crazy Feeling/ Dance With Me Henry/ Don't Cry, Baby/ Dream/ Fool That I Am/ Fools Rush In/ Fools We Mortals Be/ Good Lookin'/ Good Rockin Daddy/ Hey Henry/ Hold Me Squeeze Me/ How Big A Fool/ How Do You Speak To An Angel/ I Hope You're Satisfied/ I Just Want To Make Love To You/ I'm A Fool/ If I Can't Have You/ If It Ain't One Thing/ It's A Crying Shame/ It's Too Soon To Know/ Market Place/ My Dearest Darling/ My Heart Cries/ Next Door To The Blues/ Number One/ Seven Day Fool/ Shortin' Bread Rock/ Something's Got A Hold On Me/ Spoonful/ Stop The Wedding/ Street Of Tears/ Sunday Kind Of Love/ Sunshine Of Love/ Tears Of Joy/ That's All/ The Pick-Up/ The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry)/ Then I'll Care/ Tough Lover/ Tough Mary/ Trust In Me/ W-O-M-A-N/ Waiting For Charlie To Come Home/ Would It Make Any Difference To You

 
JIMMY LONG B.A.C.M. 256 Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine ● CD $14.98 $10.98
22 tracks, recommended
A collection of songs recorded between 1930 and 1933 by this singer, songwriter, guitarist and steel guitarist from Arkansas. Long is best known having worked with Gene Autry in his early days and wrote one of Gene's earliest hits Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine as well quite a few others for him. Long's version of that song is here along with 21 others - including Mississippi Valey Blues/ Yodel Your Troubles Away/ Have You Found Someone Else?/ Lonely And Blue, Pining For You/ The Soldier's Sweetheart/ My Old Cottage Home/ My Dreaming Of You/ When Father Was A Boy, etc. As you may gather from the titles the emphasis of Long's repertoire is one sentimental parlour-type songs which suited Long's pleasant, if not particularly compelling, vocals. A number of the tracks feature him accompanying himself with some nice steel guitar work and on six tracks he is joined by hid daughter Beverly Long who also sings two of the songs here. Sound quality is fine and booklet has informative notes by Don Cusic & Tony Russell. (FS)
JIMMY LONG: Alone With My Sorrows/ Buddy/ Doggone Blues/ Down And Out Blues/ Have You Found Someone Else/ I'm Always Dreaming Of You/ In The Cradle Of My Dreams/ Lonely And Blue, Pining For You/ Mississippi Valley Blues/ My Dreaming Of You/ My Old Cottage Home/ Seven More Days/ That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine/ That's Why I Left The Mountains/ The Answer To 21 Years/ The Old Church Choir/ The Old Folks Back Home/ The Soldier's Sweetheart/ Two Little Orphans/ Watching The Clouds Roll By/ When Father Was A Boy/ Yodel Your Troubles Away

 
LORD KITCHENER Ice 9180 Klassic Kitchener, Vol. 1 ● CD $13.98
12 tracks, 42 mins, strongly recommended
You would think this would be a starter CD for someone interested in checking out one of the kings of Calypso, but it actually contains an odd selection of tracks. This does not contain many of Kitch's most famous songs, probably the most well known tracks on here are the dance floor pleaser Nora, and the jokey Tie Tongue Mopsy. You get some interesting topical songs like Cricket Champions where he pretty much recaps the championship match, Chinese never had a VJ Day which certainly is a unique historical song, then Kitch addresses race relations with his take on If Your Brown. Throw in some bawdiness with Doctor Kitch and all in all you have pretty great collection. Unfortunately there are no notes to confirm, but I would guess that most of these tracks are from the 1950s to the mid 1960s. There are certainly many great Lord Kitchener tracks that can go on future volumes, hopefully Love in the Cemetery will be on Vol. 2. (JM)

 
BOB LUMAN Bear Family BCD 16985 Bob Rocks** ● CD $24.98
36 tracks, highly recommended
A great collection of sides from this expressive Texas singer who started as a hot rockabilly singer moved into a more pop rock style before shifting into country and dying at the early age of 42. This set includes his hot 1955 demo session with The Mac Curtis Band - Stranger Than Fiction/ You're The Cause Of It All/ In The Deep Dark Jungle , etc., the 1957 Dallas session (with the great James Burton-led band) - Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache/ Wild Eyed Woman , etc. and the 1957 Hollywood session (again with Burton) - Red Hot/ Whenever You're Ready/ Your Love , etc. It includes his terrific demo of Guitar Picker with Eddie Cochran on guitar from 1958. By 1958 he was on Capitol and moving in a more pop oriented direction but there are some fine rockers. In 1959 he started his tenure with Warner Brothers where he finally hit the big time with the pop country rocker Let's Think About Livin'(included here). In spite of the occasionally mushy accompaniments Bob's powerful baritone strikes hard on songs like Meet Mr Mud/ Bad Bad Day and Boston Rocker and returns to his rock 'n' roll roots in 1969 and 1974 with fine versions of Oh Boy/ Johnny B. Goode and Mystery Train. Usual fantastic Bear Family sound plus a detailed 84 page booklet. (FS)

 
THE MADDOX BROTHERS & ROSE Arhoolie CD 447 On The Air** ● CD $13.98
32 tracks, 79 mins, highly recommended
CD reissue of Arhoolie 5028 and 5033 featuring radio transcriptions from the 40s and early 50s from the personal collection of Rose Maddox. It starts with a complete program broadcast over KFBK (Sacramento) in 1940 when the group was just a trio (Cal, Fred & Rose and continues with a program broadcast over KGDM (Stockton) in 1945 with Henry Maddox added on mandolin - both these are from the era before they made any commercial recordings. There are two songs from the group's only appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1949 - Gathering Flowers From The Masters Bouquet and I Couldn't Believe It Was True. The remaining cuts are from various transcriptions as well as a couple of unissued studio recordings. The group's great singing and playing are laced with a zany approach to produce some irresistible music. Songs include A Cowboy Has To Yell/ Hold That Critter Down/ Small Town Mama/ If You Ain't Got The Do-Re-Mi (the first recording of Woody Guthrie's great song)/ Don't Hang Around Me Anymore/ Write Me, Sweetheart/ The Goldrush Is Over/ Breathless Love/ Nobody's Love Is Like Mine. Also includes some great introductions & commercials by Fred as well as humorous dialog. Excellent sound, considering the rarity of the original material, some wonderful vintage photos and sympathetic notes by album's producer Chris Strachwitz. (FS)

 
CLARA MCDANIEL HMG 1002 Unwanted Child ● CD $13.98 $8.98
11 tracks, recommended
Clara sings the REAL St. Louis blues with a fine band that includes Chuck Berry's backbone - pianist Johnnie Johnson & Frank Frost's harpist Arthur Williams. Clara pays tribute to St. Louis's native & adopted sons with fine versions of Albert King's What Can I Do To Change Your Mind, Chuck Berry's Wee Wee Hours (Johnson really shines on this one) & Ike Turner's Hurtin' Inside. (GM)

 
SKEETS MCDONALD B.A.C.M. 072 Wheel Of Fortune** ● CD $14.98
24 tracks, 62 mins, highly recommended
A superb collection of sides recorded between 1951 and 1955 by this outstanding honky tonk singer whose comparative lack of success is puzzling - he was superb singer, excellent songwriter and was accompanied by top West Coast musicians like Joe Maphis, Jimmy Bryant, Speedy West and others. His only hit in the 50s was his great cover of Slim Willet's Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes which is featured here along with lots of other great songs, often with a bluesy flavor, including Scoot Git And Begone/ The Love That Hurts Me So/ Please Come Back/ Curtain Of Tears/ Ridin' Wit The Blues/ Be My Life's Companion/ Let Me Know/ I've Got To Win Your Love Again/ Lookin' At The Moon And Wishing On A Star/ Baby I'm Countin' and others - most of them originals. This set also includes one side of his debut recording for Fortune of Detroit in the 1951 - the great Tattooed Lady which was considered a bit risqué for its time. Excellent sound and brief notes from Brian Golbey. (FS)
SKEETS MCDONALD: Baby I‘m Countin‘/ Baby I‘m Lost Without You/ Be My Life‘s Companion/ Big Family Trouble/ Bless Your Little Old Heart You‘re Mine/ Curtain Of Tears/ Don‘t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes/ Hi Diddle Diddle (my My)/ I Can‘t Last Long/ I Need Your Love/ It‘s Your Life/ I‘m Hurtin‘/ I‘m Sorry To Say I‘m Sorry/ I‘ve Got To Win Your Love Again/ Let Me Know/ Lookin‘ At The Moon And Wishing On A Star/ Please Come Back/ Ridin‘ With The Blues/ Scoot Git And Begone/ Tattooed Lady/ The Love That Hurts Me So/ Today I‘m Movin‘ Out/ Wheel Of Fortune/ Worried Mind

 
MEMPHIS WILLIE B. Original Blues Classics 573 Introducing Memphis Willie B. ● CD $12.98 $9.98
12 tracks, recommended
Fine Memphis country bluesman recorded by Sam Charters in 1961. Willie Borum had previously recorded in 1934 accompanying Allen Shaw and Hattie Hart. He is featured here accompanying himself on guitar and occasionally harmonica. He is a fine singer and a basic but effective guitarist. Most of his material is drawn from popular and traditional sources including material from the repertoire of Sleepy John Estes, Sonny Boy Williamson and Memphis Slim. The session was a engineered by former Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore which may have something to do with excessive use of echo on the recordings. (FS)

 
JOHNNY MOORE'S THREE BLAZERS Ace CDHCD 1148 Be Cool - The Modern & Dolphin Sessions, 1952-1954** ● CD $18.98
25 tracks, 71 mins, highly recommended
Wonderful collection of low key West Coast blues from this premiere cocktail blues combo. Best known as the launching pad for the great Charles Brown, the group continuing turning out outstanding recordings after Brown left to pursue his solo career in 1948 often using vocalists who emulated Brown's languid style. On these recordings made between 1952 and '54 here that role is taken by the excellent Frankie Ervin who could emulate the Charles Brown style but was far from an imitator and a number of tracks show his versatility on a wide range of material. The group is also joined by excellent female vocalist Mari Jones. The group frequently expanded beyond the three in its name featuring appearances from Johnny's brother Oscar Moore, pianists Nelson Alexander and Billy Valentine, tenor saxist Maxwell Davis, drummer Jesse Sailes and others. This set includes seven previously unissued performances including Frankie's version of the traditional ballad Seven Nights Drunk called Saturday Night and the soulful instrumental Johnny's After Hours. There are also versions of two of Mari's songs without the overdubbed harmony vocals on the issued versions. Sound quality from original masters is stunning and the 16 page illustrated booklet has in depth notes by Jim Dawson. (FS)

 
RED NORVO Fabulous 2051 The Red Norvo Collection ● CD $9.98 $7.98
Two CDs, 40 tracks, highly recommended
Another excellent jazz retrospective from Fabulous - this one devoted to Kenneth Norvill aka Red Norvo aka "Mr. Swing" - the artist who popularized the use of the xylophone in jazz - eventually switching to the more sophisticated vibraphone. Norvo started his career with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra in the 1920 eventually strking out on his own and recording his first session with his own band in 1933. The modernisitic sound of those first recordings so shocked Brunswick producer Jack Kapp that he dropped the group. The recordings mostly features Red with his own bands along with sessions with the Teddy Wilson Quartet, various Benny Goodman groups, The Slam Stewart Quintet and others groups. Early recordings featured him with Jimmy Dorsey, Dick McDonough, Artie Shaw, Eddie Sauter, Hank D'Amico, Teddy Wilson, Charlie Shavers and others. Norvo was always moving with the times and a 1945 session finds Dizzy Gilespie and Charlie Parker playing in his group. Later sessions find him with Johnny Guarnieri, Jimmy Giuffre, Tal Farlow, Charles Mingus, Jimmy Raney, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jimmy Wyble and many others. Though this set ends in 1960 he continued performing and recording, though less frequently, through 1989 and he died in 1999 at the age of 91. Sound quality is generally excellent and the 16 page booklet has informative notes by Paul Watts and full discographical details. (FS)

 
ELVIS PRESLEY RCA 41773 A Boy From Tupelo - The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings ● CD $39.98
3 CD set with 120 page book, 85 tracks, essential
Five years ago the Follow That Dream label issued an amazing limited edition box set featuring every existing Elvis recording made between 1953 and 1955 along with an amazing 500 page 12"x12" book. The Follow That Dream label was devised by Elvis expert Ernst Jorgensen to legally issue Elvis recordings that his label RCA thought wouldn't have a mass market. That box set, in spite of its high price, sold out in a couple of months. Now RCA has seen the light and issued a scaled down version of that set. It has all the same music plus one track that was found right around the time the original set was issued but the book is now a 120 page 8"x8" book which, togeher with the CDs is housed in a handsome slip case. The first disc features the master takes of all the recordings made at the Sun studios between 1953 and '55 including the four sides self financed by Elvis and the four masters that were issued by RCA. The second disc features multiple alternate takes of his Sun recordings including false starts, studio chatter, fragments, etc. The third disc feature all live performances that are known to exist including recordings from the Louisiana Hayride and other shows and includes a song - a tough version of The Clovers' Little Mama which is not available by Elvis anywhere else (except the original box set) and a version of I Forgot To Remember To Forget from October, 1955 that was discovered too late to be included in the original box. All tracks have been newly remastered for best possible sound though some of the live performances are from very poor quality originals so sound quality on some of these will not be ideal. The music on these discs is the raw, hungry Elvis at the beginning of a career that would make him one of the most beloved musical entertainers of all time. While the book here is far less expansive than the original it is a beautifully done production which gives a week by week account of Elvis's career from Independence day 1954 when he went to Bill Black's house to rehearse through the end of December, 1955 when the rights to Elvis' Sun tapes officially expired and Elvis became an RCA recording artist. The book includes many great and rare photos from the time along with memorabilia including show posters, newspaper clippings and more. If, like so many, you missed or couldn't afford the original box this one will be indispensible. (FS)
DISC 1: MEMPHIS RECORDING SERVICE ACETATES (Juky 1953 and January 1954) - My Happiness/ That's When Your Heartaches Begin/ I'll Never Stand in Your Way/ It Wouldn't Be the Same (Without You) SUN MASTERS - Harbor Lights/ I Love You Because/ That's All Right (45 rpm master)/ Blue Moon of Kentucky (45 rpm master)/ Blue Moon/ Tomorrow Night/ I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')/ I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine/ Just Because/ Good Rockin' Tonight/ Milkcow Blues Boogie/ You're a Heartbreaker/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version)/ Baby Let's Play House/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone/ I Forgot to Remember to Forget/ Mystery Train/ Tryin' to Get to You/ When It Rains It Pours RCA MASTERS - That's All Right/ Blue Moon of Kentucky (78 rpm master)/ I Love You Because (RCA LP version - spliced from takes 3 & 5)/ Tomorrow Night (RCA LP version - overdubbed and slowed down) DISC 2: SUN STUDIO SESSIONS - Harbor Lights (takes 1-2, level adjustments & take 3/M)/ Harbor Lights (take 4)/ Harbor Lights (takes 5-8)/ I Love You Because (takes 1-2)/ I Love You Because (take 3)/ I Love You Because (takes 4-5)/ That's All Right (takes 1-3)/ Blue Moon of Kentucky (slow tempo outtake)/ Blue Moon (takes 1-4)/ Blue Moon (take 5)/ Blue Moon (takes 6-8)/ Blue Moon (take 9/M)/ Dialogue fragment (before "Tomorrow Night")/ I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin') (incomplete take)/ Good Rockin' Tonight (fragment from vocal slapback tape)/ I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine (takes 1-2, 3/M)/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version, take 1)/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version, take 2)/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version, take 3)/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version, takes 4 & 5/M)/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (slow version, takes 6-7)/ How Do You Think I Feel (guitar slapback tape, rehearsal + take 1)/ How Do You Think I Feel (guitar slapback tape, rehearsals)/ When It Rains It Pours (vocal slapback tape, take 1)/ When It Rains It Pours (vocal slapback tape, takes 2-4)/ When It Rains It Pours (vocal slapback tape, take 5/M)/ When It Rains It Pours (vocal slapback tape, takes 6-8) DISC 3: LIVE AND RADIO PERFORMANCES That's All Right/ Blue Moon of Kentucky (Louisiana Hayride debut 10/16/54)/ Shake, Rattle and Roll/ Fool, Fool, Fool (KDAV Radio, Lubbock, Texas, 1/6/55)/ Hearts of Stone/ That's All Right/ Tweedlee Dee (Louisiana Hayride - probably 1/15/55)/ Shake, Rattle and Roll (WJOI Radio, Florence, Alabama 1/19/55)/ KSIJ Radio commercial with DJ Tom Perryman (Gladewater, Texas 1955)/ Money Honey/ Blue Moon of Kentucky/ I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine/ That's All Right (Louisiana Hayride - probably 1/22/55)/ Tweedlee Dee/ Money Honey/ Hearts of Stone/ Shake, Rattle and Roll/ Little Mama/ You're a Heartbreaker (Louisiana Hayride - probably 3/5/55)/ Good Rockin' Tonight/ Baby Let's Play House/ Blue Moon of Kentucky/ I Got a Woman/ That's All Right (Ragles' Hall, Houston, Texas - probably 3/19/55)/ Tweedlee Dee (Gladewater High School, Gladewater, Texas, 4/3055)/ Interview with Mae Boren Axton Jacksonville, Florida - 5/12/55 or 7/28/55)/ That's All Right (Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival, Meridian, Mississippi, 5/26/55)/ I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone (Louisiana Hayride - 7/2/55)/ Baby Let's Play House/ Maybellene/ That's All Right (Louisiana Hayride 8/20/55)/ Interview with Bob Neal (WMPS Radio, Memphis Tennessee, between August 29-31, 1955)/ I Forgot To Remember To Forget (Louisiana Hayride, 10/29/55)

 
FAMOUS L. RENFROE Big Legal Mess 0201 As The Flying Sweet Angel Of Joy - Children** ● CD $14.98
12 tracks, 36 min., very highly recommended
Renfroe, a one-man gospel / R&B / soul group who writes and produces his own songs, sings and plays all the instruments, (except drums), sidesteps the music industry and puts out an album that represents his singular musical vision. Seems fitting that the Fat Possum label is distributing this--it's actually on the Big Legal Mess Records label, which is pretty amusing in itself and more so when one considers the religious nature of the recordings--because it is reminiscent of the early releases on that label, if not in style or sound, then in the insistence of the individual performer's ideas being in the forefront. R. L. Burnside comes to mind. But Renfroe, posing on the cover with his guitar, combines heartfelt originals with a wonderfully under-produced sound circa the late 1960s-early 1970s that results in a kind of casual genius. His songs are short--three and a half minutes is about tops--and so are his titles (Believe/ Reaching/ Feed/ His Love/ War, and others). Engaging, endearing, and strangely wonderful. Who is this guy? (JC)

 
REPARATA & THE DELRONS Ace CDCHD 1066 The Best Of Reparata & The Delrons** ● CD $18.98
30 tracks, 71 min, very highly recommended
Besides having one of the best names ever (Reparata was the Confirmation name of lead singer Mary Aiese) R & the DR's were, in my humble opinion, one of the top three NY girl groups (the other two, of course, The Ronnettes & The Shangri-las - in fact Sheila Reilly is a dead-ringer for one of the Shang's Ganser Twins). Besides having most of the singles, key LP cuts & an unreleased track or two, this finally clears up the group's convoluted history. Starting as The Delrons - their only single Leave Us Alone on Laurie from '64 is here, Mary had a new set of Delrons for their World Pacific tunes & as Reparata & The Delrons scored a huge hit with Whenever A Teenager Cries in '64. The group toured until, when time for another tour, Mary was the only one who showed up! Having to put out a couple singles just as Reparata, she was next signed to RCA in '66 on the condition she had a group, so another version was formed, this one including Lorraine Mazzola, which then went to Mala & had a huge UK hit with Captain Of Your Ship. The history tells of a Mary-less R & DRs, then Lorraine taking over the name &, when with Barry Manilow as the group Lady Flash (she's the one that looks like Cher with breasts) sued the real Reparata under Manilow's instigation. Find out the outcome, & other goodies like why on a Jay & The Americans 45 it says "Sorry Reparata" in the dead groove! (GM)

 
THE SONS OF THE PIONEERS B.A.C.M. 078 Western Harmony & Hot Swing, Vol. 1** ● CD $14.98
32 tracks, highly recommended
The Sons of the Pioneers wasn't the first cowboy harmony ensemble, but was unquestionably the best. While some prefer the original group with Len Slye, many consider the 1937-1942 lineup of Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Lloyd Perryman, Hugh and Karr Farr, and Pat Brady to be the definitive Pioneers. Although it recorded for Decca in 1941-42, this group's reputation largely rests upon 200+ titles preserved on 18 NBC Orthacoustic radio transcriptions ex-member Slye produced under his new stage name, Roy Rogers. These 1940 ETs capture the diversity of the band's repertoire and abilities: buoyant contemporary cowboy songs (many penned by Nolan), minstrel-era tunes, sentimental ballads, sacred numbers, traditional fiddle tunes and hot swing instrumentals. At times their vocal arrangements are reminiscent of the Boswell Sisters. Though some Orthas later appeared on LP, relatively few titles migrated to compact disc. This collection and its companion volume feature a balanced cross-section of the Pioneers' 1940 repertoire, with 28 songs and four Farr Brothers instrumentals. The compilers wisely chose lesser-known material over the Pioneers' signature songs, which are available elsewhere. As with other B.A.C.M. issues, the sound quality varies but is generally good. Both volumes include Kevin Coffey's thumbnail sketch of this remarkable band. (DS)
THE SONS OF THE PIONEERS: A Cowboy's Prayer/ Blue Mountain Sweetheart/ Boggy Road To Texas (Instr.)/ Bon Ton Schottische (Instr.)/ Cielito Lindo/ Cody Of The Pony Express/ Come And Get It/ Cottage In The Clouds/ Curly Joe From Idaho/ Get Along Pinto Pony/ Great Big Taters In The Sandy Land (Instr.)/ I Belong To The Range/ Lone Buckaroo/ Moonlight On The Trail/ No Good Son Of A Gun/ On The Rhythm Range/ Ridin' On The Sunshine Trail/ Ridin' The Range With You/ Riding The Rocky Range/ Rise And Shine/ Rocky Road In The Rockies/ Sally Goodin' (Instr.)/ She's The Lily Of Hillbilly Valley/ Sunset On The Trail/ The Quilting Party/ We Sat Beneath The Maple On The Hill/ What Wonderful Joy/ What You Gonna Say To Peter/ When A Cowboy Starts To Courtin'/ When The Prairie Sun Says Good Morning/ Where The Rio Rolls Along/ Wonder Valley

 
THE STANLEY BROTHERS Mercury 53402 The Complete Mercury Recordings** ● CD $12.98
2 CDs, 48 tracks; 1 hr, 58 min; essential
Now available at a reduced price. This wonderful two CD set feature all the Stanley Brothers recordings from Mercury made between 1953 and 1958. It is particularly welcome because it features a large percentage of their classic numbers, including Carter Stanley-composed songs such as This Weary Heart You Stole Away/ Our Last Goodbye/ Poison Lies/ I Long To See The Old Folks/ Nobody's Love Is Like Mine, and A Lonesome Night, all now staples of the bluegrass repertoire. The bands here are more in the traditional vein, featuring less guitar than on the later King recordings; among the musicians featured here are fiddlers Art Stamper, Joe Meadows, Ralph Mayo, and Chubby Anthony. Mandolinists include Peewee Lambert, Bill Napier, and Jim Williams. This collection also features classic recordings of the gospel number Cry From The Cross, which has become a staple of Ralph Stanley's bands, and a haunting version of the traditional Angel Band, along with a significant number of Bill Monroe compositions, including A Voice From On High/ Blue Moon Of Kentucky/ I Hear My Savior Calling, and Close By. As always, the mournful and intense lead vocals of Carter Stanley, the chilling tenor voice of Ralph, and his ringing banjo stamp these recordings with The Stanley Brothers' inimitable sound. (RP/ FS)

 
KAY STARR Acrobat 7058 The Kay Starr Collection, 1939-62 ● CD $24.98
Four CDs, 114 tracks, highly recommended
Kay Starr was one of the most popular vocalists of the 1940s and 50s with an expressive style and diverse range of material that set her apart from her contemporaries. Her first two sides from 1939 with the Glenn Miller Orchestra are relatively undistinguished but between 1944 and 1947 she made recordings for Decca and the independents Crystallete and Jewel with jazz ensembles that show the influences of both jazz and R&B. In 1947 she joined Capitol where she was to stay for seven years. In that time she recorded a wide variety of naterial with a wide variety of arrangements and had numerous hits (Hoop-De-Hoo/ Missississippi/ Oh Babe/ Come-On-A-My House, etc.) She recorded a number of hillbilly songs in 1950 - several of them duets with Tennessee Ernie Ford accompanied by the Cliffie Stone band with hot guitar from Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West. In 1951 she recorded a cover of the doo-wop song Wheel Of Fortune - an expressive performance that was to become her biggest hits, topping the pop charts and getting a gold record. This was followed by a cover of the Clovers Fool, Fool, Fool (also recorded by Elvis) that was a lesser hit and her Kay's Lament was a rocking blues that was only a smidgen away from rock 'n' roll. In 1954 she switched to RCA but her style remained unchanged - a selection of pop, jazz and proto-rock 'n' roll and many of her records hit the charts and in 1956 had her second massive hit with the great Rock 'n' Roll Waltz which was another chart topper and gained her another gold record. I remember Wheel of Fortune and Rock 'n' Roll Waltz from my youth - they were big hits in England and favorites of my sister Sylvester. Although I haven't listened to much Kay Starr since then I was intrigued by this collection and listening to it realize what an outstanding performer she was who sang with far more feeling than most of her contemporary pop singers. (FS)
KAY STARR: (I Don't Care) Only Love Me/ A Faded Summer Love/ A Game Of Broken Hearts/ A Hundred Years From Today/ A Woman Likes To Be Told/ After You've Gone/ After You've Gone/ Ain't Misbehavin'/ Ain't Nobody's Business/ All Of Me/ Allez Vous En/ Am I A Toy Or A Treasure'/ Baby Me/ Betcha I Getcha/ Blue And Sentimental/ Bonaparte's Retreat/ Breezin' Along With The Breeze/ Changing Partners/ Come On A My House/ Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are/ Comes Along A Love/ Crazy/ Disc 2:/ Don't Let Your Love Go Wrong/ Don't Meddle In My Mood/ Dry Bones/ Fit As A Fiddle/ Fool, Fool, Fool/ Foolin' Around/ Frying Pan/ Georgia/ Goin' To Chicago Blues/ Half Of A Photograph/ Hard Hearted Hannah/ Home In Indiana/ Honey/ Honeysuckle Rose/ Hoop Dee Doo/ I Ain't Gonna Cry/ I Cried For You/ I Should Care/ I'll Never Be Free/ I'll Never Say 'Never Again' Again/ I'm Confessin'/ I'm Confessin'/ I'm The Lonesomest Gal In Town/ I've Changed My Mind A Thousand Times/ I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm/ If I Could Be With You/ If I Could Be With You/ If You Love Me (Really Love Me)/ It's A Lonesome Old Town/ It's Funny To Everyone But Me/ Jump For Joy/ Kay's Lament/ Lazy River/ Little White Lies/ Love With A Capital You/ Lover Man/ Lovesick Blues/ Many Happy Returns Of The Day/ Mercy, Mercy, Mercy/ Mississippi/ More Than You Know/ My Buddy/ My Heart Reminds Me/ Oh How I Miss You Tonight/ On A Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor/ Once More/ Please Be Kind/ Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone/ Please Love Me/ Poor Papa/ Rockin' Chair/ Should I/ Side By Side/ Snuggled On Your Shoulder/ So Help Me/ So Tired/ St.Louis Blues/ Stardust/ Stormy Weather/ Sunday/ Sweet Lorraine/ The Breeze/ The Dixieland Band/ The Glory Of Love/ The Lonesome Road/ The Man Upstairs/ The Rock And Roll Waltz/ The Texas Song (Is There Anything Wrong With Texas)/ The Wabash Cannonball/ The Wheel Of Fortune/ Them There Eyes/ There's Yes, Yes In Your Eyes/ Three Letters/ Till We Meet Again/ Too Busy/ Two Brothers/ We Three/ What A Difference A Day Made/ What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry'/ When A Woman Loves A Man/ When My Dreamboat Comes Home/ Where Or When/ Who's Foolin' Who/ Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams/ You Always Hurt The One You Love/ You Broke Your Promise/ You Were Only Fooling/ You're Driving Me Crazy/ You're Just In Love/ You're My Sugar/ You've Got To See Mama Every Night

 
WILBUR SWEATMAN'S ORIGINAL JAZZ BAND Archeophone 6004 Jazzin' Straight Thru' Paradise** ● CD $14.98
24 tracks, 74 min, highly recommended
African-American clarinetist Sweatman reportedly cut the 1st version of Maple Leaf Rag as a cylinder in '03, was the 1st to use the word "Jazz" in a band name ('15), could play three clarinets simultaneously, wrote the jazz standard Down Home Rag, & his 1923 Washington DC-based band included a young pianist named Duke Ellington! This set concentrates on his 1918-20 sides for Columbia & Little Wonder & include such soon-to-be standards as Rockabye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody/ Darktown Strutter's Ball/ Lonesome Road, even Ja-Da! ("Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing Jing, Jing"). Beautiful booklet with all info including a great pic of Sweatman playing 3 clarinets. (GM)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Ace CDCHD 1115 Blues For Dootsie** ● CD $18.98
30 tracks, highly recommended
Terrific collection of mostly jump blues produced by legendary Los Angeles entrepreneur Dootsie Williams between 1949 and 1958. The first 16 tracks were made between 1949 and 1951 for Willims' first label Blue and features hard to find recordings by Johnny Taylor (a versatile blues singer - not one of the later Johnny Taylors!), Bobby Nunn (later or Robins and Coasters fame), Dootsie Williams & His Rhythm Kings (with vocals by Big Joe Turner), Bumps Myers & His Frantic Five, Violet Hall (fine boogie woogie piano player and vocalist) and Cleo Brown (another singer and boogie woogie piano player). The rest of the recordings were issued on Dootone(later Dooto) and Authentic and includes some of the label's only down home sides with four tracks (two previously unissued) by singer/ guitarist Stormy Herman with harmonica from Ozie Saxton of Dixie Blues Boys fame (see Ace 1003). Dootsie reissued a previously unissued Big Joe Turner sides from his Blue session after Joe started having successs with Atlantic and there are sides by Pete Johnson & His All Stars (with vocals by Big Duke Henderson), Rosie Mae Jones & her Combo, Fats Gaines and others. An excellent and varied collection with superb sound from original acetates and tapes wherever possible and detailed 16 page booklet by L.A. researcher Jim Dawson which includes an interview with Dootsie and rare photos and label shots. (FS)
CLEO BROWN: Baby, Let's Make Some Love/ Blues Boogie/ Roll It Boogie/ The Hole In The Wall/ FATS GAINES: Katy Lee/ You're With Me, Baby/ My Man Is Gone/ VIOLET HALL: He's An Ivory Beating Baby (On The Baby Grand)/ You'd Better Come Home Baby/ STORMY HERMAN: Cadillac Fever/ Rent Day/ Bad Luck/ Jitterbug/ PETE JOHNSON & HIS ALL STARS (VOCAL BY BIG DU: Hard Luck Women & Strife/ BETTY HALL JONES: Richmond Blues/ RESSIE MAE JONES & HER COMBO: Automatic Daddy/ PAUL MONDAY: Are You Ready To Go Steady/ My Mistake/ BUMPS MYERS & HIS FRANTIC FIVE (VOCAL BY BOBBY: I'm Clappin' And Shoutin'/ I'm Tellin' You Baby/ BOBBY NUNN: Anticipating Blues/ Bring Your Lovin' Back To Me/ I Got A Country Gal/ JOHNNY TAYLOR & HIS ORCHESTRA: Back Alley Blues/ Mr. Monkey Man/ JOHNNY TAYLOR & HIS MELLOW 5: Rocky Mountain Blues/ West Coast Baby/ JOE TURNER: I Love Ya, I Love Ya, I Love Ya (Low Down Dog)/ DOOTSIE WILLIAMS & RHYTHM KINGS WITH JOE TURNER: Everybody's Jumpin' Tonight/ Gamblin' Blues

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Ace CDCHD 1170 A Gerry Goffin & Carole King Song Collection** ● CD $18.98
26 tracks, 73 mins, essential
To my way of thinking, the Brill Building Era is one of the most underestimated chapters in the history of rock and roll; not only did many timeless and wonderful songs come from that time, but it was also a major influence on the one band who single-handedly spearheaded the next rock revolution: the Beatles. Consequently, it does my heart good to see Ace Records taking seriously the preservation and celebration of BB heritage. Of all the teams that comprised Don Kirshner's famed stable of songwriters, then-husband and wife Gerry Goffin and Carole King were probably the most commercial minded. Their songs are full of immediate hooks, catchy melodies, and universal lyrics, and their hits are legendary: Up on the Roof/ Will You Love Me Tomorrow, and The Loco-Motion to name a few. None of those songs are here, but the 26 tracks do a fine job of illustrating the breadth of the duo's talents: from the Beach Boys-esque He's in Town (the Tokens, 1964) to the teeny-bopper trappings of Let Me Get Close to You (Skeeter Davis, 1965) and Halfway to Paradise (Tony Orlando, 1961) to the soulful swooning of Another Night With the Boys (The Drifters, 1962) to the pop-a-billy of Don't Ever Change (The Crickets, 1962) to the psychedelia-lite of You're Just What I Was Looking For Today (the Everly Brothers, 1967), Goffin & King could do it all. The CD concludes what I consider to be Goffin & King's greatest achievement: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman performed by its greatest interpreter Aretha Franklin. The world-weary beginning ("Looking out on the morning rain/I used to feel so uninspired") gives way to an exhilaration at being rescued and renewed; we all knows what it feels like to meet someone who makes us feel so wonderful that everything seems right with the world, and Natural Woman conveys these feelings perfectly. And they deserve a medal for giving the Animals one of that band's greatest songs, Don't Bring Me Down. The usual rare tracks, great liner notes, and classy packaging make this collection worthwhile, but every aspiring songwriter and pop music lover needs this CD in their home. (GMC)
THE ANIMALS: Don't Bring Me Down/ THE CHIFFONS: The First And Last/ THE CRICKETS: Don't Ever Change/ BERTELL DACHE: Love Eyes/ SKEETER DAVIS: Let Me Get Close To You/ JACKIE DESHANNON: Heaven Is Being With You/ THE DRIFTERS: Another Night With The Boys/ BETTY EVERETT: I Can't Hear You/ THE EVERLY BROTHERS: You're Just What I Was Looking For Today/ ARETHA FRANKLIN: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman/ THE HONEY BEES: Some Of Your Lovin'/ JILL JACKSON: I'll Love You For A While/ BEN E. KING: So Much Love/ RAMONA KING: Hey Everybody/ DONNA LOREN: Just A Little Girl/ TONY ORLANDO: Halfway To Paradise (Stereo album version)/ P.J. PROBY: I Can't Make It Alone (Mono Single Version)/ THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: A Man Without A Dream/ BOBBY RYDELL: I Just Can't Say Goodbye/ THE SATISFACTIONS: I Didn't Have Any Summer Romance/ DUSTY SPRINGFIELD: Wasn't Born To Follow/ THE TOKENS: He's In Town/ BOBBY VEE: The Idol/ DEE DEE WARWICK: Yours Until Tomorrow/ LENNY WELCH: I Was There/ RICHARD "POPCORN" WYLIE: Brand New Man

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Ace CDCHD 1422 Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies ● CD $18.98 $14.98
28 tracks, 64 mins, highly recommended
Rhythm 'N' Blues by the Bayou, is there much better than that? I certainly don't think so. This here is Hell of a collection, positively boiling over with great music. Ace records is one of those labels that you can count on fantastic sound taken from top notch source material, on top of that they usually have some of the best liner notes/ packaging in the business. Ian Saddler provides the quality notes on this baby. Fine tracks by Katie Webster, Lester Robertson, and Leroy Washington who each get three tracks to shine on, plus Mad Dog Sheffield - two mighty tracks - I Got Fever (Wicked Fever) and "Mad Dog," Guitar Gable with the fantastic down home Blues of Long Way From Home, Lazy Lester with the rollicking Tell Me Pretty Baby, and some great Zydeco Blues with Hey Ma Ma from Clifton Chenier on the Zynn label, not a chart hit, but a classic to folks around the Bayou and beyond. This is a beautiful collection, your ears will thank you, your toes will tap, your pulse will quicken, and if you play it loud enough you are sure to make some new friends (JM)
CLIFTON CHENIER: Hey Ma Ma/ JIMMY DOTSON: I Need Your Love/ CAROL FRAN: Knock Knock/ One More Chance/ CLARENCE GARLOW: I'll Never Hold It Against You/ GUITAR GABLE: Long Way From Home/ KING KARL & GUITAR GABLE: Mary Lou/ LAZY LESTER: Tell Me Pretty Baby/ LITTLE VICTOR: Papa Lou And Gran/ CHARLES MORRIS: When It Rains It Really Pours/ LESTER ROBERTSON: Hoo Wee Pretty Baby/ Pretty Woman (Take It Home To Grandma)/ Take It Home To Grandma/ ANNA MAE ROGERS: I Called You Up Daddy/ MAD DOG SHEFFIELD: I Got Fever/ Mad Dog/ FRANK SIMIEN: Don't You Let Me Down/ TABBY THOMAS: I'd Love To Tell/ LIONEL TORRANCE: Rooty Tooty/ WONDERBOY TRAVIS: You Know Yeah/ LEROY WASHINGTON: Baby Please Come Home/ Hello Baby, What You Know/ Sally Lou/ KATIE WEBSTER: Hoo Wee, Sweet Daddy/ I Want You To Love Me/ Hey Mr Love/ SAD LEROY WHITE: A Merry Christmas/ EDDIE WILLIAMS: Ain't Nothing Shakin' (But Leaves On The Tree)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat 3074 Jazz At The Philharmonic: Seattle 1956 ● CD $16.98
Two CD set with 33 tracks. The long-running series of "Jazz At The Philharmonic" concerts began in 1944 at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Auditorium. Promoted by legendary jazz impresario Norman Granz, they captured the essence of post-war modern jazz, bringing together some of the great and emerging artists of the era in star-studded bills, with the concerts always featuring agglomerations of artists jamming together. This previously unreleased recording comes to Acrobat from the Ackerman Tapes archive, which houses many unreleased jazz gems, and is a classic example of the JATP concerts. It features some of the great names of the genre, including Ella Fitzgerald, The Oscar Peterson Trio, Modern Jazz Quartet, Stan Getz, Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Illinois Jacquet, Flip Phillips, Jo Jones & The Gene Krupa Quartet. The various groups and artists are featured both in their normal line-ups and as part of ensembles which were put together informally.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Acrobat 7114 America's Greatest Hits, 1953 - Expanded Edition ● CD $24.98
4 CDs, 108 tracks, 297 mins, strongly recommended
Plunging deep into the pop charts of the past again, Acrobat covers the fun, if still a bit square, pop year of 1953. These expanded editions are always interesting because you get all of the versions of certain songs that multiple artists took a crack at. So, watch out, Frank Sinatra and Eddie Fisher both admit I'm Walking Behind You; but Les Baxter and His Orchestra, Richard Hayman and His Orchestra, Freddy Martin and His Orchestra, and Vic Damone, will all be spending April In Portugal; and Rex Allen, Darrell Glenn, June Valli, and The Orioles were all Crying In The Chapel (it's probably no surprise, but The Orioles version is easily the best of the bunch.) There are also four great tracks by Les Paul & Mary Ford, many of Eartha Kitt's best singles including the transcendent C'est Si Bon (It's So Good), some early rockin' Bill Haley with Haley's Comets, and some smooth as silk Nat King Cole. Honky Tonk music was also soaring in popularity by 1953, but mainstream radio was still opting to play the smoothed out versions of Country classics, so you get Your Cheatin' Heart by Joni James, and Rusty Draper doing Jumpin' Bill" Carlisle's No Help Wanted. Of course since this is in the very heart of the frivolous fifties there are many novelty hits including Dragnet by Ray Anthony and His Orchestra, The Ho Ho Song by Red Buttons St. George and the Dragonet, and Little Blue Riding Hood by Stan Freberg, and one of my all-time favorites Istanbul (Not Constantinople) by The Four Lads. Extensive liner notes that were a blast to read, if nothing else, the pop stars of 1953, Dean Martin, Frankie Laine, Eddie Fisher, etc. were certainly a bunch of lively characters. (JM)
REX ALLEN: Crying In The Chapel/ THE AMES BROTHERS: You You You/ RAY ANTHONY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Dragnet/ LES BAXTER AND HIS ORCHESTRA: April In Portugal/ LES BAXTER WITH HIS ORCHESTRA & CHORUS: I Love Paris/ TONY BENNETT: Rags To Riches/ JIMMY BOYD & FRANKIE LAINE: Tell Me A Story/ TERESA BREWER: Ricochet (Rick-O-Shay)/ Till I Waltz Again With You/ RED BUTTONS: Strange Things Are Happening (Ho Ho, Hee, …)/ The Ho Ho Song/ EDDIE CALVERT AND HIS GOLDEN TRUMPET: Oh Mein Papa/ BOB CARROLL: Say It With Your Heart/ FRANK CHACKSFIELD AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Ebb Tide/ Terry's Theme From "Limelight"/ KAREN CHANDLER: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me/ NAT "KING" COLE: My Flaming Heart/ COLUMBIA TOKYO ORCHESTRA: Gomen-Nasai (Forgive Me)/ PERRY COMO: My One And Only Heart/ No Other Love/ Wild Horses/ You Alone (Solo Tu)/ Say You're Mine Again/ Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes/ DON CORNELL, ALAN DALE, JOHNNY DESMOND: The Gang That Sang "Heart Of My Heart"/ DORIS DAY: Mister Tap Toe/ LEO DIAMOND: Off Shore/ RUSTY DRAPER: Gambler's Guitar/ No Help Wanted/ PERCY FAITH AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Swedish Rhapsody (Midsummer Vigil)/ The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)/ EDDIE FISHER: Downhearted/ Even Now/ Just Another Polka/ Many Times/ With These Hands/ RALPH FLANAGAN & HIS ORCHESTRA: Hot Toddy/ THE FOUR ACES FEAT. AL ALBERTS: Stranger In Paradise/ THE FOUR LADS: Istanbul (Not Constantinople)/ STAN FREBERG: Little Blue Riding Hood/ St. George And The Dragonet/ THE GAYLORDS: Ramona/ Tell Me You're Mine/ GEORGIA GIBBS: Seven Lonely Days/ BILL HALEY WITH HALEY'S COMETS: Crazy Man Crazy/ PETE HANLEY: Big Mamou/ RICHARD HAYMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Ruby/ THE HILLTOPPERS: Love Walked In/ To Be Alone/ I'd Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old Without You)/ P. S. I Love You/ DON HOWARD: Oh Happy Day/ PEE WEE HUNT AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Oh/ JONI JAMES: Almost Always/ Have You Heard/ My Love, My Love/ Why Don't You Believe Me/ Your Cheatin' Heart/ MONTY KELLY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Tropicana/ EARTHA KITT: C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)/ Santa Baby/ Uska Dara/ FRANKIE LAINE: Hey, Joe/ I Believe/ JULIUS LAROSA: Anywhere I Wander/ Eh, Cumpari/ SILVANA MANGANO: Anna (El Negro Zumbon)/ MANTOVANI AND HIS ORCHESTRA: The Moulin Rouge Theme (Where Is Your Heart)/ THE MARINERS: I See The Moon/ RALPH MARTERIE & HIS ORCHESTRA: Pretend/ RALPH MARTERIE AND HIS "DOWN BEAT" ORCHESTRA: Caravan/ DEAN MARTIN: That's Amore/ FREDDY MARTIN AND HIS ORCHESTRA: April In Portugal (The Whisp'ring Serenade)/ GUY MITCHELL: She Wears Red Feathers/ JERRY MURAD: The Story Of Three Loves/ PATTI PAGE: Butterflies/ Changing Partners/ Doggie In The Window/ LES PAUL & MARY FORD: Bye Bye Blues/ I'm Sitting On Top Of The World/ My Baby's Coming Home/ Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You)/ JOHNNIE RAY: Somebody Stole My Gal/ TRUDY RICHARDS: The Breeze (That's Bringing My Honey To Me)/ JEAN SHEPARD: A Dear John Letter/ FRANK SINATRA: I'm Walking Behind You/ JO STAFFORD: (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I/ Keep It A Secret/ KAY STARR: Allez Vous En/ Half A Photograph/ Side By Side/ SWING AND SWAY WITH SAMMY KAYE: In The Mission Of St. Augustine/ BRUCIE WEIL: God Bless Us All/ HUGO WINTERHALTER & HENRI RENE: The Velvet Glove

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Archeophone 2001 The Great War: An American Musical Fantasy** ● CD $26.98
2 CDs, 2 hours, 38 min., highly recommended
The songs here were all recorded between 1914-1919 (with the exception of the last three tracks, which were cut in 1926), and given the sound source, the quality is excellent. But this is no mere collection or random war songs. The compilers have done a remarkable job of putting the war and the burgeoning record industry into historical perspective. As the booklet notes describe, Disc 1 covers the period "from neutrality to preparedness to belligerence." Disc 2 covers the war and beyond, when it was safe for the industry to start questioning the war itself. And while the music here is fascinating, the 76-page booklet is a true gem, full of original scholarship and rare, historic photos. It explores the "talking machine" business that saw itself threatened by the war and so adopted a jingoistic stance for its own economic benefit, casting itself as a necessary war industry, and thus a propaganda machine. An insightful document of likely interest to anyone who wishes to understand the history of the record industry. Songs include It's A Long, Long Way To Tipperary by American Quartet, Don't Bite The Hand That's Feeding You by Irving Kaufman (with the ever-so-charming theme of telling immigrants to love the war or go the hell back where you came from), Over There by Enrico Caruso, On Patrol In No Man's Land by Lieut. Noble Sissle & Lieut. Jim Europe's 369th U.S. Infantry Band, Boys Who Won't Come Home by Henry Burr, They'll Be Mighty Proud In Dixie Of Their Old Black Joe by Albert Campbell and Henry Burr, Hello Central, Give Me No Man's Land by Edna Brown and many others. (JC)
THE AMERICAN QUARTET: America, I Love You!/ Dixie Is Dixie Once More/ It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary/ Let's All Be Americans Now/ RAYMOND DIXON AND ORPHEUS QUARTET: When You Come Back (and You Will Come Back, There's the Whole World Waiting/ ANONYMOUS [EXCERPT 1]: President Wilson's Historical Message, Part III/ ANONYMOUS [EXCERPT 2]: President Wilson's Historical Message, Part III/ SAM ASH: Don't Take My Darling Boy Away/ THE AVON COMEDY FOUR: Oh! What a Time for the Girlies When the Boys Come Marching Home/ NORA BAYES: Good Bye; and Luck be With You) Laddie Boy/ How 'Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm? (After They've Seen Paree)/ BERNARD AND ROBINSON, THE DIXIE STARS: What Has Become of 'Hinky Dinky Parlay Voo'/ ARION BROOKLYN: Schwertlied (Du Schwert an Meiner Linken)/ EDNA BROWN: Hello Central, Give Me No Man's Land/ HENRY BURR: Stay Down Here Where You Belong/ The Boys Who Won't Come Home/ There's a Little Blue Star in the Window (And It Means All the World to Me)/ CAMPBELL AND BURR: They'll Be Mighty Proud in Dixie of Their Old Black Joe/ ENRICO CARUSO: Over There/ VERNON DALHART: Paul Revere/ THE FARBER SISTERS: If He Can Fight Like He Can Love (Good Night, Germany)/ ARTHUR FIELDS: Don't Steal Daddy's Medal/ Johnny's in Town/ Let's Bury the Hatchet/ Throw No Stones in the Well that Gives You Water/ What Kind of an American Are You?/ GEORGE GORDON AND ROBERT BRUCE: The Rose of No Man's Land/ BYRON G. HARLAN WITH PEERLESS QUARTET: Long Boy/ CHARLES HART: Somewhere in France Is the Lily/ What Are You Going to Do to Help the Boys?/ MORTON HARVEY: I Didn't Raise My Boy to be a Soldier/ AL JOLSON: Tell That to the Marines/ IRVING KAUFMAN: Don't Bite the Hand That's Feeding You/ Won't You Say a Word for Ireland?/ ROBERT LEWIS: I Want to Be a Soldier Like My Dad/ MALE QUARTET: Die Wacht am Rhein/ JOHN MCCORMACK: There's a Long, Long Trail/ BILLY MURRAY: I'd Feel at Home if They'd Let Me Join the Army/ Indianola/ When Tony Goes Over the Top/ THE PEERLESS QUARTET WITH BILLY MURRAY: My Dream of the Big Parade/ THE PEERLESS QUARTETTE: Keep Your Eye on Uncle Sammy/ The Makin's of the U.S.A./ When We Wind Up the Watch on the Rhine/ GENERAL J.J. PERSHING: From the Battlefields of France/ PRINCE'S BAND AND COLUMBIA MALE QUARTETT: Arrival of the American Troops in France/ ARTHUR PRYOR'S BAND: Rainbow Division March/ PEERLESS QUARTET: I Don't Know Where I'm Going but I'm on My Way/ WILLIAM J. 'SAILOR' REILLY: What'll We Do With Him Boys? (The Yanks Made a Monkey Out of You)/ LIEUTENANT GITZ RICE AND HENRY BURR: Fun in Flanders, Part 2/ LIEUTENANT NOBLE SISSLE: On Patrol in No Man's Land/ ELIZABETH SPENCER: My Sweetheart Is Somewhere in France/ I'm Going to Follow the Boys/ CAL STEWART: War Talk at Pun'kin Center/ VAN AND SCHENCK: The Ragtime Volunteers Are Off to War/ REINALD WERRENRATH: Lafayette (We Hear You Calling)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS B.A.C.M. 077 Classic Country Music On The Decca 5000 Series** ● CD $14.98
27 tracks, 79 mins, highly recommended
A varied collection of sides issued on the Decca 5000 series between 1934 and 1941 including one side by Bill Cox (the great In 1992) originally recorded for Champion in 1931. Includes sides by Homer Briarhopper, Clayton McMichen's Georgia Wildcats (a hot western swing flavored version of Bile Them Cabbage Down), The Carlisle Brothers (the wonderful Broken Heart), Hug & Shug's Radio Pals, Frank Luther & Buddy Ross, The Rice Brothers Gang, Cliff Bruner & The Texas Wanderers (hot western swing), The Louisiana Strollers (fine blues), Dave Edwards & The Alabama Boys, Texas Ruby, The Carolina Buddies, Curly Fox with Joe Shelton, Leon SCott & Claude Boone, The Ross Rhythm Rascals and others. A heap of good music with excellent sound. (FS)
HOMER BRIARHOPPER: I Am Just What I Am/ CLIFF BRUNER & THE TEXAS WANDERERS: Jessie's Sister/ THE CARLISLE BROTHERS: Broken Heart/ THE CAROLINA BUDDYS: Mother The Queen Of My Heart/ EDITH & SHERMAN COLLINS: You're A Flower Blooming In The Wildwood/ BILL COX: In 1992/ RALPH HODGES THE DIXIE VAGABONDS: His Last Words/ DAVE EDWARDS & ALABAMA BOYS: Oh By Jingo, Oh By Gee/ THE FOUR ACES WITH LEO SOILEAU: When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain/ CURLY FOX WITH JOE SHELTON: Listen To The Mocking Bird/ STUART HAMBLEN'S COVERED WAGON JUBILEE: Sunshine Alley/ HUGH & SHUG'S RADIO PALS: Sugar Babe/ THE KELLY FAMILY (JERRY & RAMON): Out On The Desert/ LEON'S LONE STAR COWBOYS: Mistreated Blues/ THE LOG CABIN BOYS (FRANKIE MORE & FREDDIE O: New Crawdad Song/ THE LOUISIANA STROLLERS: Married Woman Blues/ THE MACK (MCCRAVY) BROTHERS: On The Good Old Santa Fe/ RED RIVER DAVE MCENERY: Down Del Rio Way/ CLAYTON MCMICHEN'S GEORGIA WILDCATS: Bile Dem Cabbage Down/ TEX OWENS & TEXAS RANGERS: Prairie Dream Boat/ RILEY PUCKETT: Take Me Back To My Carolina Home/ THE RICE BROTHERS GANG: My Carolina Sunshine Girl/ FRANK (LUTHER) & BUDDY ROSS: Pray For Me Mother/ ROSS RHYTHM RASCALS: Lulu's Back In Town/ LEON SCOTT & CLAUDE BOONE (ELK MOUNTAIN BOYS): Don't Dig Mother's Grave/ TEXAS RUBY: T. For Texas/ HAPPY JACK TURNER: Pretty Quadroon

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Black Swan 38 Paramount Chicago Jazz Bands** ● CD $14.98
20 tracks, highly recommended
Superb collection of jazz recorded for the legendary Paramount label in Chicago between 1923 and 1928 under the supervision of J. Mayo Williams. Their are five tracks (including two alternate takes) by the magnificent King OLiver's Jazz Band featuring an incredible line up with Oliver & Louis Armstrong on cornets and Johnny Dodds on clarinet. There are two tracks by the outstanding piano player Lovie Austin with her Blues Serenaders (Tommy Ladnier, Jimmy O'Bryant, etc.,) The Dixie Four is the name of a blues flavored quartet featuring the twin pianos of Jimmy Blythe and Buddy Burton. Other groups include Charles Pierce & His Orchestra (with Muggsy Spanier/ cnt and Frank Teschemacher/ cl & as), Ollie Power's Harmony Syncopaters, Preston Jacoson & His Uptown Band and Richard M. Jones & His Jazz Wizards. Sounds is excellent and there are informative notes by Paige VanVorst. About a third of the tracks were reissued a while ago on JSPs four CD set of Paramount jazz (JSP 960 - $28.98) but the remaining tracks make this more than worthwhile. (FS)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Capitol 1003 Capitol Blues 'n' Boogie Vol. 3 ● CD $16.98
24 tracks, 64 mins, highly recommended
Another fine collection of blues and R&B from the Capitol label. This features recordings cut between 1948 and '53. There are five tracks featuring the excellent gravel voiced bluesman Scat Man Crothers with various groups highlighted by two Halloween themed numbers - Th Thing and the fine minor key Dead Man's Blues. Shorty Muggins is aother fine big voiced singer with two songs who became better known as Sammy Davis Jr. a couple of years after these 1949 sides. Helen "Big Sis" Andrews only has one song here but her That Ain't The Way To Do It is excellent. More fine sides from Marvin Johnson, Tiny Brown, Bus Moten and others. The only low point to this set are the three tracks by Timmie Rodgers who I find to be an incredibly annoying singer - his band is fine but I find his approach really gets my goat. Although listed as accompanied by his amplified tipple and tipple playing is buried in the mix. Still the rest is well worthwhile. Sound quality is superb and booklet has what discographical info is known. (FS)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Chess (UK) 9830153 Chess Northern Soul ● CD $14.98 $10.98
Fine selection of 20 cuts of soul sides popular in the British Northern Soul clubs recorded for Chess, Checker and Cadet between 1965 and 1972. Includes quite a few tracks not readily elsewhere. Includes tracks from Marlena Shaw, The Radiants, Denise LaSalle, The Gospel Classics, Tony Clarke, Little Milton, The Dells, Tommy & Cleve, Ramsey Lewis & others. Includes 16 page booklet with notes, photos & label shots.
FONTELLA BASS: Leave It In The Hands Of Love/ TERRY CALLIER: Look At Me Now/ Ordinary Joe/ TONY CLARKE: Landslide/ The Fugitive Kind/ THE DELLS: Make Sure/ Run For Cover/ Wear It On Our Face/ MAMIE GALORE: It Ain't Necessary/ THE GEMS: I Can't Help Myself/ THE GOSPEL CLASSICS: More Love That's What We Need/ DENISE LASALLE: A Love Reputation/ RAMSEY LEWIS: Wade In The Water/ LITTLE MILTON: More And More/ You Colored My Blues Bright/ BOBBY MCCLURE: Peak Of Love/ THE RADIANTS: Hold On/ MARLENA SHAW: Let's Wade In The Water/ TOMMY & CLEVE: Boo Ga Loo Baby/ THE VALENTINOS: Sweeter Than The Day Before

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Down Town 2020 Going Downtown with Roy Hawkins, J.D. Nicholson & othe ● CD $16.98
24 tracks, highly recommended
Fine collection of piano led small group blues - mostly from California along with a few contributions from Texas. The first 12 tracks are devoted to the superb singer/ pianist Roy Hawkins either as vocalist or sideman. These tracks were recorded in 1948 for the legendary Oakland prodcer Bob Geddins and originally issued on his Cava-Tone and Down Town label. The group also includes the splendid guitarist Ulysses James and tenor saxist William Staples. In addition to Roy's own vocals there are also fine vocal contributions from James, Madison Little and female vocalist Noble Davis. There are four excellent sides by singer/ pianist J.D. Nicholson recorded for the Courtney and Elko labels. Although Nicholson didn't record a lot under his own name he was a prolific sideman, recording with Ray Agee, Jimmy McCracklin, Pee Wee Crayton and many other West Coast blues artists. There are four tracks by the magnificent Mercy Dee recorded for Spire including his R&B hit LOnesome Cabin Blues. From Texas we have two relatively undistinguished sides by Cool Papa Smith (Lavada Durst) and two by The Groovy Trio featuring the splendid vocals and piano work of Willie Johnson. About half the tracks here are new to CD. Sound quality is excellent and booklet has full discographical info. (FS)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Jazz Oracle 8071 West Coast Jazz, 1922-1927 ● CD $18.98
Collection of rare and obscure jazz recordings made in California in the 1920s. Includes the legendary 1922 recordings of Kid Ory's Sunshine Orchestra which were the first recordings of a black New Orleans jazz group - two instrumental tracks and four backing vocalists Roberta Dudley and Ruth Lee. It also includes the complete recordings of Harvey Brooks' Quality Four led by Baltimore pianist Brooks, two groups led by baritone saxist Reb Spikes and various other groups including two by an unknown group from a test pressing. Originally remastered by the late, great John R.T. Davies, the sound quality is excellent and the 32 page booklet has extensive notes by Russell Shore and John Wilby along with great rare photos and label shots.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS JSP JSPCD 77105 Rembetika 2** ● CD $28.98
Four CDs, 87 tracks, essential
Complementing JSP 7776 ("Rembetika" - $28.98) this is another fantastic collection of this incredibly powerful and moving music from Greece that has parallels with American blues in it's visceral impact. The recordings here cover the period 1908 through 1946 along with one track from 2000 showing that the music is still alive. Intensely emotional vocals with varied instrumental accompaniments including clarinet, oud, violin, cimbalom, guitar, bouzouki, lyra, mandolin, banjo and other instruments in varying combinations. Compiled by rembetika expert Charles Howard who provides notes, discography, brief biographies and excerpts from the songs. Sound quality is outstanding - even the four tracks recorded between 1908 and 1910 sound great. The first volume was one of the best releases of 2006 - this one is sure to be one of the best of 2008. (FS)
RITA ABADZI: Zoi Ine Afti Zoitsa Mou/ MARKO MELKON ALEMSHERIAN: Shed Araban Taksim/ ANONYMOUS: O Bochoris/ D. ARAPAKIS: Manes Sabach/ DHIMITRIS ATRAIDHIS: Rast Mahour/ YEORG. BATIS: O Boufedzis/ To Barberaki/ BAYIANDERAS: To Tragoudhi Tis Agapis/ CAVADHIAS POPULAR ORCHESTRA: Karsilamas Tekirdag/ DALGAS: Ap 'Tin Poli Enas Mortis/ A. DALGAS: Beoglou Manes/ AND. DALGAS: Karotsieris (The Coachman)/ Nei Hasiklidhes (The Young Hash Smokers)/ ANDONIOS DALGAS: To Baglamadhaki Spase/ ANDONIS D. DALGAS: Tsifte-Teli Yiala/ AN. DHELIAS: To Sakkaki (The Stolen Jacket)/ KONST. DOUSSAS: I Trata (The Trawler)/ HAIM EFFENDI: Tchakidji Turkessou/ ROZA ESKENAZI: Voliotissa (The Girl From Volos)/ ELLINIKI ESTOUDIANDINA: Tsifte-Telli, Tha Spaso Koupes/ ESTUDIANTINA GRECQUE LEOPOLD GAD: Ta Kounaga (I Shook the Dice)/ ROZA EZKENAZI: Binda Yiala/ Merakli Rast Manes (Let Me Burn)/ MARIKA FRANDZESKOPOULOU: Ap' Tou Memeti To Nero/ HADZICHRISTOS: Echo Vathia Ton Pono/ AP. HADZICHRISTOS: Kala Mou Topane Mario/ A. HADZICHROSTOS: Ftochia (Poverty)/ JOHN (JACK) HALIKIAS: Mourmouriko Zeimbekiko/ SERVET HANIM: Yeni Turk Zeybegi/ Y. IOANNIDHIS: Apo Kato Ap 'Tis Dhomates/ ANDONIS KALIVOPOULOS: I Eleni I Zondochira (Eleni the Divorcee)/ Y. KAMVISIS: Yiannis Hasiklis (Synchronich) (Yiannis the Hash Smoker)/ ZACH. KASIMATIS: To Koutsavaki (The Dude)/ GEORGE KATSAROS: M'Ena Karedzi Blegmeni/ Pote Mavra Pote Aspra/ Y. KAVOURAS: Dhen Vrethike Yiatros/ STELLIOS KEROMYTIS: M'Ekapses Skyla/ ST. KEROMYTIS-TASSIA VRYONI: Ean Dhen Isoun Ftisikia (If You Weren't Tubercular)/ A. KOSTIS: Kaike Ena Scholio/ K. KOSTIS: Ap' Tin Porta Sou Perno (I Pass By Your Door)/ ATHANASIOS MAKEDHONAS: Tsifte-Telli/ HAR. MAVRIDHIS: Pio Pera Ap' To Zannio/ ZOUNARAS ME ARMONIKA: Smyneiko Minore/ EL. MENEMENLIS: Dhen Mou Lete To Hasisi Pou Pouliete (Tell Me Where They Sell the Dope)/ YEORYIA MITTAKI: S'Ena Deke Skarosame/ THEODHOROS MYTILINEOS: To Salepi/ OGDHONDAKIS: Aptaliko Zeimbekiko/ MARIKA PAPAGIKA: Mes 'Tou Sygrou Tin Fylaki (In Sygrou Jail)/ YIANNIS PAPAIOANNOU: Levendikos Horos/ AGGELITSA PAPAZOGLOU: Galata Manes/ EFSTRATIOS PAYIOMIDZIS: Manges Karavotsakismeni (Manges In Distress)/ E. PAYIOUMIDZIS: Ta Tsaggarakia/ EF. PAYIOUMIDZIS: Manes Rast Neva/ Sfouggaradhes (The Sponge Divers)/ STRATOS PAYIOUMIDZIS: Koritsi Apono (Heartless Girl)/ STELLAKIS PERPINIADHIS: Argiles (E. Papazoglou) (The Hash Pipe)/ Elleni Mikropandremeni/ Manges Mou Symoforthite (Dudes, Behave Yourselves)/ Varvara/ MARIKA POLITISSA: Manes Mahour/ POPULAR ORCHESTRA: Mytilinio Zeimbekiko/ YIANGOS PSOMATHIANOS: Smyrneikos Manes/ STAVROS REMOUNDHOS: Manes Hitzaskiar-Pireotikos/ K. ROUKNOUNAS: Pou Ine Ta Chronia Ta Palia (S. Gavalas)/ K. ROUKOUNAS: Mi Mou Les Pos Dhen Me Thelis (Don't Say That You Don't Want Me)/ KOSTAS ROUKOUNAS: To Marikaki/ DHIM. ROUMELIOTIS: Parigoria Ta Matia Sou (Your Eyes Are My Consolation)/ MARIO SALONIKIA: Bachrie Tsifte-Telli/ SAVARIS & MILIARIS: To Hasisi/ E. SOPHRONIOUS: Ballos Tis Avyis/ Kato Sto Yialo/ DAIZY STAVROPOULOU: Sklirokardhi/ Tha Pao Na Ziso Sta Vouna/ STELLAKIS: Tora Yirnas Stis Yeitonies/ STRATOS: Dhespo/ Ston Lofo Tou Skouze (On the Hill Of Skouze)/ V. TSITSANIS: Dhen Se Thelo Pia/ Dhodheka I Ora (At Midnight)/ Hadzi Baxes/ O Tsitsanis Sti Zoungla (Tsisanis In the Jungle)/ Stis Salonikis Ta Stena/ PANAYIOTIS TSOROS: Dou Dou/ STAVROS TSOURAS: O Stavrakas Mes' Ston Teke (Stavros At the Hash Den)/ M. VAMVAKARIS: Dhen Pavi Pia To Stoma Sou/ M' Eblexes Vre Poniri/ MARKOS VAMVAKARIS: Kaftone Stavro, Kaftone/ Ores Me Threfi O Loulas/ NIKOS VRACHNAS: Randevous San Perimeno (When I'm Waiting For You)/ ALEXIS ZOUMBAS: Pergamia (Dance From Bergama)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Old Hat 1004 Down In The Basement - Joe Bussard's Treasure Trove** ● CD $17.98
24 tracks, 73 mins, essential
Fabulous collection of rare 78s from the 20s and 30s drawn from the collection of one of the most diligent and knowledgeable collectors in the country Joe Bussard. The 24 tracks here encompass blues, old time country, jazz and one Cajun title. Many of these tracks have been reissued before but the combination of excellent quality 78s and a superb remastering job by Christopher King makes them sound better than ever. Artists include The Stripling Brothers, Luis Russell & His Orchestra, Weems String Band, A.A. Gray & Seven Foot Dilly, Charley Jordan, The Sweet Brothers & Ernest Stoneman, Bessie Brown, Soileau and Robin, Uncle Dave Macon, Fields Ward & The Grayson County Railsplitters, The Down Home Boys, Gitfiddle Jim and others. Includes incredible 72 page booklet with pictures of all the 78s, pictures of some of the artists, pictures of Joe and Joe's cat! It features notes and discographical details on all the tracks as well as anecdotes by Joe about how he acquired the records and lots of other interesting stories. A bit of an ego trip but loads of fun and the music is unbeatable! (FS)
GENE AUTRY: Atlanta Bound/ BIG BILL: How You Want It Done?/ BLIND BLAKE AND CHARLIE SPAND: Hastings Street/ BLIND GARY: You Got To Go Down/ BESSIE BROWN: Song From A Cotton Field/ BILL BROWN AND HIS BROWNIES: Hot Lips/ JAMES COLE'S WASHBOARD FOUR: Runnin' Wild/ COLEMAN & HARPER: Old Hen Cackle/ THE CORLEY FAMILY: Give The World A Smile/ THE DIXON BROTHERS: The School House Fire/ GITFIDDLE JIM: Paddlin' Blues/ A.A. GRAY AND SEVEN-FOOT DILLY: The Old Ark's A'Moving/ THE GRINNELL GIGGERS: Plow Boy Hop/ BILL JOHNSON'S LOUISIANA JUG BAND: Get The "L" On Down The Road/ CHARLEY JORDAN: Keep It Clean/ UNCLE DAVE MACON: Uncle Dave's Beloved Solo/ LONG CLEVE REED AND LITTLE HARVEY HULL (DOWN HOME B: Original Stack O'Lee Blues/ LUIS RUSSELL & HIS ORCHESTRA: The (New) Call Of The Freaks/ SOILEAU AND ROBIN: Easy Rider Blues/ THE STRIPLING BROTHERS: The Lost Child/ THE SWEET BROTHERS & ERNEST STONEMAN: I Got A Bulldog/ FIELDS WARD & THE GRAYSON COUNTY RAILSPLITTERS: Ain't That Trouble In Mind/ THE WEEMS STRING BAND: Greenback Dollar/ FESS WILLIAMS AND HIS ROYAL FLUSH ORCHESTRA: Hot Town

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Rhythm & Blues 041 Rumba Blues Gone Mambo ● CD $17.98
Two Cds, 60 tracks, 158 mins, highly recommended
Another in this label's excellent series looking at the influence of Latin music on blues, R&B and doo-wop. Previous volumes have tended to focus mostly on how Latin rhythms have impacted African American music - this one, primarily, has blues and rhythm & blues artists actually performing mambos. It includes Annie's Mambo by T.N.T. Tribble, The Crazy Mambo by Classie Ballou, I Just Wanna Mambo by Linda Hayes, Mambo Train by The Miracletones and more from Jack Costanzo, Buddy Lucas, Mickey Baker, Chuck Higgins, Choker Campbell, Harmonica Harris (a bluesy harmonica mambo!), Robert Banks and many more. Many tracks are new to CD or not readilly available elsewhere. Sound quality superb and the 24 page booklet has informative notes and loads of rare label shots, photos and memorabilia. (FS)
ARCANO: Goza Mi Mambo/ MICKEY BAKER: Guitar Mambo/ Guitarambo/ CLASSIE BALLOU: Mambo/ The Crazy Mambo/ ROBERT BANKS: Mambo Blues/ THE BOP-A-LOOS: South Parkway Mambo/ NAT BROOKS: Mambo Blues/ SONNY BURKE: Mamboogie/ CHOKER CAMPBELL.: Jackie Mambo/ GENE CASEY: Avalon Mambo/ THE CELEBRITIES: Mambo Daddy/ CHAZ + 2: Mambo Twist/ CHEROKEE & BAND: Mambo Blues/ COZY COLE: Cozy's Mambo/ JACK COSTANZO: Peter Gunn Mambo/ BILL DOGGETT: Real Gone Mambo/ MANNY DURAN: Johnny Comes Marching Mambo/ CHARLIE FERGUSON: Hi-Beam Mambo/ ERNIE FIELDS: T-Town Mambo/ THE FIVE TINOS: Mambo Baby/ JIMMY FORREST: Night Train Mambo/ OTIS FREEMAN: Mambo Arribique/ MEL GRAY: Mambo Jungle/ BIG JOHN GREER: We Want To See Santa Mambo/ LLOYD "TINY" GRIMES: Showboat Mambo/ LIONEL HAMPTON: Hamp's Mambo/ HARMONICA HARRIS: Blues King Mambo/ LINDA HAYES: I Just Wanna Mambo/ CHUCK HIGGINS: Blues 'n' Mambo/ JOE HOLIDAY: Mambo Holiday/ BUDDY JOHNSON: Slide's Mambo/ J.J. JONES: After Hours Mambo/ Night Train Mambo/ SHAKE KEANE: Mambo Indio/ KID KING: Mambino/ LARRY LIGGETT: Junior's Mambo/ Perdido Mambo/ BUDDY LUCAS: Mambo Blues/ TONY MARTINEZ: Robin's Mambo/ ROLLEE MCGILL: Helena Mambo/ EDNA MCGRIFF: Mambo Baby/ THE MIRACLETONES: Mambo Train/ CARLOS MOLINA: Dragnet Mambo/ JAMES MOODY: Mambo With Moody/ LAWRENCE PEEL: Filatone's Mambo/ CHRIS POWELL: Sandman Mambo/ PéREZ PRADO: Cuban Mambo/ ELLIE RUSSELL: St Louis Blues Mambo/ FAY SIMMONS: Big Joe Mambo/ JIMMY SMITH: Judo Mambo/ VIN STRONG: Mambo's Got The Blues/ YMA SUMAC: Bo Mambo/ ESTHER SUTHERLAND: Clock Mambo/ BILLY TAYLOR: Early Morning Mambo/ JUAN TORADEZ: Lucky Mambo/ T.N.T. TRIBBLE: Annie's Mambo/ DOLLY WADE: Mambo Baby/ WALTER WARD: Mambo Beat/ PAUL WILLIAMS: Don't Teach Me To Mambo

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Smith & Co. 2444 Great Rock 'n' Roll Instrumentals, Vol. 3 - Just About As Good As It Gets ● CD $16.98 $11.98
Two CDs, 68 tracks, highly recommended
Complementing Smith & Co. 1173 & 1189 this is another great and modestly priced jam packed collection of rock 'n' roll instrumentals along with some rocking R&B and country.When I first looked at the cover and say the dates 1929-1960 I thought it was a typo but it's because it includes the incredible twin guitar instrumental Hot Fingers by Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson which may not be rock 'n' roll as we generally consider but rocks as hard as anything else here. Like previous volumes the material is a mix of big hits by well known artists (Johnny & The Hurricanes, Duane Eddy, Bill Black's Combo, The Ventures, Sandy Nelson, The Fireballs, The Champs, etc) as well as great tracks by lesser known performers (The Teen Beats, Dick Poulton Trio, Eddie Smith & The Hornets, Andy & The Live Wires, Merl Lindsay, The Atmospheres, etc.). We also have upbeat country instrumentals from Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith, Chet Atkins, Cecil Campbell and others) and R&b from King Curtis with the Sam Price Group, Roy Milton & His Solid Senders, Sil Austin and others. Another splendid collection with excellent sound and informative notes by Dave Travis. (FS)
LEE ALLEN AND HIS BAND: Jim Jam/ ANDY AND THE LIVE WIRES: Maggie/ IRVING ASHBY: Guitar Rock/ CHET ATKINS: Teensville/ THE ATMOSPHERES: Telegraph/ SIL AUSTIN: Birthday Party/ CHUCK BERRY: Mad Lad/ Rockin' At The Philharmonic/ RED BERRY AND THE BEL RAVES: Hot Rod/ BILL BLACK'S COMBO: Don't Be Cruel/ BOOTS BROWN AND THE BLOCKBUSTERS: Jet Train/ Jim Twangy/ CECIL CAMPBELL: The Rocking Guitar/ THE CHAMPS: Red Eye/ THE CHAPPARALS: Leapin' Guitars/ FLOYD CRAMER: On The Rebound/ KING CURTIS WITH THE SAM PRICE QUINTET: Back Room Rock/ Bar-B-Q Sauce/ KING CURTIS WITH THE SAM PRICE SEXTET: Chicken Out/ THE CYCLONES: Bullwhip Rock/ DUANE EDDY AND THE REBELS: Bonnie Come Back/ Shazam/ Tiger Love And Turnip Greens/ THE FIREBALLS: Bulldog/ PAUL GAYTEN: Nervous Boogie/ JOHNNY GREEN COMBO: Lonesome Road/ PHIL HARVEY (PHIL SPECTOR): Bumbleshoot/ THE HAWK (JERRY LEE LEWIS): In The Mood/ MICKEY HAWKS AND THE NIGHT RAIDERS: Cotton Pickin'/ AL HENDRIX: Go Daddy Rock/ CHUCK HIGGINS: Wet Back Hop/ DEAN HIGHTOWER: Sweet Georgia Brown/ TOMMY HUDSON AND THE SAVOYS: Bandstand Stomp/ THE IMPACS: Zot/ JOHNNY AND THE HURRICANES: Beatnik Fly/ Down Yonder/ Rocking Goose/ THE JOKERS: Dogfight/ BILL JUSTIS: Paradiddle/ THE KINGS HENCHMEN: Night Flight/ THE KINGSMEN: The Cat Walk/ EDDIE LANG AND LONNIE JOHNSON: Hot Fingers/ MERL LINDSAY: Rockin' Water Baby/ ROY MILTON AND HIS SOLID SENDERS: Junior Jives/ T-Town Twist/ SANDY NELSON: Big Jump/ LES PAUL: Guitar Boogie/ THE PILTDOWN MEN: Brontosaurus Stomp/ MacDonald's Cave/ THE DICK POULTON TRIO: Capital City Bounce/ Susie/ THE REBEL ROUSERS: Night Surfing/ THE RHYTHM ROCKERS FEAT. CHET ATKINS: Tricky/ THE RIP TIDES: Machine Gun/ LE SABRES: Rising Mercury Twist/ THE SAVOYS: Slappin' Rods And Leakin' Oil/ THE SHUTDOWNS: Four On The Floor/ ARTHUR 'GUITAR BOOGIE' SMITH AND HIS CRACKERJACKS: Hard Boiled Boogie/ EDDIE SMITH AND THE HORNETS: Upturn/ THE STARLIGHTERS: Hot Licks/ JESSE STONE: Runaway/ THE STORMS: Thunder/ THE TEEN BEATS FEAT. DON RIVERS AND THE CALI: Califf Boogie/ The Slop Beat/ THE THRASHERS: Sledgehammer/ THE VENTURES: Perfida/ Walk Don't Run/ WORTHAM WATTS: Lonesome

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Smithsonian Folkways 40117 Saints Paradise - Trombone Shout Bands ● CD $15.98 $8.98
19 tracks, highly recommended
African-Portuguese immigrant Marcelino deGraca came to the US in 1903 &, known as Charles Grace or Daddy G started The United House Of Prayer in New Bedford, MA, which combines aspects of Holiness Revival & Pentecostal with services including dancing, shouting & speaking in tongues. From here came the tradition of the trombone "shout" bands, somewhat akin to the New Orleans brass bands, except none of the somberness. These big bands are unique in that they are made almost entirely of trombones, with a "rhythm section" including sousaphones, tubas, barritone horns & snare & bass drum. These mid-90s live recordings feature the 3 most important bands of the House of Prayer active since the 60s, known as "The Three Stars Of The Kingdom" - George Holland & The Happyland Band from Newport News VA, a 10 piece band which has 5 trombones (Won't It Be Sad), Eddie Babb & The McCollough Sons Of Thunder, from Harlem, a 17 piece band with 10 trombones (His Eye Is On The Sparrow), & Norvus Miller & The Kings of Harmony, from Washington DC, a 16 piece band with 11 trombones & featuring a live jam with Miller, Babb & Holland (Revelation & Improvisation), along with tunes from Madison's Lively Stones, the mostly vocal Madison Prayer Band & The Clouds of Heaven. Extensive photos & liner notes. (GM)

 
THE WAILERS Norton CNW 901 The Fabulous Wailers** ● CD $15.98
18 tracks, 46 min, essential
Reissue of Golden Crest 3075 from 1959. Before there was Bob Marley, before there was real Garage Rock, there were The Wailers, a group from Takoma WA that spearheaded the great Northwest Sound & were the first to take Louie Louie from a calypso/R&B tune into the garage (The Kingsmen learned their version off The Wailers' single, which is why they didn't get the words right!) Louie isn't here, but their classic single Tall Cool One is along with a host of other great guitar-sax-keyboard instrumental (interstingly 2 guitars, no bass!) with one of their rare vocals being the original version of Dirty Robber, later covered by The Sonics. Also includes a slew of non-LP cuts and unissued tracks including a different version of Dirty Robber 12 page booklet with rare pics (including a great shot of their then-promo man, the legendary Kim Fowley) plus ads and great Billy Miller liner notes with numerous current quotes from band members. (GM)

 
BILLY WALKER B.A.C.M. 158 Thank You For Calling ● CD $14.98 $11.98
Fine collection of early sides by this excellent Texas honky tonk country who was recently killed in a traffic accident at the age of 77. The 24 tracks here cover the period from 1949 through 1955 before he was a regular on the country charts and the only hit here is the title song. Most of the titles are original compositions though there's a some fine cover of Webb Pierce's hit Back Street Affair. Billy is also featured in a duet with Jeanette Hicks on Which One Of Us Is To Blame.
BILLY WALKER: Back Street Affair/ Don't Let Your Pride Break Your Heart/ Fool that I Am I Still Love You/ Go Ahead And Make Me Cry/ Hey/ I Didn't Have The Nerve It Took To Go/ I'm Gonna Take My Heart Away From You/ I'm Looking For Love/ If I should Live That Long/ It Hurts Too Much To Laugh/ Let Me Hear From You/ Little Baggy Britches/ Mexican Joe/ One Heart's Beatin' One Heart's Cheatin'/ Pretend You Just Don't Know Me/ So Far/ Thank You For Calling/ Time Will Tell/ What Makes Me Love You Like I Do/ Which One Of Us Is To Blame/ Whirlpool/ You Didn't Try And Didn't Care/ You're The Only Good Thing That's Happened To Me/ you Have My Heart Now

 
LAL & MIKE WATERSON Domino 102 Bright Phoebus ● CD $14.98
12 tracks, 37 mins, essential
Finally, one of the great folk albums of the 70s on CD and remastered from the original mastertapes. A previous issued about 15 years was dubbed from the LP and had less than stellar sound. The Watersons have been among England's finest performers of traditional acapella song since he early 60s so this 1972 album came as a bit of a surprise - but what a pleasant one. All original songs by Mike and Norma with instrumental accompaniments from some of Britain's finest folk and folk rock performers. Mikes' songs are whimsical, immensely singable and with a dark edge. Lal's songs are dark, intense, mystical and poetic - songs like Winifer Odd/ Fine Horseman and Child Among The Weeds will haunt you long after you finish listening to this album. Lal and Mike's vocals sound just as comfortable with these modern settings as they do with a centuries old traditional ballad. Most of the accompaniments feature the acoustic guitars of Richard Thompson & Martin Carthy with occasional added instrumentation and, on a few tracks, there is a full electric band. I could wax enthusiastic about this album at length but will sum up by saying that if you want to hear some of the best contemporary songs written in England in the 1970s, beautifully sung, beautifully arranged and beautifully produced - you must hear this album! And, if you have the previous CD, the new remastering will be a revelation. (FS)

 
BILL WILLHITE WITH AL CLAUSER'S OKLAHOMA COWBOYSL B.A.C.M. 566 The Shepherd of The Hills ● CD $14.98
20 track collection of western flavored songs recorded by rich voiced singer Bill Willhite, mostly backed by Al Clauser & The Oklahome Cowboys for Standard radio transcriptions in 1939 along with a few titles from the mid 40s. Willhite's crooning style seems to owe more to Bing Crosby than Bob Nolan. The material is a mix of Western, popular and old timey songs. Includes Nellie Bly/ Tired Little Wrangler/ Put My Little Shoes Away/ Little Brown Jug/ Dreaming of My Rocky Mountain Home/ Sweet Marie, etc.

 
MIGHTY JOE YOUNG Rock Beat 3386 Live From The North Side of Chicago ● CD $13.98
8 tracks, very good
Mighty Joe Young was a fine Chicago singer and guitarist though not an especially original performer. The sides here were recorded live at the famed Wise Fools club on the North Side of Chicago in July 1978 (according to back liner) or January 1980 (according to the Blues Discography). Joe is accompanied by good small band including Lafayette Leake on piano and Bennie Turner on bass. Some good performances of some awfully familiar songs like That's All Right/ I Can't Quit You Baby/ Stormy Monday and others including an overly long 11 1/2 min) version of the soul classic Turning Point. Sound is excellent and as usual for recent Rock Beat releases there are no notes of any consequence. (FS)

 

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