A first time CD collection of 1950s hits and rarities by one of the masters of R&B! These twenty nine tracks represent an almost forgotten giant, with a decade of solid hits to his name. He became one of the leading performers on the Central Avenue scene after some intermittent chart success in the late 40's. Among his best known songs was 'One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer' and in 1950 Milburn's 'Bad, Bad, Whiskey' reached the top of the R&B charts and began a string of drinking songs. Booklet features rare memorabilia and extensive liner notes.
After touring with Lucky Millinder, this sexy female vocalist went solo in the early '50's. Her biggest hit came in 1953 "Baby, I'm Doing It!" perhaps best describes her saucy appeal. First time on CD for this infamous artist. Twenty eight tracks of jump, swing and R&B.
A twenty seven track collection by the legendary blues guitar master, these are his rarely heard rockin' Chicago sides. This style was something he had pioneered before returning to his folk blues roots style which he is best remembered for in Europe. A real treat for Broonzy fans, this is the underappreciated side of his back catalogue. Includes: "Jacqueline", "Stump Blues", "Horseshoe Over My Door" and "I Love My Whiskey." Remastered.
Thirty remastered tracks from the legendary sax player. Big John Greer started off as a key member of Lucky Millinder's legendary band and played with Bullmoose Jackson but he was soon playing on a large succession of risque, rockin' numbers on his own. A master of the salty R&B tune, this is essential listening. Includes: "Long Tall Gal", "Bottle It Up And Go", "Confusion Blues (with the Du Droppers)" and "I Ain't Got Nothin' To Lose (with Lucky Miliner And His Orchestra)."
A chery picked compilation of recordings on the Okeh and Savoy labels by the larger than life powerful blues singer, immortalised in the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival film Jazz On A Summer's Day. After she received early acclaim on tour with International Sweethears of Rhythm and other bands during the 40's under her own name Mabel Louise Smith, she signed to Okeh in 1952. One of her early hits was "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin' On" (two years before Jerry Lee Lewis got his hands on it) but her tine at the label was short due to her spiralling money demands to feed her addicitons. Signing to Savoy, she rocker harder than ever before. These twenty seven tracks offer the listener the best of her '50's rocking output. Featuring backing by sessioners Quincy Jones, Alan Freed, Leroy Kirkland, Danny Mendelsohn and Kelly Owens.
This country / rockabilly artist had a long and industrious career that began in the 60's and peaked commercially with his hit "I Can Help" in 1974. This twenty four track collection includes moments from his days with Kris Kristofferson and Tony Joe White in the 60's, his years with Monument Records amongst the Nashville underground scene and right up to the modern day Elvis tribute tracks he has recorded this century. This release was compiled by Swan to tie in with his tour with former Elvis guitarist James Burton and features tracks currently unavailable elsewhere.
Twenty eight tracks celebrating two blues legends, the biggest hitters on the Texas based Duke-Peacock Record label. From their humble roots, both stars invariably headlined the Buffalo Booking Agency touring review in the '50's and '60's and achieved chart success across the two decades. Little Junior Parker is, oddly enough the composer of the Rockabilly classic "Mystery Train" and worked with Sam Phillips and Ike Turner during his succesful career. Remastered. Booklet features rare memorabilia and in depth liner notes.
Twenty eight track collection of these hugely popular jump blues brother and sister, the first of it's kind on CD. With Ella on lead vocals and Buddy as band leader / pianist, they regularly played the Savoy Ballroom throughout the '40's and 50's. Surprisingly the survived the initial surge of rock n roll and continued to have hits until the early '60's. This CD concentrates upon their run of hits in the '50's, a mix between Dancy numbers, sweet ballads and instrumentals.
The incredible piano skills and laid back vocal delivery have remained mesmerising over the half century he performed for. These thirty tracks are a highlight of his beginnings in 1945 with Jonny Moore's Three Blazers and his early post war solo work. Together with his band he created a sophisticated, jazz inflected sound that was ultra mellow and highly popular. While the Nat King Cole trio were the ones that hit the big time, it was Brown and his band that played the cooler clubs and proved a hit with the cooler black audiences of the time. His solo stuff was far more commercial successful, with ten R&B hits in three years before early rock n roll tunes brushed his laid back style aside. A high number of these more uptempo tracks have never madeit to CD before nw.
The third volume of the mighty and acclaimed rockin' series. The subtirttle Rural Royalty is warranted here, this thirty three track compendium features the cream of Country, Honkytonk abd Hillbilly boogie: Don Gibson, Corky Jones, Glenn Barber, Ernest Tubbs, George Hamilton IV, Rose Maddox and many more. Many of these tracks are making their CD debut and have been remastered. Includes: "Just Ramblin' On", "Catty Town", "Sugar Sweet" and "Rhythm And Booze."
Thirty track celebration of this fine rhythm and blues vocal outfit. Although inspired by the usual suspects (The Mills Brothers / Ink Spots), The Five Keys were one of the few to add their own dimention to the Doo Wop sound with their influential "floating tenor" sound. One of the first collections of their output, it includes their R&B chart hits alongside a treasure trove of unreleased tracks. Booklet features rare memorabilia and detailed notes.
First ever CD collection of the finest work of this Nashville sessioner legend, thirty two of his greatest riffs backing artists such as Little Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Burnette, Red Foley, Buddy Holly, Cecil Gant and many more. The man who played the memorable riff on Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman" and besides Chet Atkins, the only studio musician to have recorded with both Hank Williams and Elvis Presley, Martin was responsible for the early use of distortion on record thanks to a blown amp tube on Marty Robbins's 1960 hit "Don't Worry" that the producer decided to leave on. Martin was one of Nashville's original "A-Team" session players and he often credited as a the session leader by the appreciative producers, they knew they had someone really special.
Thirty one track compilation of this swaggering blues shouter. First time on CD for the former member of the Honeydrippers. Covers his initial blues surge ('51-'54) before his reemergence in the '90's. Recommended to anyone interested in early rock and roll, blues and jump. Includes: "Preachin' The Blues, "Work For My Baby", "Give It Up" and "Hole In The Wall."
Famous for his vocals on the (uncredited) Ike Turners Kings Of Rhythm classic track "Rocket 88", sax player Jackie Brenston featured on numerous other rock n roll stompers released on various late 50's labels. These twenty four remastered tracks are compiled for the first time on CD.
A selection of the early '50's radio recordings from one of the earliest champion DJ's of black music in America. Starting with a quick blast from his radio and TV show signature theme, Johnny leads us down some of his rarest RnB, Greasy Doo Wop, jump blues, and swing. Influential on the Brit rock'n'rollers and beat groups for his involvement in supporting and producing music of black origin, Otis was completely in love with the sound and the community he grew up in that supported him throughout his recording career. This twenty nine track aural feast is made up of choice performances from Otis and his band and a few tunes from other rocking contemporaries.
Twenty seven track compilation that concentrates on the lighter side of Rhythm and Blues. Featuring acts such as Sammy Davis Jr, Scatman Crothers, Redd Foxx, Slim Gaillard, Rudy Ray Moore, Dusty Fletcher and Effie Smith, many of these tracks date from the mid '50's and are making their CD debut. Remastered, this is a must for serious R&B / Comedy fans. Includes: "Saturday Night Fish Fry", "She Ain't No Saint", "Dial That Telephone" and "Put The Last Clean Shirt On Bill."
One of the first harmonica players of the blues to use a microphone on stage to stop his sound being drowned out, Little Walter joined Muddy Waters in the late '40's and played on many of his most famous records. This is a collection of many of his greatest solo efforts of the '50's and early '60's. Includes "Juke", his first attempt at a solo single and one he nailed on the first take; the song spent eight weeks at number one in the US! Sadly the man had a short fuse and after one too many fights outside nightclubs, he died of his injuries in '68. A true talent and this is a fitting tribute.
Twenty eight remastered tracks from one of the most successful R&B artists ever. Concentrating on his '50's period and his adaptation to the early onslaught of Rock n Roll sees Louis in a fantastically positive mood. For some reason he had recently been dropped from his Decca contract despite selling better than he had ever done before and finding critical acclaim. It appears that Decca were starting to take Rock n Roll seriously and were prepared to drop successful "older" acts to make way for sanitised label controlled versions to flood the market. Despite this set back, his alto saxophone playing and jump blues tunes were easily a match for the acts of the day. An artist that really can't be underrated. Featuring: "If I Had Any Sense, I'd Go Back Home", "Whiskey Do Your Stuff" and "Rock 'N' Roll Call."
Twenty nine compilation of the best of Band leader Millinder's tracks for Decca in the '40's and early '50's. The first time on CD for this legendary artist whose R&B / rock n roll band was a breeding ground for new talent. At various points, members have included Dizzy Gillespie, Wynonie Harris, Annisteen Allen, Bull Moose, Big John Greer, Sam "The Man" Taylor, Panama Francis and many many more. Booklet contains sleeve notes by Dave Penny and rare photos.
A wildly popular Country singer / guitarist that introduced the fuzz tone to pop music, Marty Robbins found success between 1953 and his premature death in the early '80's. this collection concentrates upon his brief period of country rockin' recordings that arose as a direct response to the emergence rock n roll and Elvis. Recorded between '54 and '57, it features his Countrified versions of "That's All Right" and Berry's "Maybelline" (both US top ten hit singles). Included alongside the twenty three studio tracks (incorporating his 10" LP and the popular singles) are eight live recordings highlighting his versatile performing abilities.
Twenty nine selections from the esteemed singer songwriter, best known as the author of "Hit The Road Jack." Known for his smooth vocal style, he was a successful rhythm and blues artist up until his 1952 car accident that left him disfigured. His performing now severely limited, the next ten years saw him pushing his songwriting credentials with many of his most loved tunes coming in this period. Meeting Ray Charles in '61 certainly didn't hurt at all, his melancholic melodies enticing the blind singer and resulting in him being signed to his label Tangerine Records as a chief song wrier. This is testament to a talent that could not be stopped by physical injury.
Known as Piano Red due to his albino skin pigmentation and raucous playing style for most of his performing life, Willie Perryman was also known as Doctor Feelgood! This master of Rhthm and Blues was a huge hit in 50's America, scoring a high number of chart hits. They are featured here alongside a number of rarities from the era and six bonus live cuts from 1956. Thirty tracks in all, this is Piano Red's first CD apearance. Booklet comes with rare memorabilia and extensive liner notes.
Thirty two track compilation highlighting the overlooked early rush of British Rock n Roll releases immediately after Elvis first hit the scene. Bringing together Jazz performers, skiffle players and general crazies who fancied trying their hand at this new craze, this is the roots of UK Rock n Roll. Includes tracks by Humphrey Littleton, Ted Heath, Jones Boys, Art Baxter, Tommy Steele and many more.
Highlights of the Rev ola labels diverse back catalogue, featuring everything from Rhythm and Blues, Rock n Roll, Jazz and more! Concentrating on the crazy dance rhythms of these genres, this is essentialy a party album. Featuring Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Louis Jordon, Ike Turner, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Cliffie Stone Orchestra and many more. Every track digitally remastered, booklet comes with memorabilia, notes and photos.
The early months of Elvis' Sun Records and career is shrouded in speculation and rumour, largely due to the fact that many of the early recordings have been lost or were never professionally recorded. The list of songs he performed at the label headquarters and on local radio shows rarely ended up on a Presley album or even a B side. Collected here are twenty nine barely heard originals that Elvis was known to have covered in his musical genesis. The Pelvis' range of material is well known to have been varied in choice so here we have Country, Jump, R&B and early Rock numbers by many forgotten artists. Includes tracks by Lefty Frizzell. Lone Star Cowboys, Buddy & Bob, Chuck Miller, Sonny Fisher and Sheb Wooley.
On the same label at the same time as Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis is perhaps the best / most unappreciated rhythm and blues singer of the era. From day one the man had hit 45s on Imperial Records, occasionally backed by such highly regarded players as Huey Smith, saxists Lee Allen, Clarence Hall, and Herb Hardesty. His best known track must be the blistering "Shame, Shame, Shame" which featured on the soundtrack to the controversial Hollywood film Baby Doll. Thirty three tracks, all remastered and packaged with rare memorabilia and detailed notes. Some of the best 1950's New Orleans rockin' R&B around.
Never before on CD format, this is the complete recordings of the Detroit Dynamite, child prodigy Sugar Chile Robinson. Discovered by bandleader Frankie Carle in 1945, within a year he was asked to play a WhiteHouse party for President Harry Truman, guested with Lionel Hampton's Orchestra and appeared performing the title song in the 1946 MGM movie "No Leave, No Love". In 1949, he cut his first sides in the company of jazz veterans Leonard Bibbs and Zutty Singleton. His subsequent tours broke box-office records. His appearance at Chicago's Regal Theatre remains the biggest one-week attraction of the theatre's history,beating jazz royalty like Count Basie and Duke Ellington. By 1952, like many child stars, he just vanished from the scene. This is everything he ever made.
Never before released on CD, this is a thirty collection of early jump blues and rock n roll classics. A popular bandleader since the '30's, this collection captures the man at the end of his life but still raring to go with a powerful brass section and risque lyrics supporting him. Features "The Train Kept A Rollin'", a modern rock n roll standard that has been covered by Aerosmith, The Yardbirds, Johnny Burnette and many others. His sleazy blues sound is still embraced today by the Swing Dance halls and Burlesque shows toady.
Twenty eight of the highly influential singer songwriter's original recordings. An essential purchase for any early US folk roots collection. Evocative vocals and sparse instrumentation with effective harmonica, accompany his evocative stories. Featuring: "Slip Knot (Hang Knot)", "Poor Boy", "Wreck Of The Old 97" and "A Picture Form Life's Other Side."
The man they called "Mr Blues" had a hell of a lot to be arrogant about. An ex member of Lucky Millinder's band (plus a dancer, actor and guest singer in his early days) had hit after hit in the late 40's and early '50's which led to an extravagant lifestyle on par with modern day American rap stars. Although rock n roll killed a large chunk of his younger audience, he had a loyal adult fan base that kept is career going strong. He was the proud owner of some of the filthiest songs in R&B music, his brief foray into Leiber & Stoller written rock n roll songs were unsuccessful and he stuck with what he knew best, the adult electric blues. This collection features thirty of his early '50's hits.
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