"History Of Rhythm And Blues 1952-1957, The" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 109 Tracks Across 4 CDs including Little Junior Parker, Elvis Presley, Billy 'The Kid' Emerson, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Sonny Boy Williamson, Ray Charles, Etta James, The Drifters, Muddy Waters, Little Esther, The Moonglows, The Spaniels, Little Willie John, Otis Blackwell, Mahalia Jackson, Lloyd Price, Fats Domino, Slim Harpo, Carl Perkins, Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, Smiley Lewis, Professor Longhair, The Coasters, Rufus Thomas, Little Walter, Ruth Brown, Soul Stirrers, Big Maybelle, Clarence 'Frogman' Henry and more (June 2010 UK Rhythm And Blues Records 4CD Card Digibook Box Set – Volume 3 of 4) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review Along With Over 215 Others Is Available in my

SOUNDS GOOD E-Book on all Amazon sites

"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

Exceptional CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

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 *****

 

"...Baby Let's Play House... "

 

Released in June 2010 - this 4CD box set is the 3rd issue in a series of 4 releases from Rhythm And Blues Records - a new label out of the UK specializing in quality compilations from the golden eras of American race music.

 

The first and second volumes of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1925-1942" and "...1942-1952" were issued in March 2008 (Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB001 – Barcode 5065001126000) and May 2009 respectively (Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB003 (Barcode 5065001126024) and are reviewed separately. They are also 4CD sets – the first with 97 Remastered Tracks and a 32-Page Booklet while the second has 101 Remastered Tracks and a 64-page booklet. Volume 4 covered 1957-1962 (released November 2013 on Rhythm and Blues Records R010 - Barcode 5060331750185) and offered 124 songs and another 64-page booklet. It was received with much industry and punter praise and as recent as 22 October 2021 - Rhythm and Blues Records of the UK have reissued it as a second version in DVD packaging. But to the 4CD Digibook splurge at hand...

 

Volume 3 follows the path of Volume 2 – a huge improvement visually on Volume 1 – and audio-wise - boasting the same good quality remastering. Like Volume 2, Volume 3 is both a fantastic thing to look at and a joyous listen – a properly great combo of clever track-choices and aesthetically pleasing visuals. Each disc is themed, titled and smartly so too (see italics). This set alone encompasses Fifties Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Vocal Groups, Rock & Roll and even Early Soul. Here are the details on the Hoochie Coochie Men and Women that made it happen...

 

UK released June 2010 - "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1952-1957" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB011 (Barcode 5065001126116) is a 4CD Card Digibook compilation (Volume 3 of 4) with a 68-Page Booklet that breaks down as follows:

 

Disc 1 (72:45 minutes):

"Blues In The City – Downhome Southern Blues From Memphis To Chicago"

1. Feelin' Good – LITTLE JUNIOR PARKER (1953, Sun 187)

2. Mystery Train – ELVIS PRESLEY (1955, Sun 223)

3. Red Hot – BILLY 'THE KID' EMERSON (1955, Sun 219)

4. Baby Let's Play House – ARTHUR GUNTER (1954, Excello 2047)

5. Tiger Man – RUFUS THOMAS (1953, Sun 188)

6. Honey Don't – CARL PERKINS (1956, Sun 234)

7. If Lovin' Is Believin' - BILLY 'THE KID' EMERSON (1954, Sun 195)

8. 3 O'Clock Blues – B.B. KING (1951, RPM 339)

9. Sad Hours – LITTLE WALTER & HIS NIGHT CAPS (1952, Checker 764)

10. Evil – HOWLIN' WOLF (1954, Chess 1575)

11. Just Can't Stay – WILLIE NIX (1953, Sabre 104)

12. Five Long Years – EDDIE BOYD (1953, Job 1007)

13. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man – MUDDY WATERS (1954, Chess 1560)
14. Reconsider Baby – LOWELL FULSON (1954, Checker 804)

15. I Don't Know – WILLIE MABON (1952, Parrot 1050)

16. She's Fine, She's Mine – BO DIDDLEY (1955, Checker 819)

17. I Ain't Got You – BILLY BOY ARNOLD (1956, Vee-Jay 171)

18. Dimples – JOHN LEE HOOKER (1956, Vee-Jay 205)

19. Don't Start Me Talkin' – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1955, Checker 824)

20. Pretty Thing – BO DIDDLEY (1955, Checker 827)

21. Smoke Stack Lightning (1956,Chess 1632)

22. Got My Mojo Working – ANN COLE (1957, Baton 237)

23. Walking By Myself – JIMMIE ROGERS (1957, Chess 1643)

24. I Got Love If You Want It – SLIM HARPO (1957, Excello 2113)

25. The Sun Is Shining – JIMMY REED (1957, vee-Jay 248)

26. No More Lonely Nights – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1955, Ace 511)

 

Disc 2 (73:54 minutes):

"Rockin’ The House – The Jukebox's Blowin' A Fuse"

1. K.C. Loving – LITTLE WILLIE LITTLEFIELD (1953, Federal 12110)

2. Easy, Easy Baby – VARETTA DILLARD (1952, Savoy 847)

3. Rock The Joint – BILL HALEY with THE SADDLEMEN (1952, Essex 303)

4. (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean – RUTH BROWN (1953, Atlantic 986)

5. Hound Dog – BIG MAMA THORTON – (1953, Peacock 5-1612)

6. Whole Lotta Shakin' - BIG MAYBELLE (1955, Okeh 7060)

7. Shake, Baby, Shake – CHAMPION JACK DUPREE (1952, Red Robin 112)

8. Shake, Rattle And Roll – BIG JOE TURNER (1954, Atlantic 1026)

9. You Know Yeah – PEE WEE CRAYTON (1955, Imperial 5321)

10. Space Guitar – JOHNNY "GUITAR" WATSON (1954, Federal 12175)

11. Crazy Lover – RICHARD BERRY (1955, Flair 1071)

12. Tipitina – PROFESSOR LONGHAIR & HIS BLUES SCHOLARS (1954, Atlantic 1020)

13. Ain't It A Shame – FATS DOMINO (1955, Imperial 5348)

14. I Hear You Knocking – SMILEY LEWIS (1955, Imperial 5356)

15. I'm Wise – EDDIE BO (1956, Apollo 486)

16. Tutti Frutti – LITTLE RICHARD (1955, Specialty 561)

17. See You Later, Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES (1955, Chess 1609)

18. (Every Time I Hear That) Mellow Saxophone – ROY MONTRELL (1956, Specialty 583)

19. Lucille – LITTLE RICHARD (1957, Specialty 598)

20. Blue Monday – FATS DOMINO (1956, Imperial 5417)

21. Ain't Got No Home – CLARENCE 'Frogman' HENRY (1956, Argo 5259)

22. Maybelline – CHUCK BERRY (1955, Chess 1604)

23. Honky Tonk – BILL DOGGETT (1956, King 4950)

24. I Put A Spell On You – SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS (1956, Okeh 7072)

25. No Good Lover – MICKEY & SYLVIA (1956, Groove 0164)

26. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man – CHUCK BERRY (1956, Chess 1635)

27. Little Bitty Pretty One – BOBBY DAY & THE SATELLITES (1957, Class 211)

28. King Kong – BIG T. TYLER (1957, Aladdin 3384)

29. Susie Q – DALE HAWKINS (1957, Checker 863)

 

Disc 3 (73:03 minutes):

"Street Corner Sounds – Blues Ballads To Vocal Groups"

1. One Mint Julep – THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 963)

2. Have Mercy Baby – THE DOMINOES (1952, Federal 12068)

3. Money Honey – DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 1006)

4. Baby Please – THE MOONGLOWS (1953, Chance 1147)

5. Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash – BIG JOHN & THE BUZZARDS (1954, Okeh 7045)

6. Can't Do Sixty No More – THE DU-DROPPERS (1952, Red Robin 108)

7. Work With Me Annie – THE ROYALS (MIDNIGHTERS) (1954, Federal 12169)

8. Baby Don't Do It – THE "5" ROYALS (1953, Apollo 443)

9. Straight Street – PILGRIM TRAVELLERS (1955, Specialty 877)

10. Ruby Baby – THE DRIFTERS (1956, Atlantic 1089)

11. Play It Cool – THE SPANIELS (1954, Vee-Jay 116)

12. W-P-L-J – FOUR DEUCES (1955, Music City 790)

13. Be Bop Baby – THE PEACHEROOS (1954, Excello 2044)

14. Choo Choo – CARDINALS (1954, Atlantic 1090)

15. Rollin' Stone – THE MARIGOLDS (1955, Excello 2057)

16. Oop Shoop – SHIRLEY GUNTER & "THE QUEENS" (1954, Flair 1050)

17. Hearts Of Stone – THE JEWELS (1954, R and B 1301)

18. Buick 59 – MEDALLIONS (1954, Dootone 347)

19. Mardi Gras Mambo – HAWKETTES (1955, Chess 1591)

20. Nite Owl – TONY ALLEN & THE CHAMPS (1955, Specialty 560)

21. Goodnight My Love – JESSE BELVIN (1956, Modern 1005)

22. The Way You Dog Me – THE DIABLOS (1955, Fortune 518)

23. The Woo Woo Train – THE VALENTINES (1956, Rama 196)

24. Riot In Cell Block No. 9 – THE ROBINS (1954, Spark 103)

25. Down In Mexico – THE COASTERS (1956, Atco 6064)

26. Gee – THE CROWS (1954, Roma 5)

27. Sh-Boom – THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 104)

 

Disc 4 (73:55 minutes):

"This Soul's On Fire – Gospel And Late Night Soulful Blues"

1. Blackjack – RAY CHARLES (1955, Atlantic 1076)

2. Daddy Rollin' Stone – OTIS BLACKWELL (1953, Jay-Dee 784)

3. Need Your Love So Bad – LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (1956, King 4841)

4. W-O-M-A-N – ETTA JAMES (1955, Modern 972)

5. Is It Really You? – NAPPY BROWN (1955, Savoy 1155)

6. Candy – BIG MAYBELLE (1956, Savoy 1195)

7. I'll Drown In My Tears – LULA REED & SONNY THOMPSON (1952, King 4527)

8. One Room Country Shack – MERCY DEE (WALTON) (1952, Specialty 458)

9. After Hour Joint – JIMMY COE and HIS GAY CATS OF RHYTHM (1953, States 118)

10. Night Train – JIMMY FORREST (1952, United 110)

11. Aged And Mellow – LITTLE ESTHER (with Johnnie Otis Orchestra) (1952, Federal 12078)

12. Whiskey And Gin – JOHNNIE RAY (1951, Okeh 6809)

13. Feelin' Sad – GUITAR SLIM (1952, J-B 603)

14. Oh Lord – Stand By Me – ORIGINAL FIVE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA (1953, Specialty 842)

15. It Must Be Jesus – SOUTHERN TONES (1954, Duke 205)

16. I've Got A Woman – RAY CHARLES (1954, Atlantic 1050)

17. Too Close To Heaven – PROFESSOR ALEX BRADFORD and The Bradford Specials (1953, Specialty 852)

18. It Won't Be Very Long – SOUL STIRRERS (1952, Specialty 824)

19. Consider Me – MAHALIA JACKSON (1953, Lloyds 103)

20. When I'm All Alone – SOLOMON BURKE (1955, Apollo 485)

21. Soul On Fire – LaVERN BAKER (1953, Atlantic 1004)

22. Don't Cry Baby – LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT (1955, Savoy 1163)

23. Pledging My Love – JOHNNY ACE (Johnnie Otis Orchestra) (1955, Duke 136)

24. Fever – LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (1956, King 4935)

25. Just Because – LLOYD PRICE (1957, ABC-Paramount 9792)

26. Hallelujah I Love Her So – RAY CHARLES (1956, Atlantic 1096)

27. Please, Please, Please – JAMES BROWN with The Famous Flames (1956, Federal 12258)

 

Like Volume 2 – there's a three-way foldout card folder with two plastic clip-trays on the inner flaps – but Volume 3 ups the game on the presentation front over the equally lovely Volume 2. First thing you notice are the repro-posters from the period plastered all over the inner flaps – and in colour too. With names like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Louis Jordan, Howlin' Wolf, Ray Charles, LaVern Baker and Fats Domino – as you can imagine they're visually wonderful and so evocative of the excitement of the Fifties and its dynamite musical landscape. 

 

The 66-page detached booklet is gorgeous to look at too with Nick Duckett (the compiler) spreading out on each entry - every smartly-chosen tune packed with detailed analysis - when it was recorded, players if known, USA catalogue numbers, chart positions etc. Between the prettily placed texts are trade adverts, artist publicity photos and small colour pictures of those beautiful and evocative 78" and 7" labels – Checker, Federal, Atlantic, Chance, Vee-Jay, Excello, King, Argo, Robin, Imperial, Rama, Okeh, Savoy, Essex, Specialty, Chess and many more. There's even paragraphs of fill-in discussion on each themed CD before the Disc entries begin – care and effort went into this - it's superbly done. If you want a full printed out version, the same detailed text is available from their website in colour. And expertly and lovingly compiled by NICK DUCKETT – Volume 3 is one again remastered by CheekyPaul.com with uniformly great sound throughout.

 

For long-time collectors there is of course the problem of duplication – especially when it comes to the Chess and Atlantic entries. But even for a voracious fan like me there's those fabulous tunes inbetween the cracks like "Aged And Mellow" by Little Esther and "Easy, Easy Baby" by Varetta Dillard – cool and sexy R 'n' B tunes I've wanted to own for ages. For those new to the genre – Volume 3 is a brilliant and affordable introduction to the genre – chockers with classics you'd heard in adverts, films and hip radio shows. There's even a 23 x 33-inch wall poster on sale via the Website (and Box Set) of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1900-1964" that is in itself a peach of a thing to look at.

 

Just chuck on Disc 2 and start with Little Willie Littlefield telling us of his love for Kansas City – joyous stuff. Shame that the Ruth Brown track is awful sounding, but no such problem with Big Mama Thornton or Big Maybelle giving it versions that Rock & Rollers Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis would smelt into a revolution - "Hound Dog" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On". You can hear the salaciousness in "Shake, Baby, Shake" as Champion Jack Dupree promises his baby a diamond ring if she would only shake those moneymakers. And what person can resist the joy of Big Joe Turner on Atlantic – his gal wearing those dresses with the sun shining through – the Devil in Nylon Hose (the harder he works, the faster his money goes). Discoveries too - "You Know Yeah" by Pee Wee Crayton being a cool shuffler that most will not know (dig that fantastic guitar solo – first Fender Strat). Speaking of crazy-string-bending – Johnny "Guitar" Watson does just that on the fantastic instrumental stomper "Space Guitar" where he goes all Jimmy Page on his axe – unbelievably ahead of his time. And it goes like that...

 

Retailing at just under twenty-three pounds from some online retailers - this box set of 101 remastered hits and obscurities - is both revelatory and great value for money. And it's music you'll find yourself loving and wanting more of. Like its predecessor - Volume Two of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues" is another 4CD Box Set corker and comes recommended the most...