"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 

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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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...

 

"History Of Rhythm And Blues 1942-1952, The" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 101 Tracks Across 4 CDs including Lucky Millinder, Ella and Buddy Johnson, Dinah Washington, T-Bone Walker, Joe Liggins, Louis Jordan, Amos Milburn, Julia Lee, Nellie Lutcher, Nat King Cole, Arthur Crudup, Johnny Otis, Hank Williams, Wynonie Harris, Roy Brown, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, The Dominoes, The Swallows, The Treniers, Ray Charles, The Clovers, The Five Keys, Lloyd Price, Lowell Fulson, and more (May 2009 UK Rhythm And Blues Records 4CD Card Digibook Box Set – Volume 3 of 4 in a Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night... "

 

Released in May 2009 - this 4CD box set is the 2nd issue in a series of 4 releases from Rhythm And Blues Records - a new label out of the UK specializing in quality issues of R&B music from way, way back.

 

The first set "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1925-1942" on RANDB001 was issued in early 2008 and is reviewed separately. And I'm delighted to say that this set is just as good as the first - and it's also improved presentation-wise in a major way (Volume 3 covers 1952-1957 while Volume 4 continues the story from 1957-1962). This 2nd Box Set is much prettier than the last and in many ways a much more 'fun' listen. Here are the Big Ten Inch details...

 

UK released May 2009 - "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1942-1952" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB0003 (Barcode 5065001126024) breaks down as follows...

 

Disc 1 (72:45 minutes):

"Jumpin' From Harlem To The West Coast"

1. Little John Special - LUCKY MILLINDER and HIS ORCHESTRA (1942, Decca/Brunswick 3406)

2. That's The Stuff You Gotta Watch - ELLA and BUDDY JOHNSON and ORCHESTRA (1945, Decca 8671)

3. Evil Gal Blues - DINAH WASHINGTON with LIONEL HAMPTON SEXTET (1944, Keynote 605)

4. I Wonder - PRIVATE CECIL GANT (1944, Bronze 117, Gilt Edge 501)

5. Driftin' Blues - CHARLES BROWN with JOHNNY MOORE'S THREE BLAZERS (1946, Philo 112)

6. T-Bone Boogie - T-BONE WALKER (1944, Rhumboogie 4002)

7. Boogie Woogie On A Saturday Night - FIVE RED CAPS (1944, Beacon 7133)

8. The Blues Can Jump - THE FOUR BLUES (1945, Deluxe 1004)

9. Be-Baba-Leba - HELEN HUMES (1945, Philo/Aladdin 106)

10. Caldonia Boogie - LOUIS JORDAN (1945, Decca 8670)

11. Milton's Boogie - ROY MILTON and HIS SOLID SENDERS (1946, Jukebox 503)

12. The Honeydripper - JOE LIGGINS (1945, Exclusive 207)

13. Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well - WYNONIE HARRIS with LUCKY MILLANDER and HIS ORCHESTRA (1945, Decca 18674)

14. Strange Things Happening Every Day - SISTER ROSETTA THARPE (1945, Decca 8669)

15. That's The Blues - RUBBERLEGS WILLIAMS (1945, Continental 6013)

16. My Gal's A Jockey - BIG JOE TURNER (1946, National 4002)

17. House Of Blue Lights - ELLA MAE MORSE with FREDDIE SLACK and HIS ORCHESTRA (1946, Capitol 251)

18. Ain't That Just Like A Woman - LOUIS JORDAN (1946, Decca 23669)

19. He's A Real Gone Guy - NELLIE LUTCHER (1947, Capitol 40017)

20. Snatch And Grab It - JULIA LEE (1947, Capitol Americana 40028)

21. Chicken Shack Boogie - AMOS MILBURN (1948, Aladdin 3014)

22. Get Your Kicks On Route 66 - NAT COLE TRIO (1946, Capitol 256)

23. Please Remember Me - WALTER DAVIS (1946, RCA Victor 20-1999)

24. Get The Mop - HENRY `RED" ALLEN (1946, RCA Victor 20-1808)

25. Ooh Pa Pa Dah - BABS' THREE BIPS & A BOP (1947, Blue Note 534)

 

Disc 2 (71:04 minutes):

"Guitar Boogies, Sax Screamers & Gospel Roads"

1. That's Alright Mama - ARTHUR CRUDUP (1946, RCA Victor 20-2205)

2. Baby Please Don't Go - BIG JOE WILLIAMS (1947, Columbia 30099)

3. Midnight In The Barrelhouse - JOHNNY OTIS, HIS DRUMS and HIS ORCHESTRA (1947, Excelsior 536)

4. Louie's Guitar Boogie - LOUIS SPEIGINER (1947, Supreme 1501)

5. Guitar Boogie - ARTHUR SMITH RAMBLER TRIO (1948, Super Disc 1004 & MGM 10293)

6. Move It On Over - HANK WILLIAMS (1947, MGM 10033)

7. Play With Your Poodle - LIGHNIN' HOPKINS (1947, Aladdin 209)

8. Shake That Boogie - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1947, RCA 2056)

9. I Can't Be Satisfied - MUDDY WATERS (1948, Aristocrat 1305)

10. Boogie Chillun - JOHN LEE HOOKER (1949, Modern 627)

11. You Got To Run Me Down - JAZZ GILLUM (1947, RCA 2405)

12. Call It Stormy Monday - T-BONE WALKER (1948, Black And White 142)

13. Blues After Hours - PEE WEE CRAYTON (1948, Modern 624)

14. The Twister - PAUL WILLIAMS (1948, Savoy 665)

15. Deacons Hop - BIG JAY McNEELY (1948, Savoy 685)

16. The Hucklebuck - ROY MILTON (1949, Specialty 328)

17. Landslide - JAMES VON SKEETER (1949, Scoop 9000)

18. Pettin' & Pokin' - LOUIS JORDAN (1948, Decca 24527)

19. After While - BIG THREE (1947, Columbia 30103)

20. Milky White Way - TRUMPETEERS (1948, Score 5001)

21. Rough And Rocky Road - STARS OF HARMONY (1948, Supreme 1511)

22. Friends Let Me Tell You About Jesus - DIXIEAIRES (1949, Exclusive 98)

23. St. Louis Blues - JUBALAIRES (1947, Standard U261)

24. Write Me A Letter - RAVENS (1948, National 9038)

25. It's Too Soon To Know - ORIOLES (1948, Natural 5000)

 

Disc 3 (71:09 minutes):

"Have You Heard The News? There's Good Rockin' Tonight"

1. Good Rockin' Tonight - WYNONIE HARRIS (1947, King 4201)

2. Rock `n' Roll - WILD BILL MOORE (1948, Modern 674)

3. Butcher Pete - ROY BROWN & HIS MIGHTY MEN (1949, Deluxe 3301)

4. Saturday Night Fish Fry - LOUIS JORDAN & HIS TYMPANY FIVE (1949, Decca 24725)

5. Rock Around The Clock - HAL SINGER (1950, Mercury 8196)

6. Rock A While - GOREE CARTER & HIS HEP CATS (1949, Freedom 1506)

7. I'm Gonna Rock - RALPH WILLIS & BROWNIE McGHEE (1949, Abbey 3005)

8. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee - STICK McGHEE & HIS BUDDIES (1949, Atlantic 873)

9. Cool Down Mama - LOST JOHN HUNTER & HIS BLIND BATS (1950, Four Star 1492)

10. Rocket 88 - IKE TURNER & HIS KINGS OF RHYTHM (as JACKIE BRENSTON & HIS DELTA CATS) (1951, Chess 1458)

11. How Many More Years - HOWLIN' WOLF (1951, Chess 1479)

12. Booted - ROSCO GORDON (1951, Chess 1487)

13. Well, Well, Well - TINY BRADSHAW (1950, King 4357)

14. Good Morning Judge - WYNONIE HARRIS (1950, King 4378)

15. My Baby Left Me - ARTHUR `BIG BOY' CRUDUP (1951, Victor 50-0109)

16. Eyesight To The Blind - LARKS (1951, Apollo 427)

17. Dust My Broom - ELMORE JAMES (1952, Trumpet 146)

18. Two Little Girls - JIMMY WITHERSPOON (1952, Federal 12095)

19. Let's Rock Awhile - AMOS MILBURN (1951, Aladdin 3080)

20. Rockin' Chair Mama - LITTLE WILLIE LITTLEFIELD (1950, Modern 729)

21. Pink Champagne - JOE LIGGINS (1950, Specialty 355)

22. Sixty-Minute Man - THE DOMINOES (1951, Federal 12022)

23. Walk Right In - FLUFFY HUNTER & JESSE POWELL (1952, Federal 12056)

24. It Ain't The Meat It's The Motion - THE SWALLOWS (1952, King 4501)

25. Big Ten Inch - BULLMOOSE JACKSON with TINY BRADSHAW'S ORCHESTRA (1952, King 4580)

26. Go, Go, Go - TRENIERS (1951, Okeh 6804)

 

Disc 4 (70:54 minutes):

"Soul Train Mambo - Destination New Orleans"

1. Stone Cold Dead In The Market - ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS JORDAN (1946, Decca 23546)

2. Fat Meat `n' Greens - EDGAR HAYES (1949, Exclusive 78)

3. Country Boy - DAVE BARTHOLOMEW (1950, Deluxe 3223)

4. Mardi Gras In New Orleans - PROFESSOR LONGHAIR & HIS SHUFFLING HUNGARIANS (1950, Talent 808)

5. Bon Ton Roula - CLARENCE GARLOW (1950, Macy's 5002)

6. The Fat Man - FATS DOMINO (1950, Imperial 5058)

7. Stack-A-Lee - ARCHIBALD (1950, Imperial 5068)

8. Lawdy Miss Clawdy - LLOYD PRICE (1952, Specialty 428)

9. Goin' Home - FATS DOMINO (1952, Imperial 5180)

10. Mambo Boogie - JOHNNIE OTIS (1951, Savoy 777)

11. Don't You Want A Man Like Me - B.B. KING (1951, RPM 318)

12. Chick Boo - LLOYD GLENN (1951, Swingtime 254)

13. Don't You Know I Love You So - THE CLOVERS (1951, Atlantic 934)

14. 5-10-15 Hours - RUTH BROWN (1952, Atlantic 962)

15. Hey Little Girl - BILLY WRIGHT (1951, Savoy 810)

16. Mistrustin' Blues - LITTLE ESTHER PHILIPS & MEL WALKER with JOHNNIE IT IS (1950, Savoy 735)

17. Please Send Me Someone To Love - PERCY MAYFIELD (1950, Specialty 375)

18. Everyday I Have The Blues - LOWELL FULSON (1950, Swingtime 196)

19. T-99 Blues - JIMMY NELSON & THE PETER RABBIT TRIO (1951, RPM 325)

20. Chains Of Love - BIG JOE TURNER (1951, Atlantic 939)

21. Too Late Baby - FIVE KEYS (1951, Aladdin 3085)

22. Do Something For Me - THE DOMINOES (1951, Federal 12001)

23. Give Me One More Chance - ROYALES [aka The "5" Royales] (1952, Apollo 434)

24. Misery In My Heart - RAY CHARLES (1953, Swingtime 326)

25. The Lord's Gospel Train - MARY DELOATCH (1952, Regent 1042)

 

There's a paperback-sized outer card wrap, which houses a 3-way fold out clip holder. The 64-page booklet is detached this time and twice the size of the previous set (the 1st box had it attached to the centre inner sleeve and was difficult to use because of it) - so it's detachment is a huge improvement. The booklet is also such an enjoyable read. Duckett (the compiler) gets to spread out on each song - every smartly-chosen entry packed with detailed analysis of each song - when it was recorded, players if known, USA catalogue numbers, chart positions etc. Between the texts are trade adverts, artist publicity photos and small colour pictures of those beautiful and evocative 78" and 7" labels - Imperial Records, Federal, Atlantic, Decca, Savoy, 4 Star, National, Chess and many more. There's even discussion on the transition away from 78's to 45's and the effect Dime Jukeboxes had on sales and demand. If you want a full printed out version, the same detailed text is available from their website in colour.

 

Expertly and lovingly compiled by NICK DUCKETT - it's remastered by CheekyPaul.com and given the vintage of the recordings (1942 to 1952) - the sound quality obviously varies enormously - some are awful, but others are superlative.

 

Like the 1st box - what doesn't vary is the sheer charm of the recordings themselves - the tracks 'flowing' into each other with real precision. There's Blues of course (lyrics above to "Boogie Chillen" by John Lee Hooker title this review - but there's also Rhythm 'n' Blues, Jive, Doo-Wop, Hillbilly and even a little World War II swing. All manner of life is here  - sexy songs, poverty songs, emigration and work songs, music as solace and a liberation, music about drinking and cheating women - and men who are no better, breaking free music, dancing on a Saturday night music - it all weaves a magical listen. We regularly used it in Reckless as a shuffle-play and it had customers coming to the counter time and time again asking - "Who's this?"

 

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...