"The Singles Volume 9: 1973-1975" by JAMES BROWN [featuring Fred Wesley, The JB's and Lyn Collins] (2010 US Hip-O Select 2CD Anthology - Seth Foster Remasters) - No. 9 in a Series of 11 - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…I've Got A Mighty Good Thing…I Ain't Gonna Give It Up…"

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I've been diligently collecting this series of 2CD sets since they started in 2006 and this 9th installment is the fourth 2CD set to cover his extraordinary 'Seventies' output (Volumes 6, 7 and 8 feature 1970 to 1973) - and if you ever required categorical proof of the Godlike genius of James Brown and his fantastically funky backing band The JB's - then these beautifully presented compilations are it. But to the details first...

All tracks are credited to JAMES BROWN except where noted and the pairing of numbers below are the A & B-sides of US 7" singles.

Released 21 September 2010 in the USA (July 2010 from Hip-O's own site) but delayed to 4 October 2010 in the UK - "The Singles Volume 9: 1973-1975" by JAMES BROWN on Hip-O Select/Polydor B0014259-02 (Barcode 602527380209) is a 2CD Set of Remasters and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (74:55 minutes):

1. Let It Be Me

2. It's All Right (1 and 2 are Polydor PD 14199, scheduled for release late 1973 but withdrawn)

3. You Can't Beat Two People In Love (Part 1)

4. You Can't Beat Two People In Love (Part 2) (3 and 4 are People PE 629, scheduled for release late 1973 but withdrawn - credited to JAMES BROWN and LYN COLLINS. 3 was finally released as 'Part 2' of People PE 630 in October 1973 - the 'B-side' to "We Want To Parrty, Parrty, Parrty - Part 1" - credited to LYN COLLINS (THE FEMALE PREACHER)

5. I Got A Good Thing (And I Ain't Gonna Let It Go) - Part 1

6. I Got A Good Thing (And I Ain't Gonna Let It Go) - Part 2 (5 and 6 are Polydor PD 14206, scheduled for release late 1973 but withdrawn. 5 and 6 are an early version of "Stoned To The Bone" - see 7 and 8)

7. Stoned To The Bone - Part 1

8. Stoned To The Bone (Some More) (7 and 8 are Polydor PD 14210, released November 1973. The UK and European counterparts of the B-side on Polydor 2066 400 use versions that are about a minute shorter - 8 here is the full US version. Also some US copies titled it "Stone To The Bone" rather than "Stoned To The Bone...")

9. Same Beat - Part 1

10. Same Beat - Part 2 & 3 (9 and 10 are People PE 632, released January 1974 and credited to FRED WESLEY & THE J.B.'S. 9 samples parts of Jesse Jackson's famous "I Am Somebody" speech)

11. The Payback - Part 1

12. The Payback - Part II (11 and 12 are Polydor PD 14223, released February 1974 - 11 and 12 are the stock copy 'with' the vocals of New York DJ, Hank Spann)

13. The Payback - Part I (DJ promo version)    

14. The Payback - Part II (DJ promo version) (13 and 14 are Polydor PD 14223-DJRE, released March 1974 - 13 and 14 are the demo copies 'without' the Hank Spann vocal)

15. Damn Right I Am Somebody - Part I

16. Damn Right I Am Somebody (Last Part That Went Over The Fence) (15 and 16 are People PE 638, released May 1974 - credited to FRED WESLEY & THE J.B.'S)

17. My Thang

18. People Get Up And Drive Your Funky Soul (17 and 18 are Polydor PD 14244, released June 1974. The B-side to 17 was "Public Enemy, Number 1" is the USA which is on Volume 8, however, Polydor 2066-484 released July 1974 in Italy and Germany had 18 as its B-side - which is what is included here)

19. Rock Me Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again (6 Times) (19 is the stock copy issue of People PE 641, released June 1974 - known as the 'short version' at 2:32 minutes)

20. Rock Me Again & Again & Again & Again & Again & Again (6 Times) (20 is the DJ promo issue on People PE 641-DJ, released July 1974 - it has an extra minute of playing time)

Disc 2 (70:46 minutes):

1. Control (People Go Where We Send You Part I)

2. Control (People Go Where We Send You Part II) (1 and 2 are Polydor PD 14250, released July 1974 credited to THE FIRST FAMILY (The Godfather-J.B.'s-Lyn Collins-Lee Austin-Maceo))

3. Papa Don't Take No Mess Part I

4. Papa Don't Take No Mess Part II (3 and 4 are Polydor PD 14255, released August 1974)

5. Funky President (People It's Bad)

6. Coldblooded (5 and 6 are Polydor PD 14258, released October 1974)

7. Reality

8. I Need Your Love So Bad (7 and 8 are Polydor PD 14268, released February 1975)

9. Sex Machine Part I

10. Sex Machine Part II (9 and 10 are Polydor PD 14270, released April 1975)

11. Thank You For Lettin' Me Be Myself, And You Be Yours (Part I)

12. Thank You For Lettin' Me Be Myself, And You Be Yours (Part II) (11 and 12 are Polydor PD 14273, scheduled for release summer 1975 but withdrawn - credited as by JAMES BROWN & The J.B.'s. It was then scheduled for release as People PE 654 for autumn 1975 but also withdrawn [credited as by FRED & THE NEW J.B.'S]. Both Part 1 and 2 were finally issued as People PE 660 in October 1975. Also - 11-only (Part 1) was released on People PE 663 in January1976 [credited as by THE J.B.'S] as the B-side to "All Aboard The Soul Funky Train")

13. Dead On It-Part I

14. Dead On It-Part II (13 and 14 are Polydor PD 14279, scheduled for May 1975 release but withdrawn; eventually released as Polydor PD 14281 in June 1975)

15. Hustle!!! (Dead On It) (15 is Polydor PD 14281, A-side, released June 1975)

Like Volume 8, the 28-page booklet by noted JB expert and former tour manager ALAN LEEDS and is a joy to look at - a hugely informative read that's packed to the gills with track histories, concert posters, trade adverts, magazine covers and a thoroughly detailed recording Sessionography. The inlay beneath the see-through CD tray has an advert for "The Payback", there's varying memorabilia on display in the booklet from long-time collector Mathieu Bitton - it's exceptionally well done...

And again, as in previous issues, the first-generation master tapes for the single mixes have been transferred by SETH FOSTER - and he's done a truly superlative job - warm, clear and fabulously alive. There is hiss on some cuts like "Dead On It", but mostly the music jumps out of the speakers at you - gorgeous sound. The word "Limited Edition" is embossed in gold lettering on the rear inlay (it's a limited edition of 5000 copies worldwide).

Disc 1 opens with an ill-advised cover of The Everly Brothers "Let It Be Me" done in a truly-awful Salsa style; it's marginally rescued by its B-side - an easy-soul cover of The Impressions song "It's All Right" (written by Curtis Mayfield). Although credited only to Lyn Collins, "You Can't Beat Two People In Love" is a duet with JB and is superb. Then comes a genuine thrill - "I Got A Good Thing (And I Ain't Gonna Let It Go)" was the withdrawn precursor to "Stoned To The Bone" with similar words but a more slowed down funky backbeat. JB's decision to go with the released version was right. Still, it's fascinating to hear this early version (lyrics above) and there's even a rare Test Pressing of it pictured on Page 5. A clever inclusion is the DJ Promo versions of "The Payback" because it removes the overdub of DJ Hank Spann that's on the stock copies. And the fantastic "Same Beat - Part 1" samples Jesse Jackson's famous "I Am Somebody" poem which he aired on the US TV program "Sesame Street" 2 years earlier to inspire young blacks.  "My Thang" is superlative funk with Brown's ridiculously tight band giving it their all. I also love the Lyn Collins tracks - such great vocals and feel...

Although there's good tracks on Disc 2 ("Control" and "Funky President"), there's a lot on here that aren't - half-baked ideas reaching for funky Nirvana and not getting there. On the plus side is Part 2 of "Papa Don't Take No Mess..." - a largely piano-driven funk B-side that for me is worth the price of admission alone - it's fantastic. There's also a surprisingly tender cover version of Little Willie John's "I Need Your Love So Bad". But the remake of "Sex Machine" is unnecessary - and both "Thank You..." and "Dead On It" fail to spark anything. By the time you get to the 'appealing to the disco audience' crud of "Hustle..." you know JB was running on empty... 

Niggles - there were 4 other JB 45s in 1975 on Polydor, yet they're not on here despite they're being plenty of playing time left over on both CDs - no doubt being lined up for Volume 10. And while it's the nature of singles to cut down the playing time to suit radio airplay, I prefer the extended album versions on "Hell" and "The Payback".

To sum up - I'd admit that after the sheer blasting brilliance of Volumes 7 and 8, Volume 9 comes as a slight disappointment (especially on Disc 2). But if you really want to know why he got the title "The Godfather of Soul" in the first place - and especially why funk fans dig him so much - then buy this superbly featured reissue and concentrate only on the good stuff. It's so worth it. The only problem is that once acquired - you'll want all the previous numbers too.

A genius baby - he really was. And what a loss to music...

"All Night Boogie: The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups Vol.Two" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (1996 US Rhino/Collectors' Choice Music 2CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…It's The All Night Boogie…That's What I'm Talkin' 'Bout…"

Both this and its preceding 2CD partner from 1995 "Don’t It Sound Good - The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups (Vol. One)" are now deleted and have over the years become expensive rarities in themselves. 

But for vocal group collectors and lovers of the magical Atlantic label, they contain tracks you simply can't get anywhere else. Here are the details...

US released 1996 - "All Night Boogie: The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups Vol. Two" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Collectors' Choice Music R2 7209 (No Barcode) is a 2CD set spanning 1951 to 1963 (with Eight Unreleased) that breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (69:48 minutes):

1. All Night Boogie – THE CLOVERS [Previously Unreleased, Recorded July 1951]

2. I’ll Always Love You – THE CARDINALS (November 1951, Atlantic 952)

3. For Awhile – THE CARDINALS [Previously Unreleased, Recorded January 1953]

4. Yes It’s You – THE CLOVERS (May 1953, Atlantic 989)

5. You Are My Only Love – THE CARDINALS (May 1953, Atlantic 995)

6. Gone – CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS (Previously Unreleased First Version)

7. Here Goes A Fool – THE CLOVERS June 1953, Atlantic 1000)

8. Two Loves Have I – THE DIAMONDS (August 1953, Atlantic 1003, B-side)

9. I’ll Live Again – THE DIAMONDS (August 1953, Atlantic 1003, A-side)

10. Let The Boogie Woogie Roll - CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS [Previously Unreleased, 2nd Version]

11. Cherry – THE DIAMONDS (December 1953, Atlantic 1017)

12. Cross Over The Bridge – THE CHORDS ((June 1954, Cat 104, B-side of “Sh-Boom” which is on Vol.1)

13. Rock, Moan & Cry – THE PLAYBOYS (August 1954, Cat 108, B-side of “Tell Me” which is on Vol.1 - see also PPS below)

14. Good Golly Miss Molly – THE PLAYBOYS [Previously Unreleased, Alternate Take – see also PPS below re The Cues]

15. Bless You – THE CHORDS (September 1954, Cat 109)

16. Freddie - CARMEN TAYLOR & BOLEROS (September 1954, Atlantic 1041, A-side. Its B-side "Ooh I" is on Vol.1. See also PPS below)

17. If Teardrops Were Kisses – THE ROBINS (February 1955, Spark 110)

18. Walk That Walk – THE SHEIKS (March 1955, Cat 116)

19. Pretty Wild – THE SH-BOOMS (The Chords Under Another Name) (October 1955, Cat 117)

20. Heartbeat - THE SH-BOOMS (The Chords Under Another Name) [Previously Unreleased, Recorded February 1955]

21. Here Goes My Heart To You – THE CARDINALS (December 1955, Atlantic 1079)

22. Don’t Leave Me Fannie – THE ROYAL JOKERS (January 1956, Atco 6062)

23. Come On Home – THE PEARLS (April 1956, Atco 6066)

24.Ain’t She Sweet – THE SENSATIONS (March 1956, Atco 6067) 

25. Your Promise To Be Mine – THE DRIFTERS (February 1956, Atlantic 1089)

Disc 2 (63:37 minutes):

1. Offshore – THE CARDINALS (March 1956, Atlantic 1090)

2. My Heart Cries For You – THE SENSATIONS (August 1956, Atco 6075)

3. I Knew I’d Fall In Love – THE PENGUINS (March 1957, Atlantic 1132)

4. My Only Desire – THE FLYERS (March 1957, Atco 6088)

5. You Made Me Love You – THE SENSATIONS (April 1957, Atco 6090)

6. Fine, Fine Baby – THE ROMEOS (1st released as a 7” single in the Fall of 1957 on Fox Records 846, then re-released in December 1957 on Atco 6107, B-side)

7. Moments To Remember You By – THE ROMEOS (as per 6, A-side)

8. Yakety Yak – THE COASTERS [Previously Unreleased Stereo Remix of the 7” single version]

9. Remember The Night – THE DEL-LARKS (June 1958, East West 116)

10. Drip Drop – THE DRIFTERS (Alternate Take 1st released on the 1964 LP “Our Biggest Hits”)

11. Um Bow Bow – THE BOBBETTES (July 1958, Atlantic 1194)

12. Crying – THE VERSATILES (October 1958, Atlantic 2004, B-side to “Crying” – see 13)

13. Passing By – THE VERSATILES (as per 12, A-side)

14. Charlie Brown – THE COASTERS [Previously Unreleased Stereo Remix of the 7” single version]

15. Don’t Say Goodnight – THE BOBBETTES (May 1959, Atlantic 2027) 

16. I Shot Mr. Lee – THE BOBBETTES (April 1960, Atlantic 2069)

[This is the 1st Version – a second version was released in June 1960 on Triple-X 104]

17. In The Chapel In The Moonlight – BILLY STORM (September 1960, Atlantic 2076, Produced by Phil Spector, as are 18 and 19)

18. Dear One – BILLY STORM (March 1961, Atlantic 2098)

19. A Kiss From Your Lips – BILLY STORM (July 1961, Atlantic 2112)

20.Twist & Shout – THE TOP NOTES (September 1961, Atlantic 2115) 

21. I Do Love You – TEX & THE CHEX (September 1961, Atlantic 2116)

22. She Never Talked To Me That Way – THE DRIFTERS (featuring Ben E. King) [Previously Unreleased, Recorded October 1961]

23. Storm Weather – THE FOUR CASTS (April 1964, Atlantic 2211)

24. Since I Feel For You – THE SKYLINERS (June 1963, Atco 6270)

25. Let’s Be Lovers – THE STARGLOWS (June 1963, Atco 6272)

The 12-page booklet has detailed and informative liner-notes by PETER GRENDYSA on each of the acts with a few pages of musician credits (where known). Grendysa did the superlative liner notes for the 1994 "Chess Rhythm & Roll" 4CD Box Set and the Louis Jordan "Let The Good Times Roll" 8CD Box Set on Bear Family (see separate reviews). 

BOB HYDE compiled it (has a short introduction in the booklet of Volume 1) with Tape research and digital remastering by WALTER DeVENNE (along with Bill Inglot, he has handled large swaths of the Atlantic catalogue for Rhino). Like the first Volume, the sound quality varies - superlative one moment ("All Night Boogie" by The Clovers - lyrics above), hissy and crackly the next ("Bless You" by The Chords). But overall, most tracks are very, very good given the vintage and limited sources. The only other place I've heard them sound 'better' is on the award-winning Bear Family "Blowing The Fuse" Series of CD compilations from 1945 to 1960 (I've reviewed all 16 - for tracks relevant to this set - see 1951 through to 1958). 

The first 2CD set had only 4 previously unreleased songs out of 50, but likewise, the 8 on this second lot of 50 are shockingly good too. "Gone" by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters is a more ‘weepy’ 1st Version (a later take is the master for the single on Atlantic 1055) and there’s even studio chatter and a false start for “Let The Boogie Woogie Roll” – both will be genuine blasts for lovers of this extraordinary vocalist. The Playboys “Good Golly Miss Molly” was recorded December 1954 (not a Little Richard cover) and is as infectious as Atlantic Rhythm & Blues gets. 

And the rare Doo Wop groups are a revelation too - The Cardinals, The Pearls and the obscure slightly Latin rhythms of The Romeos. Phil Spector fans will appreciate the Billy Storm trio of tracks, while Coasters fans will eat up “Yakety Yak” newly remixed into STEREO! Downsides – I would have liked the proper single version of “Good Golly Miss Molly” and the inclusion of its B-side “Honey Bun” by The Playboys because I collect anything The Cues sang back-up on (Atlantic’s resident vocal group)…but you can’t have everything.

To sum up - yes it's expensive for sure, but if you're a vocal group fan or a junkie for the truly extraordinary Atlantic label - then "All Night Boogie" is a must own - recommended big time...

PS: see also a separate review for Volume 1 - "Don’t It Sound Good: The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups (Volume 1)"

PPS: fans of Atlantic's uncredited backing vocal group THE CUES should note that they are featured on Disc 1 on Tracks 13, 14 and 16. They are also on 3 Tracks on Vol.1

"Don't It Sound Good: The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (1995 US Rhino/Collectors' Choice Music 2CD Set of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...One Mint Julep Was The Cause Of It All..."

Both this and its 2CD partner "All Night Boogie - The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups Vol. Two" are now deleted and have over the years become expensive rarities in themselves. 

But for vocal group collectors and lovers of the magical Atlantic label, they contain tracks you simply can't get anywhere else. Here are the details...

US released 1995 - "Don't It Sound Good: The Great Atlantic Vocal Groups" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhino/Collectors' Choice Music R2 7160 (No Barcode) is a 50-Track 2CD Set of Remasters spanning 1951 to 1963 and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (72:32 minutes):

1. Don't It Sound Good - BILLY MASHBURN (October 1963, Atlantic 2208)

2. Skylark - THE CLOVERS (March 1951, Atlantic 934, B-side)

3. Don't You Know I Love You - THE CLOVERS (March 1951, Atlantic 934, A-side)

4. Shouldn't I Know - THE CARDINALS (May 1951, Atlantic 938)

5. Needless - THE CLOVERS (August 1951, Atlantic 944, B-side)

6. Fool, Fool, Fool - THE CLOVERS (August 1951, Atlantic 944, A-side)

7. Wheel Of Fortune - THE CARDINALS (January 1952, Atlantic 958)

8. One Mint Julep - THE CLOVERS (March 1952, Atlantic 963)

9. I Played The Fool - THE CLOVERS (October 1952, Atlantic 977)

10. A Beggar For Your Kisses - THE DIAMONDS (December 1952, Atlantic 981, A-side)

11. Call Baby Call - THE DIAMONDS (December 1952, Atlantic 981, B-side)

12. Lovey Darling - THE CARDINALS (May 1953, Atlantic 995)

13. Money Honey - CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS (September 1953, Atlantic 1006)

14. Lucille - CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS (January 1954, Atlantic 1019)

15. Romance In The Dark - THE DIAMONDS (December 1953, Atlantic 1017)

16. Such A Night - CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS (January 1954, Atlantic 1019)

17. Don't Dog Me [Alternate Take, Previously Unreleased] - CLYDE McPHATTER & THE DRIFTERS 

(The original 7" single version was issued December 1959 on Atlantic 2049)

18. Little Mama - THE CLOVERS (February 1954, Atlantic 1022)

19. Under A Blanket Of Blue - THE CARDINALS (April 1954, Atlantic 1025)

20. Money Love - CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS (May 1954, Atlantic 1029)

21. Sh-Boom - THE CHORDS (June 1954, Cat 104)

22. Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash - THE CLOVERS 

[An Alternate Take that first appeared on 1971's "Their Greatest Recordings" - the original single version was released June 1954 on Atlantic 1035)

23. Tell Me - THE PLAYBOYS (August 1954, Cat 108, see PPS below)

24. Love, Oh Love - THE CHORDS [Previously Unreleased, Recorded February 1955] 

25. Bip Bam - CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS (October 1954, Atlantic 1043)

Disc 2 (65:17 minutes):

1. Blue Velvet - THE CLOVERS (December 1954, Atlantic 1052)

2. My Buddie Stole My Chippie - THE PLAYBOYS [Previously Unreleased, Recorded December 1954, see PPS below]

3. The Door Is Still Open - THE CARDINALS (March 1955, Atlantic 1054)

4. Ooh I - CARMEN TAYLOR & BOLEROS (September 1954, Atlantic 1041, B-side of "Freddie" which is on Vol.2. See PPS below)

5. What'cha Gonna Do - CLYDE McPHATTER And THE DRIFTERS (February 1955, Atlantic 1055)

6. Got The Water Boiling - THE REGALS (April 1955, Atlantic 1062)

7. Come Back My Love - THE CARDINALS (June 1955, Atlantic 1067)

8. Shadows Of Love - THE PEARLS (October 1955, Atco 6057)

9. You Tickle My Heart - THE ROYAL JOKERS (September 1955, Atco 6052)

10. Adorable - THE DRIFTERS (October 1955, Atlantic 1078)

[Features Clyde McPhatter on Vocals]

11. Smokey Joe's Café - THE ROBINS (October 1955, Atco 6059)

12. Yes Sir, That's My Baby - THE SENSATIONS (December 1955, Atco 6056)

13. Hey Doll Baby - THE CLOVERS (January 1956, Atlantic 1083, B-side)

14. Devil Or Angel - THE CLOVERS (January 1956, Atlantic 1083, A-side)

15. Bells Of Love - THE PEARLS (April 1956, Atco 6066)

16. Ruby Baby - THE DRIFTERS (March 1956, Atlantic 1089)

17. Please Mr. Disc Jockey - THE SENSATIONS (March 1956, Atco 6067)

18. Happy And Gay - THE CASTELLES (May 1956, Atco 6069)

19. She's Mine, All Mine - THE ROYAL JOKERS (September 1956, Atco 6077)

20. On Bended Knee - THE FLYERS (March 1957, Atco 6088)

21. Pledge Of Love - THE PENGUINS (March 1957, Atlantic 1132)

22. The Girl I Love - THE GLOWTONES (September 1957, Atlantic 1156, DJ Copies only - Re-released on East West 101 in December 1957)

23. Zing! Went The Strings - THE COASTERS (April 1958, Atco 6116)

[Newly Remixed & First Time in STEREO]

24. The Dream - THE BOBBETTES (July 1958, Atlantic 1194)

25. Castle Of Love - THE RAIDERS (September 1958, Atco 6125)

The 12-page booklet has detailed and informative liner-notes by PETER GRENDYSA on each of the acts with a few pages of musician credits (where known). Grendysa did the superlative liner notes for the 1994 "Chess Rhythm & Roll" 4CD Box Set and the Louis Jordan "Let The Good Times Roll" 8CD Box Set on Bear Family (see separate reviews). 

BOB HYDE compiled it (has a short introduction in the booklet) with Tape research and digital remastering by WALTER DeVENNE (along with Bill Inglot, he has handled large swaths of the Atlantic catalogue for Rhino). The sound quality varies wildly - superlative one moment ("Shouldn't I Know" by The Cardinals - lyrics above), hissy and crackly the next ("Needless" by The Clovers). But overall, most tracks are very, very good given the vintage and limited sources. The only other place I've heard them sound 'better' is on the award-winning Bear Family "Blowing The Fuse" Series of CD compilations from 1945 to 1960 (I've reviewed all 16 - for tracks relevant to this set - see 1951 through to 1958). 

Four previously unreleased songs out of 50 is hardly a major haul, but long-time Atlantic fans will know that with talk of a fire destroying many precious original tapes back in the murky mists of time, any new material on this label is little short of a miracle. It turns out that they were Acetates found in the Atlantic vaults in Manhattan - then digitally transferred as best as possible - and appear here for the first time. "Don't Dog Me" by Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters is an Alternate Take and will be a genuine blast for lovers of this extraordinary vocalist. Even better frankly is "Love, Oh Love" by The Chords - a truly brill bit of Atlantic Rhythm & Blues. 

There's great R'n'B dancers on here too - "Got The Water Boiling" by The Regals, "Come Back My Love" by The Cardinals and "You Tickle Me Baby" by The Royal Jokers. And the rare Doo Wop groups are a revelation too - The Pearls (with the stunning McPhatter type vocals of Howard Guyton on lead), The Sensations and a rare Atlantic outing for The Penguins. Mostly it's just a thrill to hear these songs and artists in the one place, because you simply don't see them surface on any other compilation. 

To sum up - yes it's expensive for sure, but if you're a vocal group fan or a junkie for the truly extraordinary Atlantic label - then "Don't It Sound Good" is a must own - recommended big time...

PS: see also a separate review for Volume 2 - "All Night Boogie"

PPS: fans of Atlantic's uncredited backing vocal group THE CUES should note that they are featured on Disc 1, Track 23 and Disc 2, Tracks 2 and 4. They are also on Vol.2

“Blowing The Fuse – 28 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1951” by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review Of The Award-Winning 2005 Bear Family CD Compilation

"…I’m Looking For A Chick That Only Drinks Lemonade…I’m Tired Of Being Broke The Day After I Get Paid..."

The "Blowing The Fuse" series of CD compilations stretches across 16 volumes from 1945 to 1960 and was then followed by Bear Family's equally magnificent "Sweet Soul Music" series of 10 sets from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed all 10 of those in detail). Having been drawn in by the truly beautiful sound quality and presentation of the 'Soul' discs, I knew it would be a big blow to my bank balance buying even one of these R&B issues - and it was! But I've laboured with all of these time-consuming detailed reviews because these reissues are the business...they really are.

"Blowing The Fuse - 28 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1951" is on Bear Family BCD 16706 AS and was released April 2005 in Germany. Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures an original record relevant to the year (1951 has "Little Red Rooster" by Margie Day on Dot), the centre flap holds a 70 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 10 "Sweet Soul Music" compilations, each of the 16 R&B spines makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a fantastic black & white shot of a crowd of hip dudes and their gals dancing at some Saturday night bar). As you can see from the cover photos of these compilations too, the theme of people dancing and artists enjoying themselves is repeated right across all of these wonderfully restored photographs (they're from The Showtime Music Archive in Toronto). This 1951 issue has 72-pages in its booklet and the CD runs to a healthy 78:24 minutes.

Compiler Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. The compilation begins in January and in rough chronological order ends in December. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Rocket “88”" by Jackie Brenston and "I’m In The Mood" by John Lee Hooker are all sorted out by the next big plus...the massively improved sound…

THE SOUND and TRACK CHOICES:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (or the best disc available) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - and given their age and wildly varying sources, the sound is uniformly GLORIOUS.

Six years after the Second World War, America wanted to rock - so it's not surprising that so many songs in 1951 were about drink, sex and partying (with an occasional nod towards their consequences in between). The proceedings open with a superlative double-whammy – “Bad, Bad Whiskey” by Amos Milburn and “Little Joe’s Boogie” by Joe Liggins – both with stunning sound and infectious dancefloor rhythms. Dark-edged blues then follow in the “…long distance” moaner “Telephone Blues” by Floyd Dixon and the lingering chill of “…my brother’s in Korea…” on “Black Night” by Charles Brown. Then it’s back to more boozy tunes like “Bloodshot Eyes” by Wynonie Harris - whose style and voice Louis Prima mimicked almost phrase for phrase 5 years later on his Capitol debut album - while Louis Jordan’s wonderfully catty “Lemonade” has a very funny monetary take on the demon-drink (lyrics above).

Genius choices - "Chica Boo" is an instrumental rumba shuffle beautifully arranged and played by one of the periods great unsung-heroes – Lloyd Glenn (the 78” is also pictured on Page 40), while the brass on “I’m Just Waiting For You” by Lucky Millender is likely to blow your speakers out - so powerful, so clear. “I Got Loaded” by Peppermint Harris on Aladdin is probably one of the best celebrations of getting drunk ever - it was later covered by The Cadets with the stunning bass vocals of Will “Dub” Jones on lead.

Criminally forgotten gems go to "Sixty-Minute Man" by The Dominoes, which not only dominated almost half of the year it was such a huge hit – but some say is one of the most important records ever made because it was ‘the’ crossover song for black music into the white charts. With Bill Brown heading up the deep bass vocals and Clyde McPhatter on background operatic yelps, it also used the words “rock” and “roll” together in the same song (The Boswell Sisters used the combo of words in 1934, but The Dominoes track is the one most associated with the pairing). Somehow sensing its importance, the 78” is pictured in its Federal bag on Page 33.

Vocal Group collectors and Blues enthusiasts will flip for the sound quality on “The Glory Of Love” by The Five Keys and “I’m In The Mood” by John Lee Hooker – clarity on both like I’ve never heard before. My only slight disappointment is that excepting Margie Day, 'women' singers are entirely absent from 1951 (unlike 1952 onwards).

THE BOOKLET:
Although slightly different in layout, like the "Sweet Soul Music" series, the booklet is to die for. The Treniers grace Page 3 (and the front sleeve), there’s an intro on Page 4 with the text for the songs beginning on Page 5 and ending on Page 70, so there's almost no wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, and every now and then, a beautiful full colour plate of lesser-seen singles and their label bag graces an entire page ("I Got Loaded" by Peppermint Harris on Aladdin and "Fool, Fool, Fool” by The Clovers on Atlantic are on Pages 49 and 66). Each song then has an essay on its history by noted writer COLIN ESCOTT with knowledgeable contributions from BILL MILLAR, DAVE BOOTH, Marv Goldberg's online R&B site, Robert L. Campbell, Red Saunders Research Project, Larry Cohn, Walter DeVenne and Bernd Matheja (disc pictures supplied by John Tefteller and Victor Pearlin). And because the booklet allows Escott to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - like Dahl's work on "Sweet Soul Music" - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

To sum up - even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these compilations (no matter what the date) - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of R&B Music for a given year - "1951" is 'the' place to start.

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Blowin The Fuse" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to. Well done to all involved...

Track List for the CD "Blowing The Fuse 1951"
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 78"/7" Single Follow The Title. If There's TWO Catalogue Numbers, The First Is The Original; The 2nd Is The Reissue In That Year)

1. Bad, Bad Whiskey – AMOS MILBURN and his Aladdin Chickenshackers (Aladdin 3068)
2. Little Joe’s Boogie – JOE LIGGINS and his Honeydrippers (Specialty 379)
3. Telephone Blues – FLOYD DIXON with Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers featuring Oscar Moore (Aladdin 3075)
4. Rockin’ With Red – PIANO RED (RCA 22/50-0099)
5. Lemonade – LOUIS JORDAN and his Tympany Five (Decca 27324)
[Featuring Bill David on Organ]
6. I Will Wait – THE FOUR BUDDIES (Savoy 769)
7. Rockin’ Blues – THE JOHNNY OTIS ORCHESTRA with Mel Walker (Savoy 766)
8. Little Red Rooster – MARGIE DAY with the Griffin Brothers’ Orchestra (Dot 1019)
9. Black Night – CHARLES BROWN and his Band (Aladdin 3076)
10. I’m Waiting Just For You – LUCKY MILLINDER and his Orchestra, Vocal by Annisteen Allen and John Carol (King 4453)
11. Rocket “88” – JACKIE BRENSTON and his Delta Cats (Chess 1458)
12. Long Distance Call – MUDDY WATERS and his Guitar (Chess 1452)
13. Sixty-Minute Man – THE DOMINOES (Federal 12022)
[Featuring Bill Brown on Lead Vocals, Clyde McPhatter on Backing Vocals]
14. Tend To Your Business – JAMES WAYNE (Sittin’ In 588)
15. Chains Of Love – JOE TURNER with Vann “Piano Man” Walls and his Orchestra (Atlantic 939)
[On this 78” ‘Van’ is spelt with two n’s’ in error; on all subsequent issues it’s spelt ‘Van’]
16. Chica Boo – LLOYD GLENN (Swingtime 254)
17. Go! Go! Go! – THE TRENIERS (Okeh 6804)
18. The Glory Of Love – THE FIVE KEYS (Aladdin 3099)
19. I Got Loaded – “PEPPERMINT” HARRIS with Maxwell Davis and his ALL-STARS (Aladdin 3097)
20. Castle Rock – JOHNNY HODGES and his Orchestra (Mercury 8944)
[Featuring Al Sears On Tenor Saxophone]
21. Eyesight To The Blind – THE LARKS (Apollo 427)
22. Bloodshot Eyes – WYNONIE HARRIS (King 4461)
[Featuring Big John Greer on Saxophone]
23. '’T’ 99 Blues – JIMMIE NELSON and The Peter Rabbit Trio (RPM 325)
24. Walkin’ The Chalk Line – TINY BRADSHAW (King 4457)
25. I’m In The Mood – JOHN LEE HOOKER (Modern 835)
26. Fool, Fool, Fool – THE CLOVERS (Atlantic 944)
27. Flamingo – EARL BOSTIC and his Orchestra (King 4475)
28. How Many More Years – HOWLIN’ WOLF (Chess 1479)

“Blowing The Fuse – 29 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1952” by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review Of The Award-Winning 2005 Bear Family CD Compilation

"…I’ve Got Six Extra Children…From A Getting Frisky..."

The "Blowing The Fuse" series of CD compilations stretches across 16 volumes from 1945 to 1960 and was then followed by Bear Family's equally magnificent "Sweet Soul Music" series of 10 sets from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed all 10 of those in detail). Having been drawn in by the truly beautiful sound quality and presentation of the 'Soul' discs, I knew it would be a big blow to my bank balance buying even one of these R&B issues - and it was! But I've laboured with all of these time-consuming detailed reviews because these reissues are the business...they really are.

"Blowing The Fuse - 29 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1952" is on Bear Family BCD 16707 AS and was released April 2005 in Germany. Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures an original record relevant to the year (1952 has "The Bells Are Ringing" by Smiley Lewis on Imperial), the centre flap holds a 70 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 10 "Sweet Soul Music" compilations, each of the 16 R&B spines makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a fantastic black & white shot of a crowd of hip dudes and their gals dancing at some Saturday night bar). As you can see from the cover photos of these compilations too, the theme of people dancing and artists enjoying themselves is repeated right across all of these wonderfully restored photographs (they're from The Showtime Music Archive in Toronto). This 1952 issue has 72-pages in its booklet and the CD runs to a healthy 78:59 minutes.

Compiler Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. The compilation begins in January and in rough chronological order ends in December. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Dust My Broom" by Elmore James and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by Lloyd Price are all sorted out by the next big plus...the massively improved sound (on almost all tracks)...

THE SOUND and TRACK CHOICES:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (both Mono and Stereo) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - and given the wildly varying sources, the sound is uniformly GLORIOUS.

The post war years saw America wanting to rock – so it’s not surprising that so many songs in 1952 did just that – infectious floor-fillers include “Lovin’ Machine” by Wynonie Harris, “The Train Kept-A-Rollin’” by Tiny Bradshaw and “I Can’t Lose With The Stuff I Use” by Lester Williams. Even the Doo Wop vocal groups were in on the boppin’ act – “Baby, Please Don’t Go” by The Orioles and “Rock Me All Night Long” by The Ravens. But best of all is “Have Mercy Baby” by The Dominies where the lead singer tells us in a pleading warble “…I’ve been a good for nothing…I’ve lied and cheated too…” That fabulous new vocalist was Clyde McPhatter, ably backed up by Billy Ward’s ultra-tight combo (he fined them for missing beats). The result is R’n’B perfection.

In between these rockers were the misery guts songs like the wonderfully bluesy “So Tired” by Roy Milton and the almost dark “Hard Times” by Charles Brown. “Hard Times” was one of the first songs to benefit from the stunning Leiber & Stoller songwriting partnership – it sounds amazing despite its dubbed-from-disc roughness. Speaking of which, it’s not all good news on the sound front - “Booted’ By Rosco Gordon features very audible crackle and hiss, while “My Song” by Johnny Ace is not just badly recorded – it’s almost unlistenable. And there’s some disappointing clicks on “5-10-15 Hours” by Ruth Brown – but it’s still better than I’ve ever heard it…

Genius choices – there’s two superb instrumentals - “Night Train” by Jimmy Forrest (later covered so well by James Brown) and “Juke” by Little Walter – a harmonica blast so good it might tempt the dead back from Heaven for one more turn on the barroom floor. But my poison is the fantastically catchy dancer “It Ain’t The Meat” by The Swallows (whose picture graces the front cover). It bops along with great double-entendre lyrics - the handclaps and lead vocals beautifully clear from the remaster.

Criminally forgotten gems go to “Got You On My Mind” by John Greer (covered over the years by acts as diverse as Piano Red, Cookie And The Cupcakes and Eric Clapton) and the stunning discovery of Thomas Braden’s lead vocals on “Mary Jo” by The Four Blazes – a cross between Louis Prima and Smiley Lewis. The slashing guitar of Elmore James on the seminal “Dust My Broom” sounds like it was recorded in a bucket with a microphone bought at Woolworths, but it still packs the punch of a fist in the face – and it also reminds you of how many white guitar players fell under its voodoo spell who then subsequently shaped rock music for the next 40 years. And once again – like 1953 – it’s also noticeable just how far ahead of the game "Atlantic" was as a label - "The Chill Is On'" by Big Joe Turner, "5-10-15 Hours" by Ruth Brown and the irresistibly saucy “One Mint Julep" by The Clovers (lyrics above) – all great.

The women are either containing their men’s ardour - “Easy, Easy Baby” by Varetta Dillard or being shot because they’re cheated on them – “Goodbye Baby” by Little Caesar – an extraordinarily grim tune where bullets sound out in the dying moments – twice (he does himself too!).

THE BOOKLET:
Although slightly different in layout, like the "Sweet Soul Music" series, the booklet is to die for. With an intro on Page 4, the text for the songs begins on Page 5 and ends on Page 69, so there's almost no wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, and every now and then, a beautiful full colour plate of lesser-seen singles and their label bag graces an entire page ("3 O’Clock Blues” by B.B. KING on RPM Records and “Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by Lloyd Price on Specialty are on Pages 11 and 48). Each song then has an essay on its history by noted writer COLIN ESCOTT with knowledgeable contributions from BILL MILLAR, DAVE BOOTH, Marv Goldberg's online R&B site, Robert L. Campbell, Red Saunders Research Project, Larry Cohn, Walter DeVenne and Bernd Matheja. And because the booklet allows Escott to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - like Dahl's work on "Sweet Soul Music" - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

To sum up - even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these compilations (no matter what the date) - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of R&B Music for a given year - "1952" is 'the' place to start.

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Blowin The Fuse" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to. Well done to all involved...

PS: the pictures on the front sleeves of 1952 and 1953 have been 'reversed' by Bear Family despite what the Amazon pictures above show (probably done at the last minute – see my own photos provided).

Track List for the CD "Blowing The Fuse 1952"
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 78"/7" Single Follow The Title. If There's TWO Catalogue Numbers, The First Is The Original; The 2nd Is The Reissue In That Year)

1. The Chill Is On – JOE TURNER With Van “Piano Man” Walls And His Orchestra (Atlantic 949)
2. It Ain’t The Meat – THE SWALLOWS (King 4501)
3. 3 O’Clock Blues – B.B. KING (RPM 339)
4. Got You On My Mind – JOHN GREER And The Rhythm Rockers (RCA 20/47-4348)
5. Booted – ROSCO GORDON (Chess 1487)
6. Weepin’ And Cryin’ – THE GRIFFIN BROTHERS ORCHESTRA Featuring Tommy Brown (Dot 107)
7. Dust My Broom – ELMORE JAMES (Trumpet 146)
8. Lovin’ Machine – WYNONIE HARRIS With Todd Rhodes’ Orchestra (King 4485)
9. Hard Times – CHARLES BROWN And His Band (Aladdin 3116)
10. Wheel Of Fortune – DINAH WASHINGTON With Orchestra Accompaniment (Mercury 8267)
11. Baby, Please Don’t Go – THE ORIOLES (Jubilee 5065)
12. The Train Kept-A-Rollin’ – TINY BRADSHAW (King 4497)
13. Goin’ Home – FATS DOMINO (Imperial 5180)
14. One Mint Julep – THE CLOVERS (Atlantic 963)
15. I Can’t Lose With The Stuff I Use – LESTER WILLIAMS And His Band (Specialty 422)
16. Night Train – JIMMY FORREST And His Allstar Combo (United U 110)
17. I’m Gonna Play The Honky Tonks – MARIE ADAMS With Bill Harvey’s Band (Peacock 1583)
18. Have Mercy Baby – THE DOMINOES (Federal 12068)
[Clyde McPhatter on Lead Vocals]
19. So Tired – ROY MILTON And His Solid Senders (Specialty 429)
20. Lawdy Miss Clawdy – LLOYD PRICE And His Orchestra (Specialty 428)
21. 5-10-15 Hours – RUTH BROWN With Orchestra (Atlantic 962)
22. Mary Jo – FOUR BLAZES (Lead Vocal Thomas Braden) (United U 114)
23. My Song – JOHNNY ACE With The Beale Streeters (Duke R-102)
24. The Bells Are Ringing – SMILEY LEWIS (Imperial 5194)
25. Easy, Easy Baby – VARETTA DILLARD (Savoy 847)
26. Juke – LITTLE WALTER (Checker 758)
27. Goodbye Baby – LITTLE CAESER (Hollywood 235)
28. I Don’t Know – WILLIE MABON And His Combo (Chess 1531)
29. Rock Me All Night Long – THE RAVENS (Mercury 8291)

“Blowing The Fuse – 29 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1953” by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review Of The Award-Winning 2005 Bear Family CD Compilation

"...Get Out That Big Ten-Inch...Record Of The Band That Played The Blues..."

The "Blowing The Fuse" series of CD compilations stretches across 16 volumes from 1945 to 1960 and was then followed by Bear Family's equally magnificent "Sweet Soul Music" series of 10 sets from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed all 10 of those in detail). Having been drawn in by the truly beautiful sound quality and presentation of the 'Soul' discs, I knew it would be a big blow to my bank balance buying even one of these R&B issues - and it was! I’ve laboured with all of these time-consuming detailed reviews because these reissues are the business...

"Blowing The Fuse - 29 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1953" is on Bear Family BCD 16708 AS and was released April 2005 in Germany. Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures an original record relevant to the year (1953 has "Gabbin’ Blues" by Big Maybelle on Okeh), the centre flap holds a 70 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 10 "Sweet Soul Music" compilations, each of the 16 R&B spines makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a fantastic black & white shot of a crowd of hip dudes and their gals dancing at some Saturday night bar). As you can see from the cover photos of these compilations too, the theme of people dancing and artists enjoying themselves is repeated right across all of these wonderfully restored photographs (they're from The Showtime Music Archive in Toronto). This 1953 issue has 72-pages in its booklet and the CD runs to a healthy 79:27 minutes.

Compiler Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. The compilation begins in January and in rough chronological order ends in December. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Crying In The Chapel" by The Orioles, "Mess Around" by Ray Charles and "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" by Amos Milburn are all sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND and TRACK CHOICES:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (both Mono and Stereo) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - and given the wildly varying sources, the sound is uniformly GLORIOUS.

Little prepares you for the clarity of Ruth Brown’s tambourine in the opening seconds of “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean” which is followed by the fabulous “Baby Don’t Do It” from The “5” Royales – an equally astute lyric and infectious rocker. In fact throughout 1953, the tunes are about hitting someone, getting drunk or getting laid – or all three combined. Bull Moose Jackson’s staggeringly lewd "Big Ten-Inch Record" (lyrics above) and Jimmy Liggins’ mean old bottle song “Drunk” are perfect examples – masterpieces of the teasing double-entendre. Offset against this naughtiness is the almost clinging innocence of the Doo Wop songs (“The Clock” by Johnny Ace) - all sweetness and light and heartfelt longing. Its also noticeable just how far ahead of the game “Atlantic” was as a label – “Good Lovin’” by The Clovers, “Honey Hush” by Joe Turner and “Money Honey” by Clyde McPhatter And The Drifters are all such irresistible smashes that they sit as awkward bedfellows with the heavy-handed blues tunes like Earl Forest’s “Whoppin’ And Hollerin’” which seemed to struggle with the word ‘hit’. And having been treated to truly great sound, the obviously rare but dubbed from disc “I Had A Notion” by Joe Morris is sonically rough to say the least.

The women are either loving their men or killing them – “Sweetheart Of The Blues” Shirley is in lovely voice on “I’m Gone” by Shirley & Lee, while Rose Marie McCoy’s spoken answers in Big Maybelle’s “Gabbin’ Blues” are full of staggeringly catty insults and full-on slag-offs – you’d rather face a baseball bat than the wrath of this Mississippi belle. There’s also a sense to of changing times among some songs – “TV Is The Thing (This Year)” by Dinah Washington.

Genius choices go to “Marie” by The Four Tunes – a brilliant fast vocal-group cover of an Irving Berlin song that is part “Reet Petite” and part Platters on speed! Tiny Bradshaw’s “Soft” is a brassy instrumental that sounds like a World War II dancefloor shuffle – a really sweet discovery. Little Junior Parker’s “Feelin’ Good” is fantastic too – it’s half Bo Diddley, half John Lee Hooker boogie – a joke done in the studio that turned out to strike a new rocking-guitar chord. Little Walter’s “Blues With A Feeling” is the absolute dog’s bollox - his huge-sounding amplified harmonica warbling through your speakers - mean and gritty – it’s astonishingly potent stuff.

THE BOOKLET:
Although slightly different in layout, like the "Sweet Soul Music" series, the booklet is to die for. With an intro on Page 4, the text for the songs begins on Page 5 and ends on Page 69, so there's almost no wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, and every now and then, a beautiful full colour plate of lesser-seen singles and their label bag graces an entire page ("Hound Dog" by “Big Mama” Thornton on Peacock and "Please Don’t Leave Me" by Fats Domino on Imperial are on Pages 16 and 38). Each song then has an essay on its history by noted writer COLIN ESCOTT with knowledgeable contributions from BILL MILLAR, DAVE BOOTH, Marv Goldberg's online R&B site, Robert Pruter, Robert L. Campbell and Tom Kelly. And because the booklet allows Escott to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - like Dahl's work on "Sweet Soul Music" - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read. I just wish there was more of it...

Niggles - the glossy card sleeve is easy to smudge and I wish the booklet was 90 pages and not 72, but apart from that there's just way too much great stuff on here to whinge about.

To sum up - even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these compilations (no matter what the date) - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of R&B Music for a given year - "1953" is 'the' place to start.

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Blowin The Fuse" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to. Well done to all involved...

Track List for the CD "Blowing The Fuse 1953"
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 78”/7" Single Follow The Title. If There's TWO Catalogue Numbers, The First Is The Original; The 2nd Is The Reissue In That Year)

1. Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean – RUTH BROWN (Atlantic 986)
2. Baby Don't Do It – THE “5” ROYALES with Charlie Ferguson, His Tenor & Orchestra (Apollo 443)
3. Gabbin' Blues – BIG MAYBELLE (Okeh 6931)
[Duet vocals with Rose Marie McCoy who also co-wrote the song]
4. Whoopin' And Hollerin' – EARL FOREST with The Beale Streeters (Duke 108)
5. Hound Dog – WILLIE MAE “Big Mama” THORNTON with Kansas City Bill & Orchestra (Peacock 1612)
6. Big Ten-Inch Record – BULL MOOSE JACKSON with Tiny Bradshaw’s Orchestra (King 4580)
7. I'm Gone – SHIRLEY & LEE with Dave Bartholomew and his Orchestra (Aladdin 3153)
[Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee]
8. Please Love Me – B.B. KING and his Orchestra (RPM Records 386)
9. Soft – TINY BRADSHAW (King 4577)
10. Dream Girl – JESSE And MARVIN (Specialty 447)
[Jesse Belvin and Marvin Phillips]
11. I'm Mad – WILLIE MABON and His Combo (Chess 1538)
12. I Wanna Know – THE DU DROPPERS (RCA Victor 20/47-5229)
13. The Clock – JOHNNY ACE and The Beale Streeters (Duke 112)
14. Get It – THE ROYALS (Federal 45-12133)
15. Please Don't Leave Me – FATS DOMINO (Imperial 5240)
16. Crying In The Chapel – THE ORIOLES (Jubilee 5122)
17. Hittin' On Me – BUDDY JOHNSON And His Orchestra, Vocal by Ella Johnson (Mercury 70116)
18. Good Lovin' – THE CLOVERS (Atlantic 1000)
19. Mess Around – RAY CHARLES And His Orchestra (Atlantic 999)
20. Shake A Hand – FAYE ADAMS With The Joe Morris Orchestra (Herald H-416)
21. One Scratch, One Bourbon, One Beer – AMOS MILBURN and his Aladdin Chickenshackers (Aladdin 3197)
22. Honey Hush – JOE TURNER And His Band (Atlantic 1001)
23. Blues With A Feeling – LITTLE WALTER And His Jukes (Checker 780)
24. Marie – THE FOUR TUNES (Jubilee 5128)
25. I Had A Notion – JOE MORRIS ORCHESTRA Vocal By Al Savage (Herald H-417)
26. Feelin' Good – LITTLE JUNIOR’S BLUE FLAMES (Sun 187)
27. TV Is The Thing (This Year) – DINAH WASHINGTON (Mercury 70214)
28. Money Honey – CLYDE McPHATTER And The Drifters (Atlantic 1006)
29. Drunk – JIMMY LIGGINS And His 3-D Music (Specialty 470)

“Blowing The Fuse – 29 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1955” by VARIOUS ARTISTS. A Review Of The Award-Winning 2005 Bear Family CD Compilation

"…Here Comes My Baby…Flashing A New Gold Tooth…"

The "Blowing The Fuse" series of CD compilations stretches across 16 volumes from 1945 to 1960 and was then followed by Bear Family's equally magnificent "Sweet Soul Music" series of 10 sets from 1961 to 1970 (I've reviewed all 10 of those in detail). Having been drawn in by the truly beautiful sound and presentation of the ‘Soul’ discs, I knew it would be a big blow to my bank balance buying even one of these R&B issues - and it was! But they’re absolutely ‘so’ worth it...

"Blowing The Fuse - 29 R&B Classics That Rocked The Jukebox In 1955" is on Bear Family BCD 16710 AS and was released April 2005. Each US-based yearly compilation comes in a 3-way foldout card digipak sleeve. The left flap pictures either a 7" single or album relevant to the year (1955 has “Only You (And You Alone)" by The Platters on Mercury), the centre flap holds a 70 to 90 page oversized booklet that slips out so you can read it separately and the right flap a colour-themed CD that matches the outer packaging. As with the 10 "Sweet Soul Music" compilations, each of the 16 R&B spines makes up a whole photo when placed alongside each other (a fantastic black & white shot of a crowd of hip dudes and their gals dancing at some Saturday night bar). As you can see from the cover photos of these compilations too, the theme of people dancing and artists enjoying themselves is repeated right across all of these wonderfully restored photographs (they're from The Showtime Music Archive in Toronto). This 1955 issue has 78-pages in its booklet and the CD runs to a generous 79:22 minutes.

Like all the other issues, Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth took his time with this - actually playing the set through - mixing in the famous with the obscure but in a new order - and the result is a truly satisfying listen rather than a patchy one. The compilation begins in January and in rough chronological order ends in December. And even the way-too-familiar tracks on here like "Earth Angel" by The Penguins, “Ain’t It A Shame” by Fats Domino and "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard are sorted out by the next big plus...the beautifully clear sound...

THE SOUND and TRACK CHOICES:
Bear Family have gotten all the ORIGINAL master tapes from each record company (both Mono and Stereo) and their resident expert JURGEN CRASSER has mastered them with care - and given the wildly varying sources (there is a noticeable rise in the hiss level between this and later volumes), the sound quality is uniformly GLORIOUS.

It opens with a fantastic-sounding double-whammy, “Tweedlee Dee” by LaVern Baker and “Reconsider Baby” by Lowell Fulson. I’ve had both of these classics on CD before, but the sound quality here is so much better – particularly the vocals. We’re then given incredibly clear Doo Wop in the form of The Moonglows on “Sincerely” – I’ve heard Steve Hoffman remasters of these in the late Eighties, but again here the quality is incredibly good. The Atlantic tracks are superlative – all sounding fresher than before – the bopping “I Got A Woman” by Ray Charles, the joyous dancer “Flip Flop & Fly” by Big Joe Turner (lyrics above) and the irresistible “Smokey Joe’s Café” by The Robins.

Obscurities and genius choices go to the echoed harmonica and drums of “You Don’t Have To Go” by Jimmy Reed, the Jackie Wilson-type gymnastic vocals of Nappy Brown on the bopping “Don’t Be Angry” and the first mention of the words “Doo Wop” on The Turbans “When You Dance”. Even tunes you’ve heard just too many times are new – the primal rhythms of “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley and “Maybelline” by Chuck Berry still sound like ground zero for everything in the following fitty years while the vocal clarity of Little Willie John’s Acapella vocal on “All Around The World” is astonishing – liable to put hairs on your chest. It’s a fabulous listen, the whole lot of it…

THE BOOKLET:
Although slightly different in layout, like the "Sweet Soul Music" series, the booklet is to die for. With an intro on Page 4 by Dave Booth, the text for the songs begins on Page 5 and ends on Page 78, so there's very little wasted space. Each artist is pictured using quality publicity shots, the 7" single itself is there - or if not a trade advert for the label - and every now and then - a beautiful full colour plate of the 45 in its label bag (“What’cha Gonna Do” by Clyde McPhatter And The Drifters and “I Hear You Knocking” by Smiley Lewis are on Pages 35 and 58). Each song then has a small essay on its history by noted writer COLIN ESCOTT with knowledgeable contributions from BILL MILLAR and DAVE BOOTH and Marv Goldberg's online R&B site. And because the booklet allows Escott to spread out on each song, the details come thick and fast - like Dahl's work on "Sweet Soul Music" - it's a fabulously entertaining and informative read.

Niggles - the glossy card sleeve is easy to smudge and mark, but apart from that there's just way too much great stuff on here to whinge about.

To sum up - even though they're expensive as imports, I think once long-time collectors actually get their hands on even one of these compilations (no matter what the date) - they'll be irresistibly hooked. For the casual buyer just looking for a great one-stop account of R&B Music for a given year - "1955" is 'the' place to start.

Compilations like this live or die based on a few key ingredients - great track choices, properly remastered sound and all of it wrapped up in knowledgeable and (if you're lucky) sumptuous presentation. Well "Blowin The Fuse" wins on all counts - it really does. The entire series is gorgeous to look at and especially to listen to. Well done to all involved...

Track List for the CD "Blowing The Fuse 1955"
(Label & Catalogue Number For The US 7" Single Follow The Title. If There's TWO Catalogue Numbers, The First Is The Original; The 2nd Is The Reissue In That Year)

1. Tweedlee Dee – LaVERN BAKER And THE GLIDERS with Orchestra (Atlantic 45-1047)
2. Reconsider Baby – LOWELL FULSON (Checker 804)
3. Sincerely – THE MOONGLOWS (Chess 1581)
4. You Don't Have To Go – JIMMY REED and his Trio (Vee-Jay VJ-119)
5. The Wallflower – ETTA JAMES And “The Peaches” (Modern 947)
[aka “Roll With Me Henry” and “Dance With Me Henry”]
6. Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) – THE PENGUINS (DooTone 348)
7. I Got A Woman – RAY CHARLES and his Band (Atlantic 1050)
8. Ko Ko Mo – GENE & EUNICE with Jonesy’s Combo (Combo 64)
9. Pledging My Love – JOHNNY ACE with the Johnny Otis Orchestra (Duke 136)
10. My Babe – LITTLE WALTER and his Dukes (Checker 811)
11. Flip Flop And Fly – JOE TURNER and his Blues Kings (Atlantic 45-1053)
12. What'cha Gonna Do - CLYDE McPHATTER and The Drifters (Atlantic 45-1055)
13. Story Untold – THE NUTMEGS (Herald H-452)
14. Bo Diddley – BO DIDDLEY (Checker 814)
15. Don't Be Angry – NAPPY BROWN (Savoy 1155)
16. Why Don't You Write Me – THE JACKS (RPM 428)
17. It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day) – LOUIS BROOKS and his HI-TOPPERS with Earl Gaines On Vocals (Excello 2056)
18. Ain't It A Shame – FATS DOMINO (Imperial 5348)
19. Feel So Good – SHIRLEY & LEE (Aladdin 3289)
20. Maybellene – CHUCK BERRY and his Combo (Chess 1604)
21. I Hear You Knocking – SMILEY LEWIS (Imperial 5356)
22. At My Front Door (Crazy Little Mama) – THE EL DORADOS (Vee-Jay VJ-147)
23. Don't Start Me Talkin' – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (Checker 824)
24. Only You (And You Alone) – THE PLATTERS (Mercury 70633)
25. When You Dance – THE TURBANS (Herald H-458)
26. Tutti Frutti – LITTLE RICHARD and His Band (Specialty 561)
27. Hands Off – JAY McSHANN”S ORCHESTRA with Vocal By Priscilla Bowman (Vee-Jay VJ-155)
28. Smokey Joe's Cafe – THE ROBINS (Spark 122/Atco 6059)
29. All Around The World – LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (King 45-4818)