"Groove With A Feeling: Sounds Of Memphis, Boogie, Soul & Funk 1975-1985" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2015 Ace/Beat Goes Public CD Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Just A Little Tighters..."

It's rare (and I mean rare) that I wouldn't recommend an Ace Records CD - but this compilation isn't exactly brimming with their usual fare of quality tracks - it really isn't. It's pretty obvious why much of this sub-standard 80's sounding pseudo-funk stayed in the can - it just didn't cut the mustard. It’s not all bad though...

UK released June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) - "Groove With A Feeling: Sounds Of Memphis, Boogie, Soul & Funk 1975-1985" on Ace/Beat Goes Public/Sounds Of Memphis CDTOP 293 (Barcode 029667529327) gives you 19 tracks remastered by NICK ROBBINS and plays to 75:26 minutes. All songs are Stereo except tracks 8, 13 and 14 which are Mono (no indication of which track is from what period). The only track on here that was released is number 10 - "New Lang Syne" by Kannon - issued on XL Records 951 as an American 45 in 1978 - all the others are previously unreleased for 2015.

The 8-page booklet has liner notes by noted writer and Soul aficionado DEAN RUDLAND, publicity photos of The Jacksonians, Louis Williams and Takelia Kelly as well as some music sheets and tape boxes. The audio is amazing - incredibly clean and in your face - most of it recorded in professional circumstances.

I wish I could say the material warranted it. Tracks like Lee Moore's "You Can Bet I Can Get You Yet" and "One On One" by Demetrius sound like Eighties throwaways - the 1976 Stevie Wonder clavinet Funk of "Groove With A Feeling" by Freedom Express is a bit more like it - a wicked groove. The politically loaded "Politics" by Everyday People is full of anger and social commentary with a vicious Sly Stone backbeat and lyrics almost screamed. "New Lang Syne" (the only track on here released as a 7" single) sounds like Funkadelic doing too many drugs at a Christmas office party - it's a wildly Funky instrumental loosely based around that famous Scottish New Year toast (can't decide whether its rubbish or genius) - but it sure Funks like a mother with one too many Babychams.

Better is "Gone" by Vision that sounds very Harold Melvin circa 1975 (the audio is only ok though). "We Need Love" by Donald O'Connor sounds like Ronn Matlock's "Love City" album (vocally and structurally) and I think is a highlight on here. It's back to 80s steppers with Lee Moore's "What's In The Dark" - not bad but not great either. "Attraction" is like some bad synth-dominated 80s movie track where someone wears a sweatband on their forehead as they shimmy across a large loft apartment in very tight legwarmers...eek... It’s followed by more of the same insipid tunes trying to be an uptempo hit but just not making it.

A mixed bag really - but for me - too many misses to make it any better than three stars...

"Dynamite! The Unsung King Of The Blues" by TAMPA RED featuring Little Willie Johnson, Big Maceo, Big Walter Horton, Sonny Boy Williamson and more (2015 UK Ace Records 2CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters with Four Previously Unissued Sides) - A Review by Mark Barry...

This Review Along With over 200 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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"...I've Been Your Dog...But I Sure Won't Be Your Clown..."

The phrase 'unsung hero' gets bandied about with alarming regularity in this malarkey we call reviewing – but in the case of Georgia's Blues Pioneer TAMPA RED (real name Hudson Whittaker, 1904-1981) - it is unfortunate to say that 'hero' and 'unsung' are both criminally accurate. As John Broven's lead-in pages rightly point out – Tampa Red put out mountains of US 78"s (and 7" singles) in the Forties and Fifties and was HUGE in his time - but history has forgotten him - and hipper periods of the genre seem to have largely marginalised his early contributions. More importantly Broven argues that he knocked down the Urban Blues door - a shoe-in for all the goodies to come – Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Boy Williamson - and in fact much of what came out of Chicago owe him a debt – and it seems that those terribly (and clearly well educated) nice English boys at Ace Records of the UK are determined to see that debt repaid and acknowledged.

Musically "Dynamite!" feels like a double dose of Amos Milburn or Smiley Lewis but with a Bluesier more gutbucket edge. The 50-tracks across 2CDs cover Tampa Red's years at Bluebird and RCA Victor between 1941 and 1954 and are licensed from Sony Legacy (four cuts are Previously Unreleased). Disc One concentrates on his superb guitar playing and vocals (only a few cuts feature the Kazoo, they’re mostly on Disc Two) - sided by his long-term playing buddies - Lonnie Johnnie Jones on Piano, Big Maceo on Saxophone and the occasional warbling harmonica genius of Walter “Shakey” Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson II. And even as I replay this magnificent 2CD retrospective – there's a feeling of 'major release' seeping out of its every pore. Here are the sail-on lowdown blues...

UK released June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) – "Dynamite! The Unsung King Of Blues" by TAMPA RED is a 50-track 2CD retrospective on Ace Records CDTOP2 1440 (Barcode 029667071727) and breaks down as follows...

Disc 1 (73:29 minutes):

1. Evalena (2015 Previously Unreleased 'Take A' Recorded 4 December 1953)

2. Big Stars Falling Blues (1954 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5594 and 47-5594, A)

3. Rambling Blues (1965 UK 4-Track EP "Rhythm & Blues Volume 3" on RCA Victor RCX-7160)

4. If I Don’t Find Another True Love (2015, Previously Unreleased)

5. So Crazy About My Baby (1953 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5523 and 47-5523, A)

6. If She Don’t Come Back (1954 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5594 and 47-5594, B-side of "Big Stars Falling Blues")

7. So Much Trouble (1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5523 and 47-5523, B-side of "So Crazy About My Baby")

8. I’ll Never Let You Go (1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5273 and 47-5273, B-side of "Got A Mind To Leave This Town")

9. Too Late Too Long (1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5134 and 47-5134, A)

10. Got A Mind To Leave This Town (2015, Previously Unreleased 'Alternate Take' of a 1953 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-5273 and 47-5273, A)

11. I’m Gonna Put You Down (1952 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4722 and 47-4722, B-side of "But I Forgive You")

12. But I Forgive You (1952 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4722 and 47-4722, A)

13. Look A There Look A There (1952 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4898 and 47-4898, A)

14. She’s A Cool Operator (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4399 and 47-4399, A)

15. I Won’t Let Her Do It (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4275 and 47-4275, B-side of "Boogie Woogie Woman")

16. Green And Lucky Blues (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 20-4399 and 47-4399, B-side of "She's A Cool Operator")

17. Early In The Morning [Vocals on the B-side only by LITTLE JOHNNIE JONES] (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0123 and 50-0123, B-side of "She's Dynamite")

18. She's Dynamite (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0123 and 50-0123, A)

19. Pretty Baby Blues (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0136 and 50-0136, B-side to "Since My Baby's Been Gone")

20. Sweet Little Angel (1950 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0107 and 50-0107, A)

21. Midnight Boogie (1951 USA 78” and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0112 and 50-0112, A)

22. I Miss My Lovin' Blues (1951 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0112 and 50-0112, B-side of "Midnight Boogie")

23. 1950 Blues (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0084 and 50-0084, A)

24. Love Her With A Feelin' (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0084 and 50-0084, B-side of "1950 Blues")

25. It's Good Like That (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0094 and 50-0094, A)

MUSICIANS on Disc 1:

TAMPA RED – Guitar, Vocals - all tracks (Kazoo on Tracks 17 and 18)

LITTLE JOHNNIE JONES plays Piano and sings Second Vocal on Tracks 5 to 25

BILL CASIMER plays Tenor Saxophone on Tracks 11 to 12

SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON II plays Harmonica on Tracks 5 to 7

WALTER HORTON plays Harmonica on Tracks 1 to 4

WILLIE LACEY plays Guitar on Tracks 5 to 7

RANSOM KNOWLING plays Bass on Tracks 5 to 25

ODIE PAYNE plays Drums on Tracks 5 to 25

Disc 2 (73:54 minutes):

1. New Deal Blues (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0094 and 50-0094, B-side of "It's Good Like That")

2. That's Her Own Business (1949 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0057, B-side of "I'll Find My Way" – Issued 1950 on USA 45 on RCA Victor 50-0041, B)

3. It's Too Late Now (1950 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0071 and 55-0071, A)

4. It's A Brand New Boogey (1949 USA 78" and 45 on RCA Victor 22-0043, B-side to "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" and 1950 USA 45 on RCA Victor 55-0027, B)

5. When Things Go Wrong With You (1949 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0035, A and 1950 USA 45 on RCA Victor 50-0019, B)

6. Please Try To See It My Way (1950 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0071, B-side to "It's Too Late Now" and 1950 USA 45 on RCA Victor 50-0071, B)

7. Keep Jumping (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 22-0009, A)

8. I'll Dig You Sooner Or Later (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-3160, B-side of "Grieving Blues")

9. Roaming And Rambling (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-3008, B-side of "I Know My Baby Loves Me")

10. I Know My Baby Loves Me 1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-3008, A)

11. You Better Woo Your Baby (1948 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2849, A)

12. Let's Try It Again (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2597, A)

13. Crying Won't Help You (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-1988, A)

14. Play Proof Woman (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2249, A)

15. Corrine Blues (1946 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2432, A)

16. Detroit Blues (1945 USA 78" on Bluebird 34-0731, A)

17. I Got My Habits On (2015, Previously Unreleased)

18. Mary Lou Blues (2015, Previously Unreleased)

19. Let Me Play With Your Poodle (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird 34-0700, A)

20. My First Love Blues (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird 34-0700, B-side of "Let Me Play With Your Poodle")

21. She Want To Sell My Monkey (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird B-9024, A)

22. Mean And Evil Woman (1942 USA 78" on Bluebird B-9024, B-side of "She Want To Sell My Monkey")

23. Don't Deal With The Devil (1941 USA 78" on Bluebird B-8991, B-side "I Got A Right To Be Blue")

24. You Better Be Ready To Go (1941 USA 78" on Bluebird B-8890, A)

25. Texas Stomp by BIG MACEO (1945 USA 78" on RCA Victor 20-2028, B-side of "Maceo's 32-20")

MUSICIANS on Disc 2:

TAMPA RED – Guitar, Vocals and Kazoo – all tracks (Kazoo on many songs)

BIG MACEO (Merriweather) plays Piano on Tracks 12 to 15, 17 to 22 and 25

LITTLE JOHNNIE JONES plays Piano and sings Second Vocal on Tracks 1 and 4 to 6

BLIND JOHN DAVIS plays Piano on Tracks 10, 11 and 16

BOB CALL plays Piano on Tracks 7 to 9

JOHN GARDNER plays Alto Saxophone on Tracks 10 and 11

OETT "Sax" MALLARD plays Alto Saxophone on Tracks 7 to 9

BILL CASIMER plays Tenor Saxophone on Tracks 7 to 9

EDDIE "Sugarman" PENIGAR plays Tenor Saxophone on Tracks 2 and 3

WALTER WILLIAMS plays Trumpet on Tracks 10 and 11

RANSOM KNOWLING plays Bass on Tracks 1, 4 to 11, 16 and 23 to 24

ALFRED ELKINS plays Bass on Tracks 12 and 13

CLIFFORD "Snags" JONES plays Drums on Track 17 to 22

TYRELL "T" DIXON plays Drums on Track 25

CHARLES "Chick" SANDERS plays Drums on Tracks 14 and 15

JUDGE RILEY plays Drums on Tracks 7 to 11

ODIE PAYNE plays Drums on Tracks 1 and 4 to 6

The chunky fact-filled 28-page booklet is a feast of American 78" and 7" single labels – most of course being Bluebird and RCA Victor (there’s even Preview/Disc Jockey Copies). There’s a Discography by JOHN BROVEN on Pages 22 to 27, an extensive essay on Pages 4 to 21 by JIM O'NEAL that consulted major-name authorities like MIKE ROWE, ALAN BALFOUR and ROBERT PUTER (to name but a few) as well as RON SANTOS at Sony. Good guys like Roger Armstrong and Tony Rounce (there are many more) provided the illustrations and labels, trade adverts from 1951 Billboard newspapers, gig posters for Chicago's The Flame in 1945 and publicity photos of Tampa's main players – Little Johnnie Jones (Piano), Ransom Knowland (Bass) and Odie Payne (Drums). 

There are also photos of famous contributors like the piano-player Big Maceo and Harmonica legends Big Walter Horton and Sonny Boy Williamson II. It impressive stuff and done with affection and fervour you can actually feel. Being the later material first (1950 to 1954) - Disc 1 fares best in the AUDIO department with the experienced DUNCAN COWELL handling the transfers and remasters (he did huge swathes of the superb Blue Horizon CDs to much acclaim - I've reviewed most of them). Disc 2 feels more laborious as it counts down from 1950 to 1941 and the dreaded washboard sound of the Kazoo starts to permeate almost every track – not that they aren’t wonderful Blues on here anyway.

Wanting to impress right from the off – Disc 1 opens with a sensation – a rollicking Previously Unreleased Blues romp on Piano with none other than Walter "Shakey" Horton on Harmonica. "Evalena" is the kind of track you'd expect on an early Chess Records compilation – all boogie and lyrics about "...great big lies..." – fab stuff. 

It's followed by another hard-hitter and another genuine winner called "Big Stars Falling Blues (Take 2)" where Horton warbles in the background on the Harp, but you notice Willie Lacey's guitar and Little Johnnie Jones doubled vocals more. 

A genuine rarity in the UK – his lone UK EP "Rhythm & Blues Vol.3" on RCA first came out in 1965 and we get "Rambler Blues" – but this time Horton is very much the star with a fab Harp solo. The 2nd Previously Unreleased track from that 4 December 1953 session now surfaces as "If I Don't Find Another True Love (Take 2)". 

Again you get a wicked double vocal with Jones and the Audio quality incredibly clear and in your face for all the right reasons. The Kazoo doesn't appear until "Early In The Morning" (Track 17) where it kind of ruins a great Blues shuffler. The pace picks up with the wonderful R&B bopper "She's Dynamite" where the boys sing, "...she’s tight like that!" as Tampa sings the title refrain (even the Kazoo solo feels good). Another aspect to Disc 2 is the Guitar – Tampa's playing is effective and slick on "1950 Blues" (Take 2) as he moans about being his woman's dog since 1934 (and that's a mighty long time).

After the high of Disc 1 (1954 to 1950) - I'd have to admit that Disc 2 slows down a lot and with so many of the tracks featuring the dreaded Kazoo instrument (6 of the first 7 cuts for instance) – the CD feels like a lesser brother of Disc 1. That's not to say there isn't greatness on here. "Crying Won't Help You" and the much-covered "When Things Go Wrong With You" are great R&B tunes as is "Mary Lou Blues". The audio can be a bit rough on some of the 78"s but that 'feel' is still a wondrous thing on stuff like "Mean And Evil Woman".

Despite the slight dip in excitement on CD2 – for me this is a major reissue – and one that's been done with class by people who care. And shouldn't musical heroes be remembered that way, unsung or not...

"Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (2015 Ace CD Remasters) – A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Papa Lou And Gran Are At It…"

With this quality CD release - the "By The Bayou" series from one of England's premier reissue labels Ace Records now reaches double-digits (10th in the series) - and typically their latest edition is a classy inclusion in every way. Greats tunes (7 previously unreleased), rocking sound and annotation that both informs and touches the old heartstrings. Here are pretty baby swoons and mad dog howls...

UK released January 2015 - "Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies" on Ace Records CDCHD 1422 (Barcode 029667063425) fills out as follows (64:33 minutes):

1. Papa Lou And Gran - LITTLE VICTOR & HIS ORCHESTRA (1961 USA 7" single on Richland 23, A)

2. Hoo Wee, Sweet Daddy - KATIE WEBSTER (1959 USA 7" single on Zynn 505, A)

3. I'd Love To Tell - TABBY THOMAS (first appeared on the 1989 compilation LP "Hoodoo Party" on Flyright Records FLY LP 621)

4. Pretty Woman (Take It Home To Grandma) - LESTER ROBERTSON - Previously Unreleased

5. Long Way From Home - GUITAR GABLE (first appeared on the 1984 UK LP compilation "Cool Calm Collected" on Flyright Records FLY LP 599)

6. I Called You Daddy - ANNA MAE ROGERS (1954 USA 78" on Feature 3004, B-side of "If I Keep On Worrying" by Clarence Garlow)

7. I Got Fever (Wicked Fever) - MAD DOG SHEFFIELD (first appeared on the UK 1987 Various Artists LP compilation "Rockin' Jumpin' Shoutin'" on Goldband GCL-112)

8. Knock Knock - CAROL FRAN - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of Excello 2156

9. Sally Lou - LEROY WASHINGTON - Previously Unreleased

10. Rooty Tooty - LIONEL TORRENCE (1962 USA 7" single on Zynn 1023, A)

11. A Merry Christmas - SAD LEROY WHITE (first appeared on the UK 1981 Various Artists compilation LP "Too Hot To Handle: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 21" on Flyright Records FLY LP 570)

12. You Know Yeah - WONDER BOY TRAVIS (first appeared on the UK 1976 Various Artists Compilation LP "Tag Along: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 1" on Flyright Records FLY LP 516)

13. Tell Me Pretty Baby - LAZY LESTER - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of Excello 2129, A)

14. Hey Ma Ma - CLIFTON CHENIER (1961 USA 7" single on Zynn 1004, A)

15. Ain't Nothing Shaking (But The Leaves On The Tree) - EDDIE WILLIAMS - Previously Unreleased

16. Mad Dog - MAD DOG SHEFFIELD (1956 USA 7" single on Goldband 1045, A)

17. Mary Lou - KING KARL & GUITAR GABLE (first appeared on the 1984 UK LP compilation "Cool Calm Collected" on Flyright Records FLY LP 599)

18. How Wee Pretty Baby - LESTER ROBERTSON - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of a track that first appeared on 1984 UK Various Artists compilation LP "Going To New Orleans" on Flyright FLY LP 601)

19. One More Chance - CAROL FRAN - Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of Excello 2175)

20. Don't Le Me Down - FRANK SIMIEN (1959 USA 7" single on Rod 1001, A)

21. Hello Baby, What You Know - LEROY WASHINGTON (first appeared on the 1976 UK Various Artists Compilation LP "Rock Me All Night Long" on Flyright Records FLY LP 606)

22. I Want Her To Love Me - KATE WEBSTER & ASHTON CONROY (1958 USA 7" single on Kry 100)

23. Hey Mr. Love - KATIE WEBSTER & BOBBY JAY (first appeared on the 1988 UK compilation LP "Katie Webster" on Flyright FLY LP 613)

24. I Need Your Love - JIMMY DOTSON (1960 USA 7" single on Rocko 516)

25. When It Rains It Really Pours - CHARLES MORRIS - Previously Unreleased

26. Baby Please Come Home - LEROY WASHINGTON (first appeared on the 1981 UK compilation LP "Wild Cherry: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 25" on Flyright FLY LP 574)

27. I'll Never Hold It Against You - CLARENCE GARLOW (1954 USA 78" on Feature F-3003, A)

28. Take It Home To Grandma - LESTER ROBERTSON &THE UPSETTERS (1958 USA 7" single on Montel 1001, A)

Tracks 4, 8, 9, 13, 18, 19 and 25 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED (all tracks in Mono)

The 16-page booklet has liner notes by Series compiler and leading light IAN SADDLER and brilliant they are too. His comments on both CAROL FRAN and LIONEL TORRENCE are full of affection and insights that will tickle collectors everywhere. Once again resident tape-wizard/Audio Engineer NICK ROBBINS has handled the transfers and for the most part - they are great. However on the Fifties sides especially - there's no doubt that were not in Audiophile Heaven here - many of these recordings are rough and tumble even if the tapes are in good shape - so be prepared for crude recordings with a whole lot of heart and passion.

This latest volume in the "By The Bayou" series opens with an absolute R'n'B belter - the Little Richard wild pace feel of "Papa Lou And Gran" by Little Victor on the obscure Richland label - a tune guaranteed to make grandma boogie that Zimmer-frame. More fun comes in the Fats Domino roll of "Hoo Wee, Sweet Daddy" complete with a brill Sax solo about a minute in. The audio quality dips into 78"/Acetate territory for "I Called You Daddy" by Anna Mae Rogers - a pianist in Clarence Garlow's band. But I can see why Ace chose to include it - not only is it ludicrously rare - it's a great boppin' R'n'B tune that sounds like vintage Joe Turner in his Fifties Atlantic Records heyday. "Sally Lou" gets caught "in the alley" but Leroy Washington doesn't seem to mind in this excellent Fats Domino type piano-roller. Back to Saxophone boppin' in the superb call-and-answer "Rooty Tooty" - the band playing a blinder - the kind of infectious instrumental (with Vocal jabs) that would bring a morgue to life.

Your then hit with two wicked dancers - "You Know Yeah" by Wonder Boy Travis and Lazy Lester's "Tell Me Pretty Baby" (with Nathan Abshire blowing some nice Slim Harpo like Harmonica). I must admit that the poor production values of "Ain't Nothing Shakin' (But The Leaves On The Tree)" do for the song (not surprised it remained in the can) - better is the growl of Mad Dog Sheffield on "Mad Dog" where our singer is "...with two-ton Tilly...a glamour girl..."  - is it any wonder he's howling at the moon. Another wicked dancer is "Mary Lou" which starts out so Fats Domino its embarrassing but then rocks into a guitar middle-eight that is brilliant. For me one the best songs on here is a Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of "One More Chance" with the fantastic voice of Carol Fran - as lovely and lilting as R'n'B gets. Vocal genius kicks in with "When It Rains It Really Pours" - Charles Morris with a fantastic Bluesy delivery (aka Left-Hand Charlie). It ends a little like it started only this time "Take It On Home To Grandma" has a Cajun/Bayou shuffle against a bopping Little Richard Rock'n'Roll shuffle - nice.

Another winner from Ace (celebrating 40 years with 1975 to 2015) and kudos to Ian Saddler for doing such a good job...

PS: Titles to July 2015 in the Ace Records "By The Bayou" CD Series are:

1. Boppin' By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1345)

2. Boppin' By The Bayou Again - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1355)

3. Boppin' By The Bayou: More Dynamite - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1380)

4. Boppin' By The Bayou: Made In The Shade - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1415)

5. Boppin’ By The Bayou: Rock Me, Mama! - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1443)

6. Bluesin' By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1358)

7. Bluesin' By The Bayou: Rough 'n' Tough - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1403)

8. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1363)

9. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies – VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1422)

10. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Rompin' & Stompin' - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1388)

11. Swamp Pop By The Bayou - VARIOUS (Ace CDCHD 1397)

"Boppin' By The Bayou: Rock Me, Mama!" By VARIOUS ARTISTS (June 2015 UK Ace Records CD Compilation of Remasters) – A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Boppin-Bayou-Rock-Me-Mama/dp/B00XAB4XXG?crid=375B41ZI0S5FY&keywords=029667072229&qid=1706482585&sprefix=029667072229%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=294f63d4bb6e87b57f36d19ebe8d5515&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

"...Havin' A Whole Lotta Fun..."

Volume 11 in an ongoing-series of CD reissues (see list below) and there’s no sign of the Saturday Night Fish Fry letting up – 28 Killer Diller Rhythm 'n' Blues tunes with a Louisiana Rock 'n Roll and Rockabilly twist. Here are the very unladylike details...

UK released June 2015 (July 2015 in the USA) – "Boppin' By The Bayou: Rock Me, Mama!" By VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records CDCHD 1443 (Barcode 029667072229) fleshes out as follows (65:09 minutes):

1. Switch Blade Sam – JEFF DANIELS (1958 USA 7" single on Big Howdy 777, A)

2. Saw My Baby Walkin' – AL "PUDDLER" HARRIS (first released in 1978 on the Various Artists compilation LP "Rockin' Fever" on Flyright FLY LP 540)

3. Gonna Work – RICHARD BROS (1959 USA 7" single on Richland 22, A)

4. Mama Mama Mama Look What Your Little Boy's Done - WARREN STORM (2015 Previously Unreleased Alternate Take to USA 7" single on Nasco 6015)

5. Rockin' Fever – JOE CARL & The Dukes Of Rhythm (1960 USA 7" single on Rocko 519, A)

6. Bad Luck – DANNY (1959 USA 7" single on Big B 557, A)

7. Mickey Lee – TONY PERREAU (first released on the 1983 Various Artists LP "Rock 'n' Roll Beat - South Louisiana Rockers From The 1950's: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 35" on Flyright FLY LP 598)

8. Havin’ A Whole Lotta Fun – JOHNNY JANO (first released on the 1977 Johnny Jano LP "King of Louisiana Rockabilly" on Flyright FLY LP 531)

9. Rock Me Mama – KEN LINDSAY (first released on the 1983 Various Artists LP "Rock 'n' Roll Beat - South Louisiana Rockers From The 1950’s: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 35" on Flyright FLY LP 598)

10. You Win Again – AL FERRIER (first released on the 1983 Al Ferrier LP "Let's Go Boppin' Tonight: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 34" on Flyright FLY LP 597)

11. Come Back Baby – DAYWARD PENNY (1961 USA 7" single on Big Howdy 6102, A)

12. She Left Me – AL FERRIER (first released on the 1983 Al Ferrier LP "Let's Go Boppin' Tonight: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 34" on Flyright FLY LP 597)

13. Bayou Boogie – BENNIE FRUGE (2015 Previously Unreleased Alternate Take of a track that first appeared on the 1980 Various Artists LP "Bayou Boogie: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 19" on Flyright FLY LP 557)

14. Good Morning Blues – VORRIS SHORTY LeBLANC & All The Sugar Bees, Vocals by Jay Stutes (1962 USA 7" single on Goldband 1156, A)

15. Popcorn Blues – NATHAN ABSHIRE & The Pine Grove Boys (1960 USA 7" single on Kajun 500, A)

16. She's Mine, She's Yours – BENNIE FRUGE (2015, Previously Unreleased)

17. You’re Happy Now – LITTLE CAROL (1959 USA 7" single on Richland 26, B)

18. Hard Luck – BILLY BLANK (1959 USA 7" single on Big B 556, A)

19. Uh-Huh-Huh – JEFF DANIELS (1959 USA 7" single on Big B 555, A)

20. You're Jealous – JIVIN' GENE (1959 USA 7" single on Mercury 71561, A)

21. Take Your Choice – ROCKET MORGAN (2015, Previously Unreleased)

22. Stop, Look And Listen – JOHNNY JANO (first released on the 1977 Johnny Jano LP "King of Louisiana Rockabilly" on Flyright FLY LP 531)

23. Boppin' Blues – ERWIN BABY (first released on the 1980 Various Artists LP Compilation "Boppin' It: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 17" on Flyright FLY LP 554)

24. Love Me Baby (Kiss Me Baby) – AL FERRIER (first released on the 1983 Al Ferrier LP "Let's Go Boppin' Tonight: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 34" on Flyright FLY LP 597)

25. I'll Be Waiting – JOHNNIE ALLAN & The Krazy Kats (first released on the 1984 compilation LP "Johnnie Allan And The Krazy Kats" on Krazy Kat KK 792)

26. Sweet Little Girl – CHARLES PAGE (1960 USA 7" single on Tic Toc 101, A)

27. On The Corner Of The Street – FRANKIE LOWERY (first released on the 1983 Various Artists LP "Rock 'n' Roll Beat - South Louisiana Rockers From The 1950’s: The Legendary Jay Miller Sessions Volume 35" on Flyright FLY LP 598)

28. Little Girl Next Door – COLLAY & THE SATELLITES (1959 USA 7" single on Show-Biz 1002, A)

NOTES: Tracks 4, 13, 16 and 21 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

This is the 11th CD in the "By The Bayou" series (numbered on the spine – see full list below) and dips into the rich pickings found in the Jay Miller Sessions (mostly reissued by Flyright Records), the vaults of Eddie Shuler of Louisiana's Goldband Records and Floyd Soileau of Swallow Records – men who put out literally hundreds of albums and three-times that in 45s. 

It may be obscure to even die-hards, but I'm actually shocked at the quality of the Rock 'n' Roll, Rockabilly and Cajun on offer here. This CD is properly exciting on all fronts. Compiled by and annotated by genre lover and expert IAN SADDLER – the 16-page booklet is the usual classy affair from Ace Records – American 45 repros of labels that make collectors itchy in the wallet area – Goldband, Big Howdy, Tic Toc, Big B, Richland, Rocko and Sho-Biz. There are posters of Al Harris and his Band at the Golden Rocket Club on Highway 90, which is 2 Miles East of Sulphur (now there's a band name – 2 Miles East Of Sulphur), snaps of Johnny Jano in front of Tape Machines, a publicity shot of Nathan Abshire & The Pine Grove Boys and so on. The track-by-track info is deep and delicious – featuring contributions from people who were there – Johnnie Allan, Jivin' Gene and Al Ferrier – along with genre experts like Roger Armstrong and Alec Palao

Long-time Ace Engineer NICK ROBBINS has carried out the transfers (ALEC PALAO worked on the Flyright material) and as you can imagine the sources varies wildly – sensational audio one moment – gutbucket the next. But even when the audio is clearly dubbed from a rare 45 or some other ropey source – the sheer musical impact is there. These tracks ROCK – time and time again. And because the emphasis is on dance and bopping - in many cases the odd click and pop only adds to that Fifties magic - echoes and slap bass and people whooping like they’ve been given a day pass to a brewery...

It opens with "Switch Blade Sam" where Jeff Daniels sounds like Eddie Cochran playing guitar with Jerry Lee Lewis on an upright bass and vocals – it's wonderfully breathless Rock 'n' Roll tapping at the door of Louisiana Rockabilly. We continue on the slap bass tip with "Saw My Baby Walkin'" where the "...oh, oh, oh..." vocal sounds like Smiley Lewis sided by Pete Johnson on boogie-woogie piano while Cochran once again provides acoustic backing (another winner). Saxophone Rock 'n' Roll takes over on "Gonna Work" and we get some studio chatter on "Mama Mama Mama Look What Your Little Boy's Done" where our hero tells his mum he's been out with his girl doing that illicit Rock 'n' Roll thing (not to mention The Stroll). The fun continues for an impressive fifth time on "Rockin' Fever" – more piano Rock 'n' Roll with Saxophone and Piano doing stroll R&B.

"Bad Luck" is clearly dubbed from a disc but I can hear why compiler Ian Saddler put it on here – it's a big brassy Rock 'n' Roll winner full of echoed vocals and a great hook. "Mickey Lee" assures us that Tony Perreau's girl is a fine, fine woman and ain't no square (thank God for that) while straight up Country Rockabilly comes in the shape of the lively "Havin' A Whole Lotta Fun". "Rock Me Mama" is truly wicked Rockabilly – home-made, crude and full of attitude – but dancing like a drunken sailor home on shoreleave. Hank Williams would approve of "You Win Again" by a rocked-up Al Ferrier (a great version of a classic) while I love the bopping groove of "Come Back Baby" fitted out with great piano and guitar and clear audio (what a winner).

It's followed by another Cochran-soundalike from Al Ferrier in the shape of the brilliantly infectious piano-boogie of "She Left Me" (probably the best track on here) – this is the kind of great Rockin' tune that will restore the faith. Cajun R&B pops up in the shape of the whinging "You're Happy Now" with a sound that feels someone's back porch – but bopping genius follows with Jeff Daniels' "Uh-Huh-Huh" where our hero sings the praises of a lady with "...big red lips...smackity smack...red pedal pushers and a car out of gas..." The influence of Fat Domino fills "I'll Be Waiting" where Johnnie Allan sings up a storm and it ends on a manic "Little Girl Next Door" where Collay (Allen Callais) took his gal to a movie show but lucked out on the cuddles and kissin' front...

"...Long Tall Sally was sitting on my knee...this went on all night...I'm tellin' you man...they were treatin' me right..." – Jeff Daniels sings on "Switch Blade Sam".

Buy this CD and I suspect you're gonna feel the same...

BY THE BAYOU CD Compilation Series 

From Ace Records of the UK 

A LIST 

22 Titles correct to January 2024

Focuses mostly on the Louisiana Recordings of Jay D. Miller 

(The Legendary Sessions Series), a lot of which were issued on 

UK Flyright Records LPs in the 70s, 80s and 90s

Boppin' By The Bayou TITLES

1. Boppin' By The Bayou (August 2012, Ace CDCHD 1345 - Barcode 029667052023) - No. 1 in the Series

2. Boppin' By The Bayou Again (January 2013, Ace CDCHD 1355 - Barcode 029667053228) - No. 2 in the Series

3. Boppin' By The Bayou: More Dynamite (October 2013, Ace CDCHD 1380 - Barcode 029667056625) - No. 5 in the Series

4. Boppin' By The Bayou: Made In The Shade (September 2014, Ace CDCHD 1415 - Barcode 029667062022) - No. 9 in the Series

5. Boppin' By The Bayou: Rock Me Mama! (29 June 2015, Ace CDCHD 1443 - Barcode 029667072229) - No. 11 in the Series

6. Boppin' By The Bayou: Drive-Ins & Baby Dolls (28 October 2016, Ace CDCHD 1486 - Barcode 029667077521) - No. 16 in the Series 

7. Boppin' By The Bayou: Flip, Flop & Fly (June 2018, Ace CDCHD 1529 - Barcode 029667089920) - No. 20 in the Series

8. Boppin' By The Bayou: Feel So Good (29 May 2020, Ace CDCHD 1567 - Barcode 029667097727) - No. 22 in the Series

Bluesin' By The Bayou TITLES

1. Bluesin' By The Bayou (27 June 2013, Ace CDCHD 1368 – Barcode 029667054928) – No. 4 in the Series

2. Bluesin' By The Bayou: Rough 'n' Tough (28 July 2014, Ace CDCHD 1403 – Barcode 029667060622) – No. 8 in the Series

3. Bluesin' By The Bayou: I'm Not Jivin' (8 June 0216, Ace CDCHD 1471 - Barcode 029667075824) - No. 14 in the Series

4. Bluesin' By The Bayou: Ain't Broke, Ain't Hungry (25 August 2017, Ace CDCHD 1506 - Barcode 029667084222) - No. 18 in the Series

Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou TITLES 

1. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou (February 2013, Ace CDCHD 1363 – Barcode 029668053723) – No. 3 in the Series 

2. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Rompin' & Stompin' (27 January 2014, Ace CDCHD 1388 – Barcode 029667057820) – No. 6 in the Series 

3. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Mad Dogs, Sweet Daddies & Pretty Babies (26 January 2015, Ace CDCHD 1422 - Barcode 029667063425) - No. 10 in the Series 

4. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Vocal Groups (25 September 2015, Ace CDCHD 1448 - Barcode 029667073127) - No. 12 in the Series 

5. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Nights Of Sin, Dirty Deals And Love Sick Souls (29 July 2016, Ace CDCHD 1478 - Barcode 029667076425) - No. 15 in the Series

6. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Livin', Lovin' & Lyin' (24 November 2017, Ace CDCHD 1514 - Barcode 029667086424) - No. 19 in the Series

7. Rhythm 'n' Bluesin' By The Bayou: Bop Cat Stomp (31 May 2019, Ace CDCHD 1547 - Barcode 029667094528) - No. 21 in the Series

Swamp Pop By The Bayou TITLES

1. Swamp Pop By The Bayou (March 2014, Ace CDCHD 1397 - Barcode 029667058520) - No. 7 in the Series 

2. Swamp Pop By The Bayou: Troubles, Tears & Trains (29 January 2016, Ace CDCHD 1462 - Barcode 029667074520) - No. 13 in the Series 

3. Swamp Pop By The Bayou: Let's Get Together Tonight (28 April 2017, Ace CDCHD 1499 - Barcode 029667079426) - No. 17 in the Series