With the recent passing of Jody Williams, it might be time to direct you to the most comprehensive release of one of the Windy City's most prolific and recognizable guitarists. This new 2018 offering from Jasmine Records came just a few months before the passing of this legendary blues man. From his session work with Bo Diddley, Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Rogers, Floyd Dixon and others to the amazing recordings he did under his own name, Jody Williams defines the bright and jazzy sound of 1950’s Chicago Blues. Many of these recordings have never been available digitally so this is a welcome reissue of classic sides and a must for any blues library.  Jody Williams 2/3/35 – 12/1/18  

The first fourteen tracks are Willie's solo recordings on Chess Records and include his only chart hit under his own name, Walking The Blues. His other singles were all exceptional records, but none managed to chart. However by this time he had already started having major hits with his songs and productions for Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Otis Rush. A selection of these great songs and hits makes up the rest of this compilation. Willie Dixon, through Chess studios, produced a stream of classic records and a formidable portfolio of songs that would help fuel the worldwide revival in the blues during the 1960s. 

While known primarily for his pre-war discography, in this era he embraces the world of R&B and enjoys several chart hits in an often very pop orientated style or hard-core blues mode. Johnson's breakout hit for the King label was his version of the 1939 pop hit Tomorrow Night. This peculiar choice topped the R&B charts for seven weeks and made the pop top twenty, selling a reputed three million copies. The song also made an impact on Elvis Presley who recorded it during his tenure at Sun Records as did label mate, Jerry Lee Lewis. Lavern Baker had a hit with it in 1956 and Bob Dylan featured it on his 1992 album Good As I Been To You. Featured on his King sessions, which lasted until 1962, are more chart hits and R&B session players and band leaders of the caliber of Todd Rhodes, Tiny Bradshaw, Hal Singer, Red Prysock and Hot Lips Page. Also included here in its entirety is his 1953 session recorded for Rama Records in New York. 

This is the most complete collection of his singles ever released, in fact, ten of these tracks remained unreleased for many years. This jam-packed release includes one of his most famous Ice Cream Man, which was recorded in 1953 with Little Walter on harmonica. Other classic songs include Tough Times, acknowledged as one of the finest songs to cover the serious recession affecting the African-American population in 1954 and the formidable Rattlesnake which is almost the epitome of classic Chicago blues. 

This collection of Mickey Baker's solo recordings, along with a handful of his prominent session work, was all recorded between 1952 and 1959. These are great examples of the fire of his guitar style and display the breadth of Baker's talent, as he plays several different styles with equal brilliance. There is no question of Mickey Baker's importance in the development of rock and roll and, in particular, rock and roll guitar. Included here is his early 60's Atlantic release Wildest Guitar along with selected singles from that period. 

Peppermint Harris was a true original with a brilliant way with words which made him a superlative songwriter. Many of his compositions were recorded by top blues artists such as B.B. King and Bobby Bland. This is a must for blues fans. Across the 56 tracks, there are many superb songs including his two big hits Raining In My Heart, which reached #4 in the 1950 R&B chart and more importantly the classic drinking song, I Got Loaded, which hit the #1 spot for two weeks in 1951. Although this excellent 2CD set is by no means complete, it does present the most comprehensive exploration of his work between 1948 and 1959. 

Hard rockin’ sax blasters from the 50's by one of the best. Jackson had a long and varied career as a sax player and these early rock & roll recordings are some of the earliest and some of his best.  From his time with the Cootie Williams Orchestra through his dance records of the later 50's, Jackson always delivered the goods.

These 59 tracks by Roy Brown feature every one of his chart hits; hits that made him one of the most influential R&B stars of the 1950s. His style was a direct influence on scores of artists including such notable stars as Clyde McPhatter, Little Richard, Bobby Bland, B.B. King, Little Milton, Jackie Wilson, James Brown and Elvis Presley. To sum up, Roy Brown was incredibly important in the development of African-American music. 

Guitarist and vocalist Smiley Lewis has an incredible body of work with this 61-track collection highlighting some of the best recordings from 1950-1961. Many of his biggest hits and most enduring songs were written by Dave Bartholomew and recorded at Cosimo Matassa’s famous studio backed by some of the greatest musicians in New Orleans or anywhere else for that matter. They include Huey “Piano” Smith, Lee Allen, Earl Palmer and others. The big booming voice and great musicianship live on in this wonderful collection. 

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