Bartholomew was one of the key architects of rock & roll. He was recently featured on the PBS documentary Fats Domino & the Birth of Rock & Roll.  These thirty re-mastered tracks are the most comprehensive collection from this great artist available anywhere. From the raucous version of Shout Sister Shout featuring Pee Wee Crayton to the socially conscious recording of The Monkey this set touches many of the best recordings. The package includes a sixteen page booklet with rare photos, vintage memorabilia and detailed liner notes. This is simply great music done right. 

These are the best electric sides Hopkins ever recorded...bar none! These are just about the rockingest sessions ever waxed by the great blues man. The tracks were cut in Houston in 1954, and were among the last recordings he made for the R&B jukebox market before embracing the college-based folk circuit. The American Herald label put twelve of the tracks together on an LP in 1960, Lightnin' and the Blues.  These sides are all here along with every other title he recorded for the Herald label. The music features a hard-driving backbeat and an almost rockabilly feel on the faster tempo numbers, with Hopkins on guitar and vocals, along with Donald Crooks on bass and Ben Turner on drums in addition to vocal backing by Ruth Ames. This thirty track CD is the most complete collection of the Herald sides ever put together. 

This twenty six track collection features the raw, early sound of Hooker at his best.  These are some of the best sides he recorded for Modern and other labels in the early 50's and feature the distorted guitar and hypnotic beats that were later "prettied up" for mass consumption. 

One of the all-time great vocalists in blues, this two disc set covers her classic Savoy and Okeh recordings with a jam packed set of tough r&b and soulful ballads. 

Two 60's classics from the Testament label recorded when the giants walked the earth. Supporting musicians on various tracks include Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, James Cotton, Calvin “Fuzz” Jones, Big Walter Horton, Johnny Shines and the great drummers, S.P. Leary, Fred Below, Francis Clay and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. This, of course, along with the great singing and piano playing of Spann a true master... The package includes the original sleeve notes written by Dick Shurman and Peter Welding. Do I have to say more? 

One of my desert island discs, this digi-pak deluxe edition contains more than an hour of west side Chicago blues at its finest, re-mastered from the original analog tapes. This brand new re-issue also includes six alternate takes and two unissued recordings. The sixteen page booklet contains never before seen photos at the recording session along with additional color photos from the Ann Arbor Music Festival. This package includes the original liner notes from the LP and new notes by producer Bob Koester. 

Finally there is a comprehensive release of this talented songwriter, singer and guitarist’s best work.  Taken from Imperial, Ace and Specialty labels, this set covers the classic 50's rockers to the early 60's gems recorded for Imperial.  Most of these sides have been unavailable on CD for a few years. 

This thirty five track collection of Groove label recordings features no less than thirteen unissued sides and wonderful hard rockin’ sides from Clayton Love and Roy Gaines. There are two previously unissued tacks from Chris Powell & the Blue Flames. This package is jam packed with never before seen photos and trade advertisements. The sixty two page booklet has potted biographies, complete discographies and informative notes from Bill Dahl. 

This thirty three track collection of black rock & roll and r&b from the Groove labelfeatures a fifty six page booklet written by Bill Dahl and twelve previously unissued tracks from the likes of Cousin Leroy, Champion Jack Dupree, Sonny Terry, Zilla Mays and more.  The Sound is immaculate and the packaging is extremely well done. These two offerings from Bear Family Records out of Germany continue in that label’s grand tradition of excellence. 

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