Page 53 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2024 Digital Edition

the definitive version of the musicians’ anthem “Night Life.” However, due to the lyrics in songs like “Annie Had A
This version features what many consider to be the hottest steel Baby,” several of the selections contained herein caused heart
guitar solo on record. Buddy Emmons – the guy that virtually attacks in the pulpits of white America and were held up as
invented the pedal steel – plays an inspired chorus that Price examples of “degenerate, Communist-inspired, devil music.”
would later describe as something that “came from Mars,” and Of course, such hysteria only served to guarantee sales in
that’s just the first track. The rest of the album continues the the millions for artists like Hank Ballard and the Dominoes.
“Hillbilly Noir” theme. These are songs about the realities of On this CD, you’ll discover that back then, both men and
life – “Lonely Street,” “The Wild Side Of Life” and “Sittin’ and women shared an earthy sense of humor. The queen herself,
Thinkin’” – all pure blues with steel guitars and fiddles. Dinah Washington, is looking for her trombone playing lover
Country superstar Dale Watson mentions it on a recording and his instrument in “Big Long Slidin’ Thing.” Julia Lee sings
as his favorite album of all time; it’s in my Top Five as well. about how “My Man Stands Out,” and Fluffy Hunter has the
“Walkin’ Blues.” Along with these, the king Wynonie Harris
Across the tracks: contributes “Keep On Churnin’ (Till the Butter Comes)” (later
The early 1950s are known as the Golden Age of covered in cleaned-up form by Brian Setzer). There are at
rhythm and blues and gospel. These two fantastic collections least a couple songs that later became hits like “Toy Bell,”
contain the essence of that humor, spirituality and some of which would become “My Ding-A-Ling” for Chuck Berry.
the absolute finest music you’ll ever hear. As Muddy Waters With some very clever lyrics and excellent up-tempo music
sang, “The blues had a baby and they called it rock and guaranteed to bring laughs, this is a great party CD that just
roll.” Well, yes, but these first cousins proved to be some makes you want to hop in the golf cart and head for The Villages.
swingin’ aunt and uncles. Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, there was some soul saving
going on…
Risqué Rhythm: Nasty ‘50s R&B
Various Artists Jesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group
Rhino R2 70570 Black Gospel 1951-1965
Ok, get out the PC flags and send the kids to the other Various Artists
room. Between 1947 and 1954, Black popular music was still
under the radar of mainstream (white) America and its moral Don’t miss this one. This is a collection of what would become
watchdogs, so along with blues and ballads, you had risqué known as quartet gospel. That rather tame sounding name
rhythm and blues that still push the envelope today. There’s disguises some of the most heart stopping, good rockin’ music
not a single curse word on them but they are a) extremely ever recorded. This is the music that caused shows to be stopped at
suggestive, b) all in good fun and c) all feature a clearly the Apollo due to audience members falling out of balconies, slain
defined beat making them great dance tunes that d) would in spirit-filled ecstasy. You’ll hear artists like Sam Cooke and Lou
lead to rock ‘n roll years later. Rawls before they “jumped the fence,” and sang popular music.

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