Blues

Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 22

2018-05-31T15:17:11Z

Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 22


01. Nite-lite slop
02. Carla

Jim Conley - tenor saxophone
Phil Upchurch - guitar 
John Young - piano
Dave Green - organ
Richard Evans - bass
Marshall Thompson - drums.
Chicago, Ill. 1960

03. Soul guitar (Midnight shuffle)
04. Riding in my Jaguar

Bill Warren - vocals
Eddie Buster - organ 
Craig Horton - guitar
Freddie Young - guitar
Johnny deLacour - bass
Jump Jackson - drums.
Chicago, Ill. 1961

05. There is no one
06. I had to go
07. I've got just the thing to keep my man

Lady Margo (Joyce Fargo) - vocals
+ band.
Chicago, Ill. 1973

08. I've got just the thing I & II
09. This is my prayer to find someone of my own

Lady Margo - vocals
Chick Willis - guitar
+ band.
Chicago, Ill. 1974

10. Stop by
11. Simply got to make it without you
12. I enjoy loving you
13. Nothing better

Lady Margo (Joyce Fargo) - vocals
+ band.
Chicago, Ill. 1976

14. Mean and evil baby (vcl: Sheba Griffin)
15. Cherry (vcl: Sheba Griffin)
16. Ice man blues (vcl: George Kirby)
17. Fishin' pole (vcl: Buster Bennett)

Tom Archia - tenor saxophone
Buster Bennett - tenor saxophone
Bill Owens - piano
Hurley Ramey - guitar
Dallas Bartley - bass
Jump Jackson - drums. 
Chicago, ill. July 1947

18. Jam for Sam
19. Macomba jump
20. Downfall blues (Whiskey)
21. Slumber (Blues at twilight)

Tom Archia - vocals, tenor saxophone
Leo Blevins - guitar
Bill Searcy - piano
Lowell Pointer - bass
Robert Henderson - drums.
Chicago, Ill. October 1947

22. Hey Tom Archia
23. Mckie's jam for boppers

Tom Archia - tenor saxophone
Gail Brockman - trumpet
Andrew Gardner - aalto saxophone
Gene Ammons - tenor saxophone
Claude Mc Lin - tenor saxophone
Junior Mance - piano
George Freeman - guitar
Le Roy Jackson - bass
Ike Day - drums.
Chicago, Ill. c. October 1948

24. Jam for Boppers
25. Swinging for Christmas
26. Talk of the town
27. The battle

Tom Archia - tenor saxophone
Gene Ammons - tenor saxophone
Willie Jones - piano
LeRoy Jackson - bass
Wesley Landers - drums.
Chicago, Ill. 12 November 1948

Saxophonist Jim Conley (1931-2006) has prolifically recorded behind many bluesmen like Memphis Slim, Eddie Boyd, Otis Rush, Jimmy Dawkins... For some time during the late 50's-early 60's he led his own combo which featured lead guitarist Phil Upchurch, recording two good singles, one featured here, the other on my YouTube channel. He also waxed a LP in Germany in 1980 (My woman, my world, God's peace)

Drummer Bil Warren (1919-2000) has been playing on numerous sessions and with Chicago bands, coming several times in Europe during the 70's. He has also recorded a single as a vocalist with Craig Horton as lead guitarist and Jump Jackson replacing him on drums.

The great Soul blues singer Lady Margo (Joyce Fargo) has started her career with Arlean Brown's revue and then with Little Mack Simmons during the 1970's, drawing the attention during the famous Silver Shadow's "Battle of the blues between girls" in 1977 alongside Koko Taylor and Bonnie Lee. She has recorded a handful of 45s for small labels, including Cynthia, based in Phoenix, Az! After that, she turned to religion, recording Gospel for Jimmy Dawkins' Leric label. She is possibly still leading her church in South Carolina.

Tom Archia (born Ernest Alvin Archia Jr on 26 November 1919 at Groveton, Tx) learned saxophone while in Houston's high school. He started as a member of Milt Larkin's orchestra, backing for almost a year (1942-43) T-Bone Walker in Chicago. With many local opportunities, Archia decided to stay in the Windy City playing every night at Leonard Chess' Macomba Lounge club and recording constantly for the Aristocrat's label as a saxophonist or as a leader. After the Macomba burned and closed definitively in 1950, Tom played a little bit everywhere in Chicago's clubs but recorded only very sporadically as a sideman until 1960. In 1967, he decided to go back to Houston, playing there with several bands until his untimely death on 16th January 1977. ---Gérard Herzhaft, jukegh.blogspot.com

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Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 21

2018-01-21T14:26:07Z

Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 21


01. I believe I'll go back home
02. Lil's Caldonia boogie

Lil Palmore - vocals, piano
Leonard Caston - guitar
Willie Dixon - bass.
Chicago, Ill. 1948

03. Benny's bounce

Claude Mc Lin - tenor saxophone
Rudy Mason - guitar
Eddie Baker - piano
Walter Sprately - bass
James King - drums. 
Chicago, Ill. 21 july 1950

04. Tennessee waltz
05. Pop goes the Weasel

Claude Mc Lin - tenor saxophone
Norman Simmons - piano
+ band.
Chicago, Ill. november 1950

06. That's cool man
07. Slow drag

Claude Mc Lin - tenor saxophone
L.C. Cohen - vocals
Berkeley Kendrix - piano, organ
Oscar Lee Bradley - drums.
Los Angeles, Ca. february 1958

08. So fine
09. You're looking good

Claude Mc Lin - tenor saxophone
Berkeley Kendrix - organ, guitar
Oscar Lee Bradley - drums. 
Los Angeles, Ca. april 1958

10. Jambo I & II

Claude Mc Lin - tenor saxophone
Daniel Horton - organ
Oliver Berry - drums. 
Los Angeles, Ca. 1964

11. Diggin' my potatoes
12. A.B.C. blues
13. Bone yard blues
14. My black buffalo
15. Tuff luck blues
16. Key to the world

Little Son Joe (Ernest Lawlars) - vocals, guitar
Memphis Minnie - guitar 
Fred Williams - drums. 
Chicago, Ill. 3 february 1939

17. Black rat swing
18. Just to had to holler

Little Son Joe - vocals, guitar
Memphis Minnie - guitar 
Alfred Elkins - bass. 
Chicago, Ill. 12 december 1941

19. Ethel Bea
20. A little too late

Little Son Joe - vocals, guitar
Memphis Minnie - guitar 
Little Brother Montgomery - pno, drums. 
Chicago, Ill. 5 october 1953

21. Free girl
22. Pain
23. My babe
24. I'm your part time love
25. Come back baby
26. Git out

Mitty Collier - vocals
Cash Mc Call - guitar
+ band. 
Chicago, Ill. 1963-67

For this 21st volume of our Chicago/ The Blues Yesterday series, let's delve again into the great diversity of the many blues played in Chicago during the 1940's-60's: jazzy blues, R&B, Country blues coming from the Deep South and Soul blues...

Singer and piano player Lil Palmore was a favorite in the uptown Chicago clubs during the late 1940's: Garrick Stage Bar, Hurricane, Ritz Lounge, Pitts Pub... Outside this Ebony single featured here in which she is backed by Willie Dixon and probably guitarist Leonard Caston, Lil has also recorded with Brother John Sellers, Little Brother Montgomery and Jimmy "Boo Boo" Blazer.

Saxophonist Claude Mc Lin (1925-95) was born in Chicago and studied music at the famous Du Sable High School. He started a musical career in 1946, playing also in the best jazz and R&B Chicago clubs with Lester Young, Gene Ammons or as the leader of his own band. He recorded under his own name from 1950 in Chicago and then Hollywood where he settled down during the mid-50's, being on numerous sessions backing artists like Amos Milburn or Red Callendar.

Little Son Joe (Ernest Lawlars) (1900-61) is of course mostly known as the guitarist husband of the great Memphis Minnie, recording constantly with her from 1939. Before that, Joe (born in Hughes, Arkansas) teamed with Robert Wilkins. Joe also recorded 10 tracks under his own name, mostly his own striking compositions (like the all time classic Black rat swing) between 1939 and 1953.

At last, Mitty Collier (born in Birmingham, Al, 1941), starting to sing Gospel at an early age, shows the beginning of the Chicago Soul blues. She recorded for Ralph Bass more than a dozen singles between 1961 and 1967, backed by the usual Chess session musicians like guitarist Cash McCall. During the late 1960's, Mitty left Chicago, pursuing a career more and more in a Gospel vein. We have selected some of her bluesiest tracks. ---Gerard Herzhaft, jukegh.blogspot.com

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Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 19

2017-07-04T15:06:09Z

Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 19


01. No haps
02. I've got it
03. You promised
04. I'm lonely

Roy Wright – vocals
Denni Tillman – piano
John Avant – trombone
Red Holloway – tenor saxophone
+ band. 
Chicago, Ill. march 1957

05. True love
06. I hope it lasts forever
07. I tried

Roy Wright – vocals
Denni Tillman – piano
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1958

08. I'm going crazy
09. Once in awhile

Roy Wright – vocals
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1962

10. Heartbreak
11. Something wrong 

Roy Wright – vocals
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1965

12. Hook line and sinker
13. Alone
14. You changed my life around

Roy Wright – vocals
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1966-67

15. That's my gal
16. Come for a ride

Bill Crosby - vocals
Bill Owens – piano, drums
Chicago, Ill. 28 october 1945

17. Those doggone blues (vcl: Sugarman Pennigar)
18. Eat, drink and be merry
19. Hip Chick blues
20. Sneaking woman blues

Bill Crosby - vocals
Bill Owens – piano
Johnny Morton – trumpet
Oett "Sax" Mallard – alto saxophone, clarinet
Sugarman Penigar – tenor saxophone
Bali Beach – bass
Jump Jackson – drums
Chicago, Ill. 29 july 1946

21. The eleven o'nine
22. Better be with me

Lucky Carmichael – vocals
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1960

23. I'm comin' home
24. Hey girl
25. Hey Girl n°2
26. Blues with a feelin'
27. Lonesome & Lonely

Lucky Carmichael – vocals
M.T. Murphy – guitar
+ band
Chicago, Ill. march 1961

This 19th (!) volume of our very popular Chicago/ The blues Yesterday series features artistes who are the exact opposite to what one's referring to "Chicago blues", the transplanted Mississippi/ Arkansas blues to Chicago during the post-war years, certainly a much too restrictive definition for a more broader musical range.

We don't know a lot about the soulful singer Roy Wright who anyway has recorded substantially for several Chicago labels, starting with four R&B singles in 1957-58 for Paul King et Les Caldwell's Dexler label, then after 1962 for famous DJ Al Benson's bunch of labels (Crash, Vick, Mica) this time much more in the then emergent Soul vein. Roy's emotionally Gospel-tinged vocals and excellent backing musicians (Red Holloway, Denni Tillman) give a special quality to most of those records. Despite our efforts, we haven't been able to gather all Roy's records. Any .mp3 copies - as well as more about this obscure artist - would be most welcome.

Bill Crosby who recorded two Chicago sessions in 1945-46 in a style mixing pre-war Chicago urban blues with the then new R&B arrangements is even more mysterious! It seems that nobody knows anything about this anyway very good singer. He is backed by Chicago blues veterans like piano man Bill Owens, Sugarman Pennigar (who even handles the vocals on one track) or Oett "Sax" Mallard. Some have suggested that Bill Crosby was in fact a nom-de-disque chosen by the producer to cope up with the enormous success of the crooner Bing Crosby!

James Anthony "Lucky" Carmichael (born 12th October 1920 at Harrodsburg, Kentucky) is a very good blues shouter who waxed six titles in Chicago that are famous because of the backing guitar of M.T. Murphy. But there is much more about Lucky who started his musical career very early, playing and dancing with itinerant tent shows throughout the Southern States, being at least for a while the pianist of Bobby Bland in Memphis. He tries his luck in Chicago during the 1950's, singing and playing with Lefty Bates' Orchestra before recording as a solo act. He is reported appearing in clubs in Chicago and Cincinnati until the late 1970's. Lucky died in Cincinnati, Oh. on 7th December 1982.

A lot of thanks to all who helped with this post, particularly Steve Wisner and Sir Shamblin and his first-rate website. ---Gérard Herzhaft, jukegh.blogspot.com

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Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 20

2017-06-29T11:31:52Z

Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Volume 20


01. Rock'n'roll boogie
02. Rock and roll can save your soul
03. All pretty women
04. Women's world
05. Davy Crockett's jingle bells
06. You can't live in this big world by yourself

Jo Jo Williams (Joseph Williams) – vocals, guitar
Mojo Buford – harmonica
Lazy Bill Lucas – piano
Dave Myers – guitar
Sam Burton – drums
Cicero, Ill. 1959

07. Afro shake dance
08. You got to be loved

Jo Jo Williams – vocals, guitar
Little Smokey Smothers – guitar
Tommy Reader – alto saxophone
P.T. Hayes – harmonica
Elijah Jordan – bass
Robert Whitehead – drums
Chicago, Ill. 1959

09. Green light (vcl: Johnny Morton)
10. Hey hey big mama (vcl: Johnny Morton)
11. I love you mama (vcl: Sugarman Penigar)
12. No no baby (vcl: Sugarman Penigar)
Chicago All Stars, band. Same or Similar. Chicago, Ill. 26 December 1947
13. Are you getting married brother? (vcl: Cozy Eggleston)
14. Strange strange lover (vcl: Pro Mc Clam)

Chicago All Stars: 
Johnny Morton – trumpet
Sax Mallard – alto saxophone, clarinet
Sugarman Penigar – tenor saxophone
Bill Owens – piano
Elmer Ewing – guitar
Bali Beach – bass
Jump Jackson – drums
Chicago, 27 July 1947

15. Cry on daddy
16. I stagger in my sleep
17. I'm blue daddy
18. Poker playing daddy

Clara Morris – vocals
Lonnie Johnson – guitar
Blind John Davis – piano
Willie Mitchell – bass
Chicago, Ill. 27 March 1941

19. I can't believe it

Frank Butler – vocals
Cool Breeze (Joseph Bell) – bs
+  band.
Chicago, Ill. 1957

20. Build a little house for you
21. How I feel about you
22. Someone outside

Frank Butler – vocals
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1965-66

23. So many years

Frank Butler – vocals
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1968

24. The love I need
25. If love don't change

Frank Butler – vocals
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1970

Let's open this 20th opus of our "Chicago/ The Blues Yesterday" series with Jo Jo Williams, certainly the most well known artist of this comp. Born in Coahoma on 7th October 1923, Joseph Eginger Williams is the son of a railroad employee. At an early age, he has met Son House and Willie Brown, lived as a teenager in Memphis where, under the influence of the local Beale Street acts, he learned to play the guitar around 1942 and left to Chicago, well determined to make a living out of his music. He formed his own band, The Blues Rockers with which he recorded a handful of singles under his own name, was a staunch member of the Muddy Waters Junior Band, toured the West Coast with Little Walter... During the 1960's Jo Jo went to live to Minneapolis where alongside Lazy Bill Lucas and Mojo Buford he would be a revered figure of the local blues scene. Jo Jo died in Minneapolis 16 June 2010.

Several groups named themselves Chicago All Stars. This one here is the temporary aggregation at the end of the 1940's of Chicago blues and Jazz veterans, namely trumpet player Johnny Morton, saxophonists Oett "Sax" Mallard and Sugarman Penigar as well as the ubiquitous drummer and bandleader Armand "Jump" Jackson.

Clara Morris (c. 1920-2007) is a first rate singer with a strong rural feel who, unfortunately, leaves only one striking 1941 session backed by Lonnie Johnson and Blind John Davis. She will record another session a couple of months later, this time with Big Bill Broonzy, that never was issued. Like many, her career has been cut short by the war and to our knowledge she never recorded again. She married to a Mr Proctor and died at Lake Forest, Illinois.

At last, powerful singer Frank Butler (not to be confused with the jazz drummer of the same name) has been present on the Chicago blues scene during the years 1955-70, recording a handful of 45s for small local labels like Chief, Space Age or Great Scott, the last tracks in a more Soul vein. I unfortunately don't know anything more about his whereabouts and every piece of information would be most welcome. ---Gérard Herzhaft, jukegh.blogspot.com

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Blues People (1968)

2017-02-12T15:29:22Z

Blues People (1968)


A1 	–Lazy Bill Lucas 	She Got Me Walkin' 	
A2 	–Lazy Bill Lucas 	I Had A Dream 	
A3 	–Walter Horton 	Now Tell Me Baby 	
A4 	–Walter Horton 	Little Boy Blue 	
A5 	–Baby Boy Warren 	My Special Friend Blues 	
A6 	–Baby Boy Warren 	Nervy Woman Blues 	
A7 	–John Brim 	Trouble In The Morning 	
A8 	–John Brim 	Humming Blues 	
B1 	–Snooky Pryor 	Boogy Fool 	
B2 	–Snooky Pryor 	Raisin' Sand 	
B3 	–Snooky Pryor 	I'm Getting Tired 	
B4 	–Snooky Pryor 	Going Back On The Road 	
B5 	–Little Son Willis 	Roll Me Over Slow 	
B6 	–Little Son Willis 	Baby Come Back Home 	
B7 	–Robert Nighthawk 	Jackson Town Girl 	
B8 	–Robert Nighthawk 	Six Three O

Highway 51 Records (H 102)

Record label founded and run by Ted Griffiths and Trevor Huyton.
Pre-war sister label: Kokomo Records.

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Blues From The Windy City (1969)

2017-01-07T12:37:10Z

Blues From The Windy City (1969)


A1 	–Howlin' Wolf 	Just Like I Treat You 	
A2 	–Sonny Boy Williamson (2) 	Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide 	
A3 	–Buddy Guy 	No Lie 	
A4 	–Howlin' Wolf 	I Had A Dream 	
A5 	–Jimmy Rogers 	Today, Today Blues 	
A6 	–Howlin' Wolf 	New Crawling Kingsnake 	
A7 	–Jimmy Rogers 	My Last Meal 	
B1 	–Jimmy Rogers 	If It Ain't Me 	
B2 	–Howlin' Wolf 	Don't Laugh At Me 	
B3 	–Sonny Boy Williamson (2) 	Keep It To Yourself 	
B4 	–Howlin' Wolf 	Hard Luck 	
B5 	–Sonny Boy Williamson (2) 	Born Blind 	
B6 	–Buddy Guy 	Hard But It's Fair 	
B7 	–Howlin' Wolf 	Hidden Charms 	

Python Records ‎– PLP-KM 21

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Blues From Chicago Volume Three (1971)

2017-01-03T13:55:35Z

Blues From Chicago Volume Three (1971)


A1 	–Floyd Jones And His Trio 	Ain't Times Hard 	
A2 	–Floyd Jones And His Trio 	Schooldays On My Mind 	
A3 	–Lazy Bill And His Blue Rhythms 	She Got Me Walkin' 	
A4 	–L.C. McKinley 	Companion Blues 	
A5 	–Chicago Sunny Boy 	Jackpot 	
A6 	–James Banister And His Combo 	Blues And Trouble 	
B1 	–Little Walter And His Jukes 	Teenage Beat 	
B2 	–Sir John Lee Hooker 	We're All God's Children 	
B3 	–L.C. McKinley 	Weeping Willow Blues 	
B4 	–Freddy King 	That's What You Think 	
B5 	–Little Hudson And His Red Devil Trio 	Rough Treatment 	
B6 	–Big Walter And His Combo 	Back Home To Mama

Python Records ‎– PLP-KM 15

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Southside Chicago (1969)

2016-12-08T11:40:30Z

Southside Chicago (1969)


A1 –Walter Horton 	We're Gonna Have A Good Time 	
A2 –Sunnyland Slim 	Country Shack 	
A3 –Johnny Young With The Chicago Blues Band Featuring Otis Spann 	I Believe You Need A Shot 
A4 –Eddie Boyd 	Look On Yonder Wall 	
A5 –Walter Horton 	Shakey Boogie 	
A6 –Willie Mabon 	Goin' Back To New Orleans 	
B1 –Johnny Young With The Chicago Blues Band Featuring Otis Spann 	Want My Baby 	
B2 –St. Louis Jimmy Oden 	The Woman I'm Loving 	
B3 –Johnny Young With The Chicago Blues Band Featuring Otis Spann 	Broken Hearted Blues 	
B4 –Walter Horton 	I'd Be The Same Way If I Could 	
B5 –Johnny Young With The Chicago Blues Band Featuring Otis Spann 	You Better Cut That Out 
B6 –Sunnyland Slim 	You Know It's You Babe

Python Records (2) ‎– PLP-KM 10

Home of the blues - The South Side of Chicago is where the genre blossomed.

Everyone knows that the blues originated in the Deep South, on the vast cotton plantations of Louisiana and Mississippi. But when, starting in the 1920s, the poor, rural blacks embarked on a mass exodus to the industrial north – New York, Detroit and Chicago – they took with them not only their hopes for a little prosperity, but also their culture and their songs.

Today, Chicago is the third-largest U.S. city and a major business and culture center, but back then, Al Capone’s dark legacy clung to the steel mills and slaughterhouses where many of the newcomers labored long and hard. Those who could, earned their dollars on the city’s myriad blues stages – not the healthier option thanks to the whiskey, but an easier one.

The city’s best blues musicians pressed their songs of betrayal, love and loneliness on vinyl at the Chess brothers’ studio at 2120 South Michigan Avenue. Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Koko Taylor were just three such bluesmen whose records have been captivating white middle-class kids around the world since the 1950s, segregation and racism notwithstanding. Even today, countless famous musicians and bands owe much to these giants of the genre.

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Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Vol. 18

2016-08-18T13:31:58Z

Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Vol. 18


01. Ooh baby!
02. Move it baby

Willie Weems – guitar
Leroy Dandridge – bass, vocals (2)
Kitty Grove – vocals (1)
Willie Weems – guitar
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1967

03. Greens
04. Snuff time

Willie Weems – guitar
Nate Pendleton – organ, vocals
Leroy Dandridge – bass, drums
Chicago, Ill. 1967

05. Hi-Ho baby
06. 88 boogie
07. Lovin' time blues

Edna Mc Raney – vocals
Jackie Brenston – baritone saxophone, horns, vocals
Phineas Newborn Jr – piano
Calvin Newborn – guitar, bass, drums
Chicago, Ill. 15 december 1951

08. Back up

Edna Mc Raney – vocals
Eddie Johnson – tenor saxophone ,vocals
Claude Jones - piano
Johnny Pate – bass
Oliver Coleman – drums
Chicago, Ill. april 1952

09. Yes I know (fragment)
10. Edna's boogie

Edna Mc Raney – vocals
Eddie Johnson – tenor saxophone
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1953

11. Gay's blues
12. My heart (vcl: Walter Carson)

Gay Crosse – vocals, tenor saxophone
Eddie Harris – trumpet
Charlie Ross – piano
Edward Lee – guitar
John Latham – bass
Walter Carson – drums, vocals
Cincinnati, Oh. 28 june 1946

13. Saturday night fish fry
14. Pelican's hop

Gay Crosse – vocals, tenor saxophone
Eddie Harris – trumpet
Jewell Grant – alto saxophone
Charlie Ross – piano
Bill Lewis – guitar
John Latham – bass
Walter Carson – drums
Chicago, Ill. 16 august 1949

15. Fat Sam from Birmingham
16. Bittersweet

Gay Crosse – vocals, tenor saxophone
John Coltrane – alto saxophone
Charles Wright – drums
+ band
Philadelphia, Penn. 1950

17. Easy rockin'
18. No better for you
19. Tired of being shoved around
20. G.C. Rock

Gay Crosse – vocals, tenor saxophone
Stanley Turrentine – trumpet
John Coltrane – alto saxophone
Stan Laughlin – piano
Alvin Jackson – bass
Oliver Jackson – drums
Nashville, Tn. 1952

21. Champagne and reefer
22. Honey bee
23. Hoochie coochie man
24. Kansas City (vcl: Pinetop Perkins)

MuddyWaters – vocals, guitar
Pinetop Perkins – piano
Luther Johnson Jr – guitar
Bob Margolin – guitar
Jerry Portnoy – harmonica
Charles Calmese – bass
Willie Smith – drums
Lyon, France 15 july 1979

Let's go for another trip to Chicago blues (yesterday of course) with, this time, three mostly obscure artist.

Willie Weems was the lead guitar player of the Soul act, The Dontells/ The Turks (with singers Nate Pendelton and Leroy Dandridge) who recorded in Chicago for Daran and Vee Jay. But Willie recorded only one 45 under his name, the mostly instrumental Greens (Onions!)/ Stuff time. We have here also included another single waxed the same year under the "Singing Sam" tag with female singer Kitty Grove. Apparently, Willie died in Saginaw (Michigan) some years ago.

Singer Edna Mc Raney (from Covington, Ms) was a member of the Jackie Brenston and Eddie Johnson's bands, recording with each. She was featured in several Chicago clubs during the early 1950's. Outside this, the facts about her are sparse and her whereabouts and life are mostly unknown. Here are all the known tracks she recorded with, unfortunately, only a fragment of Yes, I know. (Thanks for anyone having the complete title and willing to share)

Bandleader and tenor sax player Gay Crosse is mostly known for having hosted a young John Coltrane in his band during some months in 1951-52. Born in Mobile, Al. 15th August 1916, Celestra S. Crosse moved to Cleveland during the early 1930's, learned the saxophone, was strongly influenced by Louis Jordan and formed a band which played in many clubs and venues in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Chicago where Gay Crosse and His Good Humor Six recorded several sessions for King, Mercury (much sought after titles) and RCA-Victor. He then tried his luck (this time with Coltrane in his band) in Philadelphia (waxing one session for Gotham) and then Nashville, recording his last most well known session for the Republic label. But the success eluded him and he disbanded his Good Humor Six around 1955, opening the Gay's Drive in Bar B Q restaurant in Cleveland where Gay was also the cook! But the musical bug was strong enough and Gay Crosse resumed his band during the 1960's playing regularly in the Cleveland clubs and venues until his death on 9 March 1971.

Last but not least, and as a special bonus for you, we have a part of the Muddy Waters' concert hold in the Roman Theatre in Lyon (France) before an audience of 4000+ in July 1979. I was strongly involved in this special event, helping the Scorpio Agency (until then dedicated to Rock groups) to gather a line-up of the best bluesmen available (we had then the opportunity to feature Sugar Blue, Luther Allison, Taj Mahal, B.B. King and of course Muddy on a show which started at 7. PM until 3 o'clock in the morning) and I was backstage most of the time, chatting with all those great people until 6.00 the next morning. Muddy who had to go to London the next day, and liking so much to be in B.B.'s company, didn't bother to go to his hotel and quit the festival just to take his morning plane! --- Gérard Herzhaft, jukegh.blogspot.com

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Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Vol.17

2016-03-30T16:09:01Z

Chicago - The Blues Yesterday Vol.17


01. Morning love blues
02. You know you don't love me
03. Too hot to hold

George Conner (as George Corner) -  vocals, guitar
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1962

04. Poor boy
05. Back in town

George Conner (as Birmingham George) -  vocals, guitar
Billy Emerson – organ
Otis Rush – guitar
Lonnie Brooks – guitar, bass, drums
Chicago, Ill. 1965

06. I love my baby
07. Try and understand

Big Daddy Simpson (Marcellus Simpson) -  vocals, guitar
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1960

08. What can I do
09. You don't believe a word I say

Big Daddy Simpson -  vocals, guitar
Middle Walter (James Jones) – harmonica
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 14 january 1963

10. Give me back my ring
11. Let your hair down baby
12. Lonely man

Big Daddy Simpson -  vocals, guitar
+ band
Chicago, Ill. october 1963

13. Someday baby
14. So hard I & II
15. Don't leave me
16. I'm in love with you

Melvin Simpson  -  vocals, guitar
Middle Walter – harmonica
+ band
Chicago, Ill. 1964

17. Look out Mabel I & II
18. Did you ever love somebody I & II

G.L. Crockett – vocals
Louis Myers – guitar
Henry Gray – piano, bass, drums
Chicago, Ill. june 1958

19. It's a man down there
20. Every hour every day
21. Every goodbye ain't gone
22. Watch my 32

G.L. Crockett – vocals
Louis Myers – guitar
Henry Gray – piano
Lorenzo Smith – tenor saxophone
Reggie Boyd – bass, drums
Chicago, Ill. 17 june 1965

23. Think twice before I go
24. Gonna make you mine

G.L. Crockett – vocals
Louis Myers – guitar
Henry Gray – piano
Lorenzo Smith – tenor saxophone
Reggie Boyd – bass, drums
Chicago, Ill. january 1966

With this 17th (!!!) volume of our "Chicago/ The blues Yesterday" series, let's bring the spotlight once again upon three very lesser known Chicago bluesmen who, anyway, also making their own contribution to this great style.

Singer and guitarist "Birmingham" George Conner (born 25 May 1934 at Reform, Alabama) is still performing on festivals! Before being rediscovered in the 2000's and recording again thanks to the Music Maker Relief Foundation (and with his friend Willie King), Conner lived in Chicago for three decades, holding a blues club "The Place" and recording two much sought after singles under the names George Corner (sic) and Birmingham George, this last one backed by Otis Rush and Lonnie Brooks! George has gone back to Alabama during the 1980's, opening again a club.

Although he has substantially recorded, singer and guitarist Big Daddy Simpson (probably Marcellus Simpson and not Melvin as it is generally told) is still shrouded in some mystery. Simpson has lived and played in Gary, Indiana with John and Grace Brim (who might be on some of his recordings), coming to Chicago for some gigs and recording sessions. It seems that for at least the last session inhere it is his son Melvin Simpson who replaces his father who went ill just before the studio. The harmonica on many of those recordings is blown by another mysterious name, Middle Walter (sic), in fact James Jones. Melvin will also play and record behind Big Daddy Kinsey.

G. L. Crockett (George Crockett) is better known for his two "hits". Born in Carrollton, Ms on 18th September 1928, Crockett came to Chicago at the end of Second World War and began to sing with several West Side blues bands for whom he also composed songs. This is his friend Louis Myers (who also plays the guitar) who brought him in the studios in 1958 for the recording of the fabulous Rockabilly blues tune, Look out Mabel. In 1965, G.L. Crockett would again hit the Chicago charts with It's a man down there, a great blues that will also be recorded by Jimmy Reed and Sonny Boy (Rice Miller). Unfortunately, George Crockett died shortly afterwards in Chicago on 15th February 1967. --- Gérard Herzhaft, jukegh.blogspot.com

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