.. and More About ..
Edited by Claus Röhnisch (updated June 6, 2008)

 THE GREAT RECORDS
by THE GREAT
R&B PIONEERS

Below you´ll find  the Great R&B Pioneers with a short presentation and the most valuable recordings with all R&B Top Ten Hits listed first, followed by other notable classics. Several artists are presented with links to other web sites! All #1 Hits are noted in bold; with number of weeks at #1 position. Titles hitting any of Billboard´s three national R&B Top Ten Charts (Best Seller, Juke Box, Disc Jockey) are listed.
Tip: Check the links to and Wikipedia - and to the other links too.
All presentations edited by Claus Röhnisch.

Johnny "Guitar" Watson

The 3 essential Watson CDs: "The Very Best of.." (Rhino), "Space Guitar" (Varèse), and "Hot Just Like TNT" (UK Ace)
Johnny "Guitar" Watson | Gatemouth Brown | Richard Berry | Young Jessie - (disco) | Ernie K-Doe | The Dells | The Five Keys
Wikipedia:  Watson | Gatemouth | Berry | Jessie | K-Doe | Dells | Five Keys
    on Johnny Watson | Gatemouth Brown | Richard Berry  |  Young Jessie |  Ernie K-Doe  |  The Dells  |  The Five Keys

The "musts" for a Juke Blues Beginner´s Collection!

Check the best blues catalog:
Roots and Rhythm
Find out about: John Lee Hooker
(as presented by Claus Röhnisch)
on John Lee Hooker

LIGHTNIN´ HOPKINS 
Extremely productive singer/guitarist with several recordings for different labels and foremost modern exponent of traditional "unspoiled" Texas country blues. Worked in Texas, California and Mississippi, later New York and Houston again. Inactive during the latter part of the ´50s. "Rediscovered" in 1959 by Sam Charters. Born: Sam Hopkins, March 15, 1912, Centerville, Texas. Died of cancer January 30, 1982, Houston, Texas. First recordings: Los Angeles November 4, 1946 Katie Mae Blues / That Mean Old Twister - Aladdin 167. Records for: Aladdin 46-48, Gold Star 48-50, RPM 1951, Sittin´ In With 1951, Mercury 1952, Decca 1953, Herald 1954, Folkways and Tradition 59-60, Bluesville 60-63, Arhooolie 64-67, Jewel 65-70.
Essential CD: The Very Best of Lightnin´ Hopkins - Rhino R2 79860 (16 great tracks);
or: Mojo Hand - The Lightnin´ Hopkins Anthology (2CD) - Rhino RHCD2-71226
For collectors: The Best of Lightnin' Hopkins - Prestige PRCD 5711 (great Prestige/Bluesville recordings of the 1060s)
Reading: The Big Book of Blues by Robert Santelli (Pavilion, UK 1994)
Search on Lightnin' Hopkins
Lightnin' Hopkins at Wikipedia
on Lightnin' Hopkins
Hopkins at The Blues Database

MUDDY WATERS 
"King of Chicago Blues" - Singer/guitarist and Chicago bar blues patriarch, who heavily influenced the British blues boom of the early ´60s. Switched from the harmonica to guitar in the early ´30s. Was stationed in Clarksdale during the ´30s and arrived in Chicago in 1943 calling himself "Muddy Water" (withouth the s-ending). Was introduced to the Chess brothers Leonard and Phil by "Bluebird" pianist Sunnyland Slim. Muddy modernized (and internationalized) the pre-war Delta country blues, first with his Hoochie Coochie Men in the ´50s and later internationally with his Chicago Blues Band. Some important members: Little Walter, hca; Jimmy Rogers, gtr; Otis Spann, pno: and later James Cotton, hca; George Smith, hca; Pat Hare, gtr; James Madison, gtr; Sammy Lawhorn, Luther "Georgia Boy" Johnson, gtr; and Pinetop Perkins, pno. Muddy toured heavily and several of his band members were regular session men for other Chicago acts or made a career as soloists. Born: McKinley Morganfield, April 4 (or more probable 14), 1913 (not April 14, 1915 as stated earlier), Issaquena, near Rolling Fork, Miss. Died: April 30, 1983, Chicago, Ill. First recordings: Stovalls Plantation near Clarksdale, 1941 Country Blues / I Be´s Troubled - Library of Congress AAFS 18. First in Chicago: 1946 Mean Red Spider with James Carter - 20th Century 20-51B; and late 1947 Gypsy Woman - Aristocrat 1302 (as Muddy Waters with Sunny Land Slim). First Chess: February 1950 Rolling Stone - Chess 1426. Records for: Aristocrat 47-50, Chess 50-75, Blue Sky 76-80.
 
Muddy's harp players on stage: Before 1947: Little Johnny Jones and later Jimmy Rogers; 1947-1952: Little Walter;  1952: Little Junior Wells; 1953: Big Walter "Shakey" Horton; 1953-1954: Henry "Pot" Strong; 1954: Little George "Harmonica" Smith; 1955: Junior Wells and later Elgie "Little Sonny" Willis; 1956-1959: James Cotton, who stayed with Muddy for several dates up to the mid´' 60s - sometimes substituted by Little Walter. Other stand-ins - 1959: Willie Anderson; 1960-1966: George "Mojo" Buford; New players - 1966-1967: George Smith;  1967-1971: Paul Oscher with 1968 and 1970 stand-in Birmingham Jones; 1970 and early 70s: Carey Bell with stand-ins James Cotton and Mojo Buford; 1974-1980: Jerry Portnoy.

The Complete Muddy Waters Session Discography (ctsy Blues & Rhythm magazine - pdf)

Essential CDs: His Best 1947-1955 - MCA/Chess CHD 9370
and His Best 1955-1964 - CHD 9380 (a total of 40 great tracks);
or: The Chess Box (3CD) - MCA/Chess CHD3-80002;
or: The Anthology (2CD) - Chess 112649 (50 great chronological tracks)
For Collectors: Rollin´ Stone - The Golden Anniversary Collection (1947-1952) - MCA (2CD) 088 112301-2
and Hoochie Coochie Man - The Complete Chess Masters, Volume Two (1952-1958) - Hip-O Select B (2CD) 0002758-02
(the two above include all Muddy's Aristocrat and Chess recordings with unissued alternates).
Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down - Waters, Winter, Cotton - Epic CD 07283 (great new-found live stuff from BlueSky)
Editor´s choise: The Complete Muddy Waters 1947-1967 (9CD) - Charly CD RED Box 3
and: The Chronological Muddy Waters 1941-1947 - Classics 5008.
Reading: Muddy Waters - The Mojo Man by Sandra B Tooze (ECW Press, 1997)
and Can´t Be Satisfied - The Life and Times of Muddy Waters by Robert Gordon (Little, Brown and Co, 2002)

Search on Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters at Wikipedia
on Muddy Waters
Muddy at The Blues Database
| Muddy Waters Web Site (official) | more on Muddy Waters |
Hoochie Coochie Man live audio 1960 | Got My Mojo Working 1970

SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON 
"The Goat" - SBW II - "The Harmonica Wizard" - "Little Boy Blue" - "Footsie" - Harmonica player and bar and "juke joint" blues singer with true roots in the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta, where he worked with Robert Johnson, Robert Jnr. Lockwood, the young Elmore James, and the Howlin´ Wolf. Worked with his own radio show at KFFA, Helena, Arkansas from 1941. Lived in West Memphis during 1949-1951. Spread rumors he made his recording debut for United Artists in 1947. Recorded for Lilian McMurray in Jackson, Miss. from the early ´50s, went to Detroit - arrived in Chicago in 1953 and later settled in Milwaukee, Wisc. (with stints in Cleveland and St. Louis). Joined Chess/Checker in 1955, soon backed by such greats as Otis Spann and Lafayette Leake, pno; Robert Jnr. Lockwood, gtr; and Fred Below and Odie Payne, dms. A major harp stylist, who adopted the legendary John Lee Williamson´s name before that artist was murdered in Chicago in 1948. Became a legend during his life-time, spending several periods in Europe. Born: Aleck Ford aka as Alex "Rice" Miller (and as Willie Williams and Willie Williamson in official papers) - according to his passport on April 7, 1909 (he sometimes gave his birth as December 5, 1897 - other files say March 11, 1908 - and the years 1899 and 1910 are also listed), in Glendora, Talllahatchie County, Miss. (mother Ford; stepfather Miller). Died: May 25, 1965, Helena, Ark (his headstone erroneously gives his date of death as June 23, 1965). First recordings: Jackson, Miss Jan 4, 1951 and re-cut on March 12 Eyesight To The Blind / Crazy About You Baby - Trumpet 129. Records for: Trumpet 51-54, Checker 55-64, Storyville-Denmark 1963.
Essential CDs: His Best - MCA/Chess CHD 9377 (20 great chronological tracks);
or: Essential Sonny Boy Williamson (2CD) - MCA/Chess CHD2-9343
Editor´s choise: The Chess Years (4CD) - Charly RED Box 1
plus: King Biscuit Time - Arhoolie CD 310 and Goin´ In Your Direction - Trumpet AA-801
or: Eyesight To The Blind 1951-1954 - Acrobat ACRCD 210 (25 tracks)
Reading: Fessor Mojo´s Don´t Start Me To Talkin´ by William E. Donoghue (US, 2000)
and Spinning Blues Into Gold - The Chess Brothers and the Legendary Chess Records by Nadine Cohodas (US 2000)
Search on Sonny Boy Williamson
Sonny Boy at Wikipedia
on Sonny Boy
Sonny Boy at The Blues Database
| Visit Sonny Boy´s Lonesome Cabin |  Sonny Boy |
| Sonny Boy | More on Sonny Boy and audio |
| Great Biography & Discography | The story of SBW II |

Videos:
Nine Below Zero  |  Your Funeral and My Trial
I'm A Lonely Man   |  Keep It To Yourself  

R&B Top 10 Hit: 1955     Don´t Start Me (To) Talking More of His Very Best Songs: 1951     Eyesight To The Blind 1952     West Memphis Blues 1953     Mighty Long Time 1953     Gettin´ Out Of Town 1954     No Nights By Myself 1956     Keep It To Yourself 1956     The Key To Your Door 1957     Fattening Frogs For Snakes 1957     I Don´t Know 1957     Born Blind (Eyesight To The Blind) 1957     Ninety Nine 1958     Your Funeral And My Trial 1959     It´s Sad To Be Alone 1959     Cool Disposition 1959     The Goat 1960     Checkin´ Up On My Baby 1960     Open Road 1960     Too Close Together 1961     Down Child 1962     Nine Below Zero 1963     Got To Move             (Please Let Me Come Back Home) 1963     Help Me 1963     One Way Out 1964     (I Want You) Close To Me 1965     I Can´t Be Alone 1965     Bring It On Home 1965     Don´t Send Me No Flowers       Sonny Boy's original Chess LPs     Down And Out Blues - LP 1437 (1959)   The Real Folk Blues (In Memorium) - LP 1503 (1965)   More Real Folk Blues - LP 1509 (1966)   Bummer Road - LP 1536 (1969)   This Is My Story - 2LP 2CH50027 (1972)   One Way Out - CHV 417  (1975)   Sonny Boy Williamson - 2LP 2ACBM-206 (1976)   Sonny Boy Williamson Vol 2 -  2LP CXMD 4012 (1976 UK)

HOWLIN´ WOLF 
"The Mighty Wolf", "Big Foot", "John D" - Electrifying guitarist/harmonica player and Delta/Chicago blues singer, who modernized the pre-war country blues traditions of the Delta. Learned the guitar from Charlie Patton and the harmonica from Sonny Boy II in Mississippi and Arkansas. Started his own band in West Memphis in 1948 - the Houserockers. Worked as a DJ and was introduced to record makers by Ike Turner in 1951. Recorded in Memphis for Sam Phillips (who leased the masters to Chess), and in West Memphis for the Bihari brothers (issued on RPM). Nowadays there is material enough for three full-packed CDs covering Wolf's early period - and a truly powerful one!. Moved to Chicago and Chess in 1953. Some famous members of his Chicago band of the ´50s and early ´60s: Willie Johnson,gtr (who also worked with him in Memphis/West Memphis); Hubert Sumlin, gtr; Hosea Lee Kennard and later Henry Grey and Johnny Jones,pno; and Earl Phillips and later S.P. Leary, dms (some blues fans even think Wolf's band was better than Waters').One of the Chess labels´ important blues legends´ "The Big Four" (Muddy, Wolf, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy). Born: Chester Arthur Burnett, June 10, 1910, White Station (4 miles northeast of West Point), Clay County, Miss. Died of cancer January 10, 1976, Hines VA hospital, Chicago, Illinois. First recordings: May 14, 1951 Baby Ride With Me (aka Ridin'  In The Moonlight) and How Many More Years - unissued at the time w. Sam Phillips, producer sent to Chess);  Memphis, Tenn same session or June, 1951 (audition acetate from Sam Phillips) Baby Ride With Me aka Riding In The Moonlight and How Many More Years (sent to RPM/Modern); Memphis July, 1951 Moanin´ At Midnight / How Many More Years - Chess 1479  - issued on August 15 (this session, produced by Phillips); and West Memphis September, 1951 Riding In The Moonlight / Morning At Midnight - RPM 333 (plus Dog Me Around and Keep What You Got - all four produced by Joe Bihari). First in Chicago: March, 1954 No Place To Go - Chess 1566. Records for: RPM and Chess 51-52, Chess 53-75.
Essential CDs: His Best - MCA/Chess CHD 9375 (20 great chronological tracks);
and His Best Vol. 2 - Chess 12026
or: The Chess Box (3CD) - MCA/Chess CHD3-9332
Editor´s choise: The Complete Recordings 1951-1969 (7CD) - Charly RED Box 7
(including all 54 Chess/Phillips Memphis recordings)
and: Howling Wolf Sings The Blues (all the RPM-Modern-Crown recordings 1951-1952) - Ace CDCHM 1013
or its pre-issue Howling Wolf Rides Again - Ace CDCHD 333
For Collectors: Memphis Days: The Definitive Edition Vol 1 and Vol 2 - Bear Family BCD 15460 AH and 15500 AH
(40 of the Chess/Phillips tracks; also found on the first two volumes of "The Complete" above). Wolf''s Memphis recordings are simply terrific!
Reading: Moanin´ At Midnight - The Life and Times of Howlin´ Wolf by James Segrest & Mark Hoffman (Pantheon, 2004);
Chicago Breakdown by Mike Rowe (Edison Bluesbooks, 1973)
Search on Howlin' Wolf
Howlin' Wolf at Wikipedia
on Howlin' Wolf
Wolf at The Blues Database
| HowlinWolf.com | (official)
| More about The Howlin´ Wolf |
| Photos |

ELMORE JAMES 
"King of Slide Guitar" - Guitarist/Delta blues singer and the most important slide guitar stylist and disciple of the legendary Robert Johnson. Toured with Sonny Boy II and Robert Jnr Lockwood in the Delta during the ´30s. Worked in Missisippi, Arkansas and came to Chicago in 1952. Debuted recording in Jackson, Miss 1951 and later was recorded by Ike Turner for the Biharis, (led by Joe Bihari, who also recorded him in the South, Chicago, L.A. and N.O.). Bad health kept Elmore from recording more than he did. His famous band were the Broom Dusters, featuring members of the legendary Tampa Red´s band: Little Johnny Jones, pno: J.T. Brown, sax; Odie Payne, dms. Joined Bobby Robinson's labels in 1959 (redording in Chicago, New York and Jackson, Miss. Born: Elmore Brooks (stepfather James), January 27, 1918, Richland, Miss. (near Canton). Died May 24, 1963, Chicago, Ill (heart attack). First recordings: Jackson, Miss August 1951 Dust My Broom - Trumpet 146; and Chicago, October 1952 I Believe / I Held My Baby Last Night - Meteor 5000. Records for: Meteor 1952, Checker 1953, Flair 53-56, Chief 1957, Chess 1960, Fire/Fury/Enjoy 59-63.
Essential CD: The Sky Is Crying - The History of... - Rhino R2 71190 (21 great tracks)
Editor´s choise: The Classic Early Recordings (3CD - the Modern years) - Ace ABOX 4
and: King of the Slide Guitar (4CD Chess-Fire 1952-1963) - Charly CD RED Box 4
For Collectors: Blues After Hours - Ace CDCHM 1043 (reissue of Crown LP plus bonus tracks)
Reading: The Amazing Secret History of Elmore James by Steve Franz (BlueSource Publ, 2003)
Search on Elmore James
Elmore James at Wikipedia
on Elmore James
Elmore at The Blues Database
| More on Elmore | Elmore James Discography |
| More Elmore |

LITTLE WALTER 
"King of Harmonicas" - The most influental harmonica player and a successful Chicago Bar Blues singer and sometimes guitarist. Worked with Jimmy Rogers and Baby Face Leroy and joined Muddy Waters during the late ´40s. Arrived in Chicago in 1946 after stints in New Orleans and Helena, Arkansas. Started his own band in 1952 - the Night Cats - later famous as the Jukes, featuring brothers Louis and David Meyers, gtrs; and Fred Below, dms (who actually were Junior Wells´ "Little Muddy Waters" band). Was later accompanied by a.o. Robert Jnr. Lockwood and Luther Tucker, gtrs. Continued to back Muddy Waters on several occasions during the ´50s (especially on most of Muddy´s hit records). Inducted into thee Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008. Born: Marion Walter Jacobs, May 1, 1930, Alexandria, Louisiana (or 1928 or 1929 or poss. May 2, 1931, Marksville, Louisiana). Died: February 15, 1968, Chicago, Ill. (injures from street fight, shot). First recordings: Chicago 1947 I Just Keep Loving Her - Ora Nelle 711; Checker: May 12, 1952 Juke - Checker 758. Records for: Checker 52-66.

Essential CDs: His Best - MCA/Chess CHD 9384 (20 great chronological tracks);
or:  Essential Little Walter (2CD) - MCA/Chess CHD2-9342
Editor´s choise: The Chess Years, 1952-1963 (4CD) - Charly CD RED Box 5
For collectors: Blues with a Feeling (2CD with rare Chess) - MCA CHD2-9357
Reading: Blues with a feeling - The Little Walter Story by Tony Glover, Scott Dirks & Ward Gaines (Routledge, 2002)
| Updates on book |
  
Search on Little Walter
Little Walter at Wikipedia
on Little Walter
Little Walter at The Blues Database
Little Walter Discography  |  Little Walter
| More on Little Walter | Little Walter story and audio |

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1952     Juke (instr)     8w 1952     Mean Old World 1952     Sad Hours (instr) 1952     Tonight With A Fool 1953     Tell Me Mama 1953     Off The Wall (instr) 1953     Blues With A Feeling 1953     You´re So Fine 1954     Oh, Baby 1954     You Better Watch Yourself 1954     Last Night 1955     My Babe     5w 1955     Roller Coaster (instr) 1956     Who 1958     Key To The Highway Other Best Of... 1948     Blue Baby             (Sunnyland Slim & Muddy Water) 1950     Muskadine Blues 1951     Evan´s Shuffle (by Muddy Waters) 1952     Boogie (instr) 1952     Driftin´ 1952     That´s It (instr) 1953     Quarter To Twelve (instr) 1954     I Gotta Find My Baby 1954     Mellow Down Easy 1956     Hate To See You Go 1956     Just A Feeling 1957     Everybody Needs Someboday 1958     Everything´s Gonna Be Alright 1959     You´re Sweet 1960     Just Your Fool 1960     Blue Midnight (instr rec 1952) 1961     You Don´t Know 1963     Dead Presidents        Little Walter's Original Chess LPs         The Best of - Chess LP 1428 / Checker 3004 (1958)   Hate To See You Go - LP 1535 (1969)   Boss Blues Harmonica - 2LP 60014  (1972)     (reissued as 2LP 202, 1976)   Confessin'  The Blues - LP 416  (1975)   Little Walter Vol 2 - 2LP 4011 (1976 UK)   The Best of, vol. 2 - MCA/Chess  LP 9292 (1986)

JIMMY REED 
"Boss Man of the Blues". Popular and distinctive guitarist/harmonica player and Chicago blues singer in the Down South Louisiana/Mississippi "swamp" style. Came to Chicago from Mississippi in 1948 (after having lived in Chicago before the war and returned to Leland after military services), and settled in Gary, Indiana in 1949. Worked with San Francisco as base from 1970. Especially worked with Eddie Taylor, Lefty Bates and later Phil Upchurch and Wayne Bennett, gtrs; Earl Phillips and later Al Duncan,dms in Chicago. Was Vivian Bracken-Carter´s (of VeeJay) most consistent act, produced by Jimmy Bracken and Calvin Carter and later by manager Al Smith. Became the most successful of the blues singers during the late ´50s and early ´60s. Born: Mathis James Reed, September 6, 1925, Dunleith, Miss. (near Leland). Died from epileptic seizure August 29, 1976, Oakland, Calif. First recordings: as hca-playing sideman (with Eddie Taylor) on Jim Brim's Gary Stomp (instrumental)/Tough Times - Parrot (1953); himself: Chicago June 6, 1953 High And Lonesome / Roll And Rhumba - Chance 1142/VeeJay 100. Records for: VeeJay 53-65, Bluesway 66-68, Bluestime 69-70.
Essential CD: Blues Masters/The Very Best of... - Rhino R2 79802   (17 great tracks)
or: Boss Man (2CD) - Recall (UK) SMCD 232 (36 great Vee-Jay tracks in chronoorder).
Editor´s choise: The Vee-Jay Years (6CD 1953-1965) - Charly CD RED Box 9
For Collectors: Jimmy Reed at Carnegie Hall - Shout!Factory (Vee-Jay) VF 826663-10645)
Reading:  Big Boss Man - The Life and Music of Bluesman Jimmy Reed by Will Romano (Backbeat, US 2006)
Search on Jimmy Reed
Jimmy Reed at Wikipedia
on Jimmy Reed
JImmy Reed at The Blues Database
JImmy Reed Singles  at Soulful Kinda Music
| Jimmy Reed |

LOUIS JORDAN
Altosaxophonist and East Coast jazz/blues jive styled singer and a dean of jump blues linking pre-war jazz bands with post-war R&B combos with his Tympany Five (who almost never where just five - more like seven) - and holding the Billboard´s Race/R&B charts´ #1 spot for a total of 101 weeks between 1942 and 1950. Jordan was innovative and extremely popular during the war years and the birth of R&B. The later famous Bill Doggett arranged and played piano on several Jordan songs. Worked in Arkansas and came to Philadelphia in 1930. Arrived in New York 1936. Born: July 8, 1908, Brinkley, Ark. Died of heart attack February 4, 1975, Los Angeles, Calif. First recordings: with the Jungle band for Brunswick in 1929; with Clarence Williams in New York early ´30s; with Chick Webb 1936-38; for Decca 1938 with his own band - first hit after 30 issues in 1942 Knock Me A Kiss/ I´m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town - Decca 8593. Records for: Decca 38-54, Aladdin 54, Vik 55-56, Mercury 56-58,Tangerine 62-65, Pzazz 68-69..
Essential CD: Five Guys Named Moe: 1942-1952 - MCA MACD 10503.
CDs for Collectors: Jivin´ With Jordan (4CD) - Properbox 47 (102 great tracks 1938-1951)
or  Let The Good Times Roll: The Complete Decca (8CD+1LP 1938-1954) - Bear Family BCD 15557 IH
also: Rock ´N´Roll - Mercury 838219-2
Reading: Let The Good Times Roll - The Story of Louis Jordan & His Music by John Chilton (US, 1994)
Search on Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan at Wikipedia
on Louis Jordan
Jordan at The Blues Database
| Louis Jordan web site | official

R&B # 1 Hits (of his 54 Top Tens): 1943   What´s The Use Getting Sober  1w 1944   Ration Blues 1w 1944   G.I. Jive 1w 1945   Mop Mop 1w 1945   Caldonia Boogie (aka Caldonia) 7w 1946   Buzz Me 9w 1946   Don´t Worry ´Bout That Mule 1w 1946   Stone Cold Dead In The Market 5w 1946   Choo Choo Ch´Boogie 18w 1946   Ain´t That Just Like A Woman 2w 1947   Ain´t Nobody Here But Us Chickens 17w 1947   Texas And Pacific 2w 1947   Jack, You´re Dead 7w 1947   Boogie Woogie Blue Plate 14w 1948   Run, Joe 2w 1949   Beans And Corn Bread 1w 1949   Saturday Night Fish Fry 12w 1950   Blue Light Boogie 7w Some Other Classics: 1943   Five Guys Named Moe 1945   Salt Pork, West Virginia 1946   Beware 1946   Let The Good Times Roll 1947   Open The Door, Richard 1948   Barnyard Boogie 1949   Baby It´s Cold Outside (with Ella Fitzgerald) 1951   How Blue Can You Get 1956   Beware Brother Beware 1957   Got My Mojo Working

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BUDDY JOHNSON
"The Walk ´Em Rhythm Man" - Qualitative and popular band-leader at the Savoy Ballroom, vocalist and great composer. Started to play the piano at age of four. Came to New York in 1938 and formed a 16-pice big band (which lasted longer then all the other swing bands - Johnson toured one-nighters with his orchestra into 1964 (although in later years the band was not that large anymore). Went with the Cotton Club Revue to Europe. Sister Ella Johnson (born June 22, 1923 and a truly great vocalist - hailed by critics as the equal of Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald -, who sang on most of Johnson's hits; died in February, 2004) joined the band in 1940. Balladeer Arthur Prysock joined in late 1943 and Buddy also had a vocal group on his revue called The Bee Jays. Born: Woodrow Wilson Johnson January 10, 1915 in Darlington, South Carolina. Died of brain tumor (cancer) - after serveral years of being a minister- on February 9, 1977. First recordings: New York November, 1939 with The Mack Sisters Jammin' in Georgia / Stop Pretending on Decca 7864. Records for: Decca 1949-1952, Mercury 1953-1958, Roulette 1958 and later Old Town.
Essential CD: Walk ' Em - Ace CDHCD 623 (with 24 great Decca recordings 1940-1952).
For Collectors: Buddy & Ella Johnson 1953 - 1964 (4CD) on Bear Family BCD 15479-DH (all Mercury and post-Mercury recordings).
Search on Buddy Johnson | Buddy & Ella
Buddy Johnson at Wikipedia (not yet)
on Buddy Johnson
Buddy at The Blues Database
| More on Buddy |

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1943   Let's Beat Out Some Love 1943   Baby Don't You Cry 1944   When My Man Comes Home   1w 1946   They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool 1950   Because, Pts 1 & 2 1953   Hittin' On Me 1954   I'm Just Your Fool 1956   Bring It Home To Me More Super-Greats: 1941   Boogie Woogie's Mother-in-Law 1941   Please Mr. Johnson 1944   Fine Brown Frame 1945   Walk 'Em 1946   Since I Fell For You 1955   Bitter Sweet 1957   Rock On

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T-BONE WALKER 
"The Blues Guitar Wizard" - Texas "territory band" influenced guitarist and blues singer. A true giant of blues - legendary - and creator of modern blues. Pioneer in developing the electric guitar sound. Inspirer of the modern exponents of "industrial guitar blues sounds". Toured with medicine shows - dancing and playing banjo - during the ´20s. Worked with Cab Calloway and Milt Larkin during the ´30s. Worked in Oklahoma and in the ´40s in California, Detroit and Chicago, and settled in Los Angeles. Some of his important backing musicians: Bumps Meyers, tenor sax; Willard McDaniel, pno; Oscar Lee Bradley, dms. Was produced by the legendary Ralph Bass (for Black & White - the masters soon bought by Capitol) and later by arranger - tenor saxophonist Maxwell Davis (for Imperial), and Nesuhi Ertegun (for Atlantic). Had severe problems with his stomach from the ´50s on and sometimes inactive. Born: Aaron Thibeaux Walker, May 28, 1910, Linden,Texas. Died of pneumonia March 16, 1975, Los Angeles, California. First recordings: Dallas, Texas December 5, 1929 as Oak Cliff T-Bone Wichita Falls Blues / Trinity River Blues; Los Angeles with Les Hite Orch c:a June, 1940 T-Bone Blues - Varsity 8391; Hollywood with Freddie Slack,pno in July, 1942 Mean Old World I Got A Break Baby - Capitol; Chicago May 1945 Sail On Boogie / Im´ Still In Love With You - Rhumboogie 4000. Records for: Black & White 46-48, Comet/Capitol 1949, Imperial 50-54, Atlantic 55-59, Bluesway 67-68.
Essential CD: Blues Masters: The Very Best of.. - Rhino R 2 79894
Editor´s choises: The Complete Capitol/Black & White Recordings (3CD) - Capitol 829379-2;
The Complete Imperial Recordings (2CD) - EMI CDP7 96737-2;
T-Bone Blues - Atlantic 8020-2;
The Chronological T-Bone Walker 1929-1946 - Classics 5007.
For Collectors: The Original Source (4CD) - Properbox 38 (90 great early tracks with a 44 page booklet)
Reading: Stormy Monday - the T-Bone Walker Story by Helen Oakley Dance (Da Capo, 1987)
Search on T-Bone Walker
T-Bone Walker at Wikipedia
on T-Bone Walker
T-Bone at The Blues Database
| More on T-Bone Walker | Even more on T-Bone |
T-Bone Discography 1929 - 1951 (from Properbox)

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1946     Bobby Sox Baby (Blues) 1948     Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad) 1948     Long Skirt Baby Blues 1948     I´m Waiting For Your Call 1948     West Side Baby 1949     T-Bone Shuffle Other Essential Songs (The Very Best): 1940     T-Bone Blues (with Les Hite) 1942     Mean Old World (with Freddie Slack) 1944     I´m Still In Love With You 1945     T-Bone Boogie 1946     I´m In An Awful Mood 1947     T-Bone Jumps Again (instr) 1948     That´s Better For Me 1949     Hypin´ Woman Blues 1949     Plain Ole Down Home Blues 1949     I Want A Little Girl 1950     Strollin´ With Bone (instr) 1950     Travelin´ Blues 1951     Welcome Blues 1951     Cold Cold Feeling 1951     I Got The Blues Again 1952     Street Walkin´ Woman 1952     Blue Mood 1953     My Baby Is Now On My Mind 1954     Bye Bye Baby 1954     Pony Tail 1954     Strugglin´ Blues 1955     Papa Ain´t Salty 1955     T-Bone Blues (Atlantic) 1956     Blues For Marili (instr) 1957     Evenin´ 1959     Two Bones And A Pick (instr) 1966     Takes A Lot Of Know-How 1968     Goin´ To Funky Town (instr)

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CHARLES BROWN
"The Blues Crooner" - Pianist/singer and foremost exponent of West Coast Texas influenced Club Blues. Worked in Baytown (Texas), Arkansas and San Francisco and settled in Los Angeles in 1943. Joined Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers as lead vocalist in 1944, who capitalized on Nat Cole Trio´s successes. Turned solo in late 1948. Highly active up to his death. Born: September 13, 1922 (not 1920), Texas City, Texas; died January 21, 1999. First recordings: Los Angeles 1944 as pianist with Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers featuring Frankie Laine for Atlas; and in March 1945 with Moore Johnny´s Boogie / You Taught Me To Love You - Exclusive 205 (Brown vocal on the B-side); first record as solo artist: L.A. November 11, 1948 Get Yourself Another Fool - Aladdin 3020. Recordings for: Exclusive (with Johnnny Moore), 45-48, Modern 46. Solo: Aladdin 48-56, Ace 59-60, King 60-68, Bluesway 1969.
Essential CD: Driftin´ Blues - The Best of.. - EMI CDP7-97989-2
or: Hard Times & Cool Blues - Sequal NEXCD 133
For Collectors - with Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers: Drifting & Dreaming - Ace CDCHD 589
Reading: Blue Rhythms - Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues by Chip Deffaa (US 1996)
The Real Rhythm and Blues by Hugh Gregory (Blandford, 1998)
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Important Hits with Johnny Moore´s Three Blazers: 1946   Drifting Blues 1946   Sunny Road 1947   New Orleans Blues 1947   Merry Christmas Baby R&B Top 10 Hits (solo): 1949   Get Yourself Another Fool 1949   Long Time 1949   Trouble Blues   15w 1949   In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down 1949   Homesick Blues 1950   My Baby´s Gone 1951   Black Night   14w 1951   I´ll Always Be In Love With You 1951   Seven Long Days 1952   Hard Times More Yum-Yum: 1955   My Heart Is Mended 1955   Fools Paradise 1959   I Want To Go Home (with Amos Milburn) 1968   Merry Christmas Baby

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JOE TURNER
"Big Joe" - "The Boss of the Blues" - Jazz/blues singer - the original and ultimate Blues Shouter with roots in Kansas City and an important link between R&B and R&R. Recorded in Kansas, New York, L.A., Texas, and N.O. Made his debut with pianist Pete Johnson, with whom he worked during several terms, and later worked with several band constellations. Was on the decline when Atlantic´s Herb Abramson (who had produced him for National) "picked him up" and re-introduced him with Harry Van Walls billed at the piano. Several mid ´50s records billed as Joe Turner & His Blues Kings (using legendary N.O., Chicago and N.Y. jazz and blues musicians). Is considered a true Giant Blues Singer. Billed "Big Joe Turner" on several LPs. Born: May 18, 1911, Kansas City. Died of heart attack November 24, 1985, Inglewood, Calif. First recordings: Live at Carnegie Hall, NYC December 23, 1938 It´s All Right Baby (aka Roll ´Em Pete) / Low Down Dog - issued on Vanguard in 1959. N.Y. December 30, 1938 Roll ´Em Pete / Goin´ Away Blues - Vocalion 4607; June 30, 1939 Cherry Red Vocalion 4997; first post-war rec N.Y. February 1945 S.K. Blues - National 9010. Records for: Vocalion 1939, Decca 40-44, National 45-47, Aladdin 1947, Freedom 49-50, Imperial 1949, Atlantic 51-62, Bluesway 1967, Kent 1970.

Essential CD: Big, Bad & Blue-The Big Joe Turner Anthology (3CD) - Rhino R2 71550 or: The Definitive Blues Collection (2CD) - Rhino 122748 For Collectors: All The Classic Hits 1938-1952 (5CDbox) - JSP 7709 Reading: Honkers and Shouters - The Golden Years of Rhythm & Blues by Arnold Shaw (Collier Books, US 1978) Search on Joe Turner Big Joe Turner at Wikipedia on Joe Turner Big Joe at The Blues Database | More on Big Joe |

R&B Top 10 Hits: 1946     My Gal´s A Jockey 1950     Still In The Dark 1951     Chains Of Love 1952     The Chill Is On 1952     Sweet Sixteen 1952     Don´t You Cry 1953     Honey Hush    8w 1953     T.V. Mama 1954     Shake, Rattle And Roll    3w 1954     Well All Right 1954     Flip, Flop And Fly 1955     Hide And Seek 1956     Corrine Corrina 1956     Morning, Noon And Night 1956     The Chicken & The Hawk 1956     Lipstick Powder And Paint Other Essential Songs: 1938     It´s All Right Baby (with Pete Johnson) 1939     Cherry Red (with Pete Johnson) 1940     Piney Brown Blues 1941     Blues On Central Avenue 1944     Rebecca 1945     Johnson & Turner Blues 1947     (New) Wee Baby Blues 1948     Tell Me Pretty Baby 1949     Blues Jumped A Rabbit 1953     Married Woman 1954     You Know I Love You 1954     In The Evening 1956     Roll ´Em Pete 1957     Red Sails In The Sunset 1958     (I´m Gonna) Jump For Joy

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WYNONIE HARRIS
"Mr. Blues" - Blues shouter and risqué styled lady-killer and self-taught some-times drummer. Worked as dancer and comedian. Hired by Lucky Millinder in 1944. Was semi-retired during 1953 - 1960, but regarded as a true R&B pioneer. Born: August 24, 1915, Omaha, Nebr. Died of cancer June 14, 1969, Los Angeles, Calif. Worked in Omaha, Kansas City, arrived in Los Angeles 1941 and also worked in New York - back to Los Angeles in 1945, and came back to New York in 1947. First recordings: NYC early 1945 with Lucky Millinder Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well /Hurry Hurry - Decca 18674; Los Angeles July 1945 with Johnny Otis Around The Clock Blues - Philo/Aladdin 103; L.A. August 2, 1945 with Illinois Jacquet Wynonie´s Blues - Apollo 362. Records for: Apollo 1945, Aladdin 46-47, King 47-57.
Essential CD: Bloodshot Eyes: The Best of.. - Rhino R2 71455
or: Jukebox Hits 1946-1954 - Acrobat ADMCD4315
For Collectors: Rockin' The Blues (4CD) - Properbox 20 (81 tracks 1944-1950)
Reading: Rock Mr. Blues - The Life and Music of Wynonie Harris by Tony Carlins (Big Nickel, 1995)
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R&B Top 10 Hits: 1945   Who Threw The Whiskey In The Well           (with Lucky Millinder)    8w 1945   Around The Clock Blues  (with Johnny Otis All Stars) 1946   Wynonie´s Blues (with Illinois Jacquet) 1946   Playful Baby 1948   Good Rockin´ Tonight   1w 1948   Lolly Pop Mama 1949   Grandma Plays The Numbers 1949   I Fell That Old Age Coming On 1949   Drinkin´ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee 1949   All She Wants To Do Is Rock   2w 1949   I Want My Fanny Brown 1950   Sittin´ On It All The Time 1950   I Like My Baby´s Pudding 1950   Good Morning Judge 1950   Oh Babe! 1951   Bloodshot Eyes 1952   Lovin´ Machine

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AMOS MILBURN
With roots in Texas, Navy services between 1942-45, Milburn became a West Coast R&B pioneer - pianist/singer - linking club and dance hall blues styles, with arrangements by Maxwell Davis, featured on tenor sax. First worked in Houston and came to Los Angeles in 1945. Was labeled "with His Aladdin Chicken Shackers" during the peak of his career and had several classic "drinking" hits. Highly popular during the early years of R&B and was faithful to Eddie Mesner´s Aladdin Records for a long period. Worked with Charles Brown during their declining years in the late ´50s. Suffered his first stroke in 1970. Born: April 1, 1927, Houston, Texas. Died of stroke January 3, 1980, Houston, Texas. First recordings: L.A., California September 12, 1946 After Midnight/ Amos´ Blues - Aladdin 159. Records for: Aladdin 46-57, King 60-61, Motown 62-64.
Essential CD: Down The Road Apiece (Aladdin) - EMI 827229-2
or: Blues & Boogie: His Greatest Hits (Aladdin) - Sequel NEX CD 132
CD For Collectors: The Chicken Shack Boogie Man (2CD) - Proper PVCD102 (1946-1951)
or: One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer (4CD anth) - EMI TOCP7 2585-88
or: Blues, Barrelhouse and Boogie Woogie 1946 - 55 (3CD) - Capitol CDP 36879
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R&B Top 10 Hits: 1948  Chicken-Shack Boogie 5w 1948  It Took A Long, LongTime 1948  Bewildered 3w 1949  A&M Blues 1949  Hold Me, Baby 1949  In The Middle Of The Night 1949  Roomin´ House Boogie 2w 1949  Empty Arms Blues 1949  Let´s Make Christmas Merry, Baby 1949  Real Pretty Mama Blues 1950  Walking Blues 1950  Sax Shack Boogie 1951  Bad, Bad Whiskey   3w 1951  Let´s Rock A While 1951  Tears, Tears, Tears 1952  Thinking And Drinking 1953  Let´s Have A Party 1953  Let Me Go Home Whiskey 1953  One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer 1954  Good Good Whiskey More Memorable Songs: 1946  After Midnight 1947  Down The Road Apiece 1947  Amos Boogie Woogie

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JOHNNY OTIS
"Godfather of R&B"- Bandleader/ drummer / vibraphonist (and sometimes singer) and one of the most important figures of pioneer R&B - with roots in the Kansas City / Omaha tradition, inspired by Lionel Hampton. Worked with several early LA artists, like Charles Brown (and played drums on his famous "Driftin´ Blues" in 1946), Wynonie Harris, Joe Swift et co. Co-owner of L.A. blues clubs "The Barrelhouse" and later "The Oasis". Johnny changed from playing drums to vibes after an accident in 1949. The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan / Revue / Show skyrocketed many original R&B stars: the Robins, Little Esther, Marie Adams; and included several top musicians: Pete "Guitar" Lewis and later Jimmy Nolen, gtr; Devonia "Lady Dee" Williams, pno; and Leard Bell, dms. Was billed on records as Johnny Otis, His Drums & Orchestra during the early years for Leon and Otis René (Excelsior often with a big band) and as Johnny Otis Quintette - sometimes Orchestra - (with Ralph Bass as producer for Savoy) during the early ´50s. When the quintet was enlarged to a small orchestra it also included several talents of L.A´s horns and accompanied early Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Little Esther again, Johnny Ace and Little Richard a.o. Born: John Veliotes (Caucasian, Greek parents), December 28, 1921, Vallejo, Calif. First recordings: Los Angeles July 1945 as drummer with Wynonie Harris Around The Clock Blues - Philo/Aladdin 103 and September 13, 1945 My Baby´s Business with Jimmy Rushing, and Harlem Nocturne - Excelsior 141 and 142. Records for: Excelsior 45-48, Modern 1949, Savoy 49-51, Mercury 51-52, Peacock 52-55, Dig 56-57, Capitol 57-59, King 61-62, Kent 1968.
Essential CD: The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan (3CD) - Savoy/Atlantic 92859-2 (reissued on Savoy Jazz CD 17059)
and  The Chronological 1945-1947  - Classics (21 tracks) plus The Chronological 1949-1950 - Classics 5067
For Collectors: Midnight At The Barrelhouse (5CD) - JSP 7713 (featuring the Otis Congregation 1945-1951)
Reading: Upside Your Head! - Rhythm & Blues on Central Avenue by Johnny Otis (US, 1993)
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R&B Top 10 Hits: 1950     Double Crossing Blues    9w     (with Little Esther & the Robins) 1951     Mistrustin´ Blues     4w     (w Little Esther & Mel Walker) 1950     Misery     (w Little Esther) 1950     Cry Baby     (w Mel Walker) 1950     Cupid(´s) Boogie     1w      (w Esther-Walker) 1950     Deceivin´ Blues     (w Esther-Walker) 1950     Dreamin´ Blues     (w Mel Walker) 1950     Weddin´ Boogie    (w Esther-Walker) 1950     Faraway Blues (Christmas Blues)    (w Esther-Walker) 1951     Rockin´ Blues     (w Mel Walker) 1951     Mambo Boogie 1951     Gee Baby     (w Mel Walker) 1951     All Nite Long  (Otis and band vocal) 1952     Sunset To Dawn     (w Mel Walker) 1952     Call Operator 210     (w Mel Walker) 1959     Willie And The Hand Jive     (Otis, vocal) Other Golden Ones: 1945     My Baby´s Business    (with Jimmy Rushing) 1945     Harlem Nocturne 1946     Omaha Flash 1947     Good Boogdie Googie    (with George Washington) 1948     Midnight In The Barrelhouse    (feat Guitar Lewis) 1948     Alimony Boogie     (with Cathy Cooper) 1948     The Jelly Roll     (with Lem Tally) 1948     Alligator Meat    (with Joe Swift) 1949     Thursday Night Blues 1949     Boogie Guitar     (feat Guitar Lewis) 1949     Get Together Blues (with "Little" Esther Jones) 1949     I´m Not Falling In Love With You    (with Devonia Williams) 1950     The Turkey Hop    (with The Robins) 1952     Doggin´ Blues     (with Linda Hopkins) 1956     The Midnight Creeper     (feat Jimmy Nolen) 1957     Ma He´s Making Eyes At Me    (with Marie Adams)

Johnny Otis Pre-Savoy Years - only Excelsior (Otis Rene) and Modern (Joe Bihari) issues listed. All recorded in Los Angeles, California. Johnny Otis, His Drums & Orchestra Sept 13, 1945 (Teddy Buckner, Billy Jones, Loyal Walker, Harry Parr Jones,tpts: Henry Coker, Eli Robinson, John Pettigrew, Jap Jones, tbns; Rene Bloch, Bob Harris, Paul Quinichette, James Von Streeter, Leon Back, reeds; Bill Doggett,pno; Bernie Cobbs, gtr; Curtis Counce,bs; Johnny Otis, dms; Jimmy Rushing, vcls-1) Excelsior 141  My Baby´s Business -1 b/w Preston´s Love Mansion Excelsior 142  Jimmy´s Round-the-clock blues -1 b/w Harlem Nocturne ca Febr 1946 (Lester Current, Loyal Walker, Eddie preston, Billy Jones,tpt: John pettigrew, Jap Jones, Sonny Durham-152, George Washington, tbns; Kent Pope, Bob Harris, Paul Quinichette, James Von Streeter, Leon Beck,reeds; Gene Gilbeaux,pno-152, Henry Owens,pno; Bernie Cobbs, gtr; Curtis Counce,bs; Johnny Otis,dms) Excelsior 152  Omaha Flash b/w Jeff-Hi Stomp Excelsior 156  Miss Mitchell b/w Ultra-Violet Excelsior 157  Sgt Barksdale Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 Johnny Otis & His Orchestra (or Johny Otis Orchestra) ca Dec 1946 (Eddie Preston, Walter Williams, Lester Current, Billy Jones, tpts; John Pettigrew, Herb Mullins, George Washington,tbns; Preston Love, Buddy Colette, Paul Quinichette, James Von Streeter, Lemuel Tally,reeds, Lee Wesley Jones,pno; Bernie Cobbs,gtr; Joe Comfort,bs; Johnny Otis,dms; Washington, vcls-1) Excelsior 518  Love´s Nocturne b/w Good Boogide Googie -1 Excelsior 519  My Old Flame b/w La Bohéme And Beans Late 1947 or poss. early 1948 (John Anderson,tpt; George Washington,tbn; Big JayMcNeely,tensax; Lemuel Tally,barsax; "Darby Hicks" (prob. Devonia Williams),pno; Pete Lewis,gtr-5, Mario Delagarde, bs; Johnny Otis,dms; Cathy Cooper,vcls-1; Bardu Ali, vcls-2; Lemuel Tally,vcls-3; "Darby Hicks" vcls-4; The Four Bluebirds, vcls-6) Excelsior 536  Midnight In The Barrelhouse -5  b/w Barrelhouse Stomp Excelsior 536  Happy New Year Baby -1,3  b/w Barrelhouse Stomp   (reissue) Excelsior 537  Alimony Boogie -1,3  b/w  Hog Jaws Excelsior 540  My Baby Done Told Me -6  b/w  Court Room Blues -3,4 Excelsior 541  The Jelly Roll -3  b/w  Pay Day Blues -1,2 August, 1949 (orchestration similar to above featuring Pete Lewis and Devonia Williams plus reeds and brass; no vibes; "Little" Esther Jones,vcls-1) Modern 20-715  I Gotta Guy -1  b/w  Thursday Night Blues Modern 20-748  Mean Old Gal -1  b/w  Good Ole Blues

Listen to "Little Esther"
Check "Midnight at the Barrelhouse" 5CD -set (on JSP label)

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RUTH BROWN
"Miss Rhythm" - Original blues & rhythm thrush and a regular chart-topper establishing Atlantic Records as the most important R&B label of the ´50s. Started out in Virginia and later worked in Detroit. Sang for a month with Lucky Millinder in 1946 and was later spotted by Duke Ellington, who in Washington, DC presented her to Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic. Was hospitalized several months (after a car accident) until she was able to debut her recording career. Was directed on several early recordings by saxophonist Budd Johnson and closely worked with Willis Jackson (to whom she was married for a while) - and with arranger Jesse Stone at Atlantic. Was billed with Her Rhythmakers on several mid ´50s records. Had acting roles in TV shows in later years, and several Broadway and Las Vegas musicals, also acted in movies. Born: Ruth Alston Weston January 12 (not 30), 1928, Portsmouth,Virginia. First marriage to Texas Johnny Brown mid ´40s. Ruth died in a Henderson, Nevada hospital on November 17, 2006 (after a heart attack and stroke). First recordings: New York City April 6, 1949 Rain Is A Bringdown (uniss at the time) and May 25, 1949 It´s Raining / So Long - Atlantic 879. Records for: Atlantic 49-61, Philips 61-62, Decca 1964, Solid State 68-69, Fantasy 1980-.
Essential CD: The Essentials - Rhino R2 76162
or: Rockin´ In Rhythm-The Best of... - Rhino RHCD 2-72450
or. The Definitive Soul Collection (2CD) - Rhino 122684
Editor´s choises: Miss Rhythm-Greatest Hits and More (2CD) - Atlantic 7 82061-2
and: The Chronological Ruth Brown 1949-1950 - Classics 5003
Reading: Miss Rhythm - The Autobiography of Ruth Brown by Ruth Brown with Andrew Yule (US, 1996)
Blue Rhythms - Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues by Chip Deffaa (US 1996)