Chess Blues Classics: 1957-1967

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Leonard Chess; Andy McKaie; Phil Chess; Ralph Bass; Rick Hall; Willie Dixon; Billy Davis; Andy McKaie (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Recorded between 1957 and 1967. All tracks have been digitally remastered. This is part of Chess' 50th Anniversary Collection series. Personnel: Howlin' Wolf (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Little Milton, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy (vocals, guitar); Muddy Waters (vocals, slide guitar); Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson (vocals, harmonica); Etta James, Koko Taylor (vocals); David T. Walker, Earl Hooker, Eddie "Guitar" Burns, Freddie King, Gerald Sims, Homesick James Williamson, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Johnson, Jody Williams, Luther Tucker, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Pat Hare, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Robert Nighthawk, Albert Lowe (guitar); James Cotton , Big Walter Horton (harmonica); Floyd Newman, Aaron Varnell, Charles Chalmers (saxophone); Bob Neely, Gavrell Cooper, J.T. Brown, A.C. Reed (tenor saxophone); Donald Hankins (baritone saxophone); Gene Miller, David Hines (trumpet); Dewey Oldham (piano, organ); Hosea Lee Kennard, Johnny Jones, Lafayette Leake, Leonard Caston, Otis Spann, Charles Stepney (piano); Vonzell Cooper, Carl Banks, Johnny Big Moose Walker (organ); David Hood (electric bass); Clifton James, Roger Dawkins, Earl Phillips, Francis Clay, Fred Below, Richard Waters, Freeman Brown, George Hunter , Al Duncan , Maurice White, Odie Payne, Sam Lay (drums). Liner Note Author: Dick Shurman. Recording information: Chicago, IL (02/08/1957-08/23/1967); Muscle Shoals, AL (02/08/1957-08/23/1967); The New Era Club, Nashville, TN (02/08/1957-08/23/1967). Photographers: Ray Flerlage; Frank Driggs. Arranger: Phil Wright. This second volume of a two-volume entry in MCA's Chess 50th Anniversary reissue series chronicles the second decade of blues classics produced by the landmark company. Although Chess' big four (Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy Williamson) are all finely represented, influential sides by Elmore James ("Madison Blues"), Otis Rush ("So Many Roads, So Many Trains"), and John Lee Hooker (his monochord boogie treatment of Amos Milburn's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer") pepper the mix as well. As Chess moved into the soul market, so it was that latter-day blues sides by Little Milton, Koko Taylor, and Etta James took on a more pronounced R&B edge, and it is these sides that close this compilation in a near perfect bookend fashion. Extra special highlight: Etta James' nitro reading of Jimmy Reed's "Baby, What You Want Me to Do," recorded live in 1964. ~ Cub Koda

Down Beat (8/97, p.60) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...mainstays Wolf, Waters, Williamson and Walter put over likable performances..."

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