Blowing the Fuse: 29 R&B Classics That Rocked the Jukebox in 1953

Performer: Various Artists
Distributor: Navarre

Notes: Blowing the Fuse is a killer series of compilation CDs issued by Germany's premier archivist label, Bear Family. Subtitled R&B Classics That Rocked the Jukebox, each volume is compiled by year. This volume contains 29 affirmed classics of the early postwar years, and proves that 1953 was a boom year for jukeboxes across the United States. The more well-known tunes of the era are given great balance by some nearly forgotten gems that are juxtaposed in the brilliant sequencing -- by producer Dave "Daddy Cool" Booth. While there are certainly no weak spots in this slab, there are some cuts that stand above the rest. Buddy & Ella Johnson's "Hittin' On Me" is one, and Tiny Bradshaw's "Soft" is another. The Du Droppers weigh in with "I Wanna Know," as does Jimmy Liggins' with "Drunk." Johnny Ace's "The Clock" is here, as is B.B. King's "Please Love Me," Fats Domino's "Please Don't Leave Me," and Ray Charles' "Mess Around." In addition, there are cuts by Big Maybelle, Jesse & Marvin, Ruth Brown, Amos Milburn, Clyde McPhatter with the Drifters, the Clovers, Big Mama Thornton ("Hound Dog"), and Bull Moose Jackson ("Big Ten-Inch Record"). The package is beautiful, with Colin Escott's liner notes detailing every cut, accompanied by photographs and a lovely digipack. The sound quality is as good as it can be for archival material, making this a fine introduction to postwar R&B for the novice and a killer chronological listen for the connoisseur. ~ Thom Jurek

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