three recordings from the Memphis Recording Service, two original versions of songs Rufus covered and more. Rufus Thomas was a one-off: a larger than life character who made as great a contribution to the performance and style of American music as he did to the recording of it. He saw it all from black vaudeville to Rap... and played a major role in the evolution of African American music. His earlier R&B recordings have been unjustly obscured by his later role in the development of Stax Records and his string of Soul hits. But Rufus was a damn fine Blues and R&B singer in the 1950s. And this is one of the best cross-sections of African American music you'll hear from the period. 29 tracks. Bear Family.  (less)

essentials of Gene's recording career at Sun Records. Every title he cut at 706 Union Avenue is here, many in multiple takes. From his earliest Tupelo demos to more polished studio work, these tapes reveal as never before the heavy influence of southern blues on Gene Simmons' music. They also showcase the distinctive lead guitar work provided by Gene's brother, Carl. New interview material by Sun historian Hank Davis helps to round out the fullest picture yet of this underrated artist. As a bonus, we also present the first three recordings Gene made across Memphis at the Hi Records Studio in 1959, two of which appeared on the Checker label. All in all, this is the most comprehensive look yet at one of Sun's most enthusiastic rockabilly performers.  (less)

tough wailin' rockin' blues and you don't like this album - we'll give you your money back! About the Artist Edinburgh born guitarist Willie Logan has played in bands since his teens and became a professional musician soon after leaving full time education. While in his early 20's devoted all his efforts to writing and recording pop records with the likes of Keith Marshall (of 70's Glam Rock band 'Hello') and John Payne (who later became a member of the Rock band Asia) on the Arrival Label. He soon became the in-house recording engineer / producer for the companies acts. In 1997 he made the final of Guitarist magazine's 'Guitarist Of The Year' competition at Wembley and at that time had several guitar instrumental tribute albums out on the Hallmark label, (Elvis, Buddy Hol...  (less)

discerning disciples than Billy Lee Riley, Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Luman, Sam The Sham and Robert Gordon. Emerson also wrote 'When It Rains It Pours' best known through Elvis Presley's version. Then there's the iconic 'Every Woman I Know (Crazy Bout Automobiles)'. His songs have been recorded by artists as diverse as Little Miss Cornshucks, Willie Mabon, Ry Cooder and Ann-Margaret. Emerson's own '50s recordings, made at a time when he had something seriously good and individualistic to contribute to the blues and to the development of R&B, are instantly recognisable. In this CD we have collected together all his recordings for Sun, Vee-Jay and Chess and added his 1960 recording for the MAD label. Billy Emerson said, 'At Sun, Sam Phillips was always wanting to hear...  (less)

both arrangements, musicianship, and songwriting. Ranging from the deeply personal to the outright absurd, Eskimo Hair is a trip around the world, starting in New Orleans, going to China and back to Knoxville. Todd Steed has called this: Songs from a Blue Stater Mind residing in Red Sate, post Katrina. Musicians include Dave Nichols, Hector Qirko, Don Coffey Jr, Ed Richardson, Jeff Bills, Bob Deck, Phil Pollars, Elodie Lafont, Jimmy Mann and many more. Deep and textured, Eskimo Hair is a full-on musical adventure.  (less)

and pop hits from the 30 s, 40 s and 50 s, Blue Gardenia pairs Etta with many of the songs she grew up with, sung with all her customary passion and soul. Produced by John Snyder, Blue Gardenia arrives in stores August 21st. Songs included are: This Bitter Earth, He s Funny That Way, Duke Ellington s In My Solitude, There Is No Greater Love, Don t Let The Sun Catch You Crying, Love Letters, These Foolish Things, Harold Arlen s Come Rain Or Come Shine, Don t Worry Bout Me, Cry Me A River, Don t Blame Me, My Man, and the title track Blue Gardenia. Able backing Etta is her band, which features Josh Sklair on guitar (and arranger of Love Letters ), pianist (and arranger) Cedar Walton, bassist Tony Dumas, drummer Ralph Pendland, Red Holloway on tenor saxophone, George Bohannon on trombone, and Ronnie Buttacavoli on trumpet. Special guests include Etta s mother Dorothy Leatherwood who sings with her daughter on the album s title track. Since launching her recording career in 1955, Etta has created a dozen Top 10 R&B smashes and more than 25 chart hits. They include such soul classics as All I Could Do Was Cry (1960), At Last (1961). Trust In Me (1961), Stop the Wedding (1962), Tell Mama (1967), I d Rather Go Blind and Security (1968). She ranks third, just behind Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick, as the most prolific female R&B hitmaker of that era. A six-time Grammy Awards nominee, Etta s music came to a new generation of listeners on soundtracks such as Back to the Future (1984), Reform School Girls (1986), Miami Vice (1987), Taps (1988), Rain Man (1989). Rooftops (1989), and Sister Act (1993). In 1993, she was inducted into the Rock Roll Hall of Fame, and the next year, Etta earned her first Grammy award. During the past several years as a Private Music artist, Etta has demonstrated her mastery of jazz and standards with My ryjjdy and Time Afler Time, a fresh take on country music with Love s Been Rough on Me and her enduring stature as a great stage entertainer with Live from San Francisco. In 1998, she returned to her blues roots on the incomparable Lif . Love & The Blues. That same year, she recorded her first holiday album, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Her most recent Private Music release was Matriarch of the Blues, a 12-track set of new and classic blues/pop songs.  (less)