Big Joe Turner – Roll ‘Em 1938-1945 – CD

BIG JOE TURNER was a force of nature, the greatest, most original and influential of all the Blues shouters. He and Boogie-Woogie pianist Pete Johnson had famously pioneered Jump-Blues after teaming up in the mid-1930s. And for more than five decades, from Kansas City bars to the Carnegie Hall, taking in Swing, Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll and even early Soul, Big Joe hollered and roared.

He was comfortable singing in all venues and circumstances; and over the decades, small bands, big bands, trios, pianists, rock groups, choirs, all styles of accompaniment rocked to his rhythm. This compilation covers the first seven years of Big Joe’s recording career, from 1938 (debuting at the legendary “From Spirituals To Swing” concert) to 1945, and features essential sides like ‘Low Down Dog’, ‘Roll ’Em Pete’, ‘Cherry Red’, ‘Café Society Rag’, ‘Joe Turner Blues’, ‘Piney Brown Blues’, ‘S.K. Blues’, and many more.

1 Low Down Dog
2 It’s All Right Baby
3 Goin’ Away Blues
4 Roll ‘Em Pete
5 Cherry Red
6 Baby Look At You
7 Lovin’ Mama Blues
8 Jump For Joy
9 Cafe Society Rag
10 How Long Blues
11 Shake It And Break It
12 Joe Turner Blues
13 Beale St Blues
14 Piney Brown Blues
15 Doggin’ The Dog
16 Rock Me Mama
17 Ice Man
18 Nobody In Mind
19 Rocks In My Bed
20 Cry Baby Blues
21 It’s The Same Old Story
22 Rebecca
23 Little Bitty Gal’s Blues
24 I Got A Gal For Every Day Of The Week
25 S.K. Blues (Part 1)
26 Johnson & Turner Blues
27 Watch That Jive