Category Archives: Rhythm and Blues

Rhythm and blues is a genre of popular African-American music that originated in the 1940s.

The Impressions – People Get Ready

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The Impressions – “People Get Ready” from the album “Definitive Impressions”

The Impressions formed in 1957 as the Roosters consisting of Curtis Mayfield, Sam Gooden, Richard and Arthur Brooks and Jerry Butler as lead singer. In 1958 Jerry Butler left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Fred Cash. They are dropped by Vee-Jay in 1961 and signed by ABC Paramount. They have several hits including “Gypsy Woman”.

In 1962 Richard and Arthur Brooks leave and Sam, Curtis and Fred decide to continue as a trio. It’s at this point that the hits resume and then just keep coming.

Definitive Impressions

1) Gypsy Woman; 2) Grow Closer Together; 3) Little Young Lover; 4) Minstrel and Queen; 5) I’m the One Who Loves You; 6) Sad, Sad Girl And Boy; 7) It’s All Right; 8) Talking About My Baby; 9) I’m So Proud; 10) Keep On Pushing; 11) I’ve Been Trying; 12) Girl You Don’t Know Me; 13) I Made a Mistake; 14) You Must Believe Me; 15) Amen; 16) People Get Ready; 17) Woman’s Got Soul; 18) Meeting Over Yonder; 19) I Need You; 20) Just One Kiss from You; 21) You’ve Been Cheatin’; 22) Since I Lost the One I Love; 23) I Can’t Satisfy; 24) You Always Hurt Me; 25) I Can’t Stay Away from You; 26) We’re a Winner; 27) We’re Rolling On; 28) I Loved and I Lost

The Impressions - People Get Ready

Aaron Neville – Hercules

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Aaron Neville – “Hercules” from the album “Aaron Neville”

Aaron was born on 24 January 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His first major hit single, “Tell It Like It Is”, was released on a small New Orleans label, Par-Lo. It sold over one million copies, was awarded a gold disc and, incredibly, was the label’s only release.

“Aaron Neville”

1) You Can Give But You Can’t Take; 2) Where Is My Baby; 3) Speak To Me; 4) You Don’t Love Me Anymore; 5) She’s On My Mind; 6) All These Things; 7) Baby I’m A Want You; 8) Mojo Hannah; 9) Hercules; 10) Tell It Like It Is; 11) Been So Wrong; 12) Performance; 13) He Greatest Love; 14) Struttin’ On Sunday; 15) Love Letters; 16) Make Me Strong; 17) One Fine Day; 18) Cry Me A River; 19) Waiting For A Bus; 20) Wildflower; 21) Nadie; 22) For The Good Times

Aaron Neville - Hercules

Jimmy Nelson – I Sat and Cried

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Jimmy Nelson – “I Sat and Cried” from the album “Theme Time Radio Hour”

Jimmy Nelson was born on 7 April 1919 in Philadelphia. On finishing high school he rode the rails eventually ending up in Oakland, California where he met Joe Turner, who taught him about singing, performance and the music business. He died on 29 July 2007 aged 88.

Theme Time Radio Hour

Disc 1

1) Turn Your Radio On – Grandpa Jones; 2) Papa’s On The Housetop – Leroy Carr And Scrapper Blackwell; 3) Shortnin’ Bread – Paul Chaplain & His Emeralds; 4) Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes; 5) Gun Fever (Blam Blam Fever) – The Valentines; 6) Pistol Packin’ Mama – Al Dexter & His Troopers; 7) Pistol Packin’ Mama – The Hurricanes; 8) Homework – Otis Rush; 9) He Will Break Your Heart – Jerry Butler; 10) Take It Away Lucky – Eddie Noack; 11) Buddy, Stay Off The Wine – Betty Hall Jones; 12) Tears A Go-Go – Charlie Rich; 13) Rich Woman – Li’l Millet & His Creoles; 14) Laughin’ & Jokin’ – Ernie Chaffin; 15) Me And My Chauffeur Blues – Memphis Minnie; 16) If I Lose – The Stanley Brothers; 17) I Sat And Cried – Jimmy Nelson; 18) Beatnik’s Wish – Patsy Raye & The Beatniks; 19) Devil In His Heart – The Donays; 20) Let’s Invite Them Over – George Jones & Melba Montgomery; 21) Don’t Take Ev’rybody To Be Your Friend – Sister Rosetta Tharpe With The Sam Price Trio; 22) Good Morning Heartache – Billie Holiday; 23) Pouring Water On A Drowning Man – James Carr; 24) I Drink – Mary Gauthier; 25) Mother Earth – Memphis Slim

Jimmy Nelson - I Sat and Cried

Disc 2

1) Chain Of Fools – Aretha Franklin; 2) Walk A Mile In My Shoes – Joe South & The Believers; 3) Cry Tough – Alton Ellis & The Flames; 4) Tommy Gun – The Clash; 5) (Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone – Roy Montrell; 6) Those DJ Shows – Patrice Holloway; 7) I Ain’t Drunk – Lonnie “The Cat”; 8) Eat That Chicken – Charles Mingus; 9) Mama, Get Your Hammer – Bobby Peterson Quintet; 10) How High The Moon – Slim Gaillard; 11) Cool Water – The Sons Of The Pioneers; 12) Only A Rose – Geraint Watkins; 13) I Walk In My Sleep – Berna – Dean; 14) Stars Fell On Alabama – Jack Teagarden’s Chicagoans; 15) Mama Tried (The Ballad From Killers Three) – Merle Haggard & The Strangers; 16) Big Long Slidin’ Thing – Dinah Washington; 17) Black Coffee – Bobby Darin; 18) I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water – The Cats And The Fiddle; 19) Ain’t Got The Money To Pay For This Drink – George Zimmerman & The Thrills With The Bubber Cyphers; 20) Bottle And A Bible – The Yayhoos; 21) Okie’s In The Pokie – Jimmy Patton; 22) If You’re So Smart, How Come You Ain’t Rich? – Louis Jordan; 23) Ay Te Dejo En San Antonio – Santiago Jimenez; 24) Mona – Bo Diddley; 25) Roadrunner (Twice) – The Modern Lovers

Dr John – Big Shot

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Dr John – “Big Shot” from the album “Locked Down”

Born Malcolm John Rebennack on November 21, 1940 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States,. More commonly known as Dr. John and also Dr. John Creaux, and Dr. John the Night Tripper.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 14, 2011.

Locked Down

1) Locked Down; 2) Revolution; 3) Big Shot; 4) Ice Age; 5) Getaway; 6) Kingdom Of Izzness; 7) You Lie; 8) Eleggua; 9) My Children, My Angels; 10) God’s Sure Good

Dr John - Locked Down

Dr. John – keyboards, lead vocals
Dan Auerbach – guitar, percussion, background vocals
Max Weissenfeldt – drums, percussion, background vocals
Leon Michels – keyboards, percussion, woodwinds, background vocals
Nick Movshon – electric and upright bass, percussion, background vocals
Brian Olive – guitar, percussion, woodwinds, background vocals
The McCrary Sisters (Regina, Ann & Alfreda) – background vocals

Li’l Millet & His Creoles – Rich Woman

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Li’l Millet & His Creoles – “Rich Woman” from the album “Heavy Sugar”

Born McKinley James Millet on 25 October 1935 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a bass player, singer and songwriter who was playing in bands by the age of 10 years old.

“Rich Woman” was written by Millet and Dorothy LaBostrie and released in November 1955.
Li’l Millet and the Creoles continued to perform in New Orleans until the 1980s.
He died of cancer in 1997.

Heavy Sugar – The Pure Essence Of New Orleans R&B

Disc 1

1. Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey – Little Richard; 2. Shirley – John Fred & The Playboys; 3. Would You Believe It, I Have A Cold – Huey ‘Piano’ Smith; 4. Telling Lies – Fats Domino; 5. Someday (You’ll Want Me) – Smiley Lewis; 6. Nervous Boogie – Paul Gayten; 7. It Must Be Jelly – Frankie Ford; 8. A-Tisket A-Tasket – Joe Jones; 9. I’m So Blue – Jimmy Beasley; 10. I Know – Ray Washington; 11. Honey, Honey – The Supremes; 12. Ship On A Stormy Sea – Jimmy Clanton; 13. Loud Mouth Annie – Myles & Dupont; 14. That’s What I’ll Do – Shirley and Lee; 15. Oh, How I Need Your Lovin’ – Alberta Hall; 16. Flatfoot Sam – Oscar Wills; 17. Look What You’re Doing To Me – Professor Longhair; 18. Try Rock And Roll – Bobby Mitchell; 19. I’ll Always Be In Love With You – Charles Brown; 20. My Girl Across Town – Lester Robertson; 21. Sweet Sixteen – The Tropicals; 22. I’ve Got A Girl – Roland Cook; 23. Tic Toc – Lee Allen & His Band; 24. You Call Everybody Darling – The Gondoliers; 25. Dance With Me Henry – Etta James

li'l millet

Disc 2

1.Don’t Deceive Me – Fats Domino; 2. Cheatin’ Woman – Frankie Ford; 3. Honey Hush – Joe Turner; 4. Diddy-Y-Diddy-O – Roy Brown; 5. Whirlaway – Allen Toussaint; 6. Cha Dooky Doo – Art Neville; 7. Real Gone Party – Ruth & Al; 8. Chickee Wah Wah – Bobby Marchan; 9. There’ll Be No Backin’ Out – Mickey & Sylvia; 10. That’s All I Need To Know – Sam Cooke; 11. Carry On – Jerry Byrne; 12. We Like Birdland – Huey ‘Piano’ Smith; 13. Creole Alley – Lee Allen & His Band; 14. Mad About You Baby – Richard Berry; 15. Well-O, Well-O, Well-O Baby – Earl King; 16. Malinda – Bobby Mandolph; 17. School Days Are Back Again – Smiley Lewis; 18. Don’t Break This Heart Of Mine – Jimmy Beasley; 19. Doin’ The Hambone – Little Booker; 20. Rich Woman – Lil Millet & His Creoles; 21. Teachin’ And Preachin’ – The Royal Kings; 22. Oh Why? – Little Richard; 23. Every Time I See You – Harry Lee; 24. Blow Wind Blow – Junior Gordon; 25. I’m Glad, Glad – Lloyd Price

Disc 3

1. Don’t You Know Yockomo – Huey ‘Piano’ Smith & His Clowns; 2. Someday, Bye And Bye – The Spiders; 3. Would You – Fats Domino; 4. Hatti Malatti – Lee Diamond; 5. Mother Roux (Yo Yo Walk) – Paul Gayten; 6. We Teenagers Know What We Want – Amos Milburn; 7. Zing Zing – Art Neville; 8. So Glad She’s Mine – Charles Williams; 9. Sweeter Words (Have Never Been Told) – Smiley Lewis; 10. I Love To Rock n Roll – Eddie Bo; 11. Tough Lover – Etta James; 12. Good Lovin’ – John Fred; 13. Knocked Out – The Gondoliers; 14. Eternity – Ernie K-Doe; 15. Kansas City – Little Richard; 16. Please Believe Me – Charles Brown; 17. Teenage Wedding – Johnny Angel; 18. Baby, Baby Please – Clarence Henry; 19. Love You So – The Crystals; 20. I Think You’re Jiving Me – Huey & Jerry; 21. Take It Home To Grandma – Lester Robertson; 22. Mercy – Gene And Al’s Spacemen; 23. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again – Big Al Downing; 24. I’ll Turn Square For You – Bobby Charles; 25. Saturday Night – Roy Brown

Lloyd Lambert – Heavy Sugar

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Lloyd Lambert – “Heavy Sugar” from the album “Heavy Sugar” (and also on “Jumping The Shuffle Blues”)

Lloyd was born 4 June 1928 in Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. He was bandleader and bassist (he pioneered the use of the electric bass) and his band backed Guitar Slim on all of his Specialty recordings.
He died 31 October 1995.

Disc 1

1. Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey – Little Richard; 2. Shirley – John Fred & The Playboys; 3. Would You Believe It, I Have A Cold – Huey ‘Piano’ Smith; 4. Telling Lies – Fats Domino; 5. Someday (You’ll Want Me) – Smiley Lewis; 6. Nervous Boogie – Paul Gayten; 7. It Must Be Jelly – Frankie Ford; 8. A-Tisket A-Tasket – Joe Jones; 9. I’m So Blue – Jimmy Beasley; 10. I Know – Ray Washington; 11. Honey, Honey – The Supremes; 12. Ship On A Stormy Sea – Jimmy Clanton; 13. Loud Mouth Annie – Myles & Dupont; 14. That’s What I’ll Do – Shirley and Lee; 15. Oh, How I Need Your Lovin’ – Alberta Hall; 16. Flatfoot Sam – Oscar Wills; 17. Look What You’re Doing To Me – Professor Longhair; 18. Try Rock And Roll – Bobby Mitchell; 19. I’ll Always Be In Love With You – Charles Brown; 20. My Girl Across Town – Lester Robertson; 21. Sweet Sixteen – The Tropicals; 22. I’ve Got A Girl – Roland Cook; 23. Tic Toc – Lee Allen & His Band; 24. You Call Everybody Darling – The Gondoliers; 25. Dance With Me Henry – Etta James

heavy sugar

Disc 2

1.Don’t Deceive Me – Fats Domino; 2. Cheatin’ Woman – Frankie Ford; 3. Honey Hush – Joe Turner; 4. Diddy-Y-Diddy-O – Roy Brown; 5. Whirlaway – Allen Toussaint; 6. Cha Dooky Doo – Art Neville; 7. Real Gone Party – Ruth & Al; 8. Chickee Wah Wah – Bobby Marchan; 9. There’ll Be No Backin’ Out – Mickey & Sylvia; 10. That’s All I Need To Know – Sam Cooke; 11. Carry On – Jerry Byrne; 12. We Like Birdland – Huey ‘Piano’ Smith; 13. Creole Alley – Lee Allen & His Band; 14. Mad About You Baby – Richard Berry; 15. Well-O, Well-O, Well-O Baby – Earl King; 16. Malinda – Bobby Mandolph; 17. School Days Are Back Again – Smiley Lewis; 18. Don’t Break This Heart Of Mine – Jimmy Beasley; 19. Doin’ The Hambone – Little Booker; 20. Rich Woman – Lil Millet & His Creoles; 21. Teachin’ And Preachin’ – The Royal Kings; 22. Oh Why? – Little Richard; 23. Every Time I See You – Harry Lee; 24. Blow Wind Blow – Junior Gordon; 25. I’m Glad, Glad – Lloyd Price

Disc 3

1. Don’t You Know Yockomo – Huey ‘Piano’ Smith & His Clowns; 2. Someday, Bye And Bye – The Spiders; 3. Would You – Fats Domino; 4. Hatti Malatti – Lee Diamond; 5. Mother Roux (Yo Yo Walk) – Paul Gayten; 6. We Teenagers Know What We Want – Amos Milburn; 7. Zing Zing – Art Neville; 8. So Glad She’s Mine – Charles Williams; 9. Sweeter Words (Have Never Been Told) – Smiley Lewis; 10. I Love To Rock n Roll – Eddie Bo; 11. Tough Lover – Etta James; 12. Good Lovin’ – John Fred; 13. Knocked Out – The Gondoliers; 14. Eternity – Ernie K-Doe; 15. Kansas City – Little Richard; 16. Please Believe Me – Charles Brown; 17. Teenage Wedding – Johnny Angel; 18. Baby, Baby Please – Clarence Henry; 19. Love You So – The Crystals; 20. I Think You’re Jiving Me – Huey & Jerry; 21. Take It Home To Grandma – Lester Robertson; 22. Mercy – Gene And Al’s Spacemen; 23. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again – Big Al Downing; 24. I’ll Turn Square For You – Bobby Charles; 25. Saturday Night – Roy Brown

Amos Milburn – Down The Road Apiece

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Amos Milburn – “Down The Road Apiece” from the album “Rockin’ And Drinkin’ – Greatest Hits And More”

Born Joseph Amos Milburn on 1 April 1927 in Houston, Texas. He was one of 12 children and by the age of five was playing tunes on the piano. He initially had a few piano lessons, but, with such a large family to support, his father couldn’t afford any more so he was mostly self-taught.

Aged 15 he lied about his age to join the Navy and, stationed in the Pacific, saw front-line action.
Amos Milburn

Back in Houston in 1945, after he had been discharged aged 18, his life had changed dramatically. His father had died and he was now the family’s main breadwinner. He formed a small combo and, with the help of Lola Ann Cullum, a keen blues enthusiast, he signed to Aladdin Records. His first session for the label was on 12 September 1946 and “Down The Road Apiece” is from this session.
He died on 3 January 1980.

Jimmy Liggins – Drunk

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Jimmy Liggins – “Drunk” from the album “Jimmy Liggins And His Drops Of Joy”

Jimmy was born in Newby, Oklahoma, United States on 14 October 1922, seven years after his brother, Joe (frontman of Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers).

He was briefly a disc jockey and then a professional boxer fighting under the name ‘Kid Zulu”. He then became a driver for his brother and seeing the money Joe was making decided to start writing songs himself.
Art Rupe signed him to Specialty and he had three smash hits – “I Can’t Stop It”, “Teardrop Blues” and “Cadillac Blues”.
On “Drunk” his voice was recorded twice and overdubbed producing an unusual sound (for then) which they named “3-D Music”. Bear in mind this was the era of mono.
He was an influence on Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and Elvis Presley.
He died on 18 July 1983, at the age of 60, in Durham, North Carolina.

Jimmy Liggins

1. I Can’t Stop It 2. Troubles Goodbye 3. Teardrops Blues 4. Cadilac Boogie 5. Move Out Baby 6. Careful Love 7. Homecoming Blues 8. Baby I Can’t Forget You 9. Don’t Put Me Down10. Nite Life Boogie 11. Mississippi Boogie 12. Come Back Baby 13. Answer To Teardrop Blues 14. That Song Is Gone 15. Saturday Night Boogie Woogie Man 16. Shuffle Shuck 17. The Washboard Special 18. That’s What’s knockin’ 19. Hep Cat Boogie 20. I Want My Baby for Christmas 21. Train Blues 22. Baby’s Boogie 23. Drunk 24. Going Away 25. Come Back Home

The “5” Royales – Think

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The “5” Royales – “Think” from the album “It’s Hard But It’s Fair”

The “5” Royales was a Rhythm and Blues band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina that combined gospel, jump blues and doo wop, marking an early and influential step in the evolution of soul music. They were responsible for some of the best selling Rhythm and Blues songs of the 50s. Most of their hits being written by guitarist Lowman Pauling.
Most experts agree that James Brown built the first part of his career almost entirely on what he saw the “5” Royales do at King Records. They were an an extremely visual group having polished their stage act for many years.
In Johnny and Eugene Tanner they had not one, but two of the most distinctive and expressive lead vocalists of the era and in Lowman Pauling an extremely talented songwriter who was also one of the most skilled and innovative Rhythm and Blues guitarists.

5 royales

1. My Wants For Love 2. I’m Gonna Run It Down 3. I Can’t Stand Losing You 4. Mohawk Squaw 5. One Mistake 6. I Need Your Lovin” Baby 7. Every Dog Has His Day 8. Women About To Make Me Go Crazy 9. Behave Yourself 10. Do Unto You 11. Mine Forevermore 12. I Ain’t Getting CaughtI 13. I Could Love You 14. Say It 15. Think 16. The Feeling Is Real 17. The Slummer The Slum 18. Your Only Love 19. Tell The Truth 20. Dedicated To The One I Love 21. I Know It’s Hard But It’s Fair 22. Don’t Give No More Than You Can Take 23. Something Moves Me Within My Heart 24. It Hurts Inside 25. Why 26. I’m With You

Little Willie John – Suffering With The Blues

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Little Willie John – “Suffering With The Blues”

It can be found on the album “Sleep – The Singles As & Bs 1955-1961”

Little Willie John

Born William Edward John on November 15, 1937.

little willie john fever

He was an American R&B singer who performed in the 1950s and early 1960s. Best known for his popular music chart successes with songs such as, “All Around the World”, “Need Your Love So Bad” and “Fever”.

An important figure in early R&B music, Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. He died in 1968 aged 30.