Play 90 second soundbite of 'Lead Pencil Blues' by Johnnie Temple @ 'CD quality'
Call it history, call it roots - it matters not! What's important is that what you hear within these four stunning discs helped to shape and model today's music. And hey, this is only part one - there's obviously more to come - what a work, what a commitment, and what a blast!!
This superb anthology is split into four discreet and seamless sections as follows ; Disc 1 - Country Blues And Spirituals, Jug Bands And Hokum, Disc 2 - Piano Boogie-Woogie, Ragtime And Jazz, Disc 3 - Urban Blues And Gospel and lastly, Disc 4 - After Hours Swing And Jive. The compilers have been careful not to simply make this a 'blues' work; they've been realistic and honest in their work which finds blues, folk, gospel and other urban styles melding into more syncopated forms such as jazz, swing, jive and so on. Thus, you start to get the bigger picture as you work your way through this epically proportioned anthology - you see gaps being filled and ideas and forms being stretched over time. There are famous names and not so famous names, there are songs that you'll recognise and there are songs that you'll hear for the first time - but, all played their part in shaping the big rock and roll explosion of the 50's and all influenced what you listen to today under multi-genre headings, individual styles and nuances and so on.
'The History Of Rhythm And Blues' is as important as it is educational - this is quite possibly the best put together assemblage of 'roots' music - ever. Lovingly compiled by Nick Duckett and Consultant Stewart Tippett and beautifully presented with an enclosed booklet which 'tells the story', this is like an 'everyman's guide to the development and growth of modern, popular music'. Musical purists and scholars will love this work simply for its facts - music lovers from all age groups will find this work fascinating and rewarding and anyone who has the slightest interest in musical history should find this a joy to behold.
Scratchy and naive maybe but that's how it was and that how it has to be. Listen to the lyrics and realise that what these innovators sang about doesn't differ very much from today's outpourings. Pick out nuances, syncopations, riffs and melodies that occur and re-occur through the ages. See where we learned, feel what influenced us and just enjoy the truth of it all!! Marvel at the creativity of these artists and take into consideration what they had available to them back then - be amazed at the content, the gritty believability, the passion and the dedication to a cause. Compare what's on offer here to where we are today - listen and learn, feel and be touched!
'The History Of Rhythm And Blues Part 1, 1925 to 1942' is a massive compilation; educational and fulfilling, it's as rewarding as it is fascinating - a piece of musical history that'll sit well in anyone's collection - glory in it's depth, revel in its creation and just enjoy all ninety-seven tracks for exactly what they are - an important musical history lesson, moments in musical time that shaped what we listen to today. 'The History Of Rhythm And Blues Part 1, 1925 to 1942' is a genuine beauty!!
|
|
