EARL KING "Earl's Pearls" The Very Best Of… 1955-1960

A very hard to find CD!This top-notch collection brings together 25 tracks from King's 1955-1960 tenure with Ace Records in Jackson, Mississippi. Classic '50s New Orleans music doesn't come much finer than this, and Earl's contributions to the genre are plentiful on this disc, starting with his big hit, the original "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights." A real treat is hearing Huey "Piano" Smith soloing with complete abandon on tracks like "Nobody Cares," "Little Girl," "I'll Take You Back Home" and "Baby You Can Get Your Gun." Earl's guitar playing is equally fine and his Guitar Slim-derived style is well to the fore on "My Love Is Strong" and "I'm Packing Up." Although King's discography encompasses many labels and sessions, this is a great place to start absorbing this Crescent City genius.(Cub Koda, All Music Guide)
If you're really into New Orleans music like i am, or if you really like Earl King, this a gem of a CD. I've been looking for the material on this CD for years. It's got a lot to offer. Firstly, the fact that you get Those Lonely, Lonely Nights, might be worth the cost of the CD all by itself. Definitely the best tune on the CD, and if you've heard Dr. John's version then you know what you're in for. Also, all of these cuts are classic Imperial recordings, featuring the famous New Orleans "Rhythm Section", as well as piano work by Huey "Piano" Smith. Check Huey's classic rolling piano solo on Lonely, Lonely Nights. These recordings really exemplify what New Orleans R&B was all about. The other thing that this CD offers is the chance to really hear the link between Guitar Slim and Earl King. In his earliest days Earl King made his way by posing as Guitar Slim and going on tour. And that influence is really evident in these tracks. You can hear Guitar Slim in both Earl's vocals and guitar tone. Also, of note is two early versions of what would become Come On Pt 1 + 2. All around a great great CD, it's too bad that this material is so hard to find. So if you have the chance, take it. (Amazon)

trax:
01 Those Lonely, Lonely Nights 02 Baby You Can Get Your Gun 03 Everybody Got To Cry 04 I'm Packing Up 05 Nobody Cares 06 Little Girl 07 My Love Is Strong 08 It Must Have Been Love 09 I'll Take You Back Home 10 Mother Told Me Not To Go 11 Is Everything Alright 12 Those Lonely, Lonely Feelings 13 You Can Fly High 14 Well 'O Well 'O Well 'O Baby 15 I'll Never Get Tired 16 A Weary Silent Night 17 Everybody's Carried Away 18 Buddy It's Time To Go 19 Don't You Know You're Wrong 20 Darling Honey Angel Child 21 I Can't Help Myself 22 I Met A Stranger 23 Let The Good Times Roll 24 A Mother's Love 25 Baby Hurry On Home
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