"THE ALADDIN RECORDS STORY" 1994

The 53 rhythm and blues classics contained on this two-disc compendium practically covers the entire lifespan of the Aladdin Records label. The imprint began as Philco in the mid-'40s by brothers Edward and Leo Mesner. After raising eyebrows from the manufacturers of Philco radios, they changed the moniker to Aladdin. The label's initial offerings were jazz-flavored R&B sides such as its first release "Flying Home" by Illinois Jacquet and his All Stars. The Mesners also began attracting top-shelf acts such as big band vocalist Helen Humes, who performs her own compositions "Be Baba Leba" and "He May Be Your Man" with Bill Doggett's Octet. Aladdin quickly became a haven for a plethora of A-list artists producing equally as impressive material. Among the roster to be included on the Aladdin Records Story (1994) are Mr. Blues himself, Wynonie Harris ("(I Don't Stand A) Ghost of a Chance"), Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown ("Guitar in My Hand"), Lightnin' Hopkins ("Shotgun Blues"), and the Five Keys ("Too Late," "Glory of Love," "Too Late," and "I'm High"). For a very short time, even the legendary Billie Holiday recorded there, backed by the equally revered Tiny Grimes ("Blue Turning Grey Over You"). As the R&B of the late '40s and early '50s began to shift into the seminal rock & roll era, so too did Aladdin. Classics such as Shirley & Lee's "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Rockin' With the Clock," as well as Lee Allen's "Rockin' at Cosmo's" and Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One" all but defined the incremental stylistic progression from blues to rock. While the platters mentioned above only skim the surface, the entire two-plus hours reveal a true cross-section of the artists who created a musical glow in Aladdin's lamp. The double-CD set is packaged in a unique album style, similar to those that bound 78 rpm volumes. The accompanying 20-page booklet has photos and track annotations from Steve Kolanijan. The audio quality is nothing short of superior, impressing audiophiles and casual consumers alike. Sadly, the package has not been reissued and used copies have been known to trade hands for a princely sum. That said, the overwhelming value of adding these to any collection far outweighs most reasonable asking prices. - by Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

trax:
disc 1
1. Flying Home - Illinois Jaquet 2. Be Baba Leba - Helen Humes 3. Driftin' Blues - Charles Brown w/Johnny Moore's 3 Blazers 4. When I'm In My Tea (Aka The Reefer No.) - Jo Jo Adams w/Maxwell Davis & His Band 5. (I Don't Stand A) Ghost Of A Chance - Wynonie Harris 6. Mother Fuyer - Dirty Red 7. He May Be Your Man - Helen Humes 8. Milky White Way - The Trumpeteers 9. Guitar In My Hand - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown 10. Too Late - The Five Keys 11. Chicken Shack Boogie - Amos Milburn 12. Loch Lomond - The Four Rockets 13. Shotgun Blues - Lightnin' Hopkins 14. Around About Midnight - The Robins 15. The Glory Of Love - The Five Keys 16. Safronia B - Calvin Boze 17. Trouble Blues - Charles Brown 18. I Got Loaded - Peppermint Harris 19. Sad Journey Blues - Floyd Dixon 20. Dad Gum Ya Hide Boy - Louis Jordan 21. Hucklebuck With Jimmy - The Five Keys 22. Way Down Boogie - Harold Burrage 23. Blue Turning Grey Over You - Billie Holiday 24. Feel So Good - Shirley & Lee 25. Telephone Blues - Floyd Dixon w/Johnny Moore's Three Blazers 26. Ko KO Mo I Love You So - Gene & Eunice
disc 2
1. Let The Good Times Roll - Shirley & Lee 2. How Long - The Five Keys 3. I Need You, I Want You - Jack 'The Bear' Parker 4. Don't Let Go (Hold Me, Hold Me) - The Cookies 5. Messy Bessy - Louis Jordan 6. This Is My Story - Gene & Eunice 7. Don't Leave Me Baby - Lowell Fulsom 8. Call Operator 210 - Floyd Dixon 9. Ding Dong Ding - Bip & Bop 10. Remember - The Aladdins 11. Rockin' With The Clock - Shirley & Lee 12. Honest I Do - Cell Foster & The Audios 13. Rockin' At Cosmo's - Lee Allen 14. Be Cool My Heart - "Fatso" Theus & His Flairs 15. I'm So High - The Five Keys 16. I'm In The Mood For Love - King Pleasure & His Band 17. Ray Pearl - The Jivers 18. Dreamy Eyes - The Squires 19. Yak, Yak - Marvin & Johnny 20. The Glory Of Love - The Velvetones 21. Darling It's Wonderful - The Lovers 22. Our Love Is Here To Stay - The Sharps 23. King Kong - Big 'T' Tyler 24. Smack Smack - Marvin & Johnny 25. The Little Girl In The Cabin - Flip Sloan 26. Sugar Doll - Jesse Belvin 27. Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris
...served by Gyro1966...