"SCRATCHIN'"

A sumptuous feast o' hot 'n greasy Texas jump blues guitars, these 22 Federal recordings (waxed between 1952 and 1958) showcase three of the best '50s T-Bone Walker devotees tearing off punchy li'l swirls o' swing on their fat axes. Johnny Otis's band backs stellar Otis-sideman Pete "Guitar" Lewis on eight performances, three of which showcase Lewis's harp chops (he was also a fine singer, a talent never displayed on his Otis sideman sides). Jimmy Nolen would invent the "chicken scratch" funk guitar style behind James Brown in the '60s, but the dozen mid-'50s performances here (supported by Chuck Higgins's combo) are solidly in the Walker tradition. Midnighter guitarist Cal Green is represented by a pair of instrumentals ("The Big Push" is a vamp around "Annie Had a Baby"). Ten tracks are strictly instrumental, ranging from moody "after hours" blues to high-octane rompers, all delivered with that full-bodied blend of grit and sheen that made the best Texas-gone-California blues such an unparalleled gas. Great sound, 'n if you love fat, horn-like guitars (anchored by fat horns 'n solid rhythm sections); here's an earful. by Mark A. Humphrey, Allmusic

trax:
1. Strollin´ With Nolen - Jimmy Nolen 2. Louisiana Hop - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 3. How Fine Can You Be - Jimmy Nolen 4. Scratchin´ - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 5. Been Goofin - Jimmy Nolen 6. Crying With The Rising Sun - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 7. The Way You Do - Jimmy Nolen 8. The Big Push - Cal Green 9. Raggedy Blues - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 10. I Can´t Stand You No More - Jimmy Nolen 11. After Hours - Jimmy Nolen 12. Harmonica Boogie - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 13. Don´t Leave Me No More - Jimmy Nolen 14. Chocolate Pork Chop Man - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 15. Wipe Your Tears - Jimmy Nolen 16. Green´s Blues - Cal Green 17. It Hurts Me Too - Jimmy Nolen 18. Strollin´ With Nolen - Jimmy Nolen 19. The Blast - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 20. Strawberry Jam - Jimmy Nolen 21. Ooh Midnight - Pete "Guitar" Lewis 22. Movin´ On Down The Line - Jimmy Nolen
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