An Intro To "NIGHT TRAIN KEYBOARD KINGS"

Tuff City's Night Train International imprint specializes in rare blues, jazz, and R&B material with a particular emphasis on New Orleans musicians, and the label's vigorous release schedule (the 35 tracks here are drawn from 30 different albums) has resulted in a huge catalog of hard to find gems. This two-disc sampler concentrates on keyboard players, with the first disc centering on New Orleans performers while the second features swing, R&B, and jump blues artists from outside the Crescent City. The diversity of styles here is impressive, ranging from boogie-woogie romps to organ-led soul-jazz instrumentals and even some big-band piano pieces. Among the highlights on the New Orleans disc are James Booker's funky "Beale Street Popeye," Wayne & the Velvetones' delightful "Ham Sandwich Twist," a blistering version of "Last Night" by June Gardner (featuring James Booker), and a pair of Eddie Bo keepers, the stomping "Timber" and the fluid, impressive "I Just Wonder." The second disc yields Cousin Joe's "Box Car Shorty / Peter Blue," Lloyd Glenn's accurately languid "Blues Hangover" (which manages somehow to sound both exhausted and energetic at the same time), Jay McShann's bubbling "Hot Biscuits," and Gladys Bently's big, strutting "4th of July Boogie." A wonderfully diverse -- yet still cohesive -- anthology, this one is a winner from first track to last. (STEVE LEGETT, ALLMUSIC)
trax CD 1:
1. Sunny Side Of The Street - James Booker 2. Beale Street Popeye - James Booker 3. Goin' Down Slow - James Booker 4. Junko Partner - Professor Longhair 5. After Hours - Professor Longhair 6. Tut's Tee Na Na - Tuts Washington 7. Ham Sandwich Twist - Wayne & The Velvetones 8. St. Louis Blues - The Clem Tervalon Group featuring Ellis Marsalis 9. Juke Box Boogie Woogie Chic - Snookum Russell 10. Timber - Eddie Bo (as Candy Phillips) 11. Mardi Gras At The Boiler Room - Eddie Bo 12. Southern Style - Eskew Reeder 13. Swivel Your Hips - The Gaturs Feat. Willie Tee 14. Behind The Wheel - Huey 'Piano' Smith 15. I Just Wonder - Eddie Bo 16. Last Night - June Gardner feat. James Booker 17. Gatur Bait - The Gaturs feat. Willie Tee
trax CD 2:
1. Box Car Shorty and Peter Blue - Cousin Joe feat. Sammy Price 2. Baby Won't You Please Come Home - Ray Charles 3. Googie's Boogie - Charles Brown 4. Huggin' Bug - Charles Brown 5. Blues Hangover - Lloyd Glenn 6. Old Time Shuffle - Lloyd Glenn 7. Pete's Holiday Boogie - Pete Johnson 8. Hot Biscuits - Jay McShann 9. Savage Boy - Lloyd Glenn 10. Chica Boo - Lloyd Glenn 11. Of All Things - Paula Watson 12. Googie Woogie - Mabel Scott 13. Dripper's Boogie - Joe Liggins 14. Mr. Hootie - Jimmy Witherspoon feat. Jay McShann 15. Blazer's Boogie - Charles Brown 16. Commerical Eyes - Lucky Thompson feat. Dodo Mamarosa 17. 4th Of July Boogie - Gladys Bentley 18. Main Stem - Andre Previn
...served by Gyro1966...