"That's Your Last Boogie!" The Best Of Johnny Otis (1945-1960) CD 3 of 3

The Architect of Rock & Roll! Johnny Otis was simply one of the greats of modern music, or at least during the period covered on this excellent 3-CD compilation, from 1945 to 1960. The compilers dub him "one of the architects of rock 'n' roll" and listening to the songs on this collection you would be swayed to agree with that claim. Johnny Otis was indeed a rock and roll pioneer...
...Sadly, as Dave Penny mentions in the liner notes that come with this set, Johnny Otis is know more for being the "catalyst" behind the recordings and production of other artists (Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Wynonie Harris, and even his son, Shuggie Otis) than for the music that he recorded himself or with his orchestra. But Johnny Otis was indeed a gifted musician and arranger, and his vibes playing on many of these songs is simply marvelous. He also wasn't a bad singer, but he usually left that role to vocalists such as Little Esther, Marie Adams, and others. One of those singers, Dorothy Ellis, stars on "Drill, Daddy, Drill" one of the best and most audacious songs in this collection. If that one don't put a smile on your face, don't bother playing the rest of the CDs. And by the time it's all over, you'll be out of your seat and dancing too. This stuff is that fun and addictive.
There are plenty of great moments on this collection, everything from a jumping Little Richard number to a fantastic live version of "Ma (He's Makin' Eyes At Me)", complete with hysterical screams from girls in the audience. Other tracks featuring Otis and his very tight band are full of energy and vibrancy. I would have loved to have seen these guys play a show. You just know they were playing their hearts out.
The CD set comes with a 16-page booklet with information about these recordings, plus some reproductions of a few single sleeves and some other cool photos. I would have liked to know the full roster of musicians involved in these recordings, but that absence is the only negative I can find about this set. Otherwise, it's packed with tons of truly great songs. And you get your money's worth too: CD 1 is over 79 minutes in length, and both CD 2 and CD 3 clock in at over 77 minutes.(The R&B Monthly)

trax:
1. Drill, Daddy, Drill - Dorothy Ellis 2. Young Girl - The Johnny Otis Orchestra 3. Louisiana Hop - Pete 'Guitar' Lewis 4. Hound Dog - Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton with "Kansas City Bill" and his Orchestra 5. Rock Me Baby - The Johnny Otis Orchestra 6. Going Crazy - Pete "Guitar" Lewis & His Orchestra 7. Honey, Honey - Joe"Papoose" Fritz with Johnny Otis' Band 8. Shake It - Johnny Otis & His Orchestra 9. Yes, Baby - Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace 10. Boom Diddy Wa Wa - Junior & Marie 11. Pledging My Love - Johnny Ace With Johnny Otis Orchestra 12. Better Stop - Junior Ryder with Johnny Otis Orchestra 13. Oh Ho Doodle Lu - Mr Goggle Eyes August with J Otis Band 14. Little Richard's Boogie - Little Richard With The Johnny Otis Orchestra 15. The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry) - Etta James And The Peaches 16. Hey Little Girl - Richard A Lewis 17. If You Ever Get Lonesome - Preston Love & His Orchestra feat.Roy "Happy" Easter 18. Please Be True - Sugar & Pie 19. I'm Gonna Whale On You - Little Arthur Matthews 20. Ko Ko Mo - Gene & Eunice With Johnny's Combo 21. Country Boogie - Preston Love, Orchestra 22. I Miss You So - Faye Wilson with Johnny Otis Orchestra 23. Shake It, Lucy Baby - Johnny Otis 24. Ma (He's Makin' Eyes At Me) - Marie Adams & The Three Tons Of Joy 25. Bye Bye Baby - Johnny Otis 26. Willie And The Hand Jive - Johnny Otis 27. Crazy Country Hop - Johnny Otis 28. Castin' My Spell - Johnny Otis 29. Mumblin' Mosie - Johnny Otis
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