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Elmore James And John Brim - Whose Muddy Shoes (1969)

Track listing:
  1. Ice Cream Man [1953] 2:46
  2. Whose Muddy Shoes [1953] 3:17
  3. Madison Blues [1960] 2:25
  4. I See My Baby [1953] 3:04
  5. You Got Me [1956] 2:58
  6. My Best Friend [1953] 3:23
  7. The Sun Is Shining [1960] 2:46
  8. Lifetime Baby [1953] 3:03
  9. Talk To Me Baby [1960] 2:17
  10. Rattlesnake [1953] 3:10
  11. Be Careful [1956] 2:42
  12. Dust My Broom [1953] 3:01
  13. Tool Bag Boogie [1953] 2:40
  14. Tough Times [1953] 3:01
  15. Call It Stormy Monday [1960] 2:27
  16. The Sun Is Shining (Alt. Take) [1953] 2:44
  17. Gary Stomp [1954] 2:49

Notes

Size: 99.9 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included
Source: Japan 24-Bit Remaster

Fifties Chicago blues brethren James and Brim share the spotlight on the return of a long-unavailable 1969 Chess album. James's rousing vocals perfectly suit the racy mood defined by the Broomdusters on nine songs, from the famous "Dust My Broom" to the little-known "Tool Box Blues," His guitar, of course, plays a big role, showcasing the intense drama and portentous technique of a postwar twelve-bar blues paladin. Singer/guitarist Brim's six sides, made in 1953 and 1956, tell of his honesty and modest skill, with only "Tough Times," elbowed along by Snooky Prior's harmonica and Eddie Taylor's guitar, leaving a lasting impression for its edgy music and timelessly pertinent lyrics.

Elmore James had recorded a session for Chess in 1953 before settling down with the Bihari Brothers and again in 1960, shortly before starting his final recordings for Bobby Robinson's Fire, Fury and Enjoy labels. This collects up all of them on CD with the bonus addition of an alternate take of "The Sun Is Shining," which can be interpreted as a precursor to his later hit "The Sky Is Crying." The earlier sides from 1953 lack his inimitable slide, but the 1960 session produced classics like "Talk to Me Baby," "Madison Blues" and a powerful reading of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday." These tracks of James working with the Chess production team are delightfully fleshed out with a half-dozen gems by the highly underrated John Brim, some of which include stellar harp work by Little Walter ("Rattlesnake," "Be Careful" — on which Walter stops playing in several spots to become an ad-lib backup vocalist — and "You Got Me") as well as the original version of "Ice Cream Man," better known to rock fans from Van Halen's cover version of it from their debut album.

01. Ice Cream Man
02. Whose Muddy Shoes
03. Madison Blues
04. I See My Baby
05. You Got Me - John Brim, Elmore James
06. My Best Friend
07. Sun Is Shining - John Brim, Elmore James
08. Lifetime Baby
09. Talk to Me Baby
10. Rattlesnake
11. Be Careful
12. Dust My Broom
13. Tool Bag Boogie
14. Tough Times
15. Stormy Monday - John Brim, Elmore James
+ Bonus Tracks