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Various Artists - The Roots Of Rock'n Roll (needledrop) (1955)

Track listing:
CD1
  1. We're Gonna Rock, We're Gonna Roll Wild Bill Moore 2:34
  2. Bubbles Wild Bill Moore 3:05
  3. 35-30 Paul Williams 3:08
  4. The Hucklebuck Paul Williams 3:03
  5. Cornbread Hal Singer 2:51
  6. Deacon's Hop Big Jay McNeely 2:45
  7. Hot Rod Hal Singer 2:43
  8. Rib Joint Sam Price 2:33
  9. Head Hunter Johnny Otis 2:58
  10. Helpless Mel Walker 3:00
  11. Cupid's Boogie Mel Walker & Little Esther 2:31
  12. Don't Be Angry Nappy Brown 2:21
  13. Piddly Patter Nappy Brown 2:00
  14. Deedle I Love You Nappy Brown 2:21
  15. You Made Me Cry Huey "Piano" Smith 2:14
  16. You're Down With Me Huey "Piano" Smith 2:30
CD2
  1. Misery Little Esther 2:41
  2. Lover's Lane Boogie Little Esther & The Blue Notes 2:35
  3. Lost In A Dream Little Esther 3:04
  4. Mercy Mr Percy Varetta Dillard 2:44
  5. Promise Mr Thomas Varetta Dillard 2:30
  6. Candy Big Maybelle 2:35
  7. Ring Dang Dilly Big Maybelle 2:12
  8. Mean To Me Big Maybelle 2:21
  9. Old Man River The Ravens 2:53
  10. Count Every Star The Ravens 2:50
  11. Marie The Ravens 2:46
  12. Double Crossing Blues Little Esther & The Robbins 2:41
  13. If I Didn't Love You So The Robbins 3:06
  14. Our Romance Is Gone The Robbins 2:29
  15. It's Written In The Stars Luther Bond & His Emeralds 2:26
  16. Bad Boy Clarence Palmer & The Jive Bombers 2:46

Notes

With this double LP it’s back to where the blog started – with Savoy Records. This time round there’s no jazz included as this set explores the R&B roots of rock ‘n’ roll. The album appeared in 1977 and is the early rock ‘n’ roll fan’s equivalent of “Nuggets” – the 1960’s garage band music bible. For many it was their first exposure to 1940’s/early 50’s R&B, so it was an education (especially if you thought rock ‘n’ roll started with Bill Haley or Elvis) as well as a great listen.

Side 1 looks at the honking R&B tenor sax, starting with the prophetically titled “We’re Gonna Rock, We’re Gonna Roll” from Wild Bill Moore recorded in 1947, for pete’s sake, and thereafter it’s a non-stop honkathon featuring particularly nutso sides from Big Jay McNeely and Hal Singer. Sam Price’s “Rib Joint” features the red hot sax work of the brilliant Sam ‘The Man’ Taylor.

Side 2 starts with a Johnny Otis instro tribute to Los Angeles R&B disc jockey Hunter Hancock, followed by a couple of sides from the Otis aggregation vocalists Mel Walker and Little Esther. This is followed by some Nappy Brown sides. He is definitely an acquired taste. Just not my cup of tea, though it’s competent enough rock ‘n’ roll. The 2 sides featuring Huey “Piano” Smith are dreadful. This was his first recording session and it shows. They’re nothing like the works of genius New Orleans R&B he issued in the late ‘50’s on Ace Records.

Side 3 concentrates on female R&B singers, with Little Esther again being backed by the Otis outfit and then the two magnificent blues belters Varetta Dillard and Big Maybelle. These two deliver scorching R&B, probably the best tracks on the album.

With side 4 we’re into vocal group territory. The Ravens have been posted earlier in the blog – a must-get post for anyone interested in R&B vocal groups. Then there’s the Robbins (later The Robins, even later The Coasters) who were associated with the Johnny Otis band, and a couple of so-so tracks to see us out. OK Clarence Palmer and The Jive Bomber’s rendition of “Bad Boy” is pretty good. It’s kind of grown on me over the years.

The huge Savoy Records back catalogue of R&B and jazz has not fared well in the CD era, with reissues being few and far between. Fear not, fellow boppers, there’s lots more Savoy vinyl to come here on Be Bop Wino.

Ripped at 256 kbps from vinyl.