Notes

---

This is a 1985 vinyl release from Charly from back when they had an extensive reissue programme of King material.

Roy Brown’s singing style differed from that of the established blues shouters like Big Joe Turner, Wynonie Harris and Jimmy Rushing. He ‘cried’ the blues rather than shouted them. His emotional style was a big influence on B.B. King, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson. In fact Roy Brown is often regarded as the ‘first soul singer’.

This collection is arranged in chronological order and provides nice snapshots of the various stages of his career. Tracks 1 – 9, recorded between 1947 and 1951, are storming jump blues from Roy when he was at the peak of his career and enjoying chart success. The backing from the Mighty Mighty Men led by the great tenor sax player Johnny Fontenette provides incredible whomp! Tracks 10 – 14 (recorded in 1954 and 1955) are more of the same, but by now changing public taste and contractual disputes with King had brought an end to the run of hits. The last two late 1950’s tracks are attempts to fit in with the rock ‘n’ roll style. Brown managed to achieve some limited chart success in the late 1950’s on the Imperial label with “Let The Four Winds Blow” and “Party Doll”.