Similar Albums:
- Artist: Johnny Otis
- Rating:
- Release Date: September 21, 2004
- Type: Compilation (best of)
- Genre: Blues
Review
Johnny Otis spent the year 1950 leading large and small bands from behind his scintillating vibraphone, almost always backing delightful vocalists. The Otis lineup was perpetually impressive: Little Esther Phillips, Mel Walker, Redd Lyte, Lee Graves, and naturally the Robins. Otis is also believed to have been one of three singers billed as the Beltones, crooning behind Phillips on "Just Can't Get Free." This batch of reissues is a delightful grab bag of Afro-American recorded entertainment. Anyone searching for those often-cited "roots of rock" should listen in on wild guitarist Pete Lewis during "I'm Living O.K." Irresistible honey-and-ginger-voiced Little Esther is particularly well represented here, either carrying a song by herself or teamed up with Mel Walker. On "Cupid's Boogie" these two find themselves sliding uneasily toward matrimony. An inevitable sequel, "Wedding Boogie," is the definitive Johnny Otis situation comedy routine, adding full-throated Lee Graves as a tippling jackleg preacher who flirts with the bride. "Freight Train Boogie," this compilation's only instrumental, is a masterpiece of topical rhythm, rock, and roll, featuring once again the twangy electric guitar of Pete Lewis and some smoking manipulations on the vibes by Johnny Otis. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Misery | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:49) |
| I'm Through | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:54) |
| I'm Living O.K. | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:24) |
| Ain't No Use Beggin' | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:54) |
| You're Fine, But Not My Kind | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:40) |
| Helpless | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (3:08) |
| Cool and Easy | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:44) |
| Mistrustin' Blues | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (3:03) |
| Dreamin' Blues | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:34) |
| Cupid's Boogie | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:38) |
| Just Can't Get Free | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:34) |
| My Heart Tells Me | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:53) |
| Lost Dream Blues (Lost in a Dream) | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (3:16) |
| Deceivin' Blues | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:36) |
| Lonely Blues | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:46) |
| Strange Woman | Ralph Bass, McKinley Morganfield | Johnny Otis | (2:57) |
| Freight Train Boogie | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:34) |
| Good Time Blues | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (2:43) |
| Sunset to Dawn | Johnny Otis, |
Johnny Otis | (3:12) |
| Wedding Boogie | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:56) |
| Far Away Blues (Fareway Christmas Blues) | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (3:22) |
| Love Will Break Your Heart for You | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:57) |
| Rockin' Blues | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:52) |
| I Don't Care | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (3:01) |
| I Dream | Johnny Otis | Johnny Otis | (2:22) |
