Junior's Blues: The Duke Recordings, Vol. 1

• Artist: Little Junior Parker
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1992
• Total Time: 45:55
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Blues

Review

After the non-success of "Mystery Train" on the R&B charts, Parker jumped contract and signed with Don Robey's Houston-based Duke Records. With his smooth vocal approach, Parker clearly envisioned himself as the next Roy or Charles Brown. But from the evidence of these early sides, it's clear that Robey wanted to piggyback off the success of the Sun sound. Tracks like "I Wanna Ramble" were virtual carbon copies of the "Feelin' Good" riff and Parker's recasting of old favorites like Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago," Roosevelt Sykes's "Driving Wheel," "Yonder's Wall" and "Mother-In-Law Blues," were all clearly in the down-home vein that Parker felt was too "old timey" for an up-to-date musician/vocalist of his caliber. His first big hit for the label, the horn-driven "Next Time You See Me" is here with others in the same vein, but this otherwise excellent collection is curiously missing "Pretty Baby," Parker's version of Howlin' Wolf's "Riding in the Moonlight," certainly one of his best. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I Wanna Ramble	Herman Parker	Junior Parker	(2:52)
Mother-In-Law Blues	Don Robey	Junior Parker	(2:33)
Next Time You See Me	Bill Harvey, Don Robey	Junior Parker	(2:38)
That's Alright	Jimmy Rogers	Junior Parker	(2:57)
Sittin' Drinkin' and Thinkin'	Don Robey, Joseph Scott	Junior Parker	(2:41)
Sweet Home Chicago	Roosevelt Sykes	Junior Parker	(2:33)
Sometimes	Don Robey	Junior Parker	(2:25)
Stand by Me	Herman Parker	Junior Parker	(2:35)
Driving Wheel	Roosevelt Sykes	Junior Parker	(2:38)
Seven Days	Deadric Malone, Herman Parker	Junior Parker	(2:24)
In the Dark	Deadric Malone, Junior Parker	Junior Parker	(2:38)
Someone Somewhere	Herman Parker	Junior Parker	(2:49)
It's a Pity	Deadric Malone, Herman Parker	Junior Parker	(2:51)
Yonders Wall	Eddie James	Junior Parker	(2:18)
Strange Things Happening	Percy Mayfield	Junior Parker	(2:55)
The Things I Used to Do	Guitar Slim	Junior Parker	(2:27)
Jivin' Woman	Deadric Malone, Herman Parker	Junior Parker	(1:59)
Cryin' for My Baby	Harold Burrage	Junior Parker	(2:30)

Credits

Pluma Davis (Trombone), Ray Fields (Sax (Baritone)), Sonny Freeman (Drums), Joe Fritz (Sax (Alto)), Pat Hare (Guitar), Bill Harvey (Sax (Tenor)), Bill Harvey (Tenor (Vocal)), Bill Harvey (?), Otis Jackson, Sr. (Bass), Jimmy Johnson (Sax (Tenor)), Connie McBooker (Piano), Dale McJown (Piano), Andy McKaie (Producer), Andy McKaie (Reissue Producer), Junior Parker (Harmonica), Junior Parker (Vocals), Junior Parker (Main Performer), Hamp Simmons (Bass), Jimmy Stewart (Trumpet), Billy Vera (Liner Notes), Billy Vera (Compilation), Herman "Little Junior" Parker (Harmonica), Herman "Little Junior" Parker (Vocals), Vartan (Art Direction), Robert Stoughton (Remastering), Joe Scott (Trumpet), Jim Johnson (Sax (Tenor))