- Artist: Various Artists
- Release Date: May 01, 1995
- Total Time: 70:57
- Type: Collection (various artists)
- Genre: Blues
Review
One of the joys of the Document label (which is in the process of reissuing virtually every prewar blues recording) are the sets that feature completely obscure artists. Virtually nothing is known of the four bandleaders who are featured on this CD, yet the music (recorded in Dallas or San Antonio) is largely excellent. Four songs from sessions in 1927-1928 feature singer Billiken Johnson either with Fred Adams or Neal Roberts in vocal duets. Willie Tyson and Roberts are the pianists. Texas Bill Day sings (and most likely plays piano) on six selections during his two sessions of 1929, two of which have Johnson joining in on kazoo. Jack Ranger sings three songs during his lone recording date in 1929. Finally, there are 11 numbers (one previously unissued) from 1937-1938 by Kitty Gray & Her Wampus Cats. Gray was an excellent pianist and singer, and her music straddles the boundaries between blues, swing, and Western swing, yet her life and what she did after 1938 are completely unknown. Recommended to serious blues collectors. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi| Texas Piano, Vol. 1 (1923-1935) (1995 Album by Various Artists) | |
| Texas Plates (1999 Album by Vince Bell) |
Copyright © 2012 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.