The Very Best of T-Bone Walker by T-Bone Walker

20 Sep

Written by Richard Bourcier
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Here's a nice compilation of T-Bone Walker's 78s on various labels of the 1940s and 50s. Represented are the labels that make collectors drool. Consider Black & White, Rhumboogie, Imperial, Atlantic and Capitol. Some readers will scoff at my inclusion of Capitol as a sought after label. When T-Bone joined Capitol in 1942, the company had just experienced their first hit with Cow Cow Boogie and was still struggling. My copy of "Mean Old World" is still a most treasured item as it was my first blues record. My allowance at the time was 25 cents per week and my Mom had a fit when I blew it on a 78.

T-Bone Walker (1910 - 1975) is probably the most imitated guitarist in the blues today and justifiably so. His phrasings still raise goose pimples on these old arms. Rhino has drawn 16 originals from half a dozen labels. This is essential material for those of us who could never afford to buy the collector's items at auction.

Some of the tunes are Bobby Sox Blues, Mean Old World, How Long Blues, You Don't Understand, West Side Baby, Stormy Monday and Evenin', a song that was covered by Kay Starr in the 50s.

The sidemen heard on this collection read like a "Who's Who" of blues and jazz including Jack McVea, Bumps Meyers, Lloyd Glenn, Maxwell Davis, Teddy Buckner, Junior Wells, Plas Johnson and Barney Kessel, and I mention only a few.

As always, Rhino includes a complete discography of the sessions within a 15 page booklet describing Walker's life. This collections showcases the performer in several formats including small blues and jazz groups and with the larger "jump bands."

This CD receives my highest recommendation.