nobody Wrote:
OK, Stone...I know we both have a shit ton of crossover in our collections. Figured I'd stay away from trying to dig out some punk gem. I'd probably just end up uploading something you've already got if I did that. Figured I'd upload something I think you'll probably dig, that I really dig, and that you're less likely to have lying around. Inspired a bit by that Wayne Raney upload in the sense that it's another one for King Records, although this one also features tracks from its sister Federal label. Without futher ado...how about some down and dirty rockin' bluesy instrumental stuff from 1948-1964, all released on the King and Federal labels:
Honky Tonk! The King & Federal R&B InstrumentalsHope ya like it.
I didn't know what to expect from this. Nobody described it as "dirty rockin' bluesy instrumental stuff" and I knew it was sides from 1948 – 1964 from the small King and Federal labels, but I’m not real familiar with stuff from this era. And while I'm not a big blues fan much at all, I have been getting into more instrumental stuff lately, so I was curious to hear it.
My first reaction to this the first time through was relief, that it wasn't straight ahead blues (at least not in the style I usually consider to be blues). My second reaction was that some of the tracks were sort of big-bandish (not really my thing), but others were great. On my subsequent times through it, my reaction was a bit different. I still think there are a couple tracks that are pretty weak and sound like a 1940s big band / orchestra, but some of the stuff on this is downright fantastic, especially given the timeframe when it was released. Some of the songs feature the sax a bit too much for my taste, and not surprisingly, I like the ones that feature the guitar better.
There are a couple standouts to me:
(1) Johnny "Guitar" Watson – “Space Guitar”
This track is what you would expect from the name: a spacy surf rock instrumental. And this track really rocks. I was impressed with it, and then I looked up when it was released: 1954. Just amazing this was done that early. Great, great song.
(2) “Washboard” Bill with Mickey Baker and King Curtis – “Washboard Story”
I’m not sure if it’s the tune, the inclusion of a washboard, or the fine guitar playing in this (or a combination, which is likely it), but this track is one I can keep coming back to for more.
The Cal Green and Freddie King tracks are great tunes as well. This is not only an entertaining album, but interesting to hear from a historical perspective as well. I wonder what people’s (the few people that got the pleasure to hear it, anyway) reaction was to something like “Space Guitar” in 1954. This is an album I will definitely listen to more.
Very nice recommendation, dw. Thanks.