Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Various Blues Artists: Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey
Various Blues Artists: Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey
Wyman traces the popularity of the Blues, hearkening back to folks such as vocalist, Mamie Smith and her 1926 recording, “Goin’ Crazy With The Blues.” Whereas, the great Bessie Smith’s 1927 recording of “Lock and Key” is included along with Wyman’s brief iteration of the legendary singer’s boozing and sexual inclinations. Furthermore, some of these musicians only cut anywhere from three to ten sides. For example did you know that guitarist; Blind Blake was a big star for the “Paramount” record label? Also featured are pieces by one of the few Bluesmen from the State of Montana; hence, the excellent yet under-recorded boogie woogie, pianist Montana Taylor who cut only four sides prior to World War II. Wyman also gives us a glimpse of relatively obscure musicians: Frankie “Half-Pint” Jackson, Texan, Rob Cooper and many others. However, the auteur traces the lineage in chronological order while consummating the set with some of the early works of B.B King, Elmore James, Joe Turner, Muddy Waters and many more. Overall, Blues Odyssey is an important document and should be considered a must-have for the astute observer of the Blues, while this release also looms as a significant educational tome. Recommended.
Track Listing
Disc One: 23 tracks
Personnel
Disc One: Mamie Smith: Goin Crazy With The Blues
Album information
Title: Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Document Records
< Previous
Ben Monder: Le Monde du Monder
Comments
Tags
For the Love of Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
Giveaway
Days remaining: 11
