• Track Listing

Big Joe Turner was a force of nature, the greatest, most original and influential of all the Blues shouters. He and Boogie-Woogie pianist Pete Johnson had famously pioneered Jump-Blues after teaming up in the mid-1930s. And for more than five decades, from Kansas City bars to the Carnegie Hall, taking in Swing, Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll and even early Soul, Big Joe hollered and roared. He was comfortable singing in all venues and circumstances; and over the decades, small bands, big bands, trios, pianists, rock groups, choirs, all styles of accompaniment rocked to his rhythm. This compilation covers the first seven years of Big Joe's recording career, from 1938 (debuting at the legendary "From Spirituals To Swing" concert) to 1945, and features essential sides like 'Low Down Dog', 'Roll 'Em Pete', 'Cherry Red', 'Café Society Rag', 'Joe Turner Blues', 'Piney Brown Blues', 'S. K. Blues', and many more.