Louisiana born and bred pianist Eurreal Wilford “Little Brother” Montgomery (1906-85) was one of the pioneers of boogie-woogie blues piano, with this three cd, 72 song collection showing the various hues of blues that came from his ivories.
His piano style gives hint to the economical Count Basie at times, and his compositions influenced artists ranging from Gordon Jenkins to Johnny Cash, who both borrowed heavily from “Crescent City Blues” to which Cash conjured up “Folsom Prison Blues”.
The earliest recordings have him accompanying Irene Scruggs on the earthy “Back to the Wall” while his own “ Vicksburg Blues” also set the palate for many a blues artist. His own voice has him in gravelly and emotive form on “Crescent City Blues” and “Shreveport Farewell, wile with a larger ensemble he gives a bit of Kansas City into the mood on “Swingin With Lee”. Songs from his excellent albums have him with Lafayette Thomas/g and Julian Euell for a rollicking “Brother’s Boogie” with “Vicksburg 44” and “ West 46gh Street Boogie” in a more intimate setting, but still getting the juke joint jumping. Belly up to the bar!