Timeless piano and rockin’ country sounds are the latest releases from UK based AvidOne of the most singular voices on piano, Ahmad Jamal created a highly influential style on his early albums, inspiring Miles Davis and John Coltrane in style and composition. His first two albums , concerts at Chicago’s Pershing night club with Israel Crosby/b and Vernell Fournier/dr are true classics, with a definitive read of “Poinciana” that has launched a thousand ships, as well as “But Not For Me” and “Surrey with the Fringe On Top”. A couple years later resulted in Crosby’s final album a gig at The Alhambra, resulting in a thrilling “Broadway” and gracious “Isn’t It Romantic”, along with a glowing “Star Eyes”. Two concerts that have stood the test of time.
Wanda Jackson has mixed rock, rockabilly and gospel with country music her entire career, at one time the first female rocker, and called “The Queen of Rockabilly” before going into a career mixing religious music. These early albums are a blast, starting of with her 1958 eponymous release that includes “Making Believe” and a smoldering “Money Honey”. She parties the next year with an 8 to the bar “Kansas City” and R&B is “Heard Headed Woman”. The next year brings on the wild and unforgettable “Fujiyama Mama” and a growling “Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad” while going country style win ’62 with “Lovin’ Country Style” and “Wasted”. Last is her “Wonderful” album with some great tear jerkers like “Seven Lonely Days” and “I Cried Every Time You Hurt Me”. A pistol packin’ mama!