While R&B and blues get most of the credit for modern rock and roll, the fact is that there were a lot of flavors that entered the musical gumbo. Here are a pair of forgotten herbs and spices…
The inventor of what became called “Western Swing” Bob Wills created a swinging party style to music with his fiddle, band and “ah ha” chants in an infectiously long career. This 30 song set puts together tunes from various time of his career. And if you think Little Richard invented “Keep A Knockin’”, just take a gander at the take of “Keep Knocking (But You Can’t Come In)”! And Wills give a double meaning to ‘eight to the bar’ on “Ida Red Likes The Boogie” and “Jolie Blond Likes The Boogie” while the blues are brewed on “Rock-A-By Bby” and “Trouble, Trouble”. Grab a partner!
Artists from The Beatles to Van Morrison list Lonnie Donegan as one of their greatest influences. In the UK, Skiffle was to their ears what R&B and country was to the US. Donegan bridged the gap of both styles, as evidenced on this 3 disc 78 song set. He even precedes Johnny Cash with a take of “Rock Island Line” that chugs along, and out does The Kingston Trio on “Tom Dooley” and ”Michael Row The Boat Ashore”. He could dig in with the best, taking on Ray Charles’ “Leave My Woman Alone” while hinting at Buddy Holly on “Fort Worth Jail”. There’ s a hoot of the calypso classic “Love Is Strange” and even some pop hokum on the fun “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour” with a dash on New Orleans on “Take My Hand Precious Lord”. UK with a soul.