The Bebop Shop Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Boogie-Woogie & Stride

The Bebop Shop : Artistry In Rhythm: Early Jazz, Big Bands & Swing : Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Boogie-Woogie & Stride


	James P. Johnson: The Collection 1921-49 (CD: Acrobat, 2 CDs) James P. Johnson was one of the greatest and most important jazz pianists in the history of the genre, largely responsible for originating what became the stride piano style, and having a profound influence on contemporaries and later luminaries such as Fats Waller and Duke Ellington. He was one of the earliest recording artists in jazz, making piano rolls before 1920, and then becoming a star in Harlem in the early ‘20s. He was a successful composer as well as musician, writing songs for Broadway shows like “Running Wild”, including the musical landmark that encapsulated the Roaring Twenties “The Charleston”. He was in demand to record with many artists during this era, and accompanied a number of the top female blues artists of the day, such as Bessie Smith and Ethel Waters. This excellent-value 47-track collection covers the period of more than a quarter of a century which comprised his most active recording career, which was slowing down when he suffered a disabling stroke in 1951. It naturally includes many of his most famous tunes and piano solos, but also includes his work with a host of major names over the years, including Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, King Oliver, Clarence Williams, Eddie Condon and Sidney Bechet. It’s a fascinating overview of his career, and a great showcase for one of the genre’s most influential piano stylists. (Acrobat Music) Price: £12.99


Meade Lux Lewis: The Collection 1927-61 (CD: Acrobat, 2 CDs) Meade Lux Lewis was one of the leading exponents of boogie-woogie piano during the heyday of the sub-genre during the ‘30s and ‘40s, sitting alongside the likes of Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, with whom he performed and recorded on a regular basis for a few years. He is best-known for his landmark composition “Honky Tonk Train Blues”, which he recorded several times over the thirty years and more covered by this collection, but his skill and technique ranged beyond the relatively narrow realms of pure boogie-woogie into other styles of blues and jazz, and this collection delves into some of those related strands. This great value 39-track collection, which includes a number of extended performances, draws on many of the sessions and live radio shows he recorded performing on solo piano or celeste, but also provides many examples of his work in a variety of different ensembles, ranging from piano duet and trio performances with Ammons and Johnson, through small groups with top players and leaders like Frankie Newton, Sidney Bechet, Edmond Hall and Teddy Bunn, to sessions accompanying vocalists like Big Joe Turner, and in his later career in duos and trios with Louie Bellson, Red Callender and Jo Jones. It’s a highly entertaining showcase for a unique talent. Includes comprehensive booklet notes, with complete recording session and personnel details. (Acrobat Music) Price: £12.99


	Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis & Jimmy Yancey: Hey! Piano Man (CD; JSP, 4 CDs) Nice collection of selected boogie woogie sides. Price: £20.99


Pete Johnson: Blues & Boogie Woogie Master (CD: Jazz Archives) Price: £8.99


	Pete Johnson: Central Avenue Boogie (CD: Delmark) 1947 small group sessions. In the beginning there was three: Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis. These men, fine pianists all, created the great boogie woogie rage of the 30s and 40s. They stood at the peak of the boogie woogie pyramid. Everybody imitated them; all the big name bands had to have boogie woogie arrangements. But the real article was played on by a few pianists, of whom these three were the best. Pete Johnson is generally considered to have been the most brilliant of the three. (Delmark Records) Price: £11.99


Charles Thompson: The Neglected Professor (CD: Delmark) Price: £13.99


	Mary Lou Williams: A Keyboard History (CD: Poll Winners) Mary Lou Williams’ difficult to find 1955 LP A Keyboard History (Jazztone J1206) in its entirety. Williams is showcased here in both a trio setting with bassist Wendell Marshall and drummer Osie Johnson on some tunes, as well as solo piano on many selections. As a bonus, we have added another complete album by the pianist recorded the previous year in Paris. All ten tracks on Mary Lou (Emarcy LP MG26033) are trio performances featuring Buddy Banks on bass, and Jean-Louis Viale on drums. Both albums received a five-star rating in Down Beat magazine. Includes 16-page booklet. (Harmonia Mundi) Price: £12.99

The Bebop Shop : Artistry In Rhythm: Early Jazz, Big Bands & Swing : Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Boogie-Woogie & Stride

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