Vol. 1-Texas Piano 1923-1935 - By Thomas/Edwards

Artist:

Various Artists

UPC:

714298522426

Description:

Personnel: Hociel Thomas (vocals, accordion); George W. Thomas (vocals, piano); Ramblin` Thomas (guitar); Clay Custer, Hersal Thomas, Black Boy Shine (piano). Recording information: 02/??/1923-04/21/1935. There are several very valuable performances on this CD from two of blues singer Sippie Wallace`s brothers and a woman who was raised by the Thomas family. In February 1923, pianist George W. Thomas (under the name of Clay Custer) recorded the first boogie-woogie performance, "The Rocks," a rather eerie original. That selection and Thomas` two 1929 selections (which have him singing too) lead off this disc. Hersal Thomas was a talented pianist, who unfortunately died quite young. His complete output is on this CD, other than his recordings with Louis Armstrong. He is heard on his only two piano solos ("Suitcase Blues" and "Hersal Blues") plus five numbers backing the singing of his niece Hociel Thomas (George Thomas` daughter). Moanin` Bernice Edwards recorded 16 selections during four sessions in 1928 and 1935, all of which are included. Most of these selections are solos in which she sings and play piano, or duets with a guitarist. Edwards, who is completely obscure, is an excellent low-down blues singer who deserved to be better known. Overall, this CD is highly recommended; "The Rocks" belongs in every blues collection. ~ Scott Yanow

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. Rocks, The
2. Fast Stuff Blues
3. Don`t Kill Him in Here
4. Suicase Blues - Hersal Thomas
5. I Can`t Feel Frisky Withouth My Liquor - Hersal Thomas
6. Worried Down With the Blues - Hersal Thomas
7. I Must Have It - Hersal Thomas
8. Hersal Blues - Hersal Thomas
9. Woored Down With the Blues - Hersal Thomas
10. Fish Tail Dance - Hersal Thomas
11. Sunshine Blues
12. Lonesome Longing Blues
13. Mean Man Blues
14. Long Tall Mama
15. Moanin` Blues
16. South Bound Blues
17. Hard Hustling Blues
18. High Powered Mama Blues
19. Low Down Dirty Shame Blues
20. Born to Die Blues
21. Two-Way Mind Blues
22. Jack of All Trades - Bernice Edwards
23. Bantam Rooster Blues
24. Hot Mattress Stomp
25. Ninth Street Stomp - Bernice Edwards
26. Butcher Shop Blues - Bernice Edwards

Album Information

Release Date:

06/09/1994

Type:

Collection

Genre:

Blues

Subgenre:

Texas/W. Coast Blues

Label:

Document (USA)

Catalog Number:

5224

Original Release Year:

1995

# of Discs:

2

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Stereo

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