Label: Wolf Records.
Release Date: November 9, 1999.
Recording Time: 59 minutes.
Recording Date: April, 1931 - April 30, 1941.
Release Info: Compilation Studio Recording.
Styles: Acoustic Blues, Piano Blues, Acoustic Chicago Blues, Regional Blues, St. Louis Blues.
Recording Information: tracks 1-2 rec. April 1931, Grafton, Wisconsin; tracks 3-4 rec. August 2, 1963, Chicago; track 5 rec. February 15, 1936, New York City; tracks 6-7 rec. April 29, 1937, Chicago; tracks 8-10 rec. April 30, 1937, Chicago; track 11 rec. October 28, 1937, Chicago; tracks 12-13 rec. March 31, 1938, New York City; tracks 14-15 rec. April 3, 1940, New York City; tracks 16-19 rec. February 27, 1941, Chicago; track 10 rec. April 30, 1941, Chicago.
The Wolf label's 20-track sampler of vintage Roosevelt Sykes traces a chronology that includes six collaborations with the pianist's St. Louis carousing companion Charlie "Specks" McFadden (1895-1940). The collection opens with four titles they recorded together in April 1931; two of these were revisited again at what turned out to be McFadden's last recording session in April 1937. The rest of this useful retrospective is devoted to Sykes' prewar Decca recordings, ending with the purposeful "15 Cents a Day," which was made on the last day of April 1941. At times Sykes is accompanied by jazz drummer Sidney Catlett. These two made quite a number of records together, and one of their very best efforts is "Doin' the Sally Long (Flames of Evaporation)." The title suggests a dance that involves a lot of creative overhead arm waving.
by arwulf arwulf
Living Blues (3-4/96, pp.82-83) - "...portrays Sykes at the peak of his commercial career, both as a featured performer and as an accompanist....[This] album is solid, and fans of piano blues are sure to be pleased..."
Notes: Sykes alternately credited as 'Dobby Bragg', 'The Honey Dripper', 'Willie Kelly'.
Personnel: Roosevelt Sykes (vocals, piano); Charlie McFadden (vocals); Sidney Catlett, Big Sid Catlett (drums).
Photographer: Hans Maitner.
Credits: Leroy Carr - composer; Big Sid Catlett - drums; Hans Maitner - photography; Charlie McFadden - vocals; K.H. Rosenzopf - layout design; Roosevelt Sykes - composer, primary artist.
Tracks: 1) Groceries on the Shelf No. 2; 2) Yellow Woman Blues; 3) Piggly Wiggly Blues; 4) People, People; 5) She Left Me Cold in Hand; 6) Little and Low; 7) Night Time Is the Right Time; 8) Groceries on My Shelf (Piggly Wiggly); 9) People People; 10) Hospital, Heaven or Hell; 11) Love Lease Blues; 12) Mistake in Life; 13) Night Time Is the Right Time, No. 2; 14) Right Now; 15) Essie Mae Blues; 16) Doin' the Sally Long (Flames of Evaporation); 17) K.M.A. Blues; 18) Prison Gate Blues; 19) Low as a Toad; 20) 15 Cents a Day.
Credits: Leroy Carr - composer; Big Sid Catlett - drums; Hans Maitner - photography; Charlie McFadden - vocals; K.H. Rosenzopf - layout design; Roosevelt Sykes - composer, primary artist.
Tracks: 1) Groceries on the Shelf No. 2; 2) Yellow Woman Blues; 3) Piggly Wiggly Blues; 4) People, People; 5) She Left Me Cold in Hand; 6) Little and Low; 7) Night Time Is the Right Time; 8) Groceries on My Shelf (Piggly Wiggly); 9) People People; 10) Hospital, Heaven or Hell; 11) Love Lease Blues; 12) Mistake in Life; 13) Night Time Is the Right Time, No. 2; 14) Right Now; 15) Essie Mae Blues; 16) Doin' the Sally Long (Flames of Evaporation); 17) K.M.A. Blues; 18) Prison Gate Blues; 19) Low as a Toad; 20) 15 Cents a Day.