Label: Document Records
Release Date: November 30, 1995
Releases: 1995, 2000, 2005
Recording Time: 75 minutes
Recording Date: August 13, 1935 - 1951
Compilation Studio Recording
Styles: Country Blues
Recording information: Los Angeles, CA (08/13/1935-??/??/1951); San Antonio, TX (08/13/1935-??/??/1951).
Featured Artists: Andy Boy, Joe Pullum, Walter 'Cowboy' Washington.
Joe Pullum was a Texas bluesman with a high pitched singing voice who recorded extensively for Bluebird in 1934 - 1936. This CD starts with two tracks where he is accompanied by Santa Fe pianist Andy Boy, followed by six tracks where he is backed by the two fisted pianist Rob Cooper with trumpet and guitar producing an effect slightly reminsicent of Fats Waller. Tracks 21 - 25 are Pullum's rather feeble final tracks from 1951. However, the primary reason for buying this CD lies in tracks 9 - 16, the piano / vocal recordings of Andy Boy. Very little is known about him, but these tracks reveal him to be not only a poetic blues lyricist, but also a splendid blues pianist. Whereas many blues piano players had a handful of set figures which they repeated ad nauseum, Andy Boy produces enormous variety and creativity within the blues form. "House Raid Blues" is in fact a lively ragtime - based showpiece, while the other blues demonstrate a variety of moods. The sound quality is not always good on these tracks, but the music is wonderful. Andy Boy also accompanied Walter "Cowboy" Washington on tracks 17 - 20. Washington has the loud rough voice of a street singer, but has interesting, if misogynistic lyrics. Strongly recommended for lovers of blues piano.
by B. D. Tutt
Living Blues (3-4/96, pp.97-98) - "...fans of Texas blues and blues piano will be pleased with the high quality of [this] CD."
Personnel: Joe Pullum (vocals); Andy Boy (vocals, piano); Walter "Cowboy" Washington (vocals); Melvin Martin, Tiny Webb (guitar); Chester Boone (trumpet); Rob Cooper, Lloyd Glenn (piano); William K. "Billy" Hadnott - upright bass; Bob Harvey (drums).
Audio Remasterer: Gerhard Wessely.
Liner Note Author: Tony Russell.
Credits: Chester Boone - trumpet; Andy Boy - performer, piano, primary artist, vocals; Rob Cooper - piano; Lloyd Glenn - piano; William K. "Billy" Hadnott - bass (upright); Bob Harvey - drums; Melvin Martin - guitar; Johnny Parth - producer; Joe Pullum - primary artist, vocals; Tony Russell - liner notes; Traditional - composer; Walter "Cowboy" Washington - primary artist, vocals; Tiny Webb - guitar; Gerhard Wessely - remastering.
Tracks: 1) Ice man blues - Joe Pullum; 2) Joe Louis is the man - Joe Pullum; 3) Bonus blues - Joe Pullum; 4) Come on if you`re comin` - Joe Pullum; 5) Bedroom blues - Joe Pullum; 6) Hattie green - Joe Pullum; 7) Woman trouble blues - Joe Pullum; 8) Swing them blues - Joe Pullum; 9) Evil blues - Andy Boy; 10) House raid blues - Andy Boy; 11) Too late blues - Andy Boy; 12) Church Street blues - Andy Boy; 13) Out o`line blues - Andy Boy; 14) Lonesome with the blues - Andy Boy; 15) Jive blues - Andy Boy; 16) Yellow gal blues - Andy Boy; 17) Bad managing blues - Walter 'Cowboy' Washington; 18) I need you blues - Walter 'Cowboy' Washington; 19) Ice pick mama - Walter 'Cowboy' Washington; 20) West Dallas woman - Walter 'Cowboy' Washington; 21) My woman pt. 1 - Joe Pullum; 22) My woman pt. 2 - Joe Pullum; 23) My woman pt. 1 (alt. take) - Joe Pullum; 24) You`re alright with me - Joe Pullum; 25) Alberta - Joe Pullum.