Release Date: September 15, 1993.
Recording Time: 69 minutes.
Recording Date: July 27, 1935 - March 27, 1942.
Release Info: Compilation (DOCD-5179) Studio Recording.
Styles: Blues Piano, Blues Guitar, Early Chicago Blues, Georgia Blues, Regional Blues.
Peter "Doctor" Clayton was a regular in the Chicago blues scene of the late 1930s and early '40s. A fine singer who occasionally used his falsetto effectively, Clayton was also a superior lyricist. With the exception of his six titles from 1946, all of his recordings are on this single CD. Two numbers (including "Peter's Blues") are from 1935 while the remainder dates from 1941-1942. Clayton is heard at his best on such numbers as "'41 Blues," "Jitterbug Swing," "Love Is Gone," "On the Killin' Floor," and his topical "Pearl Harbor Blues," expanding beyond the usual good-time and lowdown topics of most blues from the time. The latter was recorded a little less than four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Clayton's vocal style was considered an early influence by both B.B. King and Professor Longhair. He is accompanied on most of the selections by pianist Blind John Davis, Big Bill Broonzy's guitar is on some of the numbers and, most intriguingly, bassist Ransom Knowling is heard on tuba during the final six selections. Knowling's tuba playing makes one wish that the unlikely combination of blues singer and forceful tuba was utilized much more during the era than just this rare occasion. Doctor Clayton died in 1947 when he was only 49 and, with the exception of his 1946 session, this CD collects his entire musical legacy. ~ Scott Yanow
Abridged from this album's booklet notes.
Chicago during the mid-to-late 1930s featured numerous small blues venues and a steady stream of studio recording activity. Blues musicians in this milieu were freed from the "one-man band" format of the rural jukes and dances and could concentrate on a single instrument. In the cases of Bumble Bee Slim, Bill Gaither, Georgia White, Merline Johnson, Jimmie Gordon and others, the focus was on that most versatile of all musical instruments – the human voice. Peter "Doctor" Clayton's initial Bluebird session of July, 1936 yielded two issued titles: Peter's Blues and Yo Yo Jive, the latter a rather standard double entendre piece. Backed by the forgettable piano of the forgotten Beatrice Willis, Clayton rises above the situation by employing distinctive falsetto shrieks and whoops. Though it sounds as if Clayton is still experimenting with his voice, these effects at least cause the listener to take notice. Recording executives may not have noticed, as Clayton didn't return to the studio for six years. He apparently spent the intervening time playing small clubs and touring, while refining his craft and his persons. He is remembered as an outgoing performer who sported a variety of hats and white-framed "hipster" eyeglasses, and travelled for a time in a bus with his likeness painted on the side. At any event, it was a polished and assured Doctor Clayton who returned to the studio in July, 1941 for OKeh. Clayton's falsetto interjections are more controlled and carefully integrated into the performances. His talents as a writer and observer are also evident. Whether singing about then-current events (41 Blues), unfaithful women (Black Snake Blues) or his own appeal (Streamline Blues), Clayton seldom borrows from the standard pool of blues verses and phrases. He likely had more schooling than most bluesmen, and his lyrics reflect intelligence, education and awareness. Some compositions were boastful (Dr. Clayton Blues, e.g.) but the obvious "doctor-of-love" theme is not heavily pursued in his songs and the genesis of his nickname is unreported. The titles from his November, 1941 session show an improved sense of phrasing and further refinements in his vocal technique; in fact, Clayton's falsetto is seldom heard at all. Clayton's final pre-war session (March, 1942) again shows him in top form. Of note is Ramson Knowling‘s use of a tuba, rather than his usual upright bass fiddle, on most titles. This culminated a string of four studio dates in only nine months; remarkable for a virtually-new artist and testimony to his talent and popularity. One would have expected Doctor Clayton to resume his successful career after the war years. Sadly, two 1946 recording sessions yielded only four issued titles and Clayton died in January, 1947. With his undisputed talent and his warm and generous personality, he still could not overcome the devastating impact of the death of his wife and children in a 1937 fire. Clayton drank heavily in his later years and became unconcerned about his health. The proximate cause of death was alcoholism and pneumonia. Blind John Davis properly described Peter Clayton as "a brilliant fellow… a great, great artist… a beautiful person", yet the lyrics to Cheating And Lying Blues, Got To Find My Baby and On The Killing Floor depict a man losing (or who had already lost) something vital in his life. Note: Though only ten people attended Peter Clayton's funeral (according to Big Bill Broonzy), Clayton and his music remained sufficiently popular that the first recordings of the noted blues pianist Sunnyland Slim (Albert Luandrew) were issued as by "Dr. Clayton's Buddy". Clayton's recordings helped shape the vocal stylings of B. B. King, the best- known post-war blues artist, who later recorded several Clayton songs. Professor Longhair (Roland Henry Byrd), another post-war giant, also echoes some elements of Clayton's singing. Given the consistently-high quality of the performances on this disc, it is not surprising that the influence of Doctor Clayton extended well beyond his death. ~ David M. Frost March, 1993 Document Records.
Credits: Big Bill Broonzy - Guitar; Walter Brown - Composer; Joe Clayton - Composer; Peter J. Clayton - Composer, Performer, Primary Artist; Blind John Davis - Piano; Doctor Clayton - Composer, Primary Artist, Vocals; Alfred Elkins - Bass (imitation); David M. Frost - Liner Notes; Ransom Knowling - Bass (stand-up), Brass Bass; Robert Lockwood, Jr. - Guitar; Jay McShann - Composer; Johnny Parth - Producer; Gerhard Wessely - Remastering; Beatrice "Toots" Willis - Piano.
Tracklist:
01. Peter's Blues - Peter J. Clayton
02. Yo Yo Jive - Peter J. Clayton
03. Roaming Gambler - Peter Cleighton
04. Slick Man Blues - Peter Cleighton
05. False Love Blues - Peter Cleighton
06. Something Going On Wrong - Peter Cleighton
07. Black Snake Blues - Peter Cleighton
08. '41 Blues - Peter Cleighton
09. Moonshine Man Blues - Peter Cleighton
10. Back Door Man Blues - Peter Cleighton
11. Jitterbug Swing - Peter Cleighton
12. Love Is Gone - Peter Cleighton
13. Confessin' The Blues - Peter Cleighton
14. Streamline Love - Peter Cleighton
15. Doctor Clayton Blues - Doctor Clayton
16. Watch Out Mama - Doctor Clayton
17. Cheating And Lying Blues - Doctor Clayton
18. Gotta Find My Baby - Doctor Clayton
19. Honey Stealin' Blues - Doctor Clayton
20. My Own Blues - Doctor Clayton
21. On The Killin' Floor - Doctor Clayton
22. Moonshine Woman Blues - Doctor Clayton
23. Pearl Harbor Blues - Doctor Clayton
24. Ain't No Business We Can Do - Doctor Clayton
Recording date, location, matrix, catalog number:
1. July 27, 1935, Chicago, 91415-1, Bluebird B-6071
2. July 27, 1935, Chicago, 91416-1, Bluebird B-6096
3. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3893-1, OKeh 06514
4. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3894-1, OKeh 06398
5. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3895-1, OKeh 06464
6. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3896-1, OKeh 06514
7. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3897-1, Columbia unissued
8. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3898-1, OKeh 06375
9. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3899-1, Columbia unissued
10. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3900-1, Conqueror 9948
11. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3901-1, Columbia unissued
12. July 1, 1941, Chicago, C-3902-1, OKeh 06375
13. August 19, 1941, Chicago, C-3972-1, OKeh 06398
14. August 19, 1941, Chicago, C-3983-1, OKeh 06464
15. November 11, 1941, Chicago, 070402-, Bluebird B-8901
16. November 11, 1941, Chicago, 070403-1, Bluebird B-8938
17. November 11, 1941, Chicago, 070404-1, Bluebird B-8938
18. November 11, 1941, Chicago, 070405-, Bluebird B-8901
19. March 27, 1942, Chicago, 074166-1, Bluebird 34-0702
20. March 27, 1942, Chicago, 074167-1, Bluebird B-9003
21. March 27, 1942, Chicago, 074168-1, Bluebird 34-0702
22. March 27, 1942, Chicago, 074169-1, Bluebird B-9021
23. March 27, 1942, Chicago, 074170-1, Bluebird B-9003
24. March 27, 1942, Chicago, 074171-1, Bluebird B-9021
Notes:
From booklet: "NOTE: Doctor Clayton's 6 titles from 7 August 1946 will be reissued on CD at a later date, together with Sunnyland Slim (Doctor Clayton's Buddy)." -- See Doctor Clayton / Sunnyland Slim / Willie "Long Time" Smith - Doctor Clayton And His Buddies -- 1946-1947 Complete.