Customer Reviews

Boogie-Woogie Boys, 1938-1944

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Among the bewildering number of reissues of old boogie woogie recordings, this 1994 release is one of the best. There are three parts: Section A consists of historical live recordings made at the 1938-39 Spirituals to Swing concerts.
Section B consists of two-piano boogie by Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson. It is a reissue of the RCA Victor 78 album "8 to the Bar", which has appeared innumerable times on 45, LP, CD, and other media. However, this version is better than other current CD releases because it was remastered from the Victor master pressings, and because it includes an alternate take of "Boogie Woogie Man".
The real prize, though, is section C, consisting of ten tracks that were obtained from 16-inch MacGregor transcriptions. They were recorded by Johnson and Ammons several years after the tracks in section B, and the fidelity is superior. Bass is deeper and treble is brighter, and the pianists introduce some new ideas. My favorite is the remake of "Foot Pedal Boogie" on track 19 - much better than the well-known version on track 13. Finally, the album includes a well-researched set of discographical notes.

Boogie woogie is usual not well or poor considered by reviewers because they say it is repetitive. I think they should be less ideologist and show more modesty in their opinions. This CD by BW boys is an example of fresh, sweeping away blues that has its roots on 1870,when the railroad between Texas and Pacific was built with the black manpower.

Its a great CD, but I would prefer if there was less talk on it. The music is great

This is another one of the essential Chicago blues along with Big Maceo, Albert Ammons and Johnson.