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5.0 out of 5 stars
Sadly forgotten Nashville R&B Chantusse, January 29, 2011
This review is from: Call Her Name: The Complete Recordings 1951-1965 (Audio CD)
Christine Kittrell, who died here in Columbus in 2001, should be remembered right along with Sarah Vaughan, Ruth Brown, and Helen Humes. She considered herself a "versitile singer", and was basically a cross among those ladies. As with Brown, Christine recorded under the name of her second husband. Kittrell penned several blues standards during her 50's heyday, including "Sitting Here Drinking" and "Call His Name", her biggest hit. She recorded for Chess (unreleased and lost), Federal, and Vee Jay,among others. Her backing bands featured such legends as Little Richard (on "Call His Name"), Hardrock Gunter, Billy Sherill, Red Holloway, and Little Walter (on guitar!).
She performed often for the troops in Vietnam, where she was critically injured by shrapnel in 1968. Moving to Columbus, Christine became a social worker, and suffered a broken back after an attack by a mentally ill patient. She was out of music until the 1980's,rediscovered by rising blues star Sean Carney.
Life of EaseThis great CD features all 31 of her surviving 50's-60's recordings, with nice sound. A 39 page booklet features biographical and personnel notes, photos, and label shots of her 45's. Bear Family intends to release another disc of her 80's and 90's recordings with Carney, mostly from local broadcasts. Some of Christine's music also appears on the great anthology "Night Train To Nashville".
Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945-1970)
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