Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1935-51) [Import]

Joe Pullum | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 30, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Document
• ASIN: B000000JD2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #856,913 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Blues Piano, March 31, 2001

By 

B. D. Tutt (London, UK.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1935-51) (Audio CD)

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.