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