Customer Reviews

Walk 'em: Decca Sessions

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, one of the places, anyway. As early as 1941, while other jazz figures were exploring Bebop and the like, Buddy Johnson was pounding out Big Band blues sides--some of them actual 12-bar numbers like "Walk 'Em" (1946) and "Boogie Woogie's Mother-in-Law" (1941), and others in the 32-bar, AABA mode, but adorned with boogie-woogie riffs and solos in the best late-1950s tradition (only a heck of a lot earlier). While I would have prefered a greater number of instrumental sides, this collection leaves me with no complaints whatsoever, because I was looking for vintage rock and roll--and that, mostly, is what we have here. There are Hal Singer/Paul Williams-style sax solos, rock and roll guitar licks, and, in the person of Ella Johnson and others, R&B vocalizing we tend to associate with later times. The sound is magnificent--no surprise, considering the label, Ace. All reissues should be a fraction as good as this one. Get this one! P.S.--Buddy Johnson's classic "Since I Fell for You" is here to hear in its vintage version, and it is sublime. Again--buy this!

This album (Walk `em Decca Sessions re: 1941- 1952), issued posthumously in 1996 is a superb compilation, issued (& in honor) to the original Legacy of The Buddy Johnson Orchestra, (sparkling [and featuring] the dynamic harmonics of Buddy's younger sister Ella Johnson). I review this album from the prospective of a Lindy Hopper Dancer, and simultaneously from the appreciator of Fine American Music. `Walk `Em' reflects an inspired idea that Mr. Johnson first tried in the mid 1940's. It was written in a walk tempo, such as `walk & roll'. Mr. Johnson theorized.... `Everyone KNOWS how to walk'..... `It had a back beat, with a little boogie in it'..... `It was a rhythm you could just shuffle along, you could walk along with it and you could feel it'.... The thinking behind `Walk `Em' helps explain the popularity of Buddy Johnson's band over so many years. The sound `built most of the charts around the blues'... `There was a touch of South Carolina in most of them, & we kept our music simple, understandable, and danceable'. I am a fairly newbie Lindy Hopper with a a Soul as wide as the Grand Canyon, with a minimal amount of etiquette. My purpose here is to SELL this album & to bring joy to the prospective potential of Music & Dance Lovers like myself.
Check out the sound samples for songs like: "Be Careful (If You Can't Be Good)" (123 bpm), "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" (146 bpm),"Fine Brown Frame" (116 bpm), "No More Love" (130 bpm), "Satisfy My Soul"(111 bpm), "Shufflin' And Rollin'" (154 bpm), "Talking About Another Man's Wife" (124 bpm), and "Walk 'Em" (136 bpm).This album is chock full of great songs in that perfect tempo for practicing. The songs are catchy, with some fun breaks as well.
If you dance, undoubtedly, you are familiar with this (etchings of) album. Many recreations have been attempted, many good, but NONE as Soulful as the original.........Thank You, Humbly, I Submit. Steven R. Mashin Oregon City, Oregon.

This is a great buy! Almost all of the tracks are danceable. Great variety in tempos and great vocals. Some of the other BJ albums lack the sound of this one. My favorites tracks are:

o Walk 'Em o Be Careful o Jackie Robinson

Buddy Johnson made some great music. "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball" is truly a classic, and one I find myself frequently singing. However, none of the reviewers seem to notice that his sister, Ella Johnson, has serious pitch problems and is clearly and pitifully unable to lock onto the "sweet spot" of the melody on almost every song that she sings! It is painful to hear. This is a shame, because the music is so great and it is not yet possible to find a Buddy Johnson cd that does not feature his sister. If you are not bothered by singing that never seems to find proper pitch, then by all means buy all the Buddy Johnson music available. If, however, out-of-tune singing ruins a song for you, I suggest another artist until a Buddy-only cd is released.

Where is the first hit that Buddy Johnson had on Decca in February of 1943 titled 'Let's Beat Out Some Love" ? How could they omit this essential recording. It was their 2nd all-time biggest R&B charter behind "When My Man Comes Home". It(Let's Beat)went to #2 on the R&B charts and stayed their for 2 weeks in the early part of 1943. Again- this essential recording should've been the lead track on this compilation- still-it's a great buy and a great collection.