J.B. LENOIR - His JOB Recordings 1951-1953

J.B. LENOIR - His JOB Recordings 1951-1953
Label: Paula/Fly Right
Released: 1991

Blues

The template for J.B. Lenoir's best songs found his high, reedy vocals floating over his Jimmy Reed-styled electric guitar rhythms while twin saxes wailed and drummer Al Gavin struggled to find the beat, all of which congealed into a unique spin on the Chicago blues sound. The recordings on this collection, however, recorded for Joe Brown's J.O.B. label between 1951 and 1954, have a sparser feel, generally just Lenoir's vocals and guitar, with Sunnyland Slim on piano and Alfred Wallace at the drum kit. The Reed influence is even more obvious on these tracks (check out "How Much More," which could be a parody of Reed, except it isn't). And the writing, always a strong point for Lenoir, whose intelligent street politics and balanced view of male/female relationships put him well ahead of the curve for blues lyrics, falls into cliché here more than it doesn't. With the exception of the striking "I Say Um the Way I Feel," there are no songs on this anthology that reach the lyrical levels of "Eisenhower Blues," "Korea Blues," "Mama Talk to Your Daughter," or any of the other fine compositions he recorded for the Chess and Parrot labels. The sound quality is also sort of muffled, giving these tracks a bootleg feel. All of this adds up to the reason why this release shouldn't be your introduction to this unique bluesman's work. Don't be scared off, though, because these half-formed, unassuming songs do grow on you, if only because of the singer's conviction. Later in his career Lenoir would find the right words to match that conviction. Try Vietnam Blues on Evidence first, and then circle back for this one.
By Steve Leggett, All Music Guide.
**
These are Lenoir's earliest sides in a very stripped down setting compared to the Parrot and Chess sides. Over half of the 14 sides feature Lenoir on guitar with only Sunnyland Slim on piano and Alfred Wallace on drums in support, with J.T. Brown on tenor sax aboard for the next session. They all suffer from a curiously muffled sound, but early delights like "The Mojo (Boogie)" and "Let's Roll" make all audio points mute. This CD also includes seven tracks fronted by Sunnyland Slim recorded the same day with Lenoir in a supporting role.
By Cub Koda, All Music Guide.
**
J.B. Lenoir- Guitar, Main Performer, Vocals
J.T. Brown- Sax Tenor
Johnny Shines- Vocals, Guitar
Sunnyland Slim- Vocals, Piano
Alfred Wallace- Drums
**
01. Let's Roll [Take 2]      2:39    
02. People Are Meddling (In Our Affairs)     2:57   
03. I Have Married     2:28   
04. I'll Die Tryin'     3:13   
05. Mountain     2:49   
06. How Much More?     2:57   
07. Let's Roll [Take 1]     2:51   
08. Mojo Boogie [Take 1]     2:54   
09. Slow Down Woman [Take 1]     3:24   
10. I Want My Baby [Take 1]     2:26   
11. How Can I Leave     3:05   
12. Play a Little While     2:51   
13. Louise     3:04   
14. Mojo Boogie [Take 4]     2:55   
15. Slow Down Woman [Take 2]     2:48   
16. I Want My Baby [Take 4]     2:47   
17. When I Was Young     2:41   
18. Bassology     2:54   
19. Worried About My Baby     2:44   
20. Livin' in the White House     2:31   
21. Please Don't     2:03
**
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