Search - Big Joe Turner :: Shout Rattle & Roll

BIG JOE TURNER: SHOUT,RATTLE AND ROLL

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 01/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Four discs-74,67,67,71 minutes each approximately. Digitally remastered-the sound is good considering the age of the masters. There is a bit of distortion on a few of the earliest tracks,however,it's well in the background,and does not ruin the music. This music can be enjoyed on several levels: as historic music from an age now long passed,as the beginnings of what became rock and roll,and as plain good music that ensures the listener a good time. A number of tracks are in the mid-tempo range to insure the listener will tap his foot.



This is music that must have sounded great blasting out of a jukebox or over a tinny car radio. The time period covered is from 1938 to 1954. Turner's big voice(he wasn't called that simply because of his size) can be heard over pretty much the same backing and arrangements. His band(except in the beginning of this set with the great Pete Johnson,whose solo tracks should be heard elsewhere)usually consisted of the usual bass,drums,piano,guitar backing,with a saxophone or two honking in complimentary fashion. Jazz listeners will note that Art Farmer turns up in Turner's band in 1948,playing trumpet with several other horns. Solos are either horn(s)or piano,and are short in duration. The slower numbers here are in more of a big city blues style,and serve as a good counterpoint to the faster tracks. Turner's style,while never really changing,can be heard from his rougher beginnings to a much smoother,sophisticated style. Quite a few of the tracks were written by Turner,which shows his skill at writing good unpretentious songs with good arrangements.



The booklet is up to the usual Proper Records standards-plenty of photos and information about Turner and his life. Each disc is inside a cardboard(unlined) holder,with everything inside a stiff outer cardboard box. This is one of those instances when I'm glad I write reviews on Amazon-to be able to let others know about this,(and other good music)so that others might be enticed to take a listen to some great music. Music that,somehow,got lost in the shuffle-which is a crime. This belongs on the shelf of everyone who likes good music,the voice of a great r&b/blues shouter,and/or the beginnings of rock and roll."