Preston Love's Mansion - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Midnight in the Barrelhouse - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Boogie Guitar - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Ain't Nothin' Shakin' - Johnny Otis, Burnette
Hangover Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Get Together Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
I'm Falling in Love With You - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
If It's So, Baby - Johnny Otis, Leonard, T.
Our Romance Is Gone - Johnny Otis, Castillo
If I Didn't Love You So - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
Rain in My Eyes - Johnny Otis, DeMetrius
Double Crossing Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Head Hunter - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Going to See My Baby - Johnny Otis, Hillis, F.
The Little Red Hen - Johnny Otis, Hillis, F.
New Orleans Shuffle - Johnny Otis, Lewis, P.
The Turkey Hop, Pt. 1 - Johnny Otis, Bass, Ralph
The Turkey Hop, Pt. 2 - Johnny Otis, Bass, Ralph
Blues Nocturne - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
Cry Baby - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
Lover's Lane Boogie - Johnny Otis,
I Found Out My Troubles - Johnny Otis,
Misery - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
Track Listings (26) - Disc #2
I'm Through - Johnny Otis, Castillo
I'm Living O.K. - Johnny Otis, Castillo
There Ain't No Use Beggin' - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
You're Fine But Not My Kind - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
Helpless - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
Cool and Easy - Johnny Otis, Hillis, F.
Mistrustin' Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Dreamin' Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Cupid's Boogie - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Just Can't Get Free - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
My Heart Tells Me - Johnny Otis, Lightsey, Melvin
Lost Dream Blues (Lost in a Dream) - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Deceivin' Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Lonely Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Strange Woman - Johnny Otis, Bass, Ralph
Freight Train Boogie - Johnny Otis, Delagarde, Mario
Good Time Blues - Johnny Otis, Hillis, F.
Sunset to Dawn - Johnny Otis, Darnell
Wedding Boogie - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Far Away Christmas Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Love Will Break Your Heart for You - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Rockin' Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
I Don't Care - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
I Dream - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Beer Bottle Boogie - Johnny Otis, Scott, M.
Uneasy Blues - Johnny Otis, Scott, M.
Track Listings (25) - Disc #3
It Can Never Happen Again - Johnny Otis, Darnell
Gee Baby - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Fool's Gold - Johnny Otis, Darnell
Feel Like Crying Again - Johnny Otis, Darnell, R.
Heartache, Here I Come - Johnny Otis, Love, Preston
Turn the Lights Down Low - Johnny Otis,
Hold Me Close - Johnny Otis,
Gonna Take a Train - Johnny Otis,
Doggin' Blues - Johnny Otis, Hopkins, H.
Chitlin' Switch Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Warning Blues - Johnny Otis, Hopkins, H.
Living and Loving You - Johnny Otis, Hopkins, H.
Hunter Hancock Theme - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Mambo Boogie - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
New Love - Johnny Otis,
Just Another Flame - Johnny Otis,
I'll Ask My Heart - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
It Ain't the Beauty - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
All Night Long - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Help Me Blues - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Walkin' Shoe Blues - Johnny Otis,
Honky Tonk Boogie - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Because I Love My Baby So - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Where's My Baby - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Three Magic Words - Johnny Otis, Otis, Johnny
Johnny Otis is best known for his 1956 rock & roll hit "Willie and the Hand Jive." But Otis--the son of Greek immigrants who chose to be personally and professionally identified as black--had enjoyed a successful caree... more »r as a West Coast jazz drummer and R&B bandleader dating back to the mid-'40s. In 1950 alone, he scored three No. 1 R&B hits. This three-disc set collects all his recordings for Savoy between 1949 and 1952, as well as a handful of earlier sides, beginning with his 1945 version of "Harlem Nocturne." The set traces the evolution of Otis's style from big-band jazz toward earthier blues and R&B. "Little" Esther Phillips was featured on Otis's biggest hit, "Double Crossing Blues." Other lead singers in the ongoing Caravan (and on this collection) included Mel Waters (who recalls Charles Brown with a lighter vocal tone), the doo-wop group the Robins, and Linda Hopkins. Guitarist Pete Lewis, saxophonist Big Jay McNeely, and Otis himself on vibraphone are crucial instrumental contributors. Despite Rhythm and Blues Caravan's zoot-suit trappings, there is a dreamy innocence and humor to this music that's largely missing from contemporary R&B. There's also an endearing strangeness that served as a formative influence on the young Frank Zappa, among others. --Rick Mitchell« less
Johnny Otis is best known for his 1956 rock & roll hit "Willie and the Hand Jive." But Otis--the son of Greek immigrants who chose to be personally and professionally identified as black--had enjoyed a successful career as a West Coast jazz drummer and R&B bandleader dating back to the mid-'40s. In 1950 alone, he scored three No. 1 R&B hits. This three-disc set collects all his recordings for Savoy between 1949 and 1952, as well as a handful of earlier sides, beginning with his 1945 version of "Harlem Nocturne." The set traces the evolution of Otis's style from big-band jazz toward earthier blues and R&B. "Little" Esther Phillips was featured on Otis's biggest hit, "Double Crossing Blues." Other lead singers in the ongoing Caravan (and on this collection) included Mel Waters (who recalls Charles Brown with a lighter vocal tone), the doo-wop group the Robins, and Linda Hopkins. Guitarist Pete Lewis, saxophonist Big Jay McNeely, and Otis himself on vibraphone are crucial instrumental contributors. Despite Rhythm and Blues Caravan's zoot-suit trappings, there is a dreamy innocence and humor to this music that's largely missing from contemporary R&B. There's also an endearing strangeness that served as a formative influence on the young Frank Zappa, among others. --Rick Mitchell
"Over three hours of early R&B bliss. What can I say, if you like the style, this 3 CD set offers heaven! Over 3 hours and 77 songs of the hottest 40's 50's R&B scene. If you couldn't be at the Barrelhouse in Watts when it was happening , this set at least gives you a feel for what the music and players were like. I put this on and can listen all day/night long. It never grows tiring. Sexy solos, great riffs, hot rhythym, you name it, this set has it all.Thanks to Atlantic/Savoy Jazz for this gift to music lovers everywhere."
Great Stuff - But...
Brian Comnes | 04/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like jump/R&B/jazz style, this is great stuff. BUT...
Before you buy this set, check out Midnight at the Barrelhouse on JSP. It has every cut on this set (except for Hunter Hancock's Theme) + a lot more cuts + the JSP set costs less."