Search - Junior Parker :: Junior's Blues : The Duke Recordings, Vol. 1

Almost a major blues star..but not quite

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 04/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Business dealings weren't kind to Junior Parker.He left Sun Records to record for Peacock amidst personal "differences" between Sam Philips and Don Robey, and was never given the promotional muscle that could have turned him from a jobbing bluesman into a star. These recordings cover the ten years from 1954 and 1964 and include some really impressive material notably a knock-out version of "Next time you see me" and Roosevelt Sykes "Driving Wheel".Perhaps the outstanding choice of other peoples songs he recorded was "Strange things happening" the Percy Mayfield classic. However, in between are songs that illustrate why Parker never became a star.With no regular band he was backed most of the time by whoever was available and willing to take Don Robey's money. Joe Scott's arrangements were usually beyond the means of those jobbing musicians to deliver what was intended.Parkers voice is never less than excellent throughout these eighteen tracks. Billy Vera's sleevenotes are excellent, and if you're not familiar with the by-line story that was Junior Parker this is a great album to buy to rectify that ommission."