Search - T-Bone Walker :: Stormy Monday Blues: Essential Collection

The funky side of T-Bone

Mr. M. E. Foster | Richardson TX USA | 08/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For someone who is not familiar with T-Bone Walker, CDs featuring his recordings from the 1950s might be a better introduction. If, on the other hand, you find that you just can't get enough T-Bone, "Stormy Monday Blues - The Essential Collection" ought to be on the top of your list. It contains songs that he recorded for the ABC Bluesway label in 1967 and 1968. The CD's insert refers to it as "highlights", but as far as I can tell, it's the complete Bluesway recordings. It was late in his career, and T-Bone's customary arrangements and playing style were becoming dated. So presumably in order to appeal to a newer audience the decision was made to funkify things on a handful of the songs - a commercial ploy with results that are every bit as clever and urbane as any of his other recordings, with the sound quality to match. A note for the frugal: There are several other CDs that contain parts of the Bluesway recordings. (For example, "Stormy Monday Blues" ASIN B000023ZLL and "Funky Town" ASIN B0000011M2.) This one has the complete set on one CD at a much lower price.

"