Various Artists - Chess Blues Classics: 1957-1967

This second volume of a two-volume entry in MCA's Chess 50th Anniversary reissue series chronicles the second decade of blues classics produced by the landmark company. Although Chess' big four (Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy Williamson) are all finely represented, influential sides by Elmore James ("Madison Blues"), Otis Rush ("So Many Roads, So Many Trains"), and John Lee Hooker (his monochord boogie treatment of Amos Milburn's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer") pepper the mix as well. As Chess moved into the soul market, so it was that latter-day blues sides by Little Milton, Koko Taylor, and Etta James took on a more pronounced R&B edge, and it is these sides that close this compilation in a near perfect bookend fashion. Extra special highlight: Etta James' nitro reading of Jimmy Reed's "Baby, What You Want Me to Do," recorded live in 1964. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide

Name Credits A.C. Reed Sax (Tenor) Aaron Varnell Saxophone Al Duncan Drums Albert Lowe Guitar Andrew Stephenson Bass Andy McKaie Producer, Compilation Producer Big Walter Horton Harmonica Billy Davis Producer Bob Neely Sax (Tenor) Buddy Guy Performer, Guitar, Vocals Carl Banks Organ Charles Chalmers Saxophone Charles Stepney Piano Clifton James Drums David Hines Trumpet David Hood Bass (Electric) David T. Walker Guitar Dewey Oldham Organ, Piano Dick Shurman Liner Notes Donald Hankins Sax (Baritone) Earl Hooker Guitar Earl Phillips Drums Eddie "Guitar" Burns Guitar Elmore James Guitar, Vocals, Performer Erick Labson Digital Remastering Etta James Performer, Vocals Floyd Newman Saxophone Francis Clay Drums Frank Driggs Photography Fred Below Drums Freddie King Guitar Freeman Brown Drums Gavrell Cooper Sax (Tenor) Geary Chansley Photo Research Gene Miller Trumpet George Hunter Drums Gerald Sims Guitar Homesick James Williamson Guitar Hosea Lee Kennard Piano Howlin' Wolf Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica, Performer Hubert Sumlin Guitar J.T. Brown Sax (Tenor) Jack Meyers Bass James Cotton Harmonica Jimmy Johnson Guitar Jody Williams Guitar John Lee Hooker Guitar, Vocals, Performer Johnny Big Moose Walker Organ Johnny Jones Piano Koko Taylor Performer, Vocals Lafayette Leake Piano Leonard Caston Piano Leonard Chess Producer Little Milton Guitar, Performer, Vocals Little Walter Performer, Harmonica, Vocals Louis Satterfield Bass Luther Tucker Guitar Marion Wright Bass Matt "Guitar" Murphy Guitar Maurice White Drums Mike Fink Design Milton Rector Bass Muddy Waters Vocals, Performer, Slide Guitar Odie Payne Drums Otis Rush Guitar, Vocals, Performer Otis Spann Piano Pat Hare Guitar Phil Chess Producer Phil Wright Arranger Ralph Bass Producer Ray Flerlage Photography Richard Waters Drums Rick Hall Producer Robert Lockwood, Jr. Guitar Robert Nighthawk Guitar Roger Dawkins Drums Sam Lay Drums Sonny Boy Williamson Performer, Vocals, Harmonica Vonzell Cooper Organ Willie Dixon Producer, Bass