This is an excellent collection of
Big Joe Turner's early
blues sides from the '40s. Cut before
Turner gained widespread fame scoring
rock & roll hits for Atlantic, the 26 cuts here were recorded on both coasts while the singer notched up a slew of gigs nationwide. Working for several labels, including RPM, Aladdin, and MGM,
Turner waxed immortal versions of such classic
r&b and
blues sides as "Corrine Corrina," "Nobody in Mind," and the
Leroy Carr gem "How Long, How Long Blues."
Turner also penned many of the songs here and collaborated with
jump blues great
Wynonie Harris on the raucous duet "Battle of the Blues." Besides Harris,
Turner gets fine help from pianists
Willie "The Lion" Smith,
Freddie Slack, and his early cohort
Pete Johnson. A stellar addition to the
Turner Catalog. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide