musicology #268

sleighbellsring #16

(Johnny Moore’s Blazers - Christmas Eve Baby)

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Woke up this morning with the smell, sound and sight of Christmas in my nose, ears and eyes…what JOY. So with that in mind today I am going to post as many cuts as I can manage in between preparing for Santa’s visit tonight.

First up is a cut from Johnny Moore’s Blazers. Not sure of the exact year or even whether it’s Charles Brown on vocal duties what I am sure of however is it’s quality…..

musicology #258

sleighbellsring #6

(Joe Tuner and Pete Johnson - Christmas Date Boogie)

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Today’s cut is courtesy of two legends. Boogie Woogie/Stride piano extrordinaire Pete Johnson with long time companion ‘Big’ Joe Turner who together were there to shape what became known as Rock & Roll. Johnson and Big Joe recorded ‘Roll ‘Em Pete’ after being scouted by John Hammond for his ‘Spirituals To Swing concert at Carniege Hall in 1938. Prolific recording artists they also recorded the seminal ‘Rocket 88 Boogie’ in the late 40’s which Ike Turner used as the basis for what is considered to be a watershed slice in the development of Rock & Roll…’Rocket #88′ as well as the original cut of Shake Rattle And Roll.