Honkers & Bar Walkers, Vol. 1 in Bloomington, MN

This CD serves as a strong introduction to the tenor sax- (and occasional alto-) oriented R&B music of the early 1950s. It includes a few major hits (most notably
Jimmy Forrest's
"Night Train"
and
Tab Smith's
ballad feature "Because of You") and six previously unissued alternate takes. Also heard from are
Teddy Brannon
,
Cozy Eggleston
, the underrated
Jimmy Coe
Doc Sausage
(on 1950's "Sausage Rock"),
Fred Jackson
Chris Woods
Fats Noel
Paul Bascomb
. Overall, it gives listeners a fine sampling of the United and Regal catalogs. Fun and occasionally riotous music. ~ Scott Yanow