Cool Blues, Jumps & Shuffles Saunders King

£11.50

Genre:
Blues
Label:
Ace Records
Format:
CD
Catalogue Id:
CDCHD 865

If there is a forgotten hero of the blues guitar then it has to be Saunders King. Think about it. He scored with S K Blues in 1942, way before T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton and B.B. King hit the charts. Even S K Blues itself is not that well remembered although, inevitably and inimitably, Juke Blues editor Cilla Huggins can recall Howling Wolf's great guitarist Willie Johnson performing the song in 1970.

Our Saunders King compilation is drawn from his Rhythm and Modern recordings from 1942 through 1954. This is one of those rewarding projects that developed a life of its own. Opal Nations, that intrepid San Francisco blues and gospel researcher, had proposed the CD to me two years ago and had already gone as far as writing a draft note. That's confidence for you! It helped that Saunders King was from the Bay Area, so Opal was able to conduct innovatory background research. Then I was able to acquire some wonderful vintage photographs and memorabilia from Saunders King's daughters, Kitsaun and Deborah. As it happens, Deborah is the wife of superstar Carlos Santana, and she arranged for Carlos to write a testimony for the CD. This extract reflects his sentiments: The first time I heard the music of Saunders King I felt deep respect and admiration for the manifested elegance, grace, dignity, beauty and raw sensuality." Say no more.

When it came to the mastering process, our archivist Peter Gibbon and I found that many of the Rhythm acetates (acquired by Modern in 1949) were mislabelled. With the help of collector Victor Pearlin, I was able to compare the acetates with the original, rare 78 rpm records to ascertain that we had the correct takes as well as the correct song titles. Following this exercise, Peter and I were in a position to update the standard Soul Bag discography and this revised version is published in the booklet.

Selection highlights include that first big hit S K Blues on Rhythm (later reissued as New S K Blues on RPM) and the magical What's Your Story Morning Glory. Then there are the two 1949 R&B chart hits (that's all), Empty Bedroom Blues (Modern) and Stay Gone Blues (Rhythm). The rest is an engaging assortment of West Coast cool blues, jumps and shuffles with a dash of evergreen standards.

The net result is an attractive package that will stand as the definitive CD overview of Saunders King's career on record. It should also elevate his status as a true pioneer of the electric blues guitar and R&B generally.

By John Broven"

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Track listing

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Side 1

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We offer free P&P to UK addresses. For all other territories packaging is free and postage is charged on a weight basis.

We use Royal Mail First Class for UK deliveries and standard Air Mail for all other territories, very large orders will usually be sent via parcelforce. You may cancel your order at any time prior to your order being dispatched by emailing us at orders@acerecords.com ensuring that you quote your name, address and order reference number or by telephoning +44 (0) 208 453 1311 between 9am and 5pm GMT/BST, Monday to Friday. Please note: As music downloads are dispatched immediately after purchase, there is no possibility of cancelling these orders.

In the event that any products supplied to you by us are damaged or defective, we agree to replace or repair the damaged or defective products or refund the amount you paid for such goods (including postage & packaging) providing you notify us (either via post at or e-mail: orders@acerecords.com ) and return the goods within 28 days of purchase. Physical goods should be sent back to us in the same condition you received them to: “Returns” Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the e-mail address above including a copy of your notification.

You have the right to cancel your order within seven days of purchase, or seven days of receipt of the goods (whichever is the longer). If you choose to cancel your order, full payment will be returned to you. Returned items should be sent to: “Returns” c/o Ace Records, Such Close, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1JF, United Kingdom. Music downloads should be returned to us via the email address: orders@acerecords.com including a copy of your notice of cancellation and order number.

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This is such good music that it has hardly left my CD player.

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