Saunders King – The Chronological Saunders King 1942-1948 CD uudenveroinen

Saunders King - The Chronological Saunders King 1942-1948 album cover

Label:

Classics (11) – CLASSICS 5064

Series:

Blues & Rhythm Series – 5064

Format:

CD, Compilation

Country:

France

Released:

2003

Genre:

Blues

Style:

Rhythm & Blues

TRACKS

1Big Fat Butterfly2Ambling With Herb3Summertime4Swinging Door Groove (SK Groove)5SK Blues - Part 1 (New SK Blues - Part 1)6SK Blues - Part 2 (New SK Blues - Part 2)7What's Your Story Morning Glory8Jive At Eleven Five9What A Life10After Hours11I'll Know Just What I Do12Why Was I Born13SK Jumps - Part 114SK Jumps - Part 215I'd Climb The Highest Mountain16Lazy Woman Blues17I've Had My Moments18The Atom Leaps19Lonesome Pillow Blues - Part 120Lonesome Pillow Blues - Part 221Stay Gone Blues22Write Me A Letter Blues23Swingin’

Liner Notes – Dave Penny (2)

Originally from Louisiana, the son of a preacher, Saunders learns singing in church. The family soon moved to California. Based in Oakland, he learns more instruments like the piano, banjo and ukulele. It was not until 1938-1939 that he will start the guitar which became his favorite instrument. He is particularly influenced by the elegant style of the jazzman Charlie Christian. Meanwhile, he integrates The Southern Harmony Four - a gospel quartet - which sings on NBC radio. In june 1942, Saunders began his recording career for the Rhythm label owned by Dave Rosenbaum. There, he stands out as a good representative of the jump-blues sharing his music between jazzy ballad and rhythm & blues. His "S.K. blues" in two parts will be a success and remains his best-known song. But other titles worth listening : "Jive at eleven five", "S.K. jumps", "The atom leaps", "Swingin'". Others seem much more dated today. He remains far from the studios long enough because of a combination of events : strike of the American Federation of Musicians and the various restrictions due to the war. In addition, his wife committed suicide during this period. He seems to have taken part in sessions on behalf of Decca in 1944-45 but unfortunately the material remain unissued. Despite those difficult events, Saunders finds again the studios for Rhythm, Cava-Tone ("Nobody wants me"), Modern ("Empty bedroom blues"), Aladdin ("Little girl") and Flair ("Goin' mad"). After a last single in 1961 for Galaxy, he abandoned music and devoted himself to his parish. The 2 CDs edited by Classics compile the entirety of his work between 1942 and 1954. Other discs are interesting selections. Probably be preferred "Cool blues jumps and shuffles" relatively easy to find.