Roots of Rhythm & Blues

Jimmy McCracklin & Paul Gayten
Roots of Rhythm & Blues
Label: Roots/Movie Play
Year: ????
Format: mp3 (128kbps)
Total Time: 76:42
Covers: Included

Jimmy McCracklin and Paul Gayten are names that, for the public in general, have passe in oblivion. But the fact remains that both of them were making pure, unadulterated rhythm & blues at a time when the term hadn't yet been coined. Jimmy McCracklin is arguably the most clear-cut r&b singer/pianist/composer to emerge from the American Westcoast. Concerning his place of birth, no doubt whatever exists; it is St. Louis, Missouri. As to the precise year, however, there is considerable room for especulation. He himself gives it as 1931, but that is somewhat improbable to say the least. J.D. Nicholson, the pianist with whom McCracklin made his very first recording in 1945, reckons the date to be round about 1920.
First of all, Jimmy seeks his fortune in the world of boxing. During his stint of military service, he successfully punches and weaves his way to the title of Navy All-American Light-Heavyweight Champion. On the strenght of that he turns professional and soon seems to be well on course for the top. But then a car accident leaves him with permanent shoulder- and eye-damage and thereby brings his boxing career to an abrupt end. Hereupon, he decides to throw all his energies into music and sets off for Oakland on the Westcoast, which at this time (the 'Forties') is at the very heart of a flourishing r&b scene. Between '45 and '56, McCracklin -- mostly under the guidance of producer and record-boss Bob Geddins -- makes a set of three extremely diverse discs, ranging from unobtrusive country-blues and exuberant jump-blues to free-flowing r&b arrangements.
The end of '57 finds him signing up with Chess Records, where he immediately makes what proves to be the biggest hit of his entire career: The Walk. This number, which is essentially nothing more than a simple-as-pie variation on one of the period's most popular dances, The Stroll, clinches a No.7 spot in American Popchart. With this, Jimmy McCracklin becomes the only Westcoast r&b pioneer to break into the white rock & roll market. According to McCracklin himself, the disc is meant merely to prove just how easy it is to satisfy the simple tastes of the rock & roll public. Be that as it may, he is never again to repeat this measure of success. Although he continues to perform until well into the 1970s, he fades quickly into obscurity.
During the heyday of rhythm & blues (second half of the ' Forties' and first half of the 'Fifties'), just two bands run things in New Orleans. The one is David Bartholomew's outfit; the other is led by Paul Gayten, himself a son of New Orleans, born 29th January, 1920. Gayten looms large in the rich history of New Orleans r&b. In 1947 he begins makings discs for De Luxe Records, Regal, and Okeh. Among his hits are ones with his regular vocalist Annie Lauire (Since I Fell For You and I'll Never Be Free) and with singer Larry Darnell (I'll Get Along Somehow). The members of his band represent the absolute pick of the by-no-means mediocre crop of New Orleans musicians; Edgar Blanchard; Alvin " Red" Tyler; Lee Allan; Earl Palmer; and the legendary, never-to-be-forgotten Charles "Hungry" Williams, the finest drummer in the world --- Each a shining star in his own right.
In 1954 Gayten goes on the Chess payroll. And although he himself notches up a couple of hits with Nervous Boogie and Windy, he comes to attach more importance to his rôle as Chess producer and promoter. In his capacity he writes and produces hits for such New Orleans artists as Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Bobby Charles, T.V. Slim, and Eddie Bo (featured Roots of Rock & Roll). From '56 on we find Paul Gayten concerning himself principally with promotional activities for Chess, until, in '69, he sets up his own company under the name of Pzazz Records. - - Herman Van Der Horst - -

** download link **
http://rapidshare.de/files/22498948/RootsofRhythmBlues.rar